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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
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 dealership image program in over two decades—and it’s less showroom, more hotel lobby. The new "Signature 2.0" design rethinks the car-buying experience with a focus on comfort, visibility, and choice.
- The first build, a $12.5M Boulevard Ford in Delaware, centers around a glass-paneled, open-concept showroom with lounge seating, café-style tables, and a central Ford-branded hospitality hub serving snacks and drinks.
- Dealers can choose from a range of customizable elements—snack options, artwork, furniture layouts—allowing flexibility while maintaining brand consistency
- The design also eliminates the separate service entrance, integrating service customers into the main experience. “The building is as simple as it can possibly be, because the focus is on things like truth and transparency,” said Jennifer Kolstad, Ford’s global design and brand director.
- “It’s really about feeling like you actually want to be in the dealership,” said Elena Ford, Chief Dealer Engagement Officer.
- We had Boulevard Ford GM JB Burnett on Auto Collabs just a couple of weeks ago and he spoke about where the project got started and the support Ford gave him.
- Holman, long known for fleet management and automotive services, is stepping into industrial automation with the launch of Holman Robotics—designed to simplify how businesses adopt and manage robotics at scale.
- The new division bundles hardware, software, support, and integration into one streamlined solution.
- Holman will offer design guidance, flexible financing, and full asset lifecycle management.
- “Robotic automation can transform operations, but upfront costs and complexity slow adoption,” said CEO Chris Conroy.
- A centralized platform enables real-time monitoring and performance optimization across all robotic assets.
- “We help companies deploy robotics faster, more easily, and with confidence,” said VP Joe Foster.
- Why have one Black Friday when you can have three? That's what WalMart thinks as it is rolling out two Black Friday Deal events this year for the first time. Along with its usual Cyber Monday lineup, this aggressive move is aimed at stretching holiday spending amid tightening consumer wallets.
- Black Friday Event 1 runs Nov. 14–16; Event 2 spans Nov. 25–30; Cyber Monday hits Dec. 1 (online only).
- Walmart+ members get early access to deals, with up to 60% off top brands and thousands of items under $20.
- The move follows trends of earlier and extended holiday promotions, driven by inflation concerns and demand for deeper discou
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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