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
Episode #1032: Today we break down Trump’s new tariff offsets for U.S. automakers, GM’s massive recall of its flagship V-8, and a heartwarming $50K donation from West Herr’s CEO to support local youth.
Show Notes with links:
- President Trump is throwing automakers a bit of a lifeline on tariffs—but it’s not a free ride. His new executive orders are easing some of the pressure, but only if manufacturers meet so...
Episode #1031: Today we’re talking about Trump’s possible easing of auto tariffs ahead of a Michigan trip, GM’s courtroom defense over driver data privacy, and why e-commerce might be losing its edge as shoppers crave more fun and surprise.
- As he prepares to visit Michigan for the 100-day mark of his second term, President Trump is signaling potential changes that could ease the auto industry’s tariff burden...
Episode #1030: Today we’re talking about the real hurdles to moving auto production stateside, catching up with Carlos Ghosn’s new life as a leadership coach (and fugitive), and Amazon’s surprising new experiment that lets shoppers stray beyond its walls.
Show Notes with links:
- A quarter of U.S. automotive assembly capacity sat unused at the end of 2024, suggesting opportunity amid the backdrop of President T...
On this Saturday, Chris Reeves bring Daniel Govaer to the show with him to talk about how Leif Johnson in Texas brought together off-road truck owners - Raptors, Broncos and Rangers - to take part in an off-road rally to benefit Make-A-Wish.
You can find out more and donate here: https://www.leifjohnsonford.com/raptor-rally.html
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of th...
Episode #1028: Today we talk about VinFast ditching direct sales for a full franchise model, Slate launching a no-frills EV pickup that’s shaking things up under $20K, and the growing movement toward skills-based hiring over college degrees.
Show Notes with links:
- VinFast is officially out of the direct-to-consumer game in California, shifting gears to focus solely on franchised dealers across the U.S. The pi...
Episode #1027: Lithia leans into affordability while breaking records despite tariffs. Carvana boosts its reconditioning game in Colorado. And Chipotle turns up the charm, teaching 3,800 teams to smile their way to better hospitality.
Show Notes with links:
- While tariffs loom over the auto industry, Lithia Motors is leaning into its diversified strategy and breaking financial records. CEO Bryan DeBoer says th...
Episode #1026: California dealers are taking legal action against Scout Motors over its direct-sales model. Elon Musk plans to scale back his government role amid Tesla’s slumping sales. And new code reveals OpenAI may soon integrate Shopify directly into ChatGPT, turning the AI into a full retail assistant.
- The California New Car Dealers Association is going to court over Scout Motors’ retail strategy, sayi...
Episode #1025: We cover Nissan’s plan to hold vehicle prices through early June and increase U.S. production in response to tariffs. Plus we examine Tesla’s strategic repositioning of the Cybertruck and how cybercriminals are creating a realistic-looking phishing campaign using Google’s own tools.
Show Notes with links:
- Nissan is staying steady on pricing through June 2 and looking to its underused U.S. ...
Episode #1025: Today we’re talking about how the Top 100 used-car dealers are adapting to a tougher wholesale market, why Tesla is hitting pause on its most affordable Model Y plans yet and what Sam’s Club is doing with checkout.
Show Notes with links:
- The Automotive News Top 100 U.S. Used-Car Dealership Groups list is out—and the big takeaway isn’t just who’s up or down, but how they’re adapting to survive. ...
Today on the show, Head Writer Chris Reeves joins Kyle and Nathan to talk about their Easter plans, and then Chris talk about how Easterns Auto Group partnered with DC Peers, a volunteer-led social group for neurodiverse people and grew into a full-fledged nonprofit serving individuals from middle school through age 60.
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as...
Episode #1023: From tariff talk taking over the New York Auto Show to Toyota rethinking RAV4 production, and LiveWire’s electric leap into law enforcement—we've got you covered.
Show Notes with links:
- Automakers came to New York looking to celebrate new vehicles, but found themselves answering the same old questions—about tariffs. Despite flashy debuts and high-octane reveals, the weight of trade policy...
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 tariff turbulence to actionable insights and dealer valuations, this episode is packed with takeaways from the industry’s front lines. Thanks to Liftkit for making it all happ...
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 things, diving into helping them be more engaged gamers.
Show Notes with links:
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 the NY Auto Forum and spoke about how dealers can help their teams through troubling times, how they can get more involved in their local communities and what the future looks like ...
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 tariffs, inventory, and people strategy.
Show Notes with links:
- Auto Forum preview: Mike Cottone (Pres. Volvo), Randy Parker (CEO N.A. Hyundai/Genesis), Sen. Bernie...
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 with links:
- A secretive EV startup based in Michigan is gaining attention fast. Funded by Jeff Bezos and stocked with talent from Ford, GM, Harley-Davidson, and Stellantis, Slate Auto is...
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 of $205K for a local children's hospital just through car sales.
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they con...
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 of turnover.
Show Notes with links:
- Tesla has stopped taking orders for its U.S.-made Model S sedans and Model X crossovers in China as trade tensions between the U.S. ...
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 Notes with links:
- The auto industry is still squarely in the tariff crosshairs, even as President Trump backs off his broader reciprocal tariff plan. While a new 10% base tariff replaces mo...
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:
- Auto repair bills are on the verge of a sharp climb, and the clock is ticking. A 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts, recently enacted by President Trump, officially takes e...
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