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Episode #1187: GM trims its workforce and tech leadership as it reassesses priorities. Kia hits pause on its next U.S. EV launch amid regulatory roadblocks. And Walmart leans into nostalgia with a print catalog push designed to elevate its home game.

Show Notes with links:

General Motors made sweeping changes last week, laying off workers and restructuring leadership as it adjusted to shifting market signals. What began as a response to softening EV demand quickly expanded into a broader corporate shakeup.

• • GM eliminated 1,750 jobs, including 1,200 from Factory Zero in Detroit and hundreds more at paused battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee.
  • The company cited weaker EV sales and regulatory uncertainty as reasons for scaling back production.
  • Senior VP of Software David Richardson abruptly exited following an internal reorg just days after presenting at GM’s tech event.
  • His responsibilities were shifted under product leadership led by Tesla/Aurora alum Sterling Anderson.
  • CEO Mary Barra assumed oversight of cybersecurity and IT, signaling a more hands-on approach to GM’s tech transformation.

• Kia has officially delayed the U.S. release of its compact EV4 sedan, which was initially slated to arrive in early 2026.
  • The EV4, revealed at the New York Auto Show, was expected to start under $40K with up to 330 miles of range.
  • Kia confirmed the delay, citing “changing market conditions for EVs” as primary cause.
  • The expiration of the $7,500 EV tax credit and new import tariffs have reshaped the economics of launching foreign-built EVs in the U.S.
  • The EV4 was to be manufactured in South Korea and imported to the U.S.; that plan is now on hold indefinitely.
  • Kia’s EV lineup already includes the EV6, EV9, and Niro EV

• In an unexpected move, Walmart has revived the old-school print catalog to boost its home goods visibility. The retailer's latest campaign mixes nostalgia with strategy, aiming to reintroduce shoppers to a broader, more style-forward product lineup.
  • Walmart released a full-scale home catalog in August, targeting new, existing, and lapsed customers ahead of the holidays.
  • The catalog showcases furniture, decor, and appliances with QR codes linking to Walmart’s online store.
  • SVP Creighton Kiper described the catalog as a static creative tool to reposition Walmart as a destination for affordable, high-style home goods.
  • Despite rapid execution, early impressions and engagement exceeded expectations — though no follow-up editions have been confirmed.
  • “Most retailers recognize… you have to have a marketing mix across online and offline channels to really reach the consumer,” said Polly Wong, President of Belardi Wong.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:03 Upcoming Edge Webinar Tomorrow!
1:39 GM Shakes Up Exe

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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