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 #1118: Auto loan approvals are climbing as vehicle demand heats up, Jaguar doubles down on its high-dollar EV future, and a new survey shows U.S. shoppers are still splurging on impulse buys.
Show Notes with links:
- New data shows consumers may finally be catching a break in the auto loan market. Approvals are up, interest in buying is growing, and middle-income shoppers are more willing to make sacrif...
On this second Saturday of month, Paul is joined by Chris and Nathan to share all the amazing things dealers are doing in communities across the nation.
This back-to-school season, Toyota-Lexus-Minority Owner Dealers Associatoin partnered with Toyota, The Salvation Army, and Walmart to distribute over 16,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, 6,900 of them through dealerships. As Robert Hatchett put it, this is a...
Episode #1116: CarGurus shuts down CarOffer, trimming its wholesale tech reach. Ford opens a Long Beach EV hub to take on low-cost rivals. And OpenAI’s GPT-5 rolls out to all ChatGPT users, promising smarter, faster AI for everyone.
Show Notes with links:
- CarGurus will shutter its wholesale digital marketplace CarOffer less than two years after fully acquiring it, citing a volatile pricing environment and dea...
Episode #1115: Ford’s ready for its “Model T moment,” the Cybertruck heads to military testing, and Rivian turns EV charging into a Hamptons-style retreat.
Show Notes with links:
- Ford is gearing up for a major EV push with plans to build a new generation of affordable electric vehicles, kicking off a pivotal new chapter that CEO Jim Farley has dubbed the company's “Model T moment.”
- The EV line will in...
Episode #1114: Shawn Fain’s own union members want him out. Chevy’s Silverado EV clocks an unbelievable 1,059 miles on a charge, and as AI reshapes white-collar work, Gen Z is finding job security in scrubs, not suits.
Show Notes with links:
- Shawn Fain, the fiery UAW president who led the landmark 2023 strike against the Detroit 3, is now facing a revolt from within his own ranks. Several union locals have vo...
Episode #1113: Today we cover Amazon’s push into used car sales, Rivian’s legal battle to sell direct in Ohio, and Ikea’s first-ever retail partnership with Best Buy.
Show Notes with links:
- Amazon Autos now includes used and certified pre-owned vehicles. Starting in Los Angeles with Hyundai dealers, the program will soon roll out to more cities nationwide.
- Hyundai dealers can now list used and CPO ca...
Episode #1112: Carvana’s stock hits jaw-dropping highs while negative equity haunts car buyers. At the same time, a new report says Gen X may quietly be the most powerful consumer group of the next decade.
Show Notes with links:
- What once seemed like a dying online used‑car startup has roared back. Carvana’s share price hit an all‑time high in late July 2025—up over 10,000% from the December 2022 bottom—...
On this Saturday, we're highlighting a fun mud run/competitive mud run put on by the Rohrman Auto Group to benefit their local fire department.
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 lead...
Episode #1110: Today we cover Trump’s sweeping auto tariffs, Tesla’s not‑so‑autonomous “Robotaxi” rollout, and the rise of agentic checkout in online retail.
Show Notes with links:
- President Trump’s country-by-country auto tariff deadline has arrived, setting off a new round of trade negotiations and recalibrations for global automakers.
- Canadian tariffs rise to 35%, though most USMCA-compliant vehicles do...
Episode #1109: Today we’re digging into Ford’s $3B tariff troubles, why commercial EV fleets are booming even as consumer demand cools, and how OpenAI’s new “Study Mode” could change the way students learn (without just handing out the answers).
Show Notes with links:
- Ford Motor is bracing for a tougher financial year as U.S. tariffs on vehicles, steel, and aluminum cut deeper than expected. Shares dipped 3% ...
Episode #1108: Today we’re joined by Ben Hadley to talk about Toyota’s exports to the US rising in June, and get Ben’s thoughts on AI use by dealers and tech partners.
Show Notes with links:
- Despite U.S. tariffs on Japanese auto imports, Toyota kept exports rolling in June, posting record-breaking sales powered by booming hybrid demand and resilient U.S. shipments. The move highlights both consumer appetite a...
Episode #1107: Today we dive into why used EVs — especially Teslas — are losing value fast, how a Cybertruck hung 6,600 pounds on a patch of glue, and what AI search’s rise in impressions but drop in clicks means for auto dealers looking to stay visible.
Show Notes with links:
- Electric vehicles are losing traction in the used market, according to iSeeCars. The latest study shows Tesla models topping the list ...
Episode #1106: Today we’re looking at a U.S.-EU trade deal that gives European automakers some relief, Toyota’s ambitious product roadmap with EVs and freshened favorites, and why Sam Altman says your ChatGPT chats aren’t nearly as private as you think.
Show Notes with links:
- European automakers got a breather as the U.S. and EU struck a long-awaited trade deal, dialing back tariff threats that had been weigh...
Episode #1105: Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to share the who, what, where, why and how of auto dealers giving back to their communities.
Fred Martin has spent decades in the car business, but his latest gift is all about the arts.
Martin recently made a $500K gift to Lake Erie College. And while that number alone is impressive, it’s how he chose to give that makes this story something special.
Fred’s...
Episode #1104: EV service frustrations rise as electric sales grow, Honda steps into the insurance game, and Walmart unveils Sparky—its bold AI move to replace the search bar.
Show Notes with links:
- Electric vehicle sales hit a new high in the first half of 2025, but the surge is putting pressure on service departments nationwide. According to CDK Global’s EV Ownership Study, more EVs are hitting the service ...
Episode #1103: Today we’re talking about backlash against stop-start tech, Tesla’s rocky second quarter and robotaxi dreams, and Southwest’s historic shift to assigned seating.
Show Notes with links:
- Stop-start engine systems, once praised for fuel savings, often slandered by consumers, are now catching flak from both the EPA and frustrated drivers—prompting new questions about their future.
- 62% of 2023 ve...
Episode #1102: Today, we're unpacking the Detroit 3's tariff turmoil with Japan, exploring how "Auction 2.0" is reshaping used-car sourcing, and tracking Delta's AI-driven pricing turbulence as Senators demand answers.
The U.S. automakers GM, Ford, and Stellantis are pushing back against a new trade deal lowering Japanese auto tariffs to 15%, while tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports sta...
Episode #1101: Today we talk about how AI is quietly reshaping the workforce under the guise of “restructuring.” GM reports a profit dip but revs up electrified truck updates to meet shifting demands. Finally, California launches an innovative apprenticeship program to tackle the auto tech shortage head-on.
- GM’s Q2 net income fell 35%, hit by $1.1 billion in tariffs, but the company holds firm on full-year p...
Episode #1100: Franchised dealerships saw a 22% profit surge in Q2, led by strong gains in import and domestic brands. Ford unveiled a high-tech electric Bronco, but it’s only for China. Meanwhile, Tesla opened its retro-style diner and drive-in in Hollywood, complete with Superchargers, rooftop views, and robot service.
Franchised dealerships saw a big jump in net profits this quarter as customers rushed to buy befo...
Episode #1099: It’s Saturday, which means Chris Reeves is back in the studio with another story that brings all the feels.
This time it’s about Speedway Subaru in Indianapolis. When a service advisor found out a longtime customer had lost everything in a house fire, including the dog that saved their life, he didn’t just offer sympathy. He took action. The team came together to donate a car and provide essentials to ...
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