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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
1355 episodes
Dealer Optimism Improves, Volvo Cleared To Import China Tech, ChatGPT Creates Buying Intent
Episode #1355: Today we’re talking about dealers feeling cautiously optimistic despite economic pressure, Volvo dodging a major U.S. regulatory headache tied to its China ownership, and OpenAI quietly building what could become a serious challe...
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Mazda’s Identity Crisis, Ford’s F-150 Setback, Ferrari Goes Full EV
Episode #1354: Today we talk about Mazda trying to define what the brand actually stands for, Ford battling yet another F-150 production headache while inventory stays tight, and Ferrari shocking enthusiasts with a futuristic $640k EV designed ...
Memorial Day Traffic and The Return of Big Incentives
Episode #1353: Memorial Day travelers are hitting the road in record numbers while automakers roll out massive incentives to move inventory.Show Notes with links:Memorial Day originated in the afte...
How Tech Partners Responded To The Vehicles For Change Giveaways
On this Saturday, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about the Vehicles for Change Car Giveaways from last week at ASOTU CON, and how he was able to spend time with the kids of the families who received the cars. It was a powerful reminder of wh...
May Demand Holds Strong, AI Car Shopping Advice, Ford Bird Sanctuary
Episode #1351: Today we talk about the growing affordability squeeze facing car buyers, why dealerships are now negotiating with customers and ChatGPT at the same time, and the Kansas Ford dealer whose sold F-250 is temporarily protected by fed...
Stellantis Bets on Affordability, NADA x VFC, Bojangles EV Charging
Episode #1350: Today we’re talking about Stellantis betting big on affordable vehicles and platform consolidation, NADA helping dealers put families on the road through a new national partnership, and Bojangles turning EV charging into a side o...
Mitsubishi Tightens Up, S&P Global & TrueCar Take On Transparency, Retro Pizza Huts
Episode #1349: Today we talk about Mitsubishi cutting weak dealers while betting on a product comeback, the growing FTC pressure pushing vendors toward all-in pricing transparency, and Pizza Hut discovering the hottest new trend in retail… 1990...
Tesla Price Bump, Sub-Prime Loans On the Rise, Auto Advertising Down
Episode #1348: Today we cover Tesla raising Model Y prices for the first time in years, lenders diving deeper into subprime auto financing, and why automotive advertising is quietly losing market share.Show Notes with links:<...
AI Trust Gap, Hyundai’s Weak Spot, Tariff Refunds To Consumers
Episode #1343: Today we discuss dealers trusting people more than AI when it comes to lead follow-up, Hyundai’s big push to repair struggling service satisfaction, and a new lawsuit claiming Toyota buyers deserve part of a potential $9 billion ...
The ASOTU CON Cooldown
In the immediate aftermath of ASOTU CON 2026, Paul, Kyle and Michael break down what just happened in the last 3 days. From the Welcome Reception to the closing keynote of David Spisak, everything was truly centered on the theme of "The Year of...
RussFlipsWhips Reviews ASOTU CON
It's day 2, or 3, depending on how you look at it! We're having an amazing time here in Hanover MD.
Live From ASOTU CON Day 1
Breakfast is going, the people are here and Paul, Kyle and Michael chat about their biggest takeaways from Day 0.
Fixed Ops Flex, AI Accelerates Timeline
Episode #1339: We’re Live from ASOTU CON and are talking about the steady profit machine powering dealerships as fixed ops revenues continue climbing for major dealer groups. We also cover mounting pressure to keep Chinese automakers out of the...
ASOTU CON Preview
Paul, Michael, and Kyle talk about the anticipation for what's about to happen this week on site in Hanover, Maryland. They give their top three things to look forward to and to watch, and they also talk about what it will take for dealers and ...
Why We're Talking About Mental Health Awareness At ASOTU CON
Today on the show, Paul, Kyle and Chris give a sneak preview of an ASOTU CON Breakfast Session with Damon Lester on the importance of mental health in the auto industry.It's not too late to get tickets:
GM Ramps Up The Truck Wars, 10 Billion FSD Miles, Big Bulky Delivery
Episode #1337: GM looks to capitalize on Ford’s pickup shortage, Tesla hits a major FSD milestone (without the autonomy leap), and Home Depot takes on the messy world of big-and-bulky delivery.Show Notes with links:
Chinese OEMs Ready For Canada, Dealer Ad Spend Hits $9B, Cozy Coupe EV
Episode #1336: Chinese automakers quietly prep a Canadian invasion, dealers ramp up ad spend amid tariff uncertainty, and even the Cozy Coupe gets an EV twistShow Notes with links:Chinese automakers are lay...
Hybrids The Hottest Ticket, Hertz Goes Full Online Retail, Delta Nixes Snacks
Episode #1335: Inventory tightens as hybrids fly off lots, Hertz leans into retail with an eBay storefront, and Delta redraws the snack map—cutting service on shorter flights while upgrading longer ones.Show Notes with...
Group 1 Cuts Jobs, Ford Retooling To Compete With China, Harley Goes Affordable
Episode #1334: Dealers face workforce cuts as Group 1 trims costs, Ford’s secret EV project reveals how it plans to hit a $30K price point, and Harley-Davidson shifts back to entry-level bikes to drive volume, boost dealer profits, and reconnec...
Top 100 Used Dealers, Ford Discounts Go Wide, Audible Listening IRL
Episode #1333: Used-car consolidation accelerates as the biggest dealer groups tighten their grip, Ford opens up employee pricing to drive volume, and Audible tests a bold physical retail concept. It’s all about scale, strategy, and finding new...
How Vehicles For Change Has Supported Reliable Transportation for Over 28,000 People
On today's show, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about our ASOTU CON charity partner Vehicles for Change and the amazing impact that they have because of partnering with dealers.
Bill Introduced To Ban Chinese Cars, Rivian Trims GA Factory, AV Traffic Tickets
Episode #1331: Lawmakers push to block Chinese autos amid affordability and security concerns, Rivian reshapes its Georgia plant strategy while betting big on the R2, and California moves to hold autonomous vehicles accountable with new enforce...
Carvana’s 6Q of Growth, OEMs To Get Billions In Tariff Refunds, Retail Media Ad Accountability
Episode #1330: Carvana keeps its growth streak alive with record sales and profits, automakers book billions in tariff refunds (on paper), and AI is forcing retail media to evolve from impressions to real, measurable outcomes....
Chinese Vehicles At The Border As Lawmakers Push a Ban, What Makes A Company Trustworthy
Episode #1329: Lawmakers push to block Chinese vehicles as they sit just miles from the U.S. border. Meanwhile, those same brands are gaining attention from American drivers. Plus, a new “most trusted companies” list shows how perception is sha...
Greenfield on The Fight For Legacy OEMs and Cheap Chinese EVs
Episode #1328: We’re joined by guest host Steve Greenfield to talk about Ford's CEO sounding the alarm on a make-or-break moment for legacy automakers, while China’s ultra-affordable EVs show just how intense—and fast—the global competition has...