The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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
Episodes
985 episodes
NADA Goes After VW and Scout, EV Charging Not Cheaper Than Gas?, Shake Shack Value Meal
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 alterna...
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15:40
Auto Industry Gets Tariff Exemption, Best Resale Value Cars, Google AI Search Mode
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 ...
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16:10
Big 3 Exempt From Tariffs?, “The Trump Effect”, Paul and Kyle In The Wild
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 produ...
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19:36
Tariffs In Effect, Tesla Tops Depreciation List, Google Pushes AI Workforce
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 t...
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14:21
Remembering The Alpha Dawg, Carvana Goes Franchise, Paul Buys An EV
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 indus...
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14:42
This Dealer Is Creating Everyday Heros With CPR Kit Donations
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.
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12:33
More Tariffs Incoming, Ford Ditches Regional EV Centers, ChatGPT 4.5
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...
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15:51
Moreno’s Auto Manufacturing Bill, GM’s Stock Buy Backs, Vegas PD’s Cybertrucks
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 gi...
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12:08
Tesla Takedown, Group 1 Grows, VDub Charges Forward
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.
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17:34
Michael Cirillo on the Toronto Auto Show, EV Charger Cyberattacks, Apple’s $500B Investment
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 wi...
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20:36
Buy-Sell Market Outlook, Ford Welcomes New Media, In-N-Out Employee Satisfaction
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 crack...
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14:50
A Dealer Trekking Across the Sahara For Charity
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 th...
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10:28
Rivian and Carvana Earnings, Supercharger Wait Queue, Kia’s Modular PV5
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.
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15:27
Nikola Files For Bankruptcy, Slick Rick Gets A Ride, Adults Ordering Kids Meals
On this Thursday, we’re covering how EV/hydrogen truck maker Nikola is filing for bankruptcy, how West Herr Auto Group gifted Slick Rick from the Buffalo Bills mailroom a car, and how kids meals are becoming something everyone orders.
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15:09
More Tariffs Incoming?, Hyundai and Kia US-Made EV Batteries, BYD Customers Push Back
Happy Wednesday! Today, we’re looking at President Trump’s proposed 25% auto tariffs and the effects it could have. Plus, we’re covering how Hyundai and Kia are ramping up US battery and EV production, making those models eligible for the $7500...
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15:23
Asbury Buys Herb’s 52 Franchises, Honda-Nissan Back On?, Amazon Physical Store Struggles
Today, we talk about the massive $1.34 Billion acquisition of The Herb Chambers Companies by Asbury Automotive. Plus, there still could be a path forward for Honda and Nissan’s merger, and Amazon is not doing well in the physical retail space.<...
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15:24
Negative Equity Hits 25% of Trades, Used Car Crunch, Retention Wins
Shout out to all the people selling cars on this President’s Day! Today, we’re talking about the rising challenges of negative equity on trade-ins hitting an average of $6800 and the used car supply drying up. Plus, we’ll look at a dealer who’s...
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14:35
ASOTU CON Is A Meme Now
Today, Paul and Kyle are joined on the show by Head Writer Chris Reeves and they look just about 90 days into the future, actually 86, because we're looking ahead to ASOTU CON and talking about what people can expect.We make a comparison...
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13:45
How Chinese OEMs Cut Costs, Toyota Ups Inventory, Valentine’s Day Candy History
Happy Super Bowl parade day, Eagles fans! Happy Valentine’s Day to the rest of you! Today, we’re breaking down how Chinese OEMs are able to build lower cost vehicles with more speed than traditional OEMs. Plus, we look at Toyota’s plans for mor...
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15:48
Nissan Nose Dives Even More, Less Screens = More Affordable, Hendrick Bids For Red Cross
Today on the show, we’re covering Nissan’s desperate plans to execute a turnaround, announcing plant closures and more. Plus, OEMs in Europe are matching affordability by removing infotainment systems, and Rick Hendrick sets a record auto aucti...
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13:52
BYD Bets on Autonomy, Hyundai Goes Solid-State, Watching Youtube On TV
Happy hump day, auto industry! Today, we’re covering how BYD is integrating premium autonomous driving tech into its entire lineup of cars. Plus Hyundai is getting in on solid-state EV batteries and Youtube is more popular on TVs than on phones...
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14:08
Stellantis Tweaks Direction, CFPB To Shut Down?, No More Pennies
On this Tuesday, we take a look at how Stellantis is adjusting to live post-Carlos Tavares and what that means for its brands. Plus, a closer look at the Trump administration’s fight against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the pote...
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16:15
The Real Super Bowl Winners, Rivian Opens Orders for Delivery Van, Free Coffee Today
We’re flying with the Eagles after their Super Bowl win yesterday, but we know that the real winners are Vehicles For Change because of the $5K+ donations pledged through the Super Bowl Charity Smackdown. We talk about the success of the automo...
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19:38