The Automotive Troublemaker

We’re closing out the week talking about how industry titan Dale Pollak will leave Cox Auto at the end of 2025. Plus, almost all of the public groups saw F&I gross profit dip in Q3 and apparently OpenAI is building its own web browser.

We’re back at our desks after some time on the road. Today we’re talking about Honda’s plans to double EV range while reducing cost and size, a new study that says price parity between EV and ICE could come as soon as 2026, and the response to an AI-altered Coca-Cola ad.‍

Welcome to Wednesday as we talk about the likely EV regulation rollbacks on Trump’s Day One. We also talk about a Jaguar rebrand that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen, as well Delta’s new initiative to serve ShakeShack on first class flights.

We’re live in Petersburg VA this morning as we’re shooting the next episode of More Than Cars. Today, we’re talking about the latest Cars Commerce Industry Insights and what it means for supply and demand, how BYD has produced its 10 millionth new energy vehicle, and how this Thanksgiving could be a record for travel.

It’s a busy week around the ASOTU halls as we’re in Florida for MRC and then Virginia for MTC. Today we’re covering how Carvana is scaling its capacity through the ADESA auction network, how Teslas topped a study on the most fatal cars on the road and the tech hiring slowdown.

We’re almost at the end of another week, and today we’re covering how it seems that the Trump team is getting ready to eliminate the EV tax credit. Plus, GM is working with EV owners in Texas to offer free nighttime EV charging, and how on-the-job training is becoming harder to find.

It’s Thursday, and we’re almost halfway through November. Today, we’re talking about a CDK study that says car buying got harder for consumers in October, how Tesla has exhausted its Cybertruck reservation list and OpenAI’s autonomous Operator that’s coming to a computer near you.

Today’s the day when we release More Than Cars episode 4: Mohawk Chevrolet at 1PM! Oh and we’re also talking about Rivian and VW’s finalized joint venture, how the UAW is struggling to gain momentum following last year’s big wins and how Dodge is adjusting its EV and ICE muscle car plans.

This Tuesday morning we are excited to publish the very first AutoIndustry.ai weekly email, covering everything the industry needs to know about AI. But before we talk about that, we’re covering how VinFast’s founder is jumping in to keep the company afloat again.

Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you to all who have served! Today we’re talking about Ernie Garcia II cashing in on $1.4B of Carvana stock, a new Capital One study highlighting the role of trust and transparency in the car buying process and an IHOP-Applebees shared location.

Welcome to Friday! As we wind down the week, we’re talking about how the Trump Presidency could affect the FTC CARS Rule. Plus, Mexico wants answers from Musk as to Tesla’s Mexico Gigafactory and a painting by an AI robot sold for over $1M at auction.

We’re live from Austin this morning where we’ll be speaking to the ATAE Comms Directors, but before that, we’re talking about how car dealer Bernie Moreno is headed to the Senate, the second annual list of CBT 40 Under 40 honorees and how Open AI spent a whopping $15M on the Chat.com domain.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House could disrupt the auto industry’s EV ambitions. Plus, Elon Musk’s advisory role with the new administration and his plans for autonomous tech. And, IKEA opens its first stand-alone restaurant in London.

Happy Election Day! Well, now that we’ve covered that… today we’re talking about how Stellantis listened to dealers and cut prices on some Jeep models, how Tesla has given up on the human-driven affordable EV, and how your name might start being incorrectly spelled on Starbucks cups this fall. 

We’ve got Michael Cirillo in the studio on this Monday, as we’re talking about how its becoming harder for new auto dealers to secure floorplan loans, how Rivian has decided that voice control is better than physical buttons and how online customers are abandoning carts because of choice overload.

It’s a new month and we hope you’re recovering from the candy hangover! Today we’re looking back at October in retail auto and reviewing how it did, examining how Ford is linking performance to manager bonuses and seeing how Target is moving Black Friday deals earlier than ever.

Happy Halloween! It’s the last day of the month, and we’re tracking how Carvana has managed to continue its used car growth. Plus, we cover how Ford is slowing down its production of the F-150 Lightning and Starbucks getting rid of extra fees for non-dairy milk.

We are on day 2 of More Than Cars season two shooting, and we couldn’t be more encouraged by what we are discovering in Lafayette, IN. Today we look at Ford’s Q3 report of lower net income, Tesla expanding its vehicle output in 2025 and a new requirement for you to get quicker airline refunds.

We’re live from Lafayette Indiana to start recording the second season of More Than Cars! Today, we’re running through the latest industry data from J.D. Power, pushing back against an article from the Verge that suggests Scout is doing “exactly what customers want”, and how Apple is innovating with its advertisements.

It’s the last week of the month, so go finish strong! Today, we’re covering how the public dealership groups made out in Q3, plus a survey that says a majority of Americans are interested in test driving an EV and another survey that says we see the same add too many times.‍

Feathers have been rustled this Friday morning as Scout announced their long-awaited vehicles, and how they aren’t going to use dealers to sell them. Plus, we talk about Farley’s Chinese EV revelation, how Tesla is finding new profit centers and why every car only comes in a shade of black or white.

Happy Thursday! Today Paul’s back and we cover stabilizing dealer profits, GM & Ford helping Fleet customers transition to the EV lifecycle, and Apple’s newest beta features available now.

As we reach the middle of the work week, we’ve got the one and only Jordan Cox in the studio! Today, we’re talking about how GM has raised their 2024 guidance again, how Arkansas could be home to enough lithium to power all the world’s EVs and how the FAA has issued its rules for air taxis.‍

It’s a terrific Tuesday morning, and we have guest host Amit Chandarana, newly announced CEO of Curbee! We’ll be discussing how auto dealers are integrating AI into their operations (or how they aren’t), the refreshed Mustang Mach-E and Chick-Fil-A’s new streaming network.

As we roll into a new week, we’ve got some fun insights from Business Insider about the United State of Automobiles. Plus, we talk about how negative equity is growing year over year and an innovative Sam’s Club concept that eliminates any type of checkout lane.

As we wind down on another week, we’re looking at August’s EV numbers and the gains by GM. Plus, we talk about the NHTSA’s investigation into Full Self Driving, and how Rivian is re-skinning its R1s for spooky season.

We’re together in-person this Thursday morning as we reflect on the 100 years of Carter Myers Automotive. Today we’re talking about how plug-in hybrids may not be the transition to EVs that we thought, how Tesla may have already exhausted its Cybertruck reservation list and how more Americans are concerned about their credit card debt.

It’s a wheels up Wednesday as we’re celebrating with Carter Myers Automotive at their 100th Anniversary Gala. We also dive into the rise of affordable new vehicles, AI’s game-changing role in EV battery safety, and the growing frustration of U.S. shoppers facing shrinkflation.

On this Tuesday, we dive into GM’s historic EV sales surge in China, explore how AI-powered voice assistants are changing the in-car experience, and look at Starbucks’ new CEO's strategy to cut discounts and bring back the coffeehouse charm.

Hello Monday! Today we dive into Stellantis’ leadership shuffle as Jeep’s Antonio Filosa takes on this crucial role, Fiat stirs up fun with a cheeky EV campaign, and SpaceX makes history by catching its massive Starship booster midair.

It’s Friday! Audi Tysons Corner tops the 2024 Best Dealerships list with a focus on leadership, Tesla unveils the futuristic Cybercab for high-volume autonomy, and retailers shift focus to the booming silver economy.

On this Thursday, we explore GM's increased profitability from simplifying gasoline models, Toyota's cautionary stance on an all-EV future with its job risks, and how fast-food jobs have shaped the careers of today's successful professionals.

We’re rolling through the middle of the week, and holding our breath as we wait to see how hard Milton will hit Florida. Plus, we debate whether Tesla can deliver on its robotaxi promise and talk about Spirit Halloween turning into Spirit Christmas.

Welcome to Tuesday, the most productive day of the week! Today we’re talking about the anticipation that Florida is facing with Hurricane Milton and how dealers and EV owners can be prepared. Plus, we see some unexpected kindness between Kia dealers and learn how Cybertruck owners are having their insurance policies canceled.

Monday morning and we’re rolling heavy into this week as we explore how Hurricane Helene impacts auto dealerships' insurance, the launch of IONNA’s EV fast-charging network, and why October is now a major sales season for retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

Chris Reeves joins the show on this Saturday, and we talk about apple picking, plus what we wanted to be when we grow up and how Walser Automotive Group is investing in the future of technicians.

As we near the end of the week, there’s been some resolution to the port strike, but it looks like Helene will have lingering effects on the used car market. Meanwhile, Rivians are reportedly still functioning fine after floods and Ray-Bans are being used to scrape your personal information.

We’re up and at ‘em this Thursday morning as we report on dealer associations stepping up to help hurricane affected employees, plus we talk live with Richard Lupo of Apple Tree Honda and Acura about what it’s like on the ground right now. We’ll also cover how the port strike could have massive ripple effects on the supply chain and get a look inside Rove’s new EV charging station.

We’re looking for the silver lining today as we talk about how US auto sales have slowed considerably through Q3. Plus, we give updates on how the port strike will affect the automotive supply chain, how Helene took out 672 Kias at one dealership, and Ford’s forward-thinking EV home charger program.

Q4 is here, along with the start of spooky season. Today we’re giving you an update on the port strike and hurricane relief efforts, plus we’re sharing how EVs are shifting from luxury to non-luxury. We’ll cap the show by covering Uber’s new partnership with Spirit Halloween.

It’s the last day of the month, and we’re talking about how a union strike could shut down all the ports on the East Coast and how that could affect the auto industry. Plus, we cover Hertz selling off some of its Chevy Silverado EVs, and a new report that says car thieves aren’t interested in EVs.

Today, Paul and Kyle are joined by writer Kristi Canada. After some talks about the weather (a hurricane just blew through where Kristi lives), they talk about how the 9 Car Pros Automotive Group stores collected over 9000 school supplies for kids.

It’s the last Friday of the month, and today we’re covering new US tariffs on all sorts of Chinese goods, how OEMs are flocking back to television ads on NFL games, and Mr. Beast’s manifesto on how to build a successful company. 

With only 6 days left in the month, we’re cruising into Wednesday. Today, we’ve got an update on the Hyundai-Amazon partnership and how dealers are feeling about it. Plus, we’re talking about Rivian’s new pre-owned program and a new Costco that is stacking apartments on top of its warehouse.

Happy one year anniversary of ASOTU CON 2023! This Thursday, we’re talking about how former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn was ordered to hand his superyacht over to Nissan, Walser Automotive’s partnership with Wichita State University Tech, and the effects of retailers putting products behind locks.

Welcome to Tuesday! Paul’s hanging out at Vincue Unleashed, Kyle’s at his desk and we’ve got news to talk about, like how the US’s new rule on Chinese software in cars could affect OEMs, how Stellantis is going about its CEO search, and how Google is making Gemini a part of all Workspace accounts.

With a new week comes the anticipation of being able to serve people, both inside and outside of the automotive industry. Today, we’ll be talking about a $1B investment in the EV supply chain, the best lease deals out there right now, and Gen Z taking tech jobs from Millennials.

Today on the show, Chris, Paul and Kyle invite Jordan Cox onto the show to grill him about his trip to the US Capitol.

It’s Friday again, and it feels like the first time in forever that we’re back in our normal seats. Today, we’re covering Cars Commerce’s latest Industry Insights Report, GM finally getting Supercharger access for its EVs and how home improvement is making a recovery because of the interest rate cut.

Dealers across the country breathed a sigh of relief this morning at news of the Fed’s interest rate cut. We’ll be talking about that, plus how Ford is adding karaoke to vehicles and a partnership between a big Hollywood studio and an AI video generator.

Happy hump day! Today, we’re covering how Ram is set to enter the EV truck fray, how Tesla is prepping to move inventory with a new round of incentives and how Home Depot allegedly changed prices on consumers between the aisle and the register.

We’re brimming with energy on this Tuesday morning, as we discuss VW’s decision to originate its US auto loans through Wells Fargo. Plus we talk about the growing gap between car buying expectations and car buying reality and how auto debt just continues to grow.

It’s a brand new week and we’re heading to Will Guidara’s Welcome Conference in NYC. Before we get there, we need to talk about how Volvo is giving up on car subscriptions, more places you can take an autonomous rideshare, and more ways to buy physical items in Roblox.

Today, Nathan, Chris and Jordan take over the show to talk about how a Cumming, Georgia dealership honored their first responders on 9/11 by feeding them lunch and giving the community an opportunity to get involved!

Is it already the end of another week? We’re looking back this morning as we look at buy/sell activity from the first half of the year, reflect on the legacy of Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis, and dig into how discretionary spending is on the rise.

As we’ve passed the halfway point of the week, we’ve got Michael Cirillo in the studio to discuss GM and Hyundai’s new partnership, how Stellantis and its dealers are in a little bit of a tiff, and a new study that says consumers know exactly what they’re doing when they accept website tracking cookies.

It’s Wednesday and DG is back for round two. We’re talking about how Ally Financial is dealing with consumer credit challenges, how GM is drawing a line in the sand for its salaried employees and busting the EV slowdown myth.

As we turn into Tuesday, we’ve got guest host Daniel Govaer with us in the studio! Today we’re looking at Rivian’s referral program, what the future holds for Toyota’s battery production and recap everything from Apple’s iPhone announcement event.

It’s a great Monday as we launch into the week with guest host Ben Hadley. Today we’re talking about software-defined vehicles and how Polestar is leaning in, Tesla’s recent patents for wireless home EV charging and autonomous AI bots that are starting to become effective in business.

Today on the show, Kyle, Chris, and Jordan talk about how cars shows create community and then featuring Walser's recent Subarus and Cold Brews event.

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.

We’re almost through the week, and we’ve got Steve Greenfield back with us today to help us understand why dealers are feeling a little pessimistic about Q3. Plus we’ll discuss how Japan is investing heavily in EV battery production and have a little bit of nostalgia about a historic Mustang.

Wednesday’s here! We’ve got Michael Cirillo joining the show to talk about the first look at August sales numbers, what’s happening on the chipmaker front in automotive and whether Canva’s new price strategy will backfire.

It’s Tuesday, Kyle’s back, and we’re ready to hit the ground running after the Labor Day holiday. Today we’re talking about data that suggests Tesla might rig its robotaxi debut, how the Oakland School District went EV with its buses and ask whether you should use LinkedIn’s “Open To Work” banner.

It’s Labor Day and dealers all over will be out in force selling and servicing cars today. We’ve got our own Labor Day special, talking about a bold plan to reinvigorate the Chrysler and Dodge brands and how to watch out for QR codes scams.

It's a Saturday close to the month of August, and we've got some fun vibes this morning as Head Writer Chris Reeves and Head of Community Jordan Cox join Paul on the show.

It’s the fifth Friday of the month heading into a holiday weekend, and we are covering how Carvana is launching a megasite, the latest on dealership buy/sell trends from Haig Partners, and a dealership delivery that ended in an arrest.

It’s a great Thursday to be in the retail auto industry and we’ve got the one and only Ben Hadley on the show today. We’re covering how Tesla is pushing back against Canadian tariffs, how Gen Z and Millennials are driving more than previous generations and how the most disappointing national park responded to its ranking.

Happy Hump Day! On this Wednesday, we’ve got guest host Erikka Tiffani Wells in the studio, talking about Hyundai pressing in on hybrids, the most reliable used car brands, and how Autotrader is helping dog owners with their travel.

There’s 5 days left in the month as we welcome guest host Steve Greenfield back to the show. Today, we’re covering the CDK cyberattack for hopefully the last time, Steve’s new book on mobility and a unique high school that is replacing teachers with AI.

Let’s kick off the last week of the month with guest host Daniel Govaer as we celebrate Holman’s century of automotive excellence, explore Toyota’s bold hybrid-only strategy as EV demand shifts, and dive into surprising brand loyalty trends among Gen Z.

Today, Chris Reeves and Jordan Cox talk about Jack Pearson and his team from Jaguar Land Rover South Shore in Indiana.

Welcome to Miami as we’re coming to you Live from the 2024 NAMAD Annual Meeting in Miami Florida where hundreds of Dealers, OEMs, and Industry Partners are talking about the current and future state of the industry. We’re also talking about the Rivian VP who is now spen to Detroit as well as Salesforce’s bet on the future of personalized vehicles. 

It’s a great Friday to be in the car business as the ASOTU crew braves the trip home from a week of being on the ground with Dealers, OEMS, and Industry Partners at two separate events. Today we’re talking about some service lane trade data, a potential interest rate cut, and the pumpkin spice sign of the times. 

We are rounding down a week of east coast travel here on the last day of the NAMAD Annual Membership Meeting. Today we are looking at Ford’s recently announced change in their EV plans and how EVs may not be slowing down as much as some sources may say.

It’s a travel Tuesday as we head to Virginia for the Reynolds Retail Summit and then Florida for the NAMAD Conference. Today we’re talking about the buzz our friends at Rohrman Toyota are making with creative marketing campaigns, why car insurance premiums keep going up and check in at Amplify 2024 with Kyle Mountsier and Reynolds CMO Greg Uland.

It’s a busy week around the ASOTU-verse as we’ve got people traveling in all different directions. Today, we’re talking about a new study showing a significant drop in dealership profitability, look at how Carter Myers is ahead of the curve on employee healthcare, and look inside a casket that feels like a Cybertruck.

Today on the show, Paul, Chris and Nathan talk about dealers giving back.

It’s finally Friday as we cover how European plug-in hybrid technology may guide US regulations, BMW is at it again charging monthly for physical hardware, we cover the data breach affecting BILLIONS, and how Gen Z feels more detached than ever.

It’s a busy Thursday as we dig into Cox Auto’s data from July, talk about Holman buying a stake in FM Capital, discuss Polestar producing vehicles on US soil and relax while watching Waymos trying to get out of a parking lot set to lofi beats.

Welcome to Wednesday as we are talking about the return of the Fain to the headlines in response to the Trump-Musk live conversation on X. We also talk about the tightening of the auto credit belt, as well as a shifting consumer sentiment to the use of ‘AI’ in products. 

It’s a great Tuesday to sell some cars as we talk about LA’s announcement of a car-less Olympics (oh the irony). We also talk about the effectiveness of Kia’s fix for rampant thefts, as well as the large group of workers feeling stuck.

It’s a new week in the retail auto industry, and that means its time to love some people more than cars. Today we’re discussing a survey that suggests dealers are not excited about selling EVs, the new Dodge Charger exhaust sound system, and how ChargePoint is combining all the charging connectors into one.

Employees of the 16-dealership Wilson Automotive Group in Orange County, CA, have donated an impressive amount to various charities this year. Find out how much on today's show.

We’ve got that little something extra to help you through your Friday, as we’re talking about Rivian and Lucid’s Q2 struggles (did someone say dealer network?), Tesla’s Cybertruck struggles, Shawn Fain vs Donald Trump and a little fun to launch you into the weekend with some sock anecdotes.

It's Thursday, and we’re taking a break from the normal news cycle to look around LinkedIn a little and highlight some of the best conversations we’re seeing.

Tuesday’s here, and we’re rolling through the morning talking about Sonic’s Q2 income growth, Sutherlin Auto donating a custom van to a paralyzed shooting victim, and the surprising fact about Gen Z and home ownership.

Wednesday is rockin’ and we are covering the east and west coast this morning. On the east coast we track down our friends Mohawk Chevrolet hanging at GM headquarters and on the west coast everyone is trying to figure out where Elon is going…again. We will take a stop by an EV charger study along the way.

It’s a new week, and we’ll be on the ground in dealerships in New York and Indiana today. We’re talking about how dealers are using data to make decisions, what the second half of the year looks like for dealers, and how consumers are dealing with higher prices.

We're offering counter vibes to the poor perception around car dealers

How are you rating your employees' performance? On this Friday, we dig into GM’s new employee evaluation, ask whether a salesman was right in trying to stop a test drive burglary and discuss the latest fallout from the CrowdStrike outages.

It's the first day of a new month and we’re kicking it off by diving into a new survey on the public’s perception of dealerships. Plus BYD and Uber are teaming up around the world and Ford just made its Mach-E go faster.

Its the last day of the month, and we’re wishing all of you a successful day! Today, we’re flashing back to the very first automotive ad, then bringing it back to the present state of Carvana’s continued rise, an awkward recall involving Tesla hoods and Mazda’s new logo.

It's Tuesday and we’re hopping in an OG Delorean to look at auto industry headlines from ten years ago. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot of fun. We’re also talking about new Fisker owners banding together to keep their new Ocean’s on the road. We also talk about the brewing dispute between Delta and Crowdstrike over last week’s major business disruption. 

We have three days left to make the most of July as we talk about CDK’s offer to compensate Dealers from last month’s outage. We also talk about significant progress for OEM EV partnerships, as well as the entrance of SearchGPT

The guys talk about what it takes to get to 800 episodes of a show and share some of their favorite memories.

It’s the last weekend of the month, and we’re digging into fresh insights from the team at Cars Commerce. Plus we talk about ways to NOT charge your Tesla and how everyone’s using promo codes.

It’s Monday and that means we GET to work in automotive retail. Today we’re talking about GM’s adjusted EV plans, BP’s investment into EV charging and what it means to be “luxury.”

The dog days of summer are well upon us, and that means a great opportunity to love people more than cars. Today we’re talking about Ford and Stellantis’s Q2 earnings reports, GM’s early EV issues that led to buybacks, and Southwest’s shift to assigned seating.

We’ve made it to the middle of the week! Today we’re talking about GM’s record pickup and SUV sales in Q2, Tesla’s tough Q2 and how Google is not getting rid of cookies after all.