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We’re wrapping up the week so we can hit NADA running. Today, we cover how GM has settled a case with the FTC about collection and selling of data collected through Onstar. Plus, EV registrations are rising amid concerns that President Trump will get rid of the IRA tax credit, and lessons learned from the 2025 National Retail Foundation Big Show.

Show Notes with links:

• General Motors has reached a settlement with the FTC over allegations that it sold customer driving data without their consent. The FTC alleged that GM's OnStar service collected precise geolocation and driving behavior data, which was then sold to third parties, including consumer reporting agencies. 
  • GM failed to clearly disclose to consumers that it collected and sold this data.
  • The FTC claims that GM's enrollment process for the OnStar Smart Driver feature was "confusing and misleading."
  • GM has discontinued the Smart Driver program and ended its third-party telematics relationships with LexisNexis and Verisk.
  • Under the settlement, GM is banned from disclosing this type of consumer data to consumer reporting agencies for five years.
  • The company will also take steps to provide greater transparency and choice to consumers over the collection, use, and disclosure of their connected vehicle data.
  • "Respecting our customers' privacy and earning their trust is deeply important to us," GM said.

• Electric vehicle registrations saw a significant jump in November as consumers rushed to take advantage of automaker discounts and secure the $7,500 federal tax credit, which may be repealed under President-elect Donald Trump.
  • EV registrations surged 21% year-over-year to 109,120 vehicles in November.
  • Battery-electric vehicles captured 8.3% of the U.S. light-vehicle market, up from 7.4% a year earlier.
  • Automakers, fearing a drop in EV demand if incentives are repealed, offered deep discounts and lease deals.
  • Tesla led the market with 46,225 registrations, while GM brands saw the most growth, particularly Chevrolet.

• The National Retail Foundation 2025 Big Show in New York brought together tens of thousands of retail professionals to discuss the landscape of shopping, technology, and consumer behavior. Key themes included adaptability, embracing failure, and the growing role of AI-driven dynamic pricing in retail strategies.
  • Best Buy CEO Corie Barry emphasized "adaptability over perfection," noting that retailers must balance both in-store and digital experiences to remain competitive.
  • Amazon's Doug Herrington echoed Jeff Bezos’s sentiments on learning to fail, saying, "If you get too good at avoiding failure, innovation becomes nearly impossible."
  • Macy’s CEO Tony Spring rejected the idea that department stores are dead, instead calling them a "curated marketplace"

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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