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Episode #1172: Stellantis bets big on American production with its largest investment ever, NADA makes history with a new vice chair, and three Nissan dealers take the scenic route to prove the CVT isn’t the punchline anymore.

Show Notes with links:

• Stellantis just dropped the biggest investment announcement in company history—$13 billion to bring more Jeep, Dodge, and Ram production back home.
  • The plan adds 5,000 U.S. jobs and launches five new vehicles and a new four-cylinder engine by 2030.
  • CEO Antonio Filosa says the goal is simple: grow in the U.S. after Jeep’s recent sales slump.
  • $600 million will reopen the Belvidere, Illinois, plant to build the Jeep Cherokee and Compass—moving both out of Mexico.
  • A new range-extended EV and gas model are coming to Metro Detroit, adding another 900 jobs.
  • “Success in America is not just good for Stellantis in the U.S.—it makes us stronger everywhere,” Filosa said.

• Sandy Fitzgerald Angello of Pohanka Automotive Group has been elected as the NADA vice chair for 2026, only the second woman ever to hold the role. She’s expected to take the top spot in 2027.
  • Angello brings 40+ years of experience and currently represents Maryland dealers on the NADA Board.
  • She follows in the trailblazing footsteps of Annette Sykora, who broke the barrier back in 2007.
  • “This position allows me to amplify the voice of dealers,” said Angello. “I look forward to supporting franchised dealers and the customers we serve.”
  • Rob Cochran of #1 Cochran moves up to chair in 2026, continuing NADA’s long tradition of planned succession.
  • Both Cochran and Angello start their new roles at the 2026 NADA Show

• Three Nissan dealers traded their desks for desert dust. The Tour Detour drops today on YouTube and it’s equal parts road-trip chaos, friendship test, and CVT redemption story.
  • Tim Pohanka, Chris Lenckosz, and Jason Cole bought three used Nissans for under $10K—each rocking a 100K-plus CVT—and drove 1,500 miles across salt flats, dunes, and mountain passes.
  • The cars have names (because of course they do): The Duke, Luciano, and Emma.
  • The goal? Show that Nissan’s CVT can take more punishment than its memes would suggest.
  • Joining us today is Tim Pohanka, VP and Executive Manager of Pohanka Nissan Hyundai

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:35 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with vAuto
2:55 Stellantis To Invest $13B In the US and Create 5000 Jobs
4:38 Cochran To NADA Chair, Angello to Vice Chair
5:44 Tim Pohanka Joins The Show
6:05 Tim on Sandy Fitzgerald Angello
7:05 The Tour Detour Debuts Today

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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