Automotive State of The Union

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Automotive State of The Union

More Than Cars Media Network

1235 episodes

13 hours ago

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1235: Welcome to the first news show of the new year! CES puts autonomy and AI front and center as EV plans cool. Dealer sentiment improves—but trust gaps threaten CDJR and Nissan valuations. And despite years of doom-and-gloom, physical retail dominates holiday spending, with AI quietly reshaping how consumers shop across every channel. Show Notes with links: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/self-driving-tech-ai-take-center-stage-ces-automaker...

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Shoot us a Text. Episode #1235: Welcome to the first news show of the new year! CES puts autonomy and AI front and center as EV plans cool. Dealer sentiment improves—but trust gaps threaten CDJR and Nissan valuations. And despite years of doom-and-gloom, physical retail dominates holiday spending, with AI quietly reshaping how consumers shop across every channel. Show Notes with links: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/self-driving-tech-ai-take-center-stage-ces-automaker...

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Episodes (20/1235)

Automotive State of The Union

AI Takes the Wheel, Dealer Trust Shifts, Retail Isn’t Dead

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1235: Welcome to the first news show of the new year! CES puts autonomy and AI front and center as EV plans cool. Dealer sentiment improves—but trust gaps threaten CDJR and Nissan valuations. And despite years of doom-and-gloom, physical retail dominates holiday spending, with AI quietly reshaping how consumers shop across every channel. Show Notes with links: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/self-driving-tech-ai-take-center-stage-ces-automaker...

14 hours ago

13 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Damon Lester on The Reality of Mental Health | 2026 Strategy Sessions

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1234: Kicking off 2026, Paul and Kyle welcome Damon Lester for a deeply personal conversation about burnout, mental health, and leadership in retail auto. Damon opens up about his own breaking point—and why hustle culture may be costing the industry more than it realizes. Damon Lester shares how nonstop pressure from dealerships, associations, family, and personal loss led to burnout and a mental health crisis he could no longer outrun.The industry’s obsession with...

3 days ago

16 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

The 2025 Year In Review Show, Paul and Kyle’s 2026 Predictions

Shoot us a Text. Have insights into how 2025 went or how 2026 is shaping up? Let us know by sending an email to crew@asotu.com and maybe we'll respond on this show! Episode #1233: Happy New Year! Today we’re celebrating by looking back on the biggest themes that dominated the retail auto landscape in 2025, and prognosticating the future by looking at the big things we think the industry will face in 2026. Top 10 Themes of 2025 #10 – Gen Z Disrupts Expectations They demand transparency, flex...

4 days ago

22 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Steve Greenfield on Tech Adoption and Efficiency | 2026 Strategy Sessions

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1231: We close the year with the smartest auto industry analyst in the game. Paul and Kyle bring on Steve Greenfield to make sense of a fast-moving 2025 and what dealers should really prepare for in 2026. From tariffs to AI-driven efficiency, this is a clear-eyed look at what’s coming and what’s controllable. Greenfield says the biggest unresolved story from 2025 is tariffs. Automakers absorbed the pain last year, but that likely changes in 2026 with pressure flowi...

5 days ago

13 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Brian Kramer on Used Cars and AI Honesty | 2026 Strategy Sessions

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1231: Paul sits down with Cars Commerce’s Brian Kramer to break down how 2025 is ending and what dealers should expect in Q1 2026. The big themes: used car supply shifts, EV-heavy off-lease inventory, and why clarity beats cleverness heading into next year. Used car supply is finally climbing out of a multi-year trough, but it won’t look like the past. The next wave of inventory is coming largely from leases signed during COVID-era production constraints.EVs will ...

6 days ago

16 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Liza Borches on How To Have Reach In 2026 | 2026 Strategy Sessions

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1230: Paul and Kyle sit down with CMA’s Liza Borches to talk people, culture, and leadership. From gratitude for the industry to intentional connection with employees, Liza shares how she’s orienting her team for the year ahead. Liza reminds dealers that even during slow months or challenging cycles, the automotive industry remains a meaningful, life-impacting business that provides opportunity and stability for millions.She emphasizes optimism without naivety—ackn...

1 week ago

16 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Here's How To Hit Your Goals In 2026

Shoot us a Text. On this last Saturday of the year, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to discuss Christmas, New Year's Resolutions and how they've seen themselves change over the last year, and their plans to see continued growth and success in 2026. 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 in...

1 week ago

12 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Brian Benstock on Why The Sky Isn’t Falling | 2026 Strategy Sessions

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1228: The day after Christmas, Kyle flies solo with Brian Benstock to talk 2026 strategy. Benstock’s take: the year will bring “difficulty mixed with opportunities,” and dealers who prepare now—especially around affordability messaging and trade-cycle tech—will be ready when the tide comes in. Benstock is bullish on 2026: lower inflation and easing interest-rate pressure should help affordability, which benefits dealers, OEMs, and the broader economy.He applauds po...

1 week ago

14 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Merry Christmas From Paul, Kyle and the Whole Crew!

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1227: It's Christmas Eve and Paul and Kyle are in holiday mode. After some banter about an automotive Dancing With The Stars, they talk through their Christmas Eve traditions, why dealers should be closed on Christmas Day, and a little bit of encouragement for your holiday season. 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 cu...

1 week ago

6 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Monthly Payments At $760, Kazakhstan Grows, Sinek on Leading Gen Z

Shoot us a Text. 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 debt.Average new vehicle price broke $50K this fall, up from under...

1 week ago

13 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Why Dealers Will Win, Frozen Waymos, Gen Z Loves Holiday Shopping

Shoot us a Text. 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 to reduce SG&A and improve operational efficiency, not just ad...

1 week ago

16 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Passing The Baton: ⁨Cars Commerce⁩ CEO Alex Vetter on Leadership, Trust, & Letting Go

Shoot us a Text. 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 matters. From the early days of dial-up internet and widespread distr...

2 weeks ago

18 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Cars Commerce Leadership Transition, Lucid Debuts Used Car Program, Consumer Joy Deficit

Shoot us a Text. 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 Alex Vetter will hand the keys to Tobias “Tobi” Hartmann in early...

2 weeks ago

15 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

A Bifurcated 2026, Tesla Misled Customers With FSD

Shoot us a Text. 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 softer volumes, tighter margins, and a market that rewards precisi...

2 weeks ago

11 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

GM’s Autonomy Push, Used EVs Win November, Elon Musk Gets Richer

Shoot us a Text. 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 assistance designed to scale across consumer vehicles.GM has deployed ...

2 weeks ago

13 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Is Paul Furious With Ford, HGreg Goes Lux, GM Rewards Hack

Shoot us a Text. 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-heavy electric trucks.Ford will discontinue the all-electric F-150 ...

2 weeks ago

15 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Carvana is Stellantis, Mexico Blocking China, Tesla Robotaxi in Austin

Shoot us a Text. 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 machines and used cars, Carvana is rapidly becoming a notable player in...

3 weeks ago

13 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Showing Up To A Fire Department With Holiday Cookies

Shoot us a Text. 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 J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the...

3 weeks ago

8 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Ionna Ramps Up EV Charging, VW Adds Range Extenders, Waymo Baby

Shoot us a Text. 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 group is betting big that better infrastructure will unlock fut...

3 weeks ago

11 minutes

Automotive State of The Union

Sub-$25K New Vehicles Disappear, Nissan’s Turnaround Plan, Shop Target In ChatGPT

Shoot us a Text. 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 evaporating from lots—and how quickly EV days’ supply is rising. Here’s the ...

3 weeks ago

16 minutes