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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
1207 episodes
Black Friday Brings West Herr-level Generosity!
Episode #1207: Paul and Chris come to you on this Black Friday to talk about our favorite part of this season, how dealers are giving back.West Herr stepped up big this week, donating
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11:19
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What Paul and Kyle Are Thankful For This Year
Episode #1206: Happy Thanksgiving from the More Than Cars Crew! Today, we're talking about our Thanksgiving plans and what we're thankful for this year.Most of all, we're thankful for you, everyone who is living out the More T...
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7:33
OEMs Rethink Supply Chains, Stellantis In-Car Ads, Cost of Thanksgiving
Episode #1205: We break down how automakers are strengthening supply chains, why Stellantis is pushing out in-car ads, and what’s driving up the overall cost of Thanksgiving this year.Show Notes with links:After fi...
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12:22
Scout Shows Off, Amazon Auto Retail Results, Target Smiles At Everyone
Episode #1204: Scout Motors accelerates toward 2027 as test mules and plant prep hit major milestones. Amazon’s push into vehicle retail gains real traction with new brands and first-time buyers. And Target rolls out a strict “10-4” greeting ru...
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14:28
EV Subscription Service Expands, Foxconn: The Battery Supplier, Labor Market On Ice
Episode #1203: Autonomy expands its EV subscription fleet with new brands, Foxconn doubles down on becoming a global EV battery powerhouse, and the U.S. labor market enters a “Great Freeze” that’s keeping both hiring and firing on ice.
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12:47
The16 with Amit Chandarana of Curbee, LA Gifts For Paul and Kyle
Episode #1202: Day 2 from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show, and we host Amit Chandarana, CEO of Curbee to talk about how there are now 16 independent repair shops to every 1 franchise dealership.. Plus, Paul and Kyle get gifts to welcome the...
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11:06
LIVE from AutoMobility LA, Affordability Gets Worse, MRC Recap
Episode #1201: Today, we’re coming at you from sunny Los Angeles, where we’ll be hosting interviews at Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show. We look ahead to all the conversations we’re going to be able to have, plus Kyle gives us a recap of the...
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9:27
Brian Benstock on Leading Through Change
Episode #1200: Paul sits down with Brian Benstock for a focused conversation on how AI is reshaping dealership roles, why strong leadership matters in uncertain markets, and how competition, democracy, and global collaboration all influence the...
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14:48
Ford Sells CPO on Amazon, Hyundai Off-Road EV, Netflix House Wins
Episode #1199: Ford launches CPO sales on Amazon—but the dealer keeps the keys. Plus, Hyundai teases a high-riding electric concept for the off-road segment, and Netflix pivots to a massive experiential retail strategy.Sho...
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12:47
Audi To Build At Scout Plant, Used EVs Sell Fast, Ford’s New HQ
Episode #1198: Audi taps Scout Motors to build its first U.S.-made SUV, the used-car market cools while EVs heat up, and Ford trades “The Glass House” for a high-tech headquarters built for its next century.Show Notes with lin...
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11:47
HOW Many Pairs of Socks Did Car Dealers Donate?
On this Saturday episode, Paul and Chris highlight how NADA Academy students and staff collected over 13,000 new socks during their Socktober campaign to support shelters across Virginia and Washington, D.C., showing how future dealership leade...
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9:19
Mazda’s First EV, Impel Invests in Automotive Ventures Fund II, Major Stair Fail in China
Episode #1196: Today we’re talking about Mazda finally going all-in on EVs, Impel investing in the next wave of auto-tech innovation, and Chery’s viral stair-climb stunt that went downhill…literally.We’ll be at Automobility LA...
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11:48
Toyota Makes MORE Hybrids, Waymo Hits The Highway, and Chat GPT Gets More attitude
Episode #1195: Toyota doubles down on hybrids with a $14B battery bet. Waymo hits the freeway ahead of Tesla in the autonomy race. And OpenAI unveils a “warmer” GPT-5.1 with customizable personalities and smarter responses.We’ll be at Au...
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10:43
Gen Z In The F&I Office, Why Farley is Scared of China, BYD Mega-City Factory
Episode #1194: Today we’re talking about the next generation of car buyers shaking up the F&I office, Jim Farley’s humbling EV teardown that’s reshaping Ford’s strategy, and BYD’s jaw-dropping megafactory in China that’s literally larger th...
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13:45
Dealer Service Visits Drop, Inventory Climbs, Gen Z Spends
Episode #1193: Today, we’re covering a spike in EV inventory, why dealerships are losing service customers, and how Gen Z’s complex spending habits could reshape the retail landscape.Show Notes with links:A new Cox...
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11:50
Ford Rethinks Lightning, SEMA Gets Wild, Flo Drives with AI
Episode #1192: Ford faces a jolt of EV reality as the F-150 Lightning may lose its spark. Meanwhile, SEMA goes full throttle with hydrogen, hybrids, and horsepower. And Progressive’s “Flo” gets a digital copilot as AI helps animals hit the road...
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13:24
You Can’t Put a Price on Gratitude. But They’re Donating $100K Anyway.
On this Saturday episode, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to talk about how Phil Long Dealerships continues its proud military tradition with a November-long giveback campaign benefiting Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. With every vehicle s...
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14:05
Carmax CEO Fired, Elon’s Pay Package Approved, Gas-Powered Scouts
Episode #1190: Today we cover CarMax’s executive shakeup amid disappointing guidance, Tesla shareholders’ approval of Elon Musk’s massive pay package, and how Scout Motors is seeing overwhelming demand for extended-range EVs.S...
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10:44
Ford’s Signature 2.0 Store, Holman Robotics, Walmart Has 3 Black Fridays
Episode #1189: Ford unveils its hospitality-first Signature 2.0 dealership design, Holman jumps into the robotics game, and Walmart goes full throttle with back-to-back Black Friday deals.Ford is rolling out its first
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11:20
Toyota Raises Guidance, Waymo In 3 New Cities, Holiday Music Creep Is a Good Thing
Episode #1188: Today we’re talking Toyota’s global muscle amid U.S. tariffs, Waymo’s bold autonomous rollout into new cities, and why your store’s holiday playlist might be just early enough to keep shoppers smiling.Show Notes...
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10:56
GM Tech Leadership Shakeup, Kia Delays EV4, Walmart’s Physical Catalog
Episode #1187: GM trims its workforce and tech leadership as it reassesses priorities. Kia hits pause on its next U.S. EV launch amid regulatory roadblocks. And Walmart leans into nostalgia with a print catalog push designed to elevate its home...
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9:08
Mobile Service with Richard Lupo, Charging Highways, In-Store Holiday Magic
Episode #1186: Dealerships are investing big in mobile service as customer demand and capacity challenges make on-the-go repairs a serious growth opportunity. France launches the world’s first live EV-charging highway, while new data shows holi...
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17:16
How This Auto Group Stewards The Money It's Community Gives Them
After a couple of weeks off due to international travel and a new baby, Chris, Paul and Kyle are back to talk about how car dealerships are caring for their community.Today, they cover how the
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11:06
The Nexperia Chip Crisis, Dealer Employee Satisfaction Rises, Gen Z Mystery Shops Hotels
Episode #1184: Today we cover Toyota’s response to potential chip shortages, new research showing improved employee satisfaction at dealerships, and what Gen Z travelers want most from their hotel stays.Show Notes with link...
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12:44
Rebuilding After Aluminum Fire, Tekion Welcomes Competition, The Skills CEOs Need
Episode #1183: Today we’re talking about the billion-dollar blaze disrupting Ford’s aluminum supply chain, Tekion’s confident response to new DMS rival Pinewood.AI, and why the retail world’s record CEO shuffle says more about skill sets than b...
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14:17