The Automotive Troublemaker W/ Paul J Daly And Kyle Mountsier podcast

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QUALIFIED: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work with Shari Dunn | 284 33:58

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In this episode, we delve into the concept of being "qualified" in the workplace, examining who gets labeled as such, who doesn't, and the underlying reasons. We explore "competency checking"—the practice of scrutinizing individuals' abilities—and how it disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, often going unnoticed or unchallenged. Our discussion aims to redefine qualifications in a fair, equitable, and actionable manner. Our guest, Shari Dunn , is an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, university professor, and sought-after speaker. She has been recognized as Executive of the Year and a Woman of Influence, with her work appearing in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, and more. Her new book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work , unpacks what it truly means to be deserving and capable—and why systemic barriers, not personal deficits, are often the real problem. Her insights challenge the narratives that hold so many of us back and offer practical solutions for building a more equitable future. Together, we can build workplaces and communities that don’t just reflect the world we live in, but the one we want to create. A world where being qualified is about recognizing the talent and potential that’s been overlooked for far too long. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table—it’s about building an entirely new table, one designed with space for all of us. Connect with Our Guest Shari Dunn Website& Book - Qualified: https://thesharidunn.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/sharidunn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesharidunn Related Podcast Episodes: How To Build Emotionally Mature Leaders with Dr. Christie Smith | 272 Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier is a regular weekday show where progressive Automotive Dealers and industry partners aren’t afraid to make some trouble by pushing back on many popular, but failing, beliefs that persist in the Retail Automotive Industry. Beliefs that are degrading both the customer experience and the future of retail Auto Dealers. Paul and Kyle give their fresh take on industry news, technology, culture, and retail while trying not to have too much fun. // The Automotive Troublemaker is produced by Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU). Learn more at https://www.asotu.com

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The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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987 episoder

#Business #Marketing #Automotive #Dealership #Advertising #Dealer #Sales #Innovation #Auto #Motivation #Daily News #Business News #News #ASOTU #Entrepreneur #Crypto #Auto News

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The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Rooftop Count and Throughput Up, Quick Supercharger Repair, Starlink on Flights 12:39

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Shoot us a Text. We’ve got good news this Monday as the latest numbers show that dealership count and throughput are up, with stores averaging 511 new cars sold per year. Plus, we cover a quick turnaround for a vandalized Tesla charger and how United is upping its Wi-Fi game with Starlink internet. Show Notes with links: The U.S. new-car dealership count rose nearly 1% to 18,311 as of Jan. 1, 2025, up 171 from a year earlier, while the total franchise count fell 1.3% to 29,829, according to the latest Automotive News dealer census. Detroit 3 automakers shed dealerships, while import brands added stores with Ford Motor Co. leading the decline among the Detroit 3, losing 68 stores (a 2.2% drop). General Motors and Stellantis also reduced their dealership networks by 0.6%. Buick, Lincoln, and Jaguar continued trimming their franchise counts, with Buick experiencing the most significant reduction—down 135 to 927. Buick's franchise count has dropped by over half in the past two years due to dealer buyout offers. The number of exclusive dealerships across the industry as of Jan. 1 increased 3.5 percent to 13,226 from Jan. 1, 2024. The industry’s average throughput (new-vehicle sales per franchise) increased by 5.8% to 511 vehicles in 2024, with the growth attributed to fewer franchises and an increase in U.S. light-vehicle sales to 15.35 million units, up from 14.9 million in 2023, according to Mary Raetz,director of the Automotive News Research & Data Center. Tesla swiftly repaired a vandalized Supercharger site in Massachusetts, bringing it back online in under 48 hours. The fire occurred overnight on March 2, 2025, causing wiring and Supercharger post damage, but the main cabinet remained intact. Tesla immediately communicated with customers on X (formerly Twitter), promising repairs within two days. Tesla is considering enhancing its Sentry Mode to deter future vandalism, potentially adding a honking feature. An arson investigation is underway with local police, though no suspects have been identified and the company is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the arsonists. United Airlines has installed its first Starlink system on a regional aircraft , bringing the airline closer to offering free, high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet. The Starlink system offers free Wi-Fi to MileagePlus members, with speeds up to 250 Mbps—50 times faster than current in-flight internet. Installation is significantly quicker, taking just 8 hours compared to traditional Wi-Fi systems, which require over 10 days. The lighter Starlink equipment (85 pounds vs. up to 300 pounds) improves fuel efficiency and reduces aircraft downtime. United plans to install Starlink on over 40 planes per month, aiming to cover its entire regional fleet of 300 aircraft by the end of 2025. "It’s kind of enabling the living room in the sky experience," said Grant Milstead, U Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Stallone, Supercars and Over $1M Raised For Brain Health 10:22

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Shoot us a Text. Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle today to discuss EV charging, Waffle Houses and plugging in extension cords into random outlets. Then, they talk about the Power of Love Gala, dealership owner Nick Dossa stepped up in a big way—donating not one, but two 2024 Lotus Emiras to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Plus Sylvester Stallone offered an exclusive VIP on-set experience for his hit show "Tulsa King," plus signed bottles of his Carbonadi vodka. Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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NADA Goes After VW and Scout, EV Charging Not Cheaper Than Gas?, Shake Shack Value Meal 15:40

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Shoot us a Text. As we wind down another week, we’re talking about how NADA and Mike Stanton are winding up their opposition of Scout Motors direct-to-consumer plans. Plus, we’re looking at a report that says that EV charging isn’t such a cost-effective alternative to gas, and how Shake Shack is introducing its first ever value meal. Show Notes with links: The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has escalated its opposition to Scout Motors’ direct-to-consumer sales model, sending a strongly worded letter to Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume and other top executives. In the letter, NADA CEO Mike Stanton argued that the franchise model would give Scout Motors immediate marketplace traction through a network of experienced dealers. The direct sales plan, which establishes Scout-branded experience centers, is set to launch in 2027 with the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup. The letter also highlighted the potential fallout of Scout’s strategy, including prolonged legal battles across multiple states and a strained relationship with VW, Audi, and Porsche dealers. Stanton expressed disappointment over a lack of response to a previous letter sent in July 2023, noting that this latest message seeks a direct meeting with VW leadership. “The decision to directly distribute Scout in the United States and compete with your dedicated dealer body is misguided, violates well-established state franchise laws, and is one that I strongly encourage you to revisit.” — NADA CEO Mike Stanton EV adoption has been touted as a cost-effective alternative to gasoline , but rising electricity costs in several states are challenging that narrative. While EVs remain cheaper to operate in some regions, escalating residential and public charging rates are narrowing the gap. Charging an EV at home in Massachusetts is 116% the cost of fueling an efficient gas car, while New York and California cost 92% and 90% respectively. Washington and Florida remain the most economical for EV driving, with electricity costs at 38% and 54% of gasoline costs. Public fast charging costs have surpassed gasoline in some areas, diminishing the financial incentive to switch to EVs. Homeowners with access to off-peak EV-specific electricity rates or home solar and battery storage can still find savings, but this requires an upfront investment. Shake Shack, known as the most expensive fast-food chain in America last year, has launched its first-ever budget-friendly combo meal to appeal to price-conscious consumers. The $9.99 combo includes a Chicken Shack sandwich, crinkle-cut fries, and a small soda. Buying the items separately would cost around $8 more. The deal is part of a broader trend in the fast-food industry, with competitors like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy’s also introducing value meals. Experts say inflation has reduced dining out, prompting restaurants to Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Auto Industry Gets Tariff Exemption, Best Resale Value Cars, Google AI Search Mode 16:10

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Shoot us a Text. The auto industry breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as it was announced that they will be exempt from the 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods. Plus, we’re looking at the cars that hold their value the best, and Google’s push towards AI search. Show Notes with links: The auto industry is temporarily relieved by a one-month exemption from the 25% tariffs on vehicles covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). President Trump granted the reprieve following requests from Ford, GM, and Stellantis, with the ultimate goal of shifting production to the U.S. The automotive provisions of the USMCA require that 75% of a vehicle's components be made in North America (up from 62.5% under NAFTA) to qualify for zero tariffs, and mandate that 40-45% of auto parts be made by workers earning at least $16 per hour, aiming to boost North American production and labor standards. Most automotive manufacturers comply with USMCA standards and The American Automotive Policy Council and automakers expressed gratitude for the temporary exemption. Suppliers remain concerned about long-term impacts, despite positive signs for USMCA-compliant parts. Dealers and industry experts view the exemption as part of a broader strategy to encourage domestic manufacturing, but uncertainty persists. “The damage has already been done. For an industry that operates in three- to five-year product cycles, this level of day-to-day uncertainty is debilitating.” — Glenn Stevens, Executive Director of MichAuto. Last week we covered the cars with the most depreciation, and now, Kelley Blue Book has announced its annual Best Resale Value Awards , highlighting the top performers of 2025. The top 10 vehicles are projected to retain an average of 58% of their original MSRP, compared to the market average of 44.6%. Toyota dominates the list, securing four of the top ten spots, including the #1 2025 Toyota Tacoma with a projected 64.1% resale value. The full top 10 list includes the 2025 Toyota GR Supra (53.7%), 2025 Porsche 911 (53.8%), 2025 Toyota RAV4 (53.9%), 2025 Honda CR-V (54.4%), 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (56.6%), 2025 Ford Bronco (57.0%), 2025 Toyota 4Runner (60.0%), 2025 Toyota Tundra (60.9%), 2025 Chevrolet Corvette (61.0%), and 2025 Toyota Tacoma (64.1%). Google is accelerating its AI integration into search with a new feature called AI Mode, adding a chatbot-like experience directly to the core of Google Search. AI Mode, currently in testing, is only available to Google One AI Premium subscribers and must be enabled in the Labs section of Search. The feature offers a search-centric chatbot experience, delivering AI-generated answers directly from Google’s search index with supporting links throughout. AI Mode uses the Gemini 2.0 model, aiming to improve Google's ability to handle more advanced queries while providing real-time data and web interaction. While concerns remain about Google's shift away from traditional website linking, Stein asserts that AI Overviews an Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Big 3 Exempt From Tariffs?, “The Trump Effect”, Paul and Kyle In The Wild 19:36

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Shoot us a Text. Today, we’re bringing you the latest information on how tariffs could affect the auto industry, including the Commerce Secretary hinting that President Trump could exempt the auto industry. Plus, we’re covering how Honda is bringing Civic production back to Indiana, and Paul and Kyle’s wild adventures this weekend. Show Notes with links: In a primetime address to Congress, former President Donald Trump defended his sweeping tariffs , acknowledging a potential "adjustment period" but emphasizing the tariffs' role in boosting the U.S. economy. As many as 20,000 vehicles per day could be cut from North American production due to parts shortages and high costs. Parts stockpiles could run out within a week, even after companies moved as many parts as possible across the border ahead of the tariff deadline, according to Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility. Many suppliers cannot absorb added costs and may push automakers to cover tariffs, potentially halting parts supply. Tariffs on steel and aluminum will increase to 25% on March 12, with further auto import tariffs possibly starting April 2. If tariffs persist, North American vehicle sales could drop 10%, and smaller suppliers might need financial assistance to survive. In an interview with Bloomberg this morning, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that President Donald Trump may exclude certain sectors, including autos, from the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. The decision could favor industries that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) content provisions. “My understanding is the Big Three say they produce cars that are compliant under USMCA, which means they have sufficient U.S content in them to be part of the USMCA agreement,” The White House celebrated a "Monday morning win" as Honda announced plans to move production of its Civic model from Mexico to Indiana, beginning in May 2028. The move was touted as part of "the Trump effect." The Indiana plant is expected to produce about 210,000 Civics annually. Honda did not confirm the change directly, instead emphasizing its ability to adjust production based on customer needs and market conditions, and highlighting its history of building the Civic in Indiana since 2008. Trump supporters, including economist Stephen Moore and Senator Jim Banks, praised the move as a sign that tariffs are driving "made-in-America" job growth. Senator Jim Banks stated, "President Trump has taken the ‘kick me’ sign off the backs of our workers and manufacturers. This report is great news for Hoosiers and all Americans — and it’s only just the beginning." Paul and Kyle made some trouble this past weekend, with Paul buying an EV and learning some valuable lessons about the state of charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, Kyle spent some time in NYC and visited a 3 Michelin Star restaurant. Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Tariffs In Effect, Tesla Tops Depreciation List, Google Pushes AI Workforce 14:21

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Shoot us a Text. Today is our fearless leader Paul J Daly’s birthday! So we gave him the morning off and tapped in producer Nathan Southwick. We’re talking all about the new Canada and Mexico tariffs that put pressure on the automotive supply chains, plus the top depreciating cars and how Google is pushing to achieve artificial general intelligence. Show Notes with links: The U.S. has enacted 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, throwing the highly integrated North American production network into turmoil. The tariffs, effective today, March 4, apply to all imports except Canadian energy products, which face a lower 10% duty. Canada and Mexico both responded with their own tariffs. Industry experts predict vehicle prices could rise between $4,000 and $10,000, with Ford CEO Jim Farley cautioning that prolonged tariffs could "blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we have never seen." Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association said that there is potential for U.S. and Canadian auto production to revert to "2020 pandemic-level idling and temporary layoffs within the week.” Key auto models at risk include the Toyota RAV4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Equinox and Blazer, and the Honda Civic and CR-V, while European automakers with manufacturing in Mexico, including Volkswagen, Stellantis, and BMW, saw their stocks drop sharply The STOXX Europe 600 Automobiles and Parts index fell 3.8% and Continental AG, a major supplier, saw an 8.4% drop in shares. Used Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles saw the steepest depreciation of any cars in 2024, according to Fast Company’s analysis of CarGurus data. Model Y prices dropped 25.5%, while Model 3 prices fell 25% from January 2024 to January 2025. Comparatively, the Nissan Maxima only dropped 5.2%, and the Ford Mustang declined 5%. Full Top 10: Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Land Rover Range Rover, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Chevrolet Express Cargo, Ford Transit Connect, RAM ProMaster, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Chevrolet Bolt EV, and Ford Expedition, all with over 19% depreciation Google co-founder Sergey Brin is back and pushing Google DeepMind (GDM) teams to accelerate their progress toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) . In a newly released memo, Brin outlines the urgency and expectations for Google’s AI teams. Brin emphasizes the need for 60-hour work weeks, daily office attendance, and faster execution by prioritizing simple solutions, code efficiency, and small-scale experiments for faster iteration. He calls for a shift away from “nanny products” and urges teams to “trust our users” more. Brin, who has no formal role at Google beyond a board seat, stepped in over the head of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, signaling the urgency of the AGI race. "I think we have all the ingredients to w Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Remembering The Alpha Dawg, Carvana Goes Franchise, Paul Buys An EV 14:42

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Shoot us a Text. As we greet the first full week of March, we’re live from Charlotte, North Carolina with good friend Todd Caputo. Today, we pause and remember titan sales trainer Jim Ziegler, who helped thousands of dealerships during his 48 years in the industry. Plus, we cover Carvana’s acquisition of a CJDR store in Arizona and what it might mean in the future. Show Notes with links: Sad news this morning: Jim Ziegler, the larger-than-life trainer and industry icon, has passed away after a battle with brain cancer. Known as the “Alpha Dawg,” Ziegler spent decades shaping dealership floors into profit machines with his no-nonsense style and razor-sharp insights. His family shared the news on Facebook saying: “Jim passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his beloved Debbie and family. ” With a career spanning 48 years, Jim turned green salespeople into closers and taught GMs how to hustle smarter. His seminars were part revival, part boot camp—equal parts inspiration and tough love. He pioneered training that blended old-school grit with new-school tech, pushing dealerships to adapt to the digital age while keeping the art of the deal alive. His company, Ziegler SuperSystems, was his proving ground. Love him or hate him, you couldn’t ignore him. Jim’s brash voice—online and IRL—called out BS in the industry, from shady F&I tactics to lazy management. His X posts were a masterclass in stirring the pot, and he never shied from a fight. Thousands of auto pros owe their paychecks to Ziegler’s wisdom. The “Alpha Dawg” may be gone, but his playbook’s still in the glovebox of every dealership worth its salt. Remember him today—then get back to work. He’d hate us slacking From the family’s post: “Jim may no longer be with us, but his influence, his lessons, and his impact will never leave us. His voice may be quiet now, but his words will be carried forward by the countless people whose lives he touched.” Carvana has taken a bold step into the new-vehicle market by acquiring Jerry Seiner Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Casa Grande, Arizona. This is a major shift for the online retailer, which has historically focused exclusively on used cars since its founding in 2013. Carvana plans to reopen the store on March 3, retaining all 41 employees. The move is described as a "small test" by Carvana, which stated: "We don’t expect it to have any noticeable impact to our results for the foreseeable future.” This experiment follows a path previously trodden by competitor CarMax, which owned new-vehicle franchises until divesting them in 2021. "We are excited to join the Stellantis network and our focus in this test will be learning how to provide great customer experiences at a franchise dealership," a Carvana spokesperson said. Questions still to be answered (per Ben Hadley on LinkedIn) Can all the CDJR cars on Carvana now be CPO? Can ADESA now access wholesale parts for CDJR repairs? Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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This Dealer Is Creating Everyday Heros With CPR Kit Donations 12:33

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Shoot us a Text. Today, Nathan and Chris take over the show to talk about how the Rick Case Auto Group is equipping people in their community to be everyday heroes through a donation of CPR learning kits to a local hospital. Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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More Tariffs Incoming, Ford Ditches Regional EV Centers, ChatGPT 4.5 15:51

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Shoot us a Text. It’s the last day of the month, and we’ve got the one and only Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures hopping in as a co-host! Today, we’re talking about President Trump saying that the Mexican and Canadian tariffs are back on and more tariffs are coming for Chinese imports. Plus, Ford is closing regionals centers for stocking and distributing EVs and OpenAI has released its latest model, ChatGPT 4.5. Show Notes with links: The U.S. will impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports next week, doubling the 10% duty placed earlier this month. President Trump also confirmed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods will take effect March 4, citing a lack of progress in combating fentanyl smuggling. The Mexico and Canada tariffs were previously delayed for 30 days, but Trump says no further reprieve will be granted. China has retaliated against previous U.S. tariffs and is expected to do so again. Beijing has not made an offer to curb fentanyl-related exports, which Trump’s administration sees as key to lifting tariffs. Xi Jinping seeks a broader trade agreement but has yet to propose terms that would satisfy the White House. Ford Motor Co. is scrapping its plan to stock and distribute electric vehicles (EVs) through regional inventory hubs , a pilot initiative that faced resistance from dealers. The automaker initially aimed to store unsold EVs at 21 “rapid replenishment centers” across the U.S., delivering them to dealerships within two weeks of a customer order. However, slow adoption and logistical issues prompted Ford to revert to a traditional wholesale model. Dealer resistance played a key role, as the separate sales process made EV inventory less visible to consumers. Inventory visibility issues meant unsold vehicles weren’t listed on dealer websites or third-party marketplaces like Cars.com. Dealer complaints included a lack of window stickers and limited trim/package comparisons, making it harder to sell EVs effectively. Ford executive Mike O’Brien stated: “We think the pilot, from an operational perspective, was a big success. That being said, we listen to our dealers. It is a little tricky to have two different [sales] methodologies.” OpenAI has officially launched GPT-4.5 , its largest and most knowledgeable model yet, though it falls short of being a frontier model. The new system improves upon GPT-4’s computational efficiency by 10x and reduces hallucinations, but its performance lags behind OpenAI’s latest o1 and o3-mini models. Trained with synthetic data, GPT-4.5 uses OpenAI’s new supervision techniques alongside traditional fine-tuning and reinforcement learning. It will be exclusive to ChatGPT Pro users, at least initially. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hinted at GPT-5 arriving as soon as late May, integrating the new o3 reasoning model. Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Moreno’s Auto Manufacturing Bill, GM’s Stock Buy Backs, Vegas PD’s Cybertrucks 12:08

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Shoot us a Text. As the month nears its close, we’re talking about Senator Bernie Moreno going to bat for the auto industry with a new bill. Plus, GM is raising its stock dividends while doing a new buy back and the Las Vegas PD debuts a fleet of Cybertrucks given to them by an anonymous donor. Show Notes with links: Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), a former auto dealer, is introducing the “Transportation Freedom Act” , a bill aimed at repealing federal emissions rules, reducing regulations, and providing tax breaks for U.S. automakers. The bill seeks to eliminate EPA tailpipe emissions rules and block California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate. It offers a 200% tax deduction on wages paid to U.S. auto workers for automakers that keep at least 75% of production domestic, up to $150,000 per worker, and blocks companies from using the money they save for stock buybacks. Moreno’s bill would end “arbitrary” CAFE fuel standards and replace them within six months with new, achievable regulations that align with consumer demand. GM, Stellantis, Toyota, NADA, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and American Trucking Associations back the legislation. Moreno: “Thanks to liberal bureaucrats who want to mandate what cars Americans can drive, states like mine are riddled with car lots filled with expensive EVs people simply don’t want and dormant factories that once employed millions of American workers. The only winner is China.” GM is doubling down on returning value to shareholders, announcing a 25% dividend increase and a new $6 billion share buyback program. This move, which sent shares up 6%, comes as the automaker looks to balance investor returns with EV investments. GM will repurchase $2B in shares by mid-2025, with the remaining $4B at its discretion and the quarterly dividend will rise from 12 to 15 cents per share, effective April 2025. GM repurchased 87M shares in Q4 2023, completing a previous $10B buyback. GM projects a net income of $11.2B to $12.5B for 2025, with $10B-$11B in capital spending as it works to narrow EV operating losses by $2B. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is bringing some futuristic flair to law enforcement , announcing the addition of 10 Tesla Cybertrucks to its patrol and SWAT fleets. But the real mystery? The trucks were entirely donated by an anonymous supporter. Sheriff Kevin McMahill made the announcement during the 2025 State of the Department event, saying on X, “These are badass” The Cybertrucks will be customized for patrol and SWAT operations and LVMPD will integrate them with semi-autonomous drones and shot-spotting technology. Speculation surrounds the anonymous donor, with some suspecting Tesla or Elon Musk, considering poor Cybertruck sales numbers. Others have proposed Anthony Horowitz of VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, as he has made large donations to the LVMPD in t Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Tesla Takedown, Group 1 Grows, VDub Charges Forward 17:34

for 13 dager siden17:34

17:34

Shoot us a Text. Today, Paul and Kyle are coming to you live on location from Paul’s office! We’re talking about how Group 1 grew in 2024 through $1.3B in acquisitions, a new face on the top 5 best-selling EVs and how grassroots is trying to take Tesla down. Show Notes with links: Group 1 Automotive made waves in 2024, dropping $1.3 billion to acquire 68 dealerships across the U.S. and U.K. The move adds $3.9 billion in annual revenue and solidifies the company's aggressive expansion strategy. The acquisitions spanned six major deals from Southern California to London. Major brands acquired include Lexus, Honda, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Porsche, Land Rover, and Audi. A key purchase was the $517 million acquisition of Inchcape’s 54 U.K. stores, adding $2.7 billion in revenue. The company also sold off select U.S. dealerships, including a Buick-GMC store in Massachusetts and a Subaru dealership in New York. CEO Daryl Kenningham: “Our ability to acquire outstanding brands in desirable markets is because we perform well on the OEM eligibility metrics.” After a rocky 2024, the Volkswagen ID.4 is making a triumphant comeback. Following production halts due to a recall, sales of the electric SUV are now skyrocketing, making it the third best-selling EV in the U.S. last month. VW sold 4,979 ID.4s in January 2025, marking a 653% increase from the previous year. The ID.4 now ranks #3 in U.S. EV sales, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. The top five best-selling EVs—Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, VW ID.4, Tesla Cybertruck, and Honda Prologue—accounted for 54% of total EV sales. Over 102,200 EVs were sold in the U.S. in January, up 30% year-over-year. VW is offering aggressive discounts on 2024 models, with leases as low as $189/month. Tesla showrooms across the U.S. are becoming flashpoints for protests as demonstrators rally against Elon Musk’s actions. The #TeslaTakedown movement has gained traction, with over 65 events scheduled through March. Protesters in New York’s Meatpacking District hurled insults at passing Teslas, calling them “uncool” and “major loser” cars. The movement took off on Bluesky, a social media competitor to Musk’s X, and has since gone viral. Demonstrations started in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, California, and Colorado, but have now spread internationally. The protests lack a central leader but have been amplified by legislative advocacy groups like Indivisible and Rise and Resist. Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Michael Cirillo on the Toronto Auto Show, EV Charger Cyberattacks, Apple’s $500B Investment 20:36

for 14 dager siden20:36

20:36

Shoot us a Text. Today we’ve got guest host Michael Cirillo of the Dealer Playbook talking about his experiences at the Toronto Auto Show. Plus, we talk about a new report showing EV charger cyberattacks are on the rise and how Apple is investing $500B in AI with a specific focus in Detroit. Show Notes with links: Cyberattacks on automotive and smart mobility products surged 39% in 2024, with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure emerging as a major target, according to Upstream’s 2025 Automotive & Smart Mobility Global Cybersecurity Report. 409 cyberattacks were recorded in 2024, up from 295 in 2023. Attacks on EV charging stations jumped from 4% in 2023 to 6% in 2024, with 59% of them having the potential to affect millions of devices. Hackers target EV chargers for data theft, fraud, and ransom payments, with nearly 75% of attacks disrupting charging services. Researchers have also demonstrated that hacking EV chargers could disrupt entire grids. In 2024, 59% of EV charging cyberattacks had the potential to impact millions of devices, while 37% could have affected thousands, according to Upstream. Mozilla’s 2023 research found all 25 major automakers collected excessive data, raising privacy concerns. Shira Sarid-Hausirer, Upstream VP of Marketing: “It’s not necessarily the number of assets, it’s the connectivity and the fact that they’re all interconnected that increases the risk dramatically.” Apple is expanding its U.S. footprint with a $500 billion U.S. investment plan , which includes 20,000 new jobs, a server factory in Texas to support Apple Intelligence and a new Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit. Company engineers at the Detroit center will train local businesses and workers in AI and smart manufacturing techniques. Apple is also doubling its Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion, supporting high-tech manufacturing across the U.S. Apple's announcement followed a meeting between CEO Tim Cook and President Donald Trump as the company seeks to mitigate the impact of Trump’s trade tariffs, including a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and a potential 25% tariff on chips. CEO Tim Cook: "We are bullish on the future of American innovation and proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments." Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Buy-Sell Market Outlook, Ford Welcomes New Media, In-N-Out Employee Satisfaction 14:50

for 15 dager siden14:50

14:50

Shoot us a Text. On this last week of the month, we’re looking at the state of the automotive M&A market and what dealers can expect for the rest of the year. Plus, we cover how Ford is adopting a new media and press strategy, and look at how In-N-Out cracked the top 10 of Best Large Employers. Show Notes with links: The dealership buy-sell market is expected to stay active in 2025. Normalizing store profits could make buyers more cautious in finalizing transactions, but top-performing stores in desirable markets will still fetch high valuations. Political expectations, including Donald Trump’s presidency, along with lower dealership pricing and aging owners looking to sell, are fueling the market. Last week, we reported on Asbury Automotive Group acquiring New England’s Herb Chambers Cos. for $1.34 billion in one of the largest deals in recent history. The 2025 Dealer Outlook Survey found that 56% of respondents are not planning to buy or sell this year, while 19% plan to buy, and 4.4% plan to sell. Automotive News tracked at least 349 buy-sell transactions in 2024, down from 382 transactions in 2021, a peak year. “I’m definitely still getting as many offerings to look at as I’ve gotten the past two years,” said Randy Hoffman, COO of Ed Morse Automotive Group, Ford is shaking up its media strategy by replacing its traditional press center with "Ford From the Road", a new platform designed to cater to the growing influence of content creators over mainstream media. The "From the Road" channel prioritizes videos, photos, and articles—some created by Ford, others sourced from digital creators and influencers. Traditional press releases remain available but are now tucked away in a separate tab, signaling a major shift away from legacy media formats. A Pew Research Center study found that 21% of U.S. adults regularly consume news from influencers—jumping to 37% among adults under 30. Ian Cohen, Ford’s head of creative and content, explains: “We’re entering this era of [consumers] building [their] own niche content and channel ecosystems.” This comes as the Trump administration is opening the White House briefing room to influencers and podcasters, with thousands of applicants to the “new media” seats. In-N-Out Burger has been named one of America’s Best Large Employers , ranking No. 8 on Forbes’ annual list, ahead of corporate giants like Apple and NASA. The ranking is based on employee surveys evaluating workplace satisfaction, compensation, and company culture. In-N-Out’s strong workplace culture continues to set it apart in the fast-food industry. The company is also making big moves geographically, consolidating its California HQ in Baldwin Park and expanding to Tennessee, where it will open 30+ locations. Top 10 are Notre Dame, Trader Joes, Houston Methodist, NVIDIA, Navy Federal Credit Union, Google, Microsoft, In-N-Out, Delta, Raymond James Financial Automotive in the top 100: 86 - Bridgestone, 71 - Toyota, 86 - Holman Enterprises. Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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A Dealer Trekking Across the Sahara For Charity 10:28

for 17 dager siden10:28

10:28

Shoot us a Text. Today on the show, Paul and Kyle are joined by Head Writer Chris Reeves. They discuss the challenges of the F&I office while Chris explains a meme that appeared in a recent edition of the Daily Pushback Email. Then they share the story of Allison Prowse who is walking across the Sahara for breast cancer awareness. Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Rivian and Carvana Earnings, Supercharger Wait Queue, Kia’s Modular PV5 15:27

for 18 dager siden15:27

15:27

Shoot us a Text. Friday is upon us once again, and today we’re talking about Rivian’s first positive gross profit quarter, Carvana’s record quarter, how Tesla is instituting wait queues at Superchargers, and the design of Kia's new PV5 van. Show Notes with links: We could talk about tariff warnings, but we aren’t going to. We could talk about the ongoing Nissan saga and Moodys downgrading their stock to ‘junk status’ but we’re not going to. Instead…we’re going to talk about… Rivian hit a major milestone, achieving its first-ever positive gross profit of $170M in Q4 2024, a $776M improvement from the previous year. Total revenue hit $1.73B, above expectations of $1.4B. Rivian cut per-vehicle costs by $31,000 year-over-year, helping it turn the corner. Despite this, the company still posted a $743M net loss for the quarter. Meanwhile, Carvana swung to a record $159M net income in Q4 They sold 114,379 used vehicles in Q4, a 50% increase year over year. Full-year revenue hit $13.7B, with a record $1.4B adjusted EBITDA. Stock dropped 12% after-hours due to concerns over softening per-vehicle margins. CEO Ernie Garcia “In 2024, Carvana became the most profitable public automotive retailer in U.S. history as measured by adjusted EBITDA margin while also resuming industry-leading growth,” Tesla’s Supercharger network is the best in the game, but with increased usage from both Tesla and non-Tesla EVs, long wait times have become a problem. After a viral altercation at a Supercharger, Tesla is finally launching a virtual queue system in Q2. Tesla will roll out the queue at select Superchargers nationwide, aiming to improve the experience for the ~1% of users who experience wait times. The viral video shows two Tesla owners arguing over a charging spot, highlighting the need for a structured waiting system. Tesla has not provided details on how the queue system will work, but a broader rollout is expected later this year if feedback is positive. The company continues to expand its Supercharger network by over 20% annually to meet growing demand. Tesla in a statement said, “Goal is a net customer experience improvement,” Kia has revealed the exterior design of its PV5, the first EV under its "Platform Before Vehicle" (PBV) brand. Designed to compete with electric vans like the VW ID Buzz and Ford E-Transit, the PV5 offers a modular design for cargo, rideshare, and even #vanlife. The PBV system allows the van to transform between different body types while keeping the driver cab fixed. Uber has already signed an agreement to add the PV5 to its fleet as part of its all-electric push by 2040. While Kia has not shared powertrain, range, or pricing details, more information will be revealed at Kia EV Day in Spain later this month. “With PBV, we are redefining mobility—one platform, endless possibilities,” Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email…

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