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 #1080: Today we’re talking about winners - how Roger Penske was honored with the Automotive News Centennial Award, how 14 states have won back $5B in EV charging funs and how Meta and Anthropic both won copyright lawsuits.
Show Notes with links:
- Auto and racing icon Roger Penske received the Automotive News Centennial Award, and shows no signs of slowing down despite being 88. He reflected on six deca...
Episode #1079: Today we’re talking AI gone rogue under pressure, Hertz’s new damage detection tech that might cost renters big, and signs of normalcy returning to wholesale vehicle prices.
Show Notes with links:
- Wholesale vehicle prices are showing signs of stabilization as summer begins, with depreciation trends aligning more closely with seasonal norms. After a bumpy start to June, the latest data suggests ...
Episode #1078: Today we’re talking stormy shareholder meetings at Nissan, the EV factory tours drawing crowds in China, and the Gen Z men getting caught outsourcing their work to AI.
Show Notes with links:
- Nissan’s new CEO Ivan Espinosa faced intense scrutiny from investors at his first annual shareholders' meeting as he moves forward with a bold restructuring plan and ends Renault’s board influence.
- ...
Episode #1077: Today we’re talking about Stellantis’ cautious leadership shuffle, Tesla’s Robotaxi rollout with safety monitors in the passenger seat, and how AI is quietly shaping the way we talk—even if we don’t realize it.
- Antonio Filosa officially begins his tenure as Stellantis CEO, opting for continuity over disruption by retaining his North America role and promoting from within—a move that left inves...
Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to talk about how sourcing stories is like sitting by a river with little sailboats going down it. Then they talk about how Shelly Hux from Herrin-Gear Automotive Group wrote in to share how she's been empowered to make a difference in her community and how more dealers can do that at their stories.
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State...
Episode #1075: Today we’re talking CarMax’s record-setting quarter, Congress clashing over EV tax credits, and Honda’s surprising success in rocket science. Yep, you read that right—Honda landed a rocket.
Show Notes with links:
- CarMax's latest quarterly results are in—and they're cruising past analyst expectations with strong used vehicle sales, revenue growth, and record-breaking profit per unit.
Episode #1074: We’re diving into CDK’s post-attack transformation, Waymo’s bold NYC ambitions, and China’s booming AI-driven live commerce, where digital humans are outselling their creators.
Show Notes with links:
- A year after cyberattacks rocked the industry and CDK Global, the focus has shifted from crisis response to long-term resilience — though not all lessons stuck.
- Two cyberattacks forced CDK’s DMS...
Episode #1073: Six EVs crack the top 10 of Cars.com's American-Made Index, Tesla pauses Cybertruck and Model Y production, and the U.S. Senate gives crypto a win with new stablecoin regulations, clearing the path for mainstream adoption.
- Electric vehicles are leading the charge in U.S. manufacturing impact, as revealed by Cars.com’s 2025 American-Made Index. For the first time, EVs make up the majority ...
Episode #1072: Ferrari eases off the EV pedal, LAZ Parking launches a game-changing 50,000-charger rollout, and TikTok’s AI influencers threaten to upend the creator economy.
Show Notes with links:
- Welcome to the franchise side, Benji Urra! A seasoned dealer since 1985, Benji is entering the franchise world after nearly 40 years in the independent auto business.
- He acquired Bravo Nissan of Victoria, TX, f...
Episode #1071: In today’s episode, we unpack April’s surprising EV registration drop, spotlight top dealership strategies driving service and parts growth, and break down a fresh consumer sentiment boost that still comes with caution.
- Automotive News’ Top 100 Service and Parts Dealer Groups show that there’s no single path to growing service and parts revenue—but that tailored strategies, tech investments, a...
Today on the show, we've got Daniel Govaer joining Paul, Kyle and Chris to recap the Raptor Rally that he helped host. Together with Leif Johnson Ford and Rally Ready Ranch, they brought the high-performance Ford Raptor community together to benefit Central Texas Make-A-Wish.
It went so well that the Make-A-Wish team left before all of the kids and families did, because of how well it was going.
A poignant remin...
Episode #1069: Trump eyes higher auto tariffs and axes California’s EV rules, Google quietly gains ground with Gen Z shoppers, and an AI-generated NBA Finals ad shows how fast, cheap, and creative the future of advertising can be.
Show Notes with links:
- In a high-energy speech, President Trump proposed raising auto tariffs and celebrated a legislative rollback of California’s EV mandates — a double-down on hi...
Episode #1068: Congress considers sweeping reforms to EV and emissions incentives, while Toyota tightens its corporate family ties with a bold $33B buyout—cementing Akio Toyoda's hold at the top. Plus, Lowe’s gets into the creator game with Mr. Beast and other social stars.
Show Notes with links:
- Congress is fast-tracking a comprehensive budget bill before a self-imposed July 4 deadline, with p...
Episode #1067: We’re covering how President Trump announced that China will provide rare earth minerals in a new trade deal. Plus Tesla’s push toward a robotaxi launch in Austin and what it means for the future of autonomy and Apple brings a major refresh to CarPlay in iOS26.
- President Trump just announced the deal is “done” regarding a sweeping trade agreement that positions China as the upfront supplier of...
Episode #1066: Today we’re looking at the May economic data from Cox Automotive, how Lucid is reducing its dependence on foreign battery materials and how Meta has increased its ad revenue without increasing volume through targeting.
Show Notes with links:
- May's economic and automotive data show a market adjusting to tighter consumer budgets and lingering workforce shifts. Retail remains steady...
Episode #1065: Today we’re breaking down Rivian’s big win with VW, a wild scene in LA as Waymo vehicles go up in flames, and how back-to-school shopping is creeping into summer.
Show Notes with links:
Paul, Kyle, and Chris realize their shared aspiration identity...Charles Ingles from Little House on the Prairie. They laugh about how ironically he is a representation of what it is to steward your community.
When Hurricane Milton hit, the South Pasadena Fire Department was left boatless, until Maher Chevrolet stepped in. The dealership donated a rescue-ready inflatable boat and stairs for the department’s new high...
Today we’re talking about political fireworks as Trump and Musk’s bromance blows up, Ram’s surprising V8 comeback after admitting they “screwed up,” and Samsung phones getting a dose of AI-powered fashion ads, right on your lock screen.
- A once-powerful political-tech alliance is in tatters as Elon Musk and Donald Trump clash in a very public, very messy breakup. From social media jabs to threats of canceled cont...
Episode #1062: In a first on this show, Paul does a live food review of Buddy’s Pizza, provided by Steve Greenfield. Plus, we talk about how Amazon is preparing to have humanoid robots jump into the last mile of package delivery.
Show Notes with links:
- A little over a week ago, Steve Greenfield was shocked to learn that Paul had never had a Detroit-style pizza. What followed on social media was a hotly debate...
Episode #1061: China’s rare earth restrictions are causing real pain for Europe’s automakers, Costco’s gas game and checkout tech are stepping up, and American shoppers are oddly calm about rising tariffs—at least for now.
Show Notes with links:
- China's tightened grip on rare earth exports is starting to squeeze Europe’s auto manufacturing sector. With critical materials stuck in red tape and only a quar...
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