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Happy Thursday! Today, we’re joined by the one and only Steve Greenfield, as we discuss VWs plans to close plants in Germany and its showdown with the union, how dealers should be improving their cybersecurity, and why Oakland police are towing Teslas to get their camera footage.

Show Notes with links:

• Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume is on a collision course with Germany's powerful labor union, IG Metall, as VW considers job cuts and plant closures to reduce costs.
  • VW may end a 30-year-old job security agreement and close plants in Germany.
  • VW hasn't closed a plant since 1988, but Blume is pushing for bold changes.
  • The IG Metall union vows to "fiercely resist" any closures.
  • VW works council head Daniela Cavallo says the upcoming worker-management meeting will be "very uncomfortable."
  • With electric vehicle demand slowing and competition rising, Blume faces intense pressure.
  • Analyst Matthias Schmidt commented, "If Blume can make the move stick, decades of past CEOs will feel vindicated."

• Cybersecurity is increasingly important to consumers shopping online, with 80% expressing concerns in a survey by Experian. The data shows dealerships need to prioritize security in their digital retail platforms as online fraud and data breaches rise.
  • Identity theft is the top online concern for consumers.
  • Digital processes at dealerships have become targets for fraudsters due to weak cybersecurity, according to Kanchana Sundaram, the senior director of product and innovation at Experian.
  • Almost half of those surveyed trust businesses with visible cybersecurity measures.
  • The survey shows consumers want digital retail tools to take cybersecurity seriously. Top 5 measures to provide a secure online experience: Physical biometrics, Pin code sent to mobile device, Behavioral biometrics, Security questions, and Passwords
  • Sundaram said: "Consumers want easy, secure transactions with trusted brands like Amazon."

• Tesla’s Sentry Mode is gaining attention as Oakland police utilize the technology to aid investigations. Initially designed to catch Tesla-related crimes, it is now helping police capture general crime scene footage.
  • Tesla launched Sentry Mode in response to break-ins in 2018-2019 and uses Tesla’s existing cameras to record while the car is parked.
  • It has been pivotal in solving vandalism and other non-car-related crimes.
  • Police are now towing Tesla vehicles to retrieve footage when owners are unavailable.
  • Sgt. Ben Therriault admitted this practice may seem extreme but justified when evidence is crucial.

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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