.png)
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
1096 episodes
GM’s Gas-Powered Comeback, 112-Year-Old Dealership Sold, AI Eyes Wall Street
Description: Episode #1096: We cover GM’s shift away from EVs at Orion, the end of a 112-year family legacy at Ohio’s oldest Ford dealership, and how new AI tools are challenging the finance industry’s most iconic software...
•
12:00
.png)
Volvo’s Tariff Hit, Nissan’s EV Switch, Ford’s Generous Heart
Episode #1095: Volvo takes a $1.2B charge as EV costs and tariffs bite. Nissan shifts gears in Mississippi, shelving EV plans in favor of SUVs and pickups. And Ford steps up in Texas, donating $1.25M and deploying people and vehicles to aid flo...
•
13:48
40 Under 40, Used EV Ramp Up, Tesla’s Grok Doesn’t Do Much Yet
Episode #1094: Today we celebrate the industry's next generation with Automotive News’ 40 Under 40, explore why used EVs are the hottest deal on the lot, and dig into Tesla’s underwhelming Grok rollout.It’s time to ...
•
9:07
Because They Deserve More Than A Patch of Grass
Episode #1093: We know that everyone here is actually to listen to Chris Reeves on this Saturday morning. After a delightful segue about incense, smoke and fire drills in elementary school, we get into the story of St. Cloud Subaru.At Pl...
•
12:37
Scaringe vs The System, Teslas Get Grok, Starbucks Forced Kindness
Episode #1092: We unpack how Rivian views legacy OEMs as “adversaries”, Elon’s plan to put Grok in your Tesla, and why your next Starbucks smiley face might be powered by pressure, not personality.Show Notes with links:
•
15:03
Dealers React To End of EV Tax Credits, Bay Area Robotaxis, Keep Your Shoes On
Episode #1091: Today we’re covering how dealers are adapting to the end of EV tax credits, Tesla’s push to bring robotaxis to the Bay Area, and the TSA’s surprising move to let travelers keep their shoes on.Show Notes with...
•
13:48
Toyota Helps Out In Texas, EV Battery Reboot, Government Deepfakes
Episode #1090: Toyota leads with heart in Texas, Redwood supercharges old EV batteries for AI, and deepfake fraud hits a chilling milestone. Show Notes with links:Following catastrophic flooding,
•
16:09
EV Credit Countdown, Toyota Goes Flex, Prime Day Plus 4
Episode #1089: The federal EV tax credit countdown is officially on—and startups like Slate are feeling the pressure. Toyota’s new “K-flex” line is redefining manufacturing versatility in Georgetown, while Amazon kicks off a four-day Prime Day ...
•
14:52
Musk Gets Political, China’s EV Bloodbath, Helicopter Goodbye
Episode #1088: We’re kicking off the week with Elon Musk mixing politics and business, a brutal forecast for China’s crowded EV market, and one unforgettable funeral send-off in Detroit.Show Notes with links:Elon M...
•
11:56
FOOOORRRRRDDDD In The USA
Happy July 4th! Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to celebrating the most amazing industry in the most amazing country in the world.Here's some fun facts about this July 4th:72.2 million Americans are expecte...
•
13:42
Q2 Sales Up (With an Asterix), Carfax Best Place To Work, Chuck E. Cheese Grows Up
Episode #1086: Today we unpack Q2’s early sales surge and late slip, celebrate CARFAX’s workplace wins, and wonder about Chuck E. Cheese’s nostalgic new venture for grown-ups.Show Notes with links:U.S.
•
10:30
Senate Passes Budget, Hyundai Hot Streak, Cloudflare Block AI Scrapers
Episode #1085: Today we’re diving into a high-stakes Senate budget bill that could end EV credits early, Hyundai’s record-breaking U.S. sales run, and Cloudflare’s bold move to make AI bots pay to crawl. Show Notes with l...
•
15:47
No EV Tax Credits This Fall?, Rare Earth Workarounds, Small Biz Gets Scammed
Episode #1084: Today we unpack the Senate’s plan to fast-track the end of EV tax credits, the global rush to secure rare earth magnet supply, and how small business owners are battling a new wave of AI-powered scams.Show Notes...
•
15:52
Farley Talks Production, Trump Targets Japanese OEMs, AI Shakes Up Schools
Episode #1083: We’re talking tough trade talk from Trump, Jim Farley’s fiery pitch for industrial self-reliance, and the viral ChatGPT graduation moment that’s sparking serious debates—and wild experiments—in education.Show No...
•
13:07
12,805 Pounds of Purpose with Carter Myers Automotive
Chris Reeves join Kyle this morning to recap the travel week that Kyle and Paul had, and then to share about how Liza Borches and the Carter Myers Automotive group brought in 12,805 lbs of food in their Cans and Cans Drive.
•
9:31
Sunk Cars Costs $560M, EV Auto Pushes Back, Bye Bye Blue Screen of Death
Episode #1081: Today’s episode sounds the alarm on EV shipping risks after a $560M shipwreck, dives into the dealer-driven defense of EV tax credits with Alex Lawrence at the helm, and bids farewell to Microsoft’s iconic Blue Screen of Death.
•
12:28
Penske Wins Centennial Award, States Win Charging Funds, AI Wins Copyright Suits
Episode #1080: Today we’re talking about winners - how Roger Penske was honored with the Automotive News Centennial Award, how 14 states have won back $5B in EV charging funs and how Meta and Anthropic both won copyright lawsuits.
•
12:50
AI Blackmail, Hertz Scans for Scrapes, and Wholesale Prices Chill
Episode #1079: Today we’re talking AI gone rogue under pressure, Hertz’s new damage detection tech that might cost renters big, and signs of normalcy returning to wholesale vehicle prices.Show Notes with links:Whol...
•
16:13
Nissan CEO Feels the Heat, EV Factory Tours Booming, Cheating with AI at Work
Episode #1078: Today we’re talking stormy shareholder meetings at Nissan, the EV factory tours drawing crowds in China, and the Gen Z men getting caught outsourcing their work to AI.Show Notes with links:Nissan’s <...
•
14:03
How Stellantis is (Not) Changing, Tesla Robotaxis Go Live, AI Changing Speech
Episode #1077: Today we’re talking about Stellantis’ cautious leadership shuffle, Tesla’s Robotaxi rollout with safety monitors in the passenger seat, and how AI is quietly shaping the way we talk—even if we don’t realize it....
•
13:02
In A World On Fire, Light a Flame of Empowerment
Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to talk about how sourcing stories is like sitting by a river with little sailboats going down it. Then they talk about how Shelly Hux from Herrin-Gear Automotive Group wrote in to share how she's been em...
•
8:55
Carmax Crushes Q1, When EV Tax Credits Will Go Away, Honda Takes on Rockets
Episode #1075: Today we’re talking CarMax’s record-setting quarter, Congress clashing over EV tax credits, and Honda’s surprising success in rocket science. Yep, you read that right—Honda landed a rocket.Show Notes with links:...
•
10:19
One Year Later, Waymo Takes on NYC, Digital Humans Sell More
Episode #1074: We’re diving into CDK’s post-attack transformation, Waymo’s bold NYC ambitions, and China’s booming AI-driven live commerce, where digital humans are outselling their creators.Show Notes with links:A...
•
11:45
Actually American-Made, Tesla Pauses Production, Crypto Goes to Congress
Episode #1073: Six EVs crack the top 10 of Cars.com's American-Made Index, Tesla pauses Cybertruck and Model Y production, and the U.S. Senate gives crypto a win with new stablecoin regulations, clearing the path for mainstream adoption....
•
12:43
Ferrari Feels EV Slowdown, LAZ Parking Adds 50K Chargers, TikTok AI Influencers
Episode #1072: Ferrari eases off the EV pedal, LAZ Parking launches a game-changing 50,000-charger rollout, and TikTok’s AI influencers threaten to upend the creator economy. Show Notes with links:Welcome to t...
•
15:42