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The internet is abuzz this morning as OpenAI released its long-anticipated video generator, Sora, to the public. But before we get there, we have to talk about Tim Kuniskis coming back to Stellantis as the new Ram CEO, and how studies are suggesting that EVs could last longer than ICE vehicles.

Show Notes with links:

• Tim Kuniskis is back at Stellantis, stepping in as the new Ram truck brand CEO after a brief retirement. The return comes amidst a significant leadership shake-up following CEO Carlos Tavares' resignation.
  • Kuniskis' comeback has been met with excitement from dealers who value his market insights and approachable leadership style.
  • Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell moves to lead Alfa Romeo in North America.
  • Jeff Kommor returns as U.S. sales head, reversing a prior restructure of retail and commercial divisions.
  • The shake-up follows a turbulent year for Stellantis, marked by declining sales and high inventories.
  • Michael Bettenhausen of Stellantis’ U.S. dealer council states: “Tim brings a wealth of knowledge, and everyone in the company has leaned on him for guidance at some point.”

• Despite myths about rapid degradation and expensive replacements, evidence suggests EV batteries are far outlasting expectations, offering long-term reliability for secondhand buyers.
  • Studies show EV batteries retain 90% capacity after 62,000 miles and 87% after 186,000 miles, with an annual degradation rate of just 1.8%.
  • Factors like DC rapid charging and hot climates can increase degradation, but advancements in battery management systems are mitigating these risks.
  • Real-world data reveals early EV models like the BMW i3 and Tesla Model S retain over 80% capacity after nearly a decade.
  • Experts suggest smaller battery buffers and more transparent reporting could further reduce costs and boost confidence in secondhand EVs.
  • “The cost of maintenance is significantly lower,” notes Geotab CEO Neil Cawse. “Brake pads, wipers, and that’s about it.”

• Get ready for all the AI videos to hit your social media feed, as OpenAI’s latest innovation, Sora, has been released, letting users generate videos from text and other inputs, marking a major leap in AI creativity.
  • Available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers, Sora offers tools to create, remix, and animate videos up to 1080p resolution and 20 seconds long.
  • Features include “storyboards” for multi-prompt sequences, AI-driven video blending, and a “remix” tool to refine outputs with text prompts.
  • Videos include visible watermarks and metadata to ensure transparency, with strict content moderation policies in place.
  • The launch follows controversy as some artists in OpenAI's alpha testing program protested, alleging their unpaid contributions were used for R&D and PR without consent.
  • Sora product lead Rohan Sahai says, “We want to balance creative

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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