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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.
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From Wall Street to Main Street.
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Automotive State of The Union
Rideshare Wars Rage, Auto Brands Skip Bowl, Experience Beats Price
Episode #1255: Waymo gains ground on rideshare rivals as Tesla undercuts them all. A global study shows bad CX drives customers away faster than high prices. And automakers pull back from Super Bowl ads, choosing more flexible, efficient buys.
- Only two automakers — Toyota and Cadillac — are confirmed for Super Bowl 2026, as most brands step away from the pricey event. Facing budget pressure and chasing efficiency, car companies are shifting spend to longer campaigns across other live events.
- Brands like Ford, BMW, Kia, Honda, Nissan, and Stellantis are sitting it out, citing affordability and better ROI elsewhere.
- With a $9 million price tag per 30 seconds plus production, the Super Bowl is losing appeal amid industry cost pressures.
- Automakers are turning to the Olympics, World Cup, and NBA All-Star Game for more cost-effective, multi-week campaigns.
- “There’s no secret that the premium of being in the Super Bowl certainly would come at the expense of having some additional investment,” said Sean Gilpin, Hyundai CMO.
- Waymo is becoming a real contender in ride-hailing while Tesla goes for a classic price war play. A new Obi study compares autonomous and traditional services, showing a market reshaping rapidly — especially in San Francisco.
- Waymo's robotaxi pricing has dropped and is now only 12.7% more than Uber and 27.3% more than Lyft, compared to 30–40% higher in mid-2025.
- Tesla Robotaxi leads on price at just $8.17 per ride, but lags with 15.32-minute average wait times.
- Obi CEO Ashwini Anburajan: “They’re using the playbook that Uber and Lyft used... and we know that playbook works."
- Consumers now prioritize customer experience over price with 59% abandoning a brand after one bad experience versus 55% fleeing due to price hikes, according to a global Havas CX study. Consistency and emotional connection are key drivers of loyalty.
- A global survey of 59,000+ shoppers shows experience matters more than cost — more consumers ditch brands after poor service than high prices.
- Consistent, seamless experiences across digital and physical channels top what customers value most.
- Emotional connection and personalization now weigh as heavily as functional efficiency in shaping CX.
- “Loyalty can only be earned by delivering unwavering consistency, authentic personal connection, and experiences that create lasting emotional memories,” says David Shulman.
- This episode of the Automotive State of the Union is brought to you by Amazon Autos: Meet
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