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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
Fain Under Fire, Silverado Goes The Distance, Gen Z Job Struggles
Episode #1114: Shawn Fain’s own union members want him out. Chevy’s Silverado EV clocks an unbelievable 1,059 miles on a charge, and as AI reshapes white-collar work, Gen Z is finding job security in scrubs, not suits.
Show Notes with links:
- Shawn Fain, the fiery UAW president who led the landmark 2023 strike against the Detroit 3, is now facing a revolt from within his own ranks. Several union locals have voted to launch removal proceedings, citing layoffs, retaliation, and alleged financial mismanagement.
- Workers at Stellantis and GM plants joined four other UAW locals in voting to oust Fain, meeting the threshold for a federal monitor to review the allegations.
- At issue are thousands of Stellantis layoffs since the 2023 contract, said to result from pressure to raise wages.
- Critics also say Fain retaliated against board members who resisted approving spending.
- Support for Fain remains strong among graduate student workers, but dissent is growing in Detroit-area factories.
- “I supported Shawn, but his spending is out of control and he’s retaliatory,” said David Pillsbury, a GM worker behind the petition.
- Chevrolet has set a new benchmark for EV range, pushing a 2026 Silverado EV Work Truck to an eye-popping 1,059 miles on a single charge. The test, though far from real-world conditions, highlights just how much efficiency can be squeezed out of today’s EV technology.
- 40 drivers took 1 hour turns and averaged just 20–25 mph, taking seven days to complete the run.
- Tricks included removing the spare tire, overinflating tires, adding a tonneau cover, and shutting off climate control.
- The Silverado EV WT is EPA-rated for 493 miles, but the hypermiling allowed the 205-kWh battery to return 4.9 miles per kWh—beating Lucid’s 749-mile record.
- “Getting this kind of range doesn’t happen by accident,” said Kurt Kelty, GM VP of battery and propulsion.
- With tech and business roles slowing under AI pressure, young men are struggling to find footing, while women dominate in growing fields like nursing.
- Gen Z men see higher unemployment as AI disrupts entry-level business and tech roles.
- Healthcare remains one of the few industries adding jobs in 2025.
- Nearly 90% of nursing roles are held by women, offering steady opportunities.
- Education and hospitality — also female-led sectors — are also adding jobs.
- Elise Gould, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, said, "It could be tougher for men who are looking for jobs where there's just not a whole lot of hiring right now."
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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