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Michael Cirillo joins the show on this hump day, as talk about incoming NADA Chairman Tom Castriota, how Ebay is joining the online used car game and ChatGPT making repeatable tasks happen.

Show Notes with links:

• Tom Castriota, incoming chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), has outlined his priorities for 2025, focusing on regulatory changes, the EV transition, and franchise system challenges.
  • Tom is a Marine Corps veteran with 27 years of service and was recognized as the 2011 TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year. His philosophy is to “try to do it right, every day. Do it honestly and do it correctly.”
  • On the incoming administration: “I believe personally that we have an administration that’s a little more pro-business. The consumer is very important. Without the consumer’s ability to buy, then we’re all struggling.”
  • On affordability: “My biggest concern is the average consumer, they’re stretched…  Those are the ones that are struggling today to buy that $30,000 truck or that $30,000 car or $30,000 EV. And that’s where I really believe that we as an industry, from the retail standpoint, that’s where many of us are missing that opportunity to grow.”
  • On inventory and day supply: “I don’t know if we, in the next few years, the manufacturers, want to get to that standpoint that there’s 3 million, 4 million cars and trucks sitting on dealers’ lots at a 120-day supply. I don’t think any manufacturer wants to do that."
• eBay has announced plans to acquire Caramel, a Los Angeles-based startup that simplifies the final steps of car sales, including financing, ownership transfer, and insurance. The acquisition aligns with eBay’s strategy to enhance trust and efficiency in its automotive marketplace.
  • The platform facilitates identity verification, title transfers, financing, and vehicle delivery, aiming to reduce post-sale complexities for buyers and sellers.
  • eBay aims to expedite and secure used car transactions, building on its existing escrow services and maintaining its competitive edge in the growing online automotive market.
  • The move comes as Amazon enters the car sales space with its Amazon Autos platform, signaling increased competition in the industry.
  • "The acquisition is all about ‘creating trust’ in the vehicle buying process," said Chris Prill, General Manager of eBay Motors.
• OpenAI has announced a new feature for ChatGPT called 'Tasks,' allowing users to schedule actions and reminders. The feature, currently in beta, aims to position ChatGPT as a digital assistant for Plus, Team, and Pro subscribers.
  • Users can schedule up to 10 simultaneous active tasks such as reminders, daily updates, or specific prompts, either as one-time or recurring events.
  • Tasks can be managed, modified, or canceled directly within chat threads or a dedicated "Tasks" section on the web interface.
  • ChatGPT can

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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