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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
Automotive State of The Union
Meet Stellantis’ New CEO, GM Bets Big On V8s, BitCoin to the Future
Episode #1055: Today we cover Stellantis’ new CEO facing a storm of tariffs and dealer tensions, GM’s surprising pivot back to big V-8s, and DeLorean’s futuristic EV launch… that’s more crypto maze than car.
Show Notes with links:
After a six-month search, Stellantis has named Antonio Filosa as its new CEO. With more than 25 years in the industry and leadership experience across Brazil, North America, and global roles, Filosa is stepping in as the company faces pressure on multiple fronts.
- Filosa starts as CEO on June 23, replacing Carlos Tavares after his December resignation.
- Currently COO for the Americas and global chief quality officer, he’s credited with restoring confidence internally.
- Challenges include reversing a 10% Q1 shipment drop, regaining dealer trust, and addressing a potential $7.1B hit from Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs.
- Filosa has reinstalled key leadership—bringing back Ram's Tim Kuniskis and U.S. sales head Jeff Kommor—to stabilize operations.
- “One of my first decisions has been to bring back talents that we lost in the past,” Filosa told reporters in January.
- The EV slowdown has prompted General Motors to double down on internal combustion, shelving a $300 million plan for EV motors at its Tonawanda, NY plant and instead committing a massive $888 million to next-gen V-8 engine production.
- The site will continue producing Gen 5 V-8s while ramping up for Gen 6 engines by 2027.
- New engines will feature performance-boosting and emission-cutting innovations.
- Investment includes machinery, tooling, and facility upgrades—the largest ever for a GM engine plant.
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the project will support 870 jobs at Tonawanda Propulsion, including 177 jobs deemed at risk
- “This investment shows the company’s commitment to strengthening American manufacturing,” said CEO Mary Barra.
- The DeLorean Alpha5 EV promised a high-tech return to the future, but it's now stuck in development limbo, with no production timeline or pricing—and buyers are being asked to reserve with cryptocurrency and NFTs.
- Reservations require $2,500 in USDC crypto via a specialized Slush Wallet and purchase of an NFT.
- No refunds are offered—buyers can resell their spot in line to recoup funds.
- Fewer than 600 reservations have been made, with some resale spots priced up to $40,000.
- The Alpha5, if it arrives, will offer 300+ miles of range and sub-3-second 0-60 performance.
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.
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