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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
1240 episodes
Is January Almost Half Over? Let's Feed Some People.
Today, Paul Kyle, and Chris Reeves are together again after a bunch of guest hosts and holiday episodes. They argue over whose New Year's Eve was more boring and whether or not you should actually prepare for tornadoes. But most importantly, we...
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11:14
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Ford Wins Most Iconic, Stellantis Cancels PHEVs, Humans Winning at AI
Episode #1239: Ford earns top honors as America’s most iconic company, Stellantis drops every PHEV from its 2026 lineup, and McKinsey’s CEO reminds us there are still a few things humans do better than AI. A day of big shifts, bold moves,...
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9:19
No Eyes, No Techs, No Docs
Episode #1238: Ford is promising eyes-off driving by 2028. But back in the bays, finding top-tier techs is still a $160K challenge. OpenAI wants to be your new health co-pilot with ChatGPT Health.Show Notes with links:
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13:01
AI Showdown, Sedan Comeback, and ChatGPT’s Legal Curveball
Episode #1237: Today we’re talking about BMW and Mercedes battling it out at CES with next-gen AI, a surprising sedan surge in the used market, and how ChatGPT is causing headaches for doctors and lawyers alike.Show Notes with links:
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10:58
Afeela SUV Surprise, Hyundai’s Robot Army, EV Fire At A Gas Pump
Episode #1236: We’re continuing our coverage of CES with headlines on Hyundai’s humanoid robot plans and Sony Honda’s SUV twist on the Afeela. Plus, a dramatic EV fire at a gas station is stopped cold by some simple, new tech.https://ww...
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12:27
AI Takes the Wheel, Dealer Trust Shifts, Retail Isn’t Dead
Episode #1235: Welcome to the first news show of the new year! CES puts autonomy and AI front and center as EV plans cool. Dealer sentiment improves—but trust gaps threaten CDJR and Nissan valuations. And despite years of doom-and-gloom, physic...
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13:47
Damon Lester on The Reality of Mental Health | 2026 Strategy Sessions
Episode #1234: Kicking off 2026, Paul and Kyle welcome Damon Lester for a deeply personal conversation about burnout, mental health, and leadership in retail auto. Damon opens up about his own breaking point—and why hustle culture may be costin...
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16:49
The 2025 Year In Review Show, Paul and Kyle’s 2026 Predictions
Have insights into how 2025 went or how 2026 is shaping up?Let us know by sending an email to crew@asotu.com and maybe we'll respond on this show!Episode #1233: Happy New Year! Today we’re celebrating by looking back on the bigges...
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22:07
Steve Greenfield on Tech Adoption and Efficiency | 2026 Strategy Sessions
Episode #1231: We close the year with the smartest auto industry analyst in the game. Paul and Kyle bring on Steve Greenfield to make sense of a fast-moving 2025 and what dealers should really prepare for in 2026. From tariffs to AI-driven effi...
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13:51
Brian Kramer on Used Cars and AI Honesty | 2026 Strategy Sessions
Episode #1231: Paul sits down with Cars Commerce’s Brian Kramer to break down how 2025 is ending and what dealers should expect in Q1 2026. The big themes: used car supply shifts, EV-heavy off-lease inventory, and why clarity beats cleverness h...
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16:24
Liza Borches on How To Have Reach In 2026 | 2026 Strategy Sessions
Episode #1230: Paul and Kyle sit down with CMA’s Liza Borches to talk people, culture, and leadership. From gratitude for the industry to intentional connection with employees, Liza shares how she’s orienting her team for the year ahead....
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16:43
Here's How To Hit Your Goals In 2026
On this last Saturday of the year, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to discuss Christmas, New Year's Resolutions and how they've seen themselves change over the last year, and their plans to see continued growth and success in 2026.
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12:13
Brian Benstock on Why The Sky Isn’t Falling | 2026 Strategy Sessions
Episode #1228: The day after Christmas, Kyle flies solo with Brian Benstock to talk 2026 strategy. Benstock’s take: the year will bring “difficulty mixed with opportunities,” and dealers who prepare now—especially around affordability messaging...
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14:01
Merry Christmas From Paul, Kyle and the Whole Crew!
Episode #1227: It's Christmas Eve and Paul and Kyle are in holiday mode. After some banter about an automotive Dancing With The Stars, they talk through their Christmas Eve traditions, why dealers should be closed on Christmas Day, and a little...
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6:34
Monthly Payments At $760, Kazakhstan Grows, Sinek on Leading Gen Z
Episode #1226: We’re talking rising auto prices and longer-term debt in the U.S., Kazakhstan’s record-setting manufacturing momentum, and Simon Sinek’s take on why Gen Z might be the most rational workforce yet.As
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13:31
Why Dealers Will Win, Frozen Waymos, Gen Z Loves Holiday Shopping
Episode #1225: Cars Commerce’s Alex breaks down why the future isn’t car vending machines, Waymo robotaxis freeze during a San Francisco power outage, and Gen Z embraces the holiday experiences.Show Notes with links:
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16:36
Passing The Baton: Cars Commerce CEO Alex Vetter on Leadership, Trust, & Letting Go
What does real leadership look like when it’s time to let go?In this reflective conversation, Paul sits down with Alex Vetter as he prepares to hand the baton after decades of leadership at Cars.com and Cars Commerce. The episode o...
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18:03
Cars Commerce Leadership Transition, Lucid Debuts Used Car Program, Consumer Joy Deficit
Episode #1223: Cars Commerce lines up its next CEO as a new chapter begins for dealer tech. Lucid’s factory-backed used pricing puts EV depreciation in plain sight. And even as consumers keep spending this holiday season, a growing “joy deficit...
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15:55
A Bifurcated 2026, Tesla Misled Customers With FSD
Episode #1222: Today we break down Cox Automotive’s 2026 forecast and why fragmentation is becoming the industry’s defining theme. We also cover California regulators taking aim at Tesla’s Autopilot language.Show Notes with li...
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11:25
GM’s Autonomy Push, Used EVs Win November, Elon Musk Gets Richer
Episode #1221: Today we break down GM’s post-Cruise autonomy reboot, why used EVs are quietly outperforming new ones as buyers regain confidence, and how a soaring SpaceX valuation has pushed Elon Musk’s wealth past $650 billion.A y...
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13:17
Is Paul Furious With Ford, HGreg Goes Lux, GM Rewards Hack
Episode #1220: Ford slams the brakes on big EV bets and kills the Lightning, pivoting to hybrids and EREVs. HGreg proves luxury buyers don’t need a separate dealership—just a smarter one. GM learns loyalty points are real money after a rewards ...
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15:04
Carvana is Stellantis, Mexico Blocking China, Tesla Robotaxi in Austin
Episode #1219: Carvana adds another CDJR store as its retail expansion heats up. Mexico hits Chinese auto imports with a crushing 50% tariff. And Tesla tests its first fully driverless vehicle on the streets of Austin — no humans required.<...
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13:08
Showing Up To A Fire Department With Holiday Cookies
Episode #1218: Kyle Mountsier and Chris Reeves jump into the middle of December to talk about the all-team in-person meeting that More Than Cars had this past week.Then they talk about a simple act of giving back. Carla Cosenz...
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8:19
Ionna Ramps Up EV Charging, VW Adds Range Extenders, Waymo Baby
Episode #1217: Ionna ramps up charging despite slumping EV demand, VW rethinks its electric strategy with range extenders, and a Waymo ride turns into a delivery room as a newborn arrives before first responders.Show Notes with links:
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11:38
Sub-$25K New Vehicles Disappear, Nissan’s Turnaround Plan, Shop Target In ChatGPT
Episode #1216: Today we dig into the tightening-but-shifting new-car inventory landscape, explore Nissan’s bold attempt to rediscover its “North Star”, and watch Target leapfrog competitors by baking full-on AI shopping directly into ChatGPT.
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16:21