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Episode #1168: Today we’re covering how top dealerships are building stronger workplace cultures, why subprime auto delinquencies are rising, and how Ferrari’s first EV aims to keep its signature sound authentic.

• The Automotive News 2025 Best Dealerships To Work For study reveals what separates top employers from the rest — and it’s more about people than paychecks.
  • Winning dealerships excelled in communication, transparency, and trust — 88% of employees said they’re “kept aware of the dealership’s financial status” vs. just 65% at nonwinners.
  • They lead with fairness: 92% of employees at top stores felt “paid fairly,” and were satisfied with their benefits, compared to 71% elsewhere.
  • Flexible work options are gaining traction, with 48% of Best Dealerships offering four-day workweeks and 79% offering flexible hours.
  • Health and wellness programs were a hallmark — 70% offered fitness reimbursements, and 75% trained managers to spot stress and burnout.
  • “You build trust through being transparent,” said Tim Bergstrom, CEO of Bergstrom Automotive
  • The top dealership to work for in 2025 is Capitol Nissan Salem of the Capitol Auto Group, but we have some friends on the list including Mohawk Honda, 6 from the Rohrman Auto Group, 2 from the Matthews Auto Group and nearly 40 from Bergstrom Automotive

• The U.S. auto market is showing signs of financial strain as more buyers fall behind on car payments. Rising prices, higher interest rates, and stagnant wages are hitting lower-income consumers hardest.
  • Nearly 14% of new-car buyers now have credit scores below 650 — the highest share since 2016, according to J.D. Power.
  • More than 6% of subprime auto loans are 60 or more days delinquent, a record high, Fitch Ratings reports.
  • Roughly 1.7 million vehicles were repossessed last year — the most since 2009.
  • Lender Tricolor Holdings filed for bankruptcy, underscoring the strain on borrowers with limited credit access.

• Ferrari’s first EV, the Elettrica, won’t fake the sound of a V8 — it’s creating a new, authentic electric soundtrack. The brand’s engineers designed a system that amplifies real motor vibrations to create a natural, emotionally engaging tone.
  • Ferrari rejected synthetic engine noise and instead amplifies genuine drivetrain frequencies through a sensor on the rear axle.
  • The sound activates only when the driver calls for torque, offering “dialogue between driver and car.”
  • The system, developed in-house, works like an electric guitar — converting real vibrations into an audible, performance-linked tone.
  • Ferrari hasn’t yet revealed the sound to the public, though early testers reportedly praised it.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:35 New Auto Collabs Episode with Michael Kraut of Exp

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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