.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
Automotive State of The Union
The 2025 Year In Review Show, Paul and Kyle’s 2026 Predictions
Have insights into how 2025 went or how 2026 is shaping up?
Let us know by sending an email to crew@asotu.com and maybe we'll respond on this show!
Episode #1233: Happy New Year! Today we’re celebrating by looking back on the biggest themes that dominated the retail auto landscape in 2025, and prognosticating the future by looking at the big things we think the industry will face in 2026.
Top 10 Themes of 2025
#10 – Gen Z Disrupts Expectations
They demand transparency, flexibility, and quick accountability.
#9 – Service Became the MVP
Fixed ops carried the weight during sales slowdowns.
#8 – China Asserts Dominance
Chinese automakers scale massively with vertical integration.
#7 – Autonomy Advances (Cautiously)
Waymo plays it safe; Tesla pushes limits.
#6 – AI Did the Mundane (And Everyone Loved It)
No revolutions—just reliable lead follow-ups and call answering.
#5 – Tech ≠ Efficiency
More dashboards didn’t fix poor processes.
#4 – Used Cars Were the Rock
More affordable and practical than new.
#3 – Hybrids Became the Compromise
Consumers leaned toward electric and gas.
#2 – EVs Didn't Die, They Rerouted
Slowed demand post-tax incentives forced OEM rethink.
#1 – Affordability Dominated Everything
Record-high monthly payments scared off buyers.
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.
Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/
JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/
