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Episode #1096: We cover GM’s shift away from EVs at Orion, the end of a 112-year family legacy at Ohio’s oldest Ford dealership, and how new AI tools are challenging the finance industry’s most iconic software.

• General Motors is officially reversing course at its Orion Assembly plant, which had been idled since late 2023 for a planned conversion to electric vehicle production. Instead, the automaker now says the factory will build gas-powered versions of the Escalade, Silverado, and Sierra starting in 2027.
  • Originally, Orion was to build EV versions of the Silverado and Sierra, aligning with GM’s electrification strategy.
  • Production was delayed twice amid shifting consumer sentiment and cost considerations.
  • The move is part of a broader $4 billion investment across three plants to increase output of gasoline-powered vehicles.
  • GM cited “continued strong customer demand” for ICE models as the driver behind the pivot.
  • “These moves will further strengthen our manufacturing footprint,” GM said, reaffirming its commitment to Michigan manufacturing.

• After 112 years under Chapman family stewardship, Ohio’s oldest Ford dealership has been sold to Coughlin Automotive, marking the end of a storied chapter in Marysville.
  • Originally opened by grocer George Butler Chapman in Plain City in 1913, Bob Chapman Ford was one of the first Ford dealers in Ohio, selling Model Ts
  • Over four generations, the Chapman family expanded: new facilities in 1918, 1935, and 1978, plus ventures into Firestone stores, Chryslers, RVs, even founding local airports 
  • The current 28,000-square-foot facility includes 24 service bays, a Quick Lane center and proudly displays an original Model T on its showroom floor as a nod to its century‑plus legacy
  • Joe Chapman described the sale as “one of the most emotional and important decisions of my life,” praising Coughlin’s deep respect for the dealership’s legacy and community roots.

• New AI platforms like Claude and Perplexity are digging into the finance world, offering powerful features that could make Bloomberg’s industry standard $25K-a-year terminal feel outdated.
  • Claude now combines real-time market data with internal company info to answer complex questions instantly—no more juggling multiple systems.
  • It can run simulations, build trading models, and handle huge documents without analysts hitting roadblocks.
  • Major firms like Bridgewater, AIG, and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund are already seeing big productivity boosts.
  • Perplexity targets a broader market with tools starting at $0, offering fast research summaries, stock comparisons, and even crypto integrations through Coinbase.

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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