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We’re live from Austin this morning where we’ll be speaking to the ATAE Comms Directors, but before that, we’re talking about how car dealer Bernie Moreno is headed to the Senate, the second annual list of CBT 40 Under 40 honorees and how Open AI spent a whopping $15M on the Chat.com domain.

Show Notes with links:

• Bernie Moreno, former auto dealer and Trump-backed Republican, flipped a longstanding Democratic Senate seat in Ohio, securing a narrow victory over Sherrod Brown.
  • Moreno won 50.2% of the vote, defeating Brown’s 46.4%, marking a GOP gain in the Senate.
  • The race was one of the most expensive Senate contests in history, crucial for Republican control.
  • His opponent, incumbent Sherrod Brown, targeted Moreno’s dealership past, implying he “would say anything to sell a car.” This line of attack backfired, galvanizing support from auto industry insiders who saw it as a slight against the profession.
  • A critic of federal EV mandates, Moreno argued for consumer choice, advocating that Ohioans—and the auto market—should not be subjected to standards set by California.
  • Moreno credited auto industry colleagues for their unwavering support, stating, “I appreciate the hundreds of phenomenal entrepreneurs in the car business.”
• CBT News has announced its second annual 40 Under 40 awards, spotlighting rising stars in the automotive retail industry. These honorees demonstrate exceptional talent in areas like sales, marketing, management, and innovation, shaping the future of automotive retail.
  • The award recognizes contributions in sales, customer experience, and community service and aims to inspire future leaders in automotive retail.
  • Co-founders Bridget and Jim Fitzpatrick commend honorees' resilience: "The resilience and dedication demonstrated by every member of the retail automotive community is truly inspiring."
  • Friends of ASOTU: Nathanael Greklek, Chief Digital Brand Leader at Mohawk Auto Group,  and Michael Lucki, GM/Operating Partner at Riverhead Mazda
• OpenAI has made waves by purchasing the chat.com domain from HubSpot’s Dharmesh Shah, a move signaling their evolving approach to user interaction.
  • Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, shared the new domain, which directly redirects to ChatGPT.
  • Originally bought by Shah for $15.5M, he later sold it to OpenAI, reportedly at a profit.
  • Shah cited "Chat-based UX" as the next big trend in software for natural, intuitive interactions.
  • Shah hinted that OpenAI paid with shares rather than cash, a unique twist on the transaction.
  • This move aligns with OpenAI’s recent rebranding efforts, including new model series like “o1” aimed at simplifying and enhancing user perception.

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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