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Automotive State of The Union
Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier don’t just read headlines, they make the most important connections across car dealerships, general retail, tech, and culture. The goal? To help automotive leaders think clearer and move faster in a world that refuses to slow down.
Whether you’re running a rooftop, building a brand, or just trying to keep up with everything shifting in the business of selling cars, this is your regular stop for a shot of news, insight, and a little bit of chaos…always rooted in people-first thinking.
From the showroom to Silicon Valley.
From Wall Street to Main Street.
Paul and Kyle connect the dots, keep it real, and make it make sense.
Learn more at https://www.asotu.com
Episodes
1368 episodes
75 Day Supply, GM Goes Grid, World Cup Kicks Off
Episode #1368: Inventory remains tight as hybrids continue to outpace every other powertrain. GM doubles down on energy storage and vehicle-to-grid technology as electricity demand surges. Plus, the largest World Cup ever kicks off across North...
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Chinese OEMs Already In US, Driverless Doritos, Claude Fable 5
Episode #1367: Chinese automakers maintain a stealth presence in America while expanding globally, PepsiCo puts fully driverless delivery trucks to work on public roads, and Anthropic releases its most powerful AI yet—with enough safeguards to ...
Texas Is Largest Auto Market, Rivian Bets on Voice Control, Apple Siri AI
Episode #1366: Texas is rapidly overtaking California as the center of automotive influence, Rivian is betting drivers will talk to their vehicles instead of pushing buttons, and Apple is taking another swing at making Siri the AI assistant it ...
Trump Talks Right-To-Repair, Ford Hunts Techs, Back To School In June
Episode #1365: Trump weighs in on right-to-repair after meeting with auto industry leaders, Ford invests heavily in solving its technician shortage, and how back to school shopping is already happening.Show Notes with links:
30 Dealerships Join Forces For Blood Drive
Today, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about donating blood plasma in college, but then how 30 dealerships in Michigan, led by Midland Ford, have come together to help address the critical blood shortage.
Big FTC Complaints, Bigger Robotaxis, Biggest Car Wash
Episode #1363: A fresh look at thousands of FTC dealership complaints reveals where consumers are still finding friction. Tesla expands its Austin robotaxi footprint as autonomous ride-hailing scales up. And Buc-ee's reminds us that in Texas, e...
FTC Red Flags In Reviews, Hybrids Surge In May, Ram’s AI Oops
Episode #1362: Today we look at what customer reviews can reveal before regulators come knocking, why hybrids are suddenly the hottest vehicles on the lot, and how Ram’s AI-generated merch accidentally turned a Toyota Tacoma into a Ram truck—wh...
FTC Names 97 Dealers On Warning List, EV Truck Owners Aren’t Loyal, Anthropic IPO
Episode #1361: The FTC names 97 dealers in a warning over advertising practices, new data shows EV truck owners are surprisingly disloyal to legacy brands, and Anthropic files for an IPO after rocketing past OpenAI in valuation.
ASOTU CON Throwbacks with Ben Hadley
Episode #1360: Today we're throwing it back to ASOTU CON and revisiting a few of the quotes that had the biggest impact on the room. Plus, we break down Anthropic’s confidential IPO filing and its meteoric rise past OpenAI in valuation
Pickup Truck Roundup: Mitsubishi, UAW Strike, Robins Fly Away
Episode #1359: Mitsubishi is jumping back into the pickup market with help from Nissan, a supplier strike threatens GM’s truck production at a critical moment, and the internet-famous F-250 robins have finally left the nest, clearing the way fo...
Dealer Gives Back Literal Truckloads of Food
On this last Saturday of the month, Chris joins Kyle and producer Nathan to talk about how Ken Garff Automotive Group is filling
Honda Aims For 10% Market Share, Ford’s Energy Business, Target’s Cleaner Bathrooms
Episode #1357: Honda rides hybrid momentum toward bigger market share, Ford gets an AI-fueled stock boost from repurposed EV batteries, and Target bets family-friendly upgrades will drive customer loyalty.Show Notes with links...
1 Million Missing Shoppers, Leasing Levels Out, The Premium Economy
Episode #1356: Today we unpack the million buyers who’ve quietly exited the new-car market, why off-lease inventory is finally rebounding (briefly), and how America’s new “premium economy” is changing the way consumers spend, travel and shop.
Dealer Optimism Improves, Volvo Cleared To Import China Tech, ChatGPT Creates Buying Intent
Episode #1355: Today we’re talking about dealers feeling cautiously optimistic despite economic pressure, Volvo dodging a major U.S. regulatory headache tied to its China ownership, and OpenAI quietly building what could become a serious challe...
Mazda’s Identity Crisis, Ford’s F-150 Setback, Ferrari Goes Full EV
Episode #1354: Today we talk about Mazda trying to define what the brand actually stands for, Ford battling yet another F-150 production headache while inventory stays tight, and Ferrari shocking enthusiasts with a futuristic $640k EV designed ...
Memorial Day Traffic and The Return of Big Incentives
Episode #1353: Memorial Day travelers are hitting the road in record numbers while automakers roll out massive incentives to move inventory.Show Notes with links:Memorial Day originated in the afte...
How Tech Partners Responded To The Vehicles For Change Giveaways
On this Saturday, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about the Vehicles for Change Car Giveaways from last week at ASOTU CON, and how he was able to spend time with the kids of the families who received the cars. It was a powerful reminder of wh...
May Demand Holds Strong, AI Car Shopping Advice, Ford Bird Sanctuary
Episode #1351: Today we talk about the growing affordability squeeze facing car buyers, why dealerships are now negotiating with customers and ChatGPT at the same time, and the Kansas Ford dealer whose sold F-250 is temporarily protected by fed...
Stellantis Bets on Affordability, NADA x VFC, Bojangles EV Charging
Episode #1350: Today we’re talking about Stellantis betting big on affordable vehicles and platform consolidation, NADA helping dealers put families on the road through a new national partnership, and Bojangles turning EV charging into a side o...
Mitsubishi Tightens Up, S&P Global & TrueCar Take On Transparency, Retro Pizza Huts
Episode #1349: Today we talk about Mitsubishi cutting weak dealers while betting on a product comeback, the growing FTC pressure pushing vendors toward all-in pricing transparency, and Pizza Hut discovering the hottest new trend in retail… 1990...
Tesla Price Bump, Sub-Prime Loans On the Rise, Auto Advertising Down
Episode #1348: Today we cover Tesla raising Model Y prices for the first time in years, lenders diving deeper into subprime auto financing, and why automotive advertising is quietly losing market share.Show Notes with links:<...
AI Trust Gap, Hyundai’s Weak Spot, Tariff Refunds To Consumers
Episode #1343: Today we discuss dealers trusting people more than AI when it comes to lead follow-up, Hyundai’s big push to repair struggling service satisfaction, and a new lawsuit claiming Toyota buyers deserve part of a potential $9 billion ...
The ASOTU CON Cooldown
In the immediate aftermath of ASOTU CON 2026, Paul, Kyle and Michael break down what just happened in the last 3 days. From the Welcome Reception to the closing keynote of David Spisak, everything was truly centered on the theme of "The Year of...