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Episode 1058: It's the last day of the month and today Kyle is joined by Head Writer Chris Reeves to talk about how Baxter Subaru of Omaha, Nebraska reduced its trash output from 96 yards a week to 8. They’re now recycling over 90% of their waste.

It started with a full-blown trash audit (sounds gross but was actually genius), followed by smart signage, training videos, peer accountability, and leadership that wasn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and sort through the junk themselves.

Thanks to Mandy Wood for sharing that story with us!

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 #1057: Nissan eyes a fire sale to survive, Trump’s tariff plan hits legal trouble, and GM claims Canada’s EV crown from Tesla—at least for now.

Show Notes with links:

• As CEO Ivan Espinosa wraps up his first quarter in charge, Nissan’s financial stability hangs in the balance, with a massive debt wall looming and rumors of a fire sale to raise cash.
  • Nissan has $5.12 billion in debt due in 2026 and plans to refinance up to $4.15 billion of that.
  • Espinosa’s turnaround strategy involves slashing 20,000 jobs, closing seven global factories, and cutting $3.46 billion in costs by 2028.
  • To free up capital, Nissan may liquidate high-value assets—including its stake in Renault, prime real estate in Japan, and even its iconic Yokohama headquarters, which could be sold and leased back.
  • With nearly half of its U.S. sales coming from imports, Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier is leading a $2B cost-cutting push focused on boosting retail sales, margins, and managing tariff risk.
  • “We are not yet at the stage where we have to do something desperate,” said a board source.

• A federal court ruled Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs was illegal—but for now, those tariffs remain while the legal battle unfolds.
  • The U.S. Court of International Trade said Trump exceeded authority under the IEEPA, targeting tariffs not tied to a valid national emergency.
  • IEEPA-based tariffs targeted a wide range of imported consumer goods not tied to national security—covering electronics, clothing, and some vehicle accessories.
  • The ruling gave the government 10 days to unwind the tariffs, but an appeals court temporarily paused that order.
  • Tariffs under Section 232—covering cars, parts, steel, and aluminum—remain, keeping vehicle prices elevated.
  • Retailers like Walmart warn prices may rise further, though Trump has publicly told them to “eat the tariffs.”

• GM claimed the top EV spot in Canada after more than doubling its electric vehicle sales in Q1, driven by fresh model launches and Tesla’s sharp drop.
  • GM sold 5,750 EVs in Q1, led by the Chevy Equinox EV and new Cadillac OPTIQ, outpacing Tesla’s volume.
  • Silverado EV and Hummer EV variants also contributed, with Hummer Pickup sales up 232%.
  • Tesla’s registrations in Quebec plunged 87%, impacted by paused EV rebates at both federal and provincial levels.
  • Despite year-over-year gains, GM’s Q1 total is well off the 15,000 units sold in Q4 2024.

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 #1056: Today we’re talking about Elon Musk’s dramatic exit from government, the rising appeal of extended-range EVs as a hybrid-EV mashup, and how Amazon wants to talk you into your next purchase—literally—with AI-generated audio highlights.

Show Notes with links:

• Elon Musk has exited his role as a special government employee under the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), after a controversial 130-day crusade to slash federal spending.
  • Musk's off-boarding began suddenly, without a direct talk with Trump.
  • His DOGE plan aimed to cut $2 trillion but claimed only $175B in savings—an unverifiable figure.
  • He aggressively targeted federal telework policies and agency redundancies, prompting both voluntary exits and court challenges.
  • Clashes with cabinet members and critiques of Trump’s tax plan sped his exit.
  • Musk, reflecting on the challenge: “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized.”

• With hybrids on the rise and EV momentum cooling, automakers are revisiting a once-overlooked technology: the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). Acting like an EV with backup, EREVs offer consumers a new kind of compromise.
  • EREVs run on electric motors exclusively; the gas engine charges the battery, not the wheels.
  • Sales in China are up, and new models are coming stateside from Ram, Nissan, Ford, and Scout.
  • Ram’s 2025 Ramcharger boasts 145 miles of electric range and a total of 690 with the gas engine.
  • ZF and other suppliers are betting big on smaller, smarter range-extender systems launching globally.
  • “EREVs...provide the benefits of an EV with the flexibility of a hybrid, at a relatively lower cost,” said AlixPartners’ Dan Hearsch.

• Amazon is rolling out a new AI-powered audio feature designed to make product research less of a chore. “Hear the highlights” offers short audio summaries of key product info—ideal for the multitasking shopper.
  • The feature pulls from product pages, reviews, and web data to generate brief, conversational scripts that are read by AI
  • It’s currently being tested on select products like a Ninja Blender and Keurig coffee maker.
  • Amazon VP Rajiv Mehta says it’s “like having helpful friends” talk through your shopping choices.
  • It may soon integrate with Alexa+, Amazon’s upgraded AI voice assistant, to power hands-free buying.
  • CEO Andy Jassy revealed Amazon is developing 1,000+ generative AI tools, calling AI the “reinvention” of customer experience.

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 #1055: Today we cover Stellantis’ new CEO facing a storm of tariffs and dealer tensions, GM’s surprising pivot back to big V-8s, and DeLorean’s futuristic EV launch… that’s more crypto maze than car.

Show Notes with links:

After a six-month search, Stellantis has named Antonio Filosa as its new CEO. With more than 25 years in the industry and leadership experience across Brazil, North America, and global roles, Filosa is stepping in as the company faces pressure on multiple fronts.

• Filosa starts as CEO on June 23, replacing Carlos Tavares after his December resignation.
• Currently COO for the Americas and global chief quality officer, he’s credited with restoring confidence internally.
• Challenges include reversing a 10% Q1 shipment drop, regaining dealer trust, and addressing a potential $7.1B hit from Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs.
• Filosa has reinstalled key leadership—bringing back Ram's Tim Kuniskis and U.S. sales head Jeff Kommor—to stabilize operations.
• “One of my first decisions has been to bring back talents that we lost in the past,” Filosa told reporters in January.

• The EV slowdown has prompted General Motors to double down on internal combustion, shelving a $300 million plan for EV motors at its Tonawanda, NY plant and instead committing a massive $888 million to next-gen V-8 engine production.
  • The site will continue producing Gen 5 V-8s while ramping up for Gen 6 engines by 2027.
  • New engines will feature performance-boosting and emission-cutting innovations.
  • Investment includes machinery, tooling, and facility upgrades—the largest ever for a GM engine plant.
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the project will support 870 jobs at Tonawanda Propulsion, including 177 jobs deemed at risk
  • “This investment shows the company’s commitment to strengthening American manufacturing,” said CEO Mary Barra.

• The DeLorean Alpha5 EV promised a high-tech return to the future, but it's now stuck in development limbo, with no production timeline or pricing—and buyers are being asked to reserve with cryptocurrency and NFTs.
  • Reservations require $2,500 in USDC crypto via a specialized Slush Wallet and purchase of an NFT.
  • No refunds are offered—buyers can resell their spot in line to recoup funds.
  • Fewer than 600 reservations have been made, with some resale spots priced up to $40,000.
  • The Alpha5, if it arrives, will offer 300+ miles of range and sub-3-second 0-60 performance.

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 #1054: We’re kicking off Tuesday week with a look at surging used car sales and shrinking supply, BYD’s aggressive EV price cuts in China, and a Waffle House partnership that brings hash browns and high-speed charging together in the South.

Show Notes with links:

Automotive News released its top Used Car retailers list showing that the stabilizing of the 2024 market led to some big gains. However, the current complexities and quickly shrinking market day supply is testing even the best players.

• Used-only dealers like CarMax, Carvana, and DriveTime saw strong 2024 growth as supply chains normalized, with Carvana up 33% year-over-year.
• Dealers are creatively sourcing inventory—prioritizing trade-ins and direct-from-customer purchases to avoid costly auctions.
• The current used vehicle supply stands at just a 43-day market supply, the lowest since 2021, with lower-price vehicles hardest to find.
• Tariff fears have driven consumers to buy quickly, pushing prices for the top 50 used models to an average of nearly $29,000
• “There isn’t a lot of room for error anymore in the post-COVID used-car world,” said Bill Solko, dealer principal of Automotive Avenues.
• Meanwhile Cox Automotive’s Jonathan Smoke warned, 2025 is going to be a roller coaster for this industry,”

BYD just launched a fresh round of EV price cuts in China, triggering a market shake-up that's pummeling stocks and ramping pressure on rivals like Tesla.

• BYD slashed prices across several models, including a 20% cut on the sub-$10,000 Seagull hatchback now priced at an equivalent of $7,780
• The Chinese EV market is nearing 50% penetration — five times the U.S. rate — largely due to aggressive pricing strategies.
• EV maker stocks, including BYD, Li Auto, and Geely, fell sharply after the announcement, signaling investor anxiety.
• BYD’s growing profit cushion from 2019–2024 gives it room to undercut less profitable competitors.
• “This new price war will put even more pressure on Tesla,” Electrek reported, especially as new players like Xiaomi ramp up.

In a match made in Southern heaven, bp pulse and Waffle House are joining forces to bring 400kW ultrafast EV charging to your next roadside breakfast stop.

• Starting in 2026, Waffle House locations across Georgia, Texas, Florida, and beyond will host six-bay charging stations.
• The chargers will support both CCS and NACS connectors and deliver up to 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes.
• The 24/7 diner vibe adds much-needed comfort and reliability to the EV charging experience.
• This builds on bp pulse’s growing U.S. network, which includes partnerships with Hertz and 8,000+ retail locations.
• “Charging up while fueling up on an All-Star Special will be convenient and fast,” said Waffle House Innovation Director David Repp.

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 #1053: It’s Memorial Day, the un-official start of summer and a favorite of grillmasters everywhere, so we invited our good friend and grillmaster, James Ganther, to give some grilling tips for tasty food, and remind us of why we celebrate in the first place.

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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It's the Saturday after ASOTU CON and the energy is still buzzing. Nathan is joined by Chris Reeves and Ann-Marie Johnsons to talk about their favorite moments and the heart behind the event. Special guest Carol Marshall of ActivEngage brings her unique perspective on what it meant to be part of the unreasonable hospitality at ASOTU CON.

• Some of our favorite moments: community, hugs, the emotional impact of the car giveaway andthe charity auction raising $10,000 for Vehicles for Change.
• ActivEngage’s culture of full-color service is highlighted through their all-human chat model and hospitality approach.
• Carol credits the book Be Amazing or Go Home for reigniting her team’s proactive spirit after the COVID lull.
• “We tried to serve in full color, not black and white,” Carol says, capturing the essence of their contribution.

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 #1051: We’re diving into the Senate’s move to block California’s gas car ban, Google’s new video AI that adds audio, and which brands — including top automakers — gained or lost consumer trust in the 2025 Axios/Harris reputation rankings.

Show Notes with links:

• In a dramatic legislative twist, the U.S. Senate voted to block California’s plan to ban gas-powered vehicles by 2035, undercutting a key Biden-era environmental policy and dealing a blow to a major state-led push for zero-emission standards.
  • The Senate vote was 51-44 to rescind the EPA waiver allowing California stricter emissions rules.
  • 11 states following California's policy would be impacted, including NY and WA.
  • Auto dealers and manufacturers lobbied hard for the repeal, citing feasibility concerns.
  • The move defies Senate precedent and a legal ruling from the parliamentarian.
  • “You can be against the ACC II EV mandates (we were) and believe that transportation is trending toward a range of electrified products like battery electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids (it is). That’s what balance looks like. And balance is not only good for consumers, but essential for the U.S. auto industry to remain healthy and globally competitive,” said John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

• Axios and The Harris Poll just dropped their annual brand reputation rankings, and the message from consumers is loud and clear: keep prices fair, quality high, and don’t exploit inflation. Brands that did well stuck to those basics.
  • Nearly half of all corporate reputations declined this year, driven by frustration over high prices and perceived drops in quality.
  • 77% of Americans say companies are charging more for lower quality; 63% have stopped buying from a brand due to high costs, and 54% over declining product standards.
  • The biggest winners? Companies focused on delivering consistent value.
  • Top 10 most reputable brands: Trader Joe's, Patagonia, Microsoft, Toyota Motor Corporation, Costco, Samsung, Arizona Beverage Company, Nvidia, UPS, Apple
  • Automotive brands on the list: Toyota (#4, up 8), Honda (#13, down 6), General Motors (#44, down 4), Hyundai (#51, no change), Volkswagen (#53, up 16), Ford (#60, down 5), Tesla (#95, down 32 in the largest move of any company on the list).

• At its I/O 2025 developer conference, Google unveiled Veo 3 — the latest version of its AI video generator, now with the ability to create synchronized sound. That includes background noise, effects, and even simple dialogue to match the video it produces.
  • The new model builds on Veo 2 with better visuals and now audio that aligns automatically with what’s on screen.
  • Google says it’s the first step away from “silent” AI-generated video — a space that’s getting crowded with startups and big names like OpenAI and Alibab

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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