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On this Thursday, we’re covering how EV/hydrogen truck maker Nikola is filing for bankruptcy, how West Herr Auto Group gifted Slick Rick from the Buffalo Bills mailroom a car, and how kids meals are becoming something everyone orders.

• Electric truck startup Nikola, once a Wall Street darling valued higher than Ford, has filed for bankruptcy, joining other EV-makers like Fisker, Lordstown Motors and Electric Last Mile Solutions.
  • Founded in 2015, Nikola promised a hydrogen-fueled revolution for trucking, securing billions in investments from GM, Bosch, and others.
  • In 2020, short-seller Hindenburg Research accused Nikola of faking its truck technology, revealing a promotional video showing a truck rolling downhill with no powertrain.
  • Founder Trevor Milton resigned amid fraud allegations and was later convicted in 2022, receiving a four-year prison sentence.
  • Despite shifting focus to hydrogen fuel cell trucks, Nikola produced only 235 vehicles, amidst supply chain issues, rising costs, and an underdeveloped hydrogen fueling network.
  • CEO Steve Girsky blamed economic conditions, stating, “Our very best efforts have not been enough to overcome these significant challenges.”

• When quarterback Josh Allen gave his MVP acceptance speech last week, he made sure to shout out someone who rarely gets the spotlight—Roderick “Slick Rick” Morrow, a beloved mailroom employee at One Bills Drive.
  • After Allen’s speech, Buffalo fans quickly fell in love with Slick Rick. One detail caught everyone’s attention: despite working for the Bills for over a decade, Rick had been taking the bus to work every day.
  • West Herr Automotive Group knew they couldn’t just stand by on the sidelines, and on Valentine’s Day, they surprised Slick Rick with a Chevy Traverse—his very own set of wheels after years of relying on public transportation.
  • “It feels like I’m living the dream, and I am!” Rick said, soaking in all the love from the Buffalo community.
• As fast-food prices continue to skyrocket, some savvy consumers have found a way to save money—by ordering kids’ meals. The trend has surged in popularity, with many adults opting for smaller portions at lower prices, sometimes even enjoying the bonus of a toy.
  • Data from Circana shows a 28% increase in adults ordering kids’ meals in 2024 compared to 2019.
  • Fast-food prices have surged by 39%-100% over the past decade, outpacing inflation (31%), with McDonald’s, Popeyes, and Taco Bell leading the way.
  • Social media influencers, such as TikTok’s “kids’ meal connoisseur” Ashley Garrett, have fueled the trend by reviewing and rating kids’ meals.
  • Restaurant investor Dan Rowe suggests the issue isn’t adults ordering kids’ meals but rather, “If people are ordering off of your kids’ menu, you have other issues.”
  • The rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which reduce appetite, could also

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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