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Monday morning and we’re rolling heavy into this week as we explore how Hurricane Helene impacts auto dealerships' insurance, the  launch of IONNA’s EV fast-charging network, and why October is now a major sales season for retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

Show Notes with links:

• As natural disasters like Hurricane Helene become more frequent and severe, and with Hurricane Milton facing down Florida’s gulf coast, insurance companies are reassessing their risk models. Auto dealerships, in particular, face unique challenges in protecting high-value inventory and managing insurance costs in the aftermath of such storms.
  • Andrew Hoffman, a professor at the University of Michigan, says these decisions will likely reflect trends, not just isolated incidents like Helene.
  • He noted that auto dealerships may need to implement additional storm-proofing measures to secure insurance coverage.
  • Meanwhile, some auto dealers are banding together to help those affected. The Jim Ellis Automotive Group in Georgia launched a relief campaign, collecting essential supplies like toiletries, canned goods, and baby formula for Helene-impacted residents in North Carolina.
  • The group, in partnership with a vendor, filled a 36-foot trailer with supplies for affected areas and plans to make additional supply runs as recovery efforts continue.

• IONNA is taking EV charging to the next level with the opening of its first "Rechargery" in Apex, NC, offering ultra-fast chargers and customer-friendly amenities.
  • IONNA is backed by eight major automakers, including BMW, General Motors (GM), Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Stellantis, and Toyota and its first Rechargery will feature 10 fast chargers capable of up to 400kW, serving both CCS and NACS users.
  • The Apex site, once an old gas station, symbolizes the transition from fossil fuel to electric energy infrastructure.
  • Amenities include a lounge with WiFi, food, coffee, and outdoor, pet-friendly spaces for drivers to relax while charging.
  • IONNA plans to build 30,000 fast EV chargers across the U.S. by 2030.

• Amazon’s October Prime Big Deal Days introduces unexpected holiday sales items, such as chainsaws, as the company seeks to expand holiday shopping earlier. Other retailers, like Walmart and Lowe’s, are joining in with October deals, offering steep discounts across various categories.
  • The event is seen as a strategic move to encourage Prime members to spend more and clear out less popular July Prime Day items like camping gear, yard tools, and chainsaws.
  • A survey by Optimove Insights found that 67% of shoppers expect to feel overwhelmed by holiday marketing messages by November 1, especially with so many sales happe

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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