Shoot us a Text.

Our 4th Annual Year End Extravaganza is at 1PM today! But before we get there, we’ve got to talk about how Foxconn is still trying to buy Nissan, how a new CA law will require way more charging infrastructure and ChatGPT’s phone hotline.

Show Notes with links:

• The ante has been upped as a Foxconn exec is currently meeting with Renault officials in France to discuss acquiring a stake in Nissan, intensifying the urgency of Honda and Nissan’s merger talks. Facing fierce competition from Tesla and Chinese automakers, both Japanese giants are exploring deeper collaboration to stay afloat in a rapidly shifting EV market.
  • Honda and Nissan have been  exploring a holding company to deepen collaboration, stay competitive against Tesla and BYD, and address slowing EV demand in Europe and the U.S.
  • A merger could offer cost savings and shared R&D across 7 million vehicles but risks overlap in markets and products, especially in the U.S. and Japan as Japanese regulators are closely watching the situation due to its potential impact on jobs. 
  • One of the biggest questions that we think isn’t being talked about enough, is this being a potential door to allow Chinese EVs to enter the market.

• California's new building codes, effective 2026, will require EV chargers in most new overnight parking spaces, providing convenient access to charging, especially for apartment dwellers and urban residents.
  • Most new apartment and condo projects must ensure that each unit’s parking spot is "EV Ready" with 240V outlets or standardized chargers. Shared spaces can use power-sharing systems to keep costs manageable.
  • New hotel/motel guidelines will require up to 65% of parking spots to be EV-ready, ensuring travelers have access to overnight charging.
  • Office, retail, and other non-residential lots must designate at least 20% of their spaces as EV-ready, with incentives for installing DC fast chargers.
  • Older parking lots must meet EV-ready requirements whenever significant updates or new spaces are added, creating a gradual statewide retrofit.

• OpenAI has launched a phone-based version of ChatGPT, allowing users in the US to call and chat with the AI for up to 15 minutes a month. The feature is part of OpenAI’s push to make AI accessible to new audiences.
  • How It Works: Call 1-800-CHATGPT to connect with ChatGPT for up to 15 minutes per month per phone number. You can also message ChatGPT via WhatsApp using the same number globally.
  • The phone system uses OpenAI’s Realtime API, while the WhatsApp integration is powered by GPT-4o mini through the WhatsApp API.
  • OpenAI describes the feature as a “low-cost way” for users unfamiliar with AI to try it out through familiar channels. Advanced users may prefer traditional ChatGPT accounts for more robust features.

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.

Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/

JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/