Automotive State of The Union

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Today Paul is the last man standing in the studio as the entire crew is on their way to ASOTU CON 2025. He sets the stage of what to expect over the next week and tells you how to be a part of the event even if you can't be there this year. 

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...

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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 leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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Episode #1040: Today we’re diving into a transatlantic tariff feud shaking up the luxury auto sector, a multistate lawsuit over EV charging funds, and why VW’s nostalgic ID. Buzz just got benched. 

• A new U.S.–U.K. trade deal that dramatically lowers tariffs on British auto exports is saving jobs at Jaguar Land Rover—but not without blowback. American automakers say the agreement favors British imports over North ...

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Episode #1039: Today we’re talking about Carvana's record-setting quarter and bold new goal, Ford’s strategic price hikes post-tariffs, and why Google’s stock took a beating after an Apple exec dropped a courtroom AI bomb.

Show Notes with links:

• Carvana has bounced back in a major way, setting a new quarterly record for used-vehicle sales and showcasing the company’s transformation from high-growth chaos...

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Episode #1038: Today we’re talking about the expected surge in auto dealership M&A activity, Hyundai’s latest software update that simplifies EV charging across major networks, and Tanger’s decision to launch its back-to-school campaign early in response to ongoing tariff concerns.

Show Notes with links:

• Though Q1 saw a dip in dealership buy-sell activity, The Presidio Group sees the rest of 2025 heating ...

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Episode #1037: Today we break down Ford’s Q1 fallout as tariffs cast a $1.5B shadow, electrified vehicles surge to nearly 25% of new-car sales led by hybrids and non-Tesla EVs, and Waymo revs up its driverless ambitions with a new Arizona mega-factory and major city expansion plans.

Show Notes with links:

• Ford is bracing for a bumpy ride in 2025 after revealing a steep Q1 net income drop and pulling its full-...

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Episode #1036: Warren Buffett shocks investors with a surprise retirement announcement, Tesla sweetens the Model Y deal to boost lagging demand, and Harley’s LiveWire hits a wall while the legacy brand keeps the engine running. 

Show Notes with links:

• After 60 years of leading Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett has stunned the business world by announcing he will retire as CEO at the end of 2025. Buffett, now...

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On this Saturday that's getting closer and closer to ASOTU CON, Head Writer Chris Reeves joins the show to discuss the upcoming 3(!) car giveaways at ASOTU CON this year.

Want to be a part of the action? Join us: www.asotucon.com/tickets

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...

Shoot us a Text.

Episode #1034: Today we dive into a legal showdown brewing in California over Afeela’s sales strategy, Rivian’s new campaign powered by real owners, and Chipotle’s massive burrito giveaway honoring teachers and nurses.

Show Notes with links:

• Just after suing Scout Motors, California dealers are challenging Sony Honda Mobility’s direct-to-consumer model, questioning its legality under state franchise law.
  • T...

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Episode #1033: Today we’re talking Hyundai and Kia’s red-hot April sales streak, Ford’s surprise retreat from a major software project, and why most consumers still aren’t sold on AI or social shopping tools.

Show Notes with links:

• U.S. shoppers are racing to dealerships to beat rising prices from new import tariffs, driving Hyundai and Kia to record April sales as both brands notch their seventh straight mon...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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. ...

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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. ...