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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
Episodes
1021 episodes
Special Edition: Interviews Live From The NY Auto Forum
Episode #1021: We hit the ground at the NY Auto Forum to catch up with the voices shaping the retail auto landscape, featuring interviews with Mike Stanton, John Bozzella, Stewart Stropp, Tom Castriota, Alan Haig and Bernie Moreno. From EV and ...
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28:24
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6th Highest March in Almost 50 Years, Retail Follows Auto Industry
Episode #1020: We’re breaking down retail sales insights for March (not just auto) driven by pre-tariff buying sprees as we dive into data from Cars Commerce’s latest Q1 report. We also talk about a household brand that helps people build thing...
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16:06
Senator Bernie Moreno Shares Tips For Dealers To Navigate Tariffs
Episode #1019: On a special edition of the Automotive State of the Union, Paul and Kyle are joined by Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, the first and only auto dealer in the senate.Senator Moreno had just finished presenting on the stage at...
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4:23
Live From NYC at the JD Power Auto Forum - Trump Considers Parts Tariff Pause
Paul, Kyle, Michael, and Nathan woke up at 4am so they could be in NYC by breakfast to begin the day of coverage at the JD Power Auto Forum in Manhattan. They’ll be talking to industry experts and Dealers about the current Dealer response to ta...
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8:25
Jeff Bezos’ Secret EV Startup, Polestar Conquests Tesla, GM Pauses BrightDrop Production
Episode #1017: Today we talk Polestar’s bold Tesla takedown with a $20K lease play, Jeff Bezos’ stealthy new EV startup with big aspirations, and GM’s pause on BrightDrop van production despite rock-bottom pricing.Show Notes w...
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15:02
Why Subaru Is The Best at Giving Back
Today, Head Writer Chris Reeves joins the show to deliver hot takes on chicken, Thanksgiving and traditions, then pivots to talk about the Subaru Share The Love campaign and how Subaru of Jacksonville and Subaru Corporate raised a grand total o...
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11:37
Tariff Fears Cause 150K Sales In March, Tesla and China, How to Develop Frontline Workers
Episode #1015: Today we’re diving into how global tensions are reshaping Tesla’s China strategy, why car buyers rushed showrooms ahead of auto tariffs, and why Harvard says better mentoring might be the secret to fixing retail’s revolving door ...
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14:32
No Relief for Auto Tariffs, Record 84-Month Loans, Customer Service Woes
Episode #1014: Today, we’re covering President Trump’s pause on reciprocal tariffs leaves auto imports still facing steep duties, while a record number of buyers turn to 84-month loans to afford today’s rising prices.Show Note...
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17:06
Auto Repairs About To Increase, EV Ranges By Month, What The Public Really Thinks About AI
Episode #1013: We cover the impact of upcoming tariffs on auto repair and insurance costs, seasonal shifts in EV range, and a new Pew survey revealing a major divide between AI experts and public opinion.Show Notes with links:...
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13:40
Lithia Targets Service and Parts, Dealers Invest In Tech Funds, You Can’t Trade-In A Cybertruck
Episode #1012: Today we’re talking about Lithia Motors’ internal challenge to boost service growth, FM Capital’s $240M bet on auto tech startups—with strong dealer backing, and the mounting issues facing Tesla’s Cybertruck.Sho...
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13:53
OEM Tariff Plans, Toyota Eyes EVs, Gen Z Ditches Credit Cards
Episode #1011: Today we’re breaking down the early fallout from sweeping auto tariffs, Toyota’s recalibrated EV strategy, and why Gen Z is ghosting credit cards.Show Notes with links:The 25% tariff on imported vehi...
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16:12
Scott Bieler’s Vision Comes to Life at Villa Maria College
Episode #1010: Head Writer Chris Reeves joins the show to not talk about tariiffs. Instead, we talk about stage names and the impact that dealers are making in their communities.What started as a press release a year ago is now a tangibl...
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10:52
Panic Buying/Selling: What Should My Inventory Level Be? w/ guest COO of Matthews Auto Group Vincent Salvagni
Episode #1009: Today we sit with COO of Matthews Auto Group Vincent Salvagni to discuss the question on every Dealer’s mind; What should I be doing with my inventory level? As consumers rush to beat tariffs, Dealers are worried about overpaying...
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16:13
The Tariff Playbook, Ford Counters With Employee Pricing, Tesla Deliveries Dip
Episode #1008: Cars Commerce drops a no-nonsense playbook for dealers while Ford rolls out employee pricing for all as tariffs loom large. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Q1 delivery miss raises red flags far beyond a Model Y changeover.
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14:34
Tariffs Drive Sales And Dealer Questions, Amazon’s AI Flex
Episode #1007: Consumers hit showrooms ahead of tariff hikes, juicing March sales and making record months and Q1s. Dealers like Rhett Ricart and Zac Kinch fielded a flood of buyers with questions and Amazon dropped Nova Act—an AI agent that sh...
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18:07
What Dealers Should Do About Tariffs Today with Brian Kramer, TikTok Sale Deadline Looms
Episode #1006: We’re joined by Brian Kramer, EVP of Cars Commerce to talk about the upcoming auto tariffs and how Tesla’s market share is declining. Plus, as the deadline to sell TikTok nears, some surprising potential buyers have emerged.<...
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20:53
Top 150 Dealer Groups, Toyota’s Hybrid Demand, Job Market Uncertain For Grads
Episode #1005: The biggest dealership groups continue their march toward market dominance while Toyota’s hybrid boom is pushing suppliers to the limit. Meanwhile, Gen Z graduates face a tough reality as government hiring freezes throw career pl...
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14:33
Elking Auto Group Gives Smiles and Keys
Episode 1004: After we discuss the new name of this show (Automotive State of the Union), Paul and Kyle jump into a story Chris Reeves about the Elking Auto Group seeing a homeless mother and daughter in need and stepping up to help.
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11:00
Tariff Reactions, Tax Deduction for Auto Loan Interest?, Fisker’s Second Life
Episode #1003: Dealers and analysts react to President Trump’s tariff order, as the administration considers a tax deduction for auto loan interest paid. Plus, Fisker Oceans have found new life as a rideshare fleet in NYC.Show...
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12:46
Trump Tariffs Loom Again, Hyundai Opens in GA, OpenAI Upgrades Image Gen
Episode #1002: Today's show dives into Trump’s game-changing 25% auto tariff and what it means for car prices, Hyundai’s massive new EV plant in Georgia and OpenAI’s latest AI breakthrough in image and text generation.Show Not...
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14:52
Nissan’s Big US Bet, More Chargers Than Gas Pumps, AI In the Drive Thru
Episode #1001: Nissan reveals a bold new roadmap, slashing vehicle development times and expanding its EV lineup. Meanwhile, California now boasts more EV chargers than gas nozzles and AI is taking orders at drive-thrus—will customers embrace t...
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13:42
Episode 1000!!!
On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier pressed record for the very first time. Now, 1,274 days later, they’re recording the 1000th episode of the Automotive Troublemaker.Today we’ve got special guests, a look bac...
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29:33
Proton Thwarts Cyberattack, Ford’s Costly Legal Battle, Long-Term EV Adoption
With 1 more day until Episode 1000, Kyle is on his way to Syracuse and Paul is joined by Todd Caputo. Today, we dive into a quick cybersecurity response that saved hundreds of stores from a malware attack, Ford’s $18M legal loss over a de...
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19:38
There Is No Technician Shortage... IF You're Invested In Your Community
On this Saturday, we get to recap the Greater Charlotte Automobile Dealers Association Auto Tech Competition that brought over 300 high schoolers to Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete on diagnosing issues in a high-stakes timed challenge. Stud...
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17:36
Elon Says “Hang Onto Stock”, Auto Auctions Boom, Consumers Prefer AI In Review Replies
Happy Friday! Today, we’re covering how Elon rallied Tesla employees during a surprise all hands meeting last night. Plus, auto auctions have their best year since 2020 and consumers prefer AI-generated responses to reviews over those written b...
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16:25