Automotive State of The Union

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Episode #1226: We’re talking rising auto prices and longer-term debt in the U.S., Kazakhstan’s record-setting manufacturing momentum, and Simon Sinek’s take on why Gen Z might be the most rational workforce yet.

• As new car prices have climbed 33% since 2020, affordability is slipping out of reach for many. Buyers are stretching loan terms to eight, nine, even ten years—trading short-term relief for long-term...

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Episode #1225: Cars Commerce’s Alex breaks down why the future isn’t car vending machines, Waymo robotaxis freeze during a San Francisco power outage, and Gen Z embraces the holiday experiences.

Show Notes with links:

• In a reflective interview, Cars Commerce leader Alex encourages dealers to use better tech to get leaner, faster, and more customer-friendly. 
  • Alex says the next wave of dealership tech has t...

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What does real leadership look like when it’s time to let go?

In this reflective conversation, Paul sits down with Alex Vetter as he prepares to hand the baton after decades of leadership at Cars.com and Cars Commerce. The episode opens with a simple moment—Alex helping carry a couch onto a stage—that quietly captures his leadership philosophy: no job is beneath you when you’re building something that matte...

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Episode #1223: Cars Commerce lines up its next CEO as a new chapter begins for dealer tech. Lucid’s factory-backed used pricing puts EV depreciation in plain sight. And even as consumers keep spending this holiday season, a growing “joy deficit” reveals how tired—and cautious—shoppers really are.

Show Notes with links:

• Our good friends at Cars Commerce are teeing up a major leadership transition. Longtime CEO...

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Episode #1222: Today we break down Cox Automotive’s 2026 forecast and why fragmentation is becoming the industry’s defining theme. We also cover California regulators taking aim at Tesla’s Autopilot language.

Show Notes with links:

• Cox Automotive says the auto industry beat expectations in 2025, but 2026 will be shaped by fragmentation everywhere—from consumers and labor to policy, EVs, and AI. The result is ...

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Episode #1221: Today we break down GM’s post-Cruise autonomy reboot, why used EVs are quietly outperforming new ones as buyers regain confidence, and how a soaring SpaceX valuation has pushed Elon Musk’s wealth past $650 billion.

• A year after pulling the plug on Cruise robotaxis, GM is rebooting autonomy with a very different endgame. Instead of ride-hailing, the focus is now on hands-free, eyes-off driver assist...

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Episode #1220: Ford slams the brakes on big EV bets and kills the Lightning, pivoting to hybrids and EREVs. HGreg proves luxury buyers don’t need a separate dealership—just a smarter one. GM learns loyalty points are real money after a rewards loophole wipes out a loan.

Show Notes with links:

• Ford just hit the brakes on its EV ambitions, announcing nearly $19.5 billion in charges as it pivots away from loss-h...

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Episode #1219: Carvana adds another CDJR store as its retail expansion heats up. Mexico hits Chinese auto imports with a crushing 50% tariff. And Tesla tests its first fully driverless vehicle on the streets of Austin — no humans required.

• Carvana’s push into franchised retail continues as it acquires South Atlanta CDJR‑Fiat, marking its fourth traditional dealership buy of 2025. Once known for vending ...

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Episode #1218: Kyle Mountsier and Chris Reeves jump into the middle of December to talk about the all-team in-person meeting that More Than Cars had this past week.

Then they talk about a simple act of giving back. Carla Cosenzi, President of TommyCar Auto Group showed up to local first responders with cookies. As she said, its "a small gesture compared to the huge impact they make every day."

Join Paul...

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Episode #1217: Ionna ramps up charging despite slumping EV demand, VW rethinks its electric strategy with range extenders, and a Waymo ride turns into a delivery room as a newborn arrives before first responders.

Show Notes with links:

• Ionna—the eight-automaker EV charging company—keeps speeding up its nationwide charging ambitions even as EV demand cools. With reliability still a major pain point for buyers, the ...

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Episode #1216: Today we dig into the tightening-but-shifting new-car inventory landscape, explore Nissan’s bold attempt to rediscover its “North Star”, and watch Target leapfrog competitors by baking full-on AI shopping directly into ChatGPT.

Show Notes with links:

• November brought a slight dip in overall new-vehicle inventory, but the real headline for dealers is how quickly anything under $25K is evaporatin...

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Episode #1215: Today we break down why monthly payments keep climbing despite improving fundamentals, VinFast’s shrinking U.S. footprint as it pivots overseas, and VaynerMedia’s Anti-Trend Report showing why trend-chasing is officially dead in 2026.

Show Notes with links:

• New-vehicle payments hit a November record at $760, but underneath the headline, several affordability pressures are actually starting to e...

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Episode #1214: Asbury sets the stage for its next leadership chapter, Ford teams with Renault to regain momentum in Europe, and the President’s kei-car wish sparks a reality check on what it would take to bring microcars to U.S. dealerships.

Show Notes with links:

• Asbury Automotive is gearing up for a major leadership handoff this May as longtime CEO David Hult moves into the Executive Chairman role and COO D...

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Episode #1213: Today we’re talking Scout’s aggressive service-first launch strategy, Carvana’s stunning rise past Detroit’s giants as it joins the S&P 500, and Waymo’s shift from polite AV to confidently assertive city driver.

Show Notes with links:

• Scout Motors is doubling down on a factory-run service network as it preps for a 2027 U.S. launch, betting that premium, reliable service will become a differ...

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Episode #1212: Today we welcome our good friend Ed Roberts onto the show, to catch up on his new role and how he’s approaching the challenges of 2026.

Show Notes with links:

A major leadership shift is underway at Bozard Ford Lincoln, designed to fuel its future growth and operational alignment.

• • Ed Roberts steps into the expanded role of COO and General Manager.
  • Jeff King transitions to CEO after 15 years a...

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Episode #1211: Today we break down fading dealer confidence heading into 2026, hear how Mazda’s retail-led strategy is boosting margins despite tariff headwinds, and look at why holiday shoppers are leaning on real human reviews over influencers.

Show Notes with links:

• Dealer confidence slid hard to close out 2025 as rising costs, shaky consumer confidence, and slowing demand pushed the Cox Automotive Dealer ...

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Episode #1210: President Trump moves to unwind fuel-economy rules, hybrids surge while EV sales stumble across major brands, and OpenAI hits “code red” as the AI race heats up.

Show Notes with links:

• The Trump administration is preparing to undo Biden-era fuel economy rules, arguing the standards have inflated new-car prices and forced unwanted EV adoption.
  • Proposed rules expected to significantly soften t...

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Episode #1209: Today, we remember and honor Tim Kintz for the massive impact he’s had on the automotive industry. 

Plus, we welcome in John Bozella, President and CEO for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation as we get set to cover the The Merge 2025 live from the National Press Club in Washington DC.

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect ...

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Episode #1208: Today we’re joined by guest host Todd Caputo and break down why car buyers are finally pushing back on pricing and how BMW and Audi are muscling into the booming off-road segment.

Show Notes with links:

• American car buyers are finally tapping the brakes. After years of paying whatever it took to get into a new car, stretched consumers are hitting affordability ceilings and forcin...