- ASOTU Daily Pushback
- Posts
- 🚗 40% EV Spike, But Tariffs Loom
🚗 40% EV Spike, But Tariffs Loom
🚙 Customers Talk Tariffs, More Than Cars, and Celebrating "Why"
TOGETHER WITH
Our friends at Vehicles for Change are coming back to ASOTU CON, and we couldn’t be more excited.
They help us highlight what this industry is really made of: givers.
From the outside, it’s easy to see dealer success and miss the story behind it—the grit, the grind, and the generosity.
But we love telling the full story. The hard work it takes to build something great, the responsibility of providing stability and opportunity for your team, and the decision to invest back into the community.
We believe in it so much that we made a docu-series to show the world. And we placed a life-changing car giveaway right in the center of ASOTU CON—so while we sharpen our “whats” and “hows,” we never lose sight of our “why.”
Grab your ticket. Come learn, connect, and celebrate what really drives this industry.
Keep Pushing Back,
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here!
Reading time: 3 min and 41 sec
March Jump, Tariff Calls, and Exposure Exposed
giphy
📈 EV Sales Are Soaring, But U.S. Tariffs May Spoil the Party
Global EV sales jumped 40% in March, with China and Europe leading the charge. But in North America, a growing cloud looms—tariffs. With 40% of U.S. EV sales tied to imports, the cost pinch could hit both dealers and consumers hard. The EV momentum is real, but Washington may be writing a plot twist dealers didn't order. See who’s winning, where it’s slowing, and what to expect.
--
📞 “Tariffs” Are the New Buzzword in Dealership Phone Calls
Mentions of tariffs on dealer calls surged nearly 4,000% in just five weeks, according to Car Wars. Most of the time, it's dealership staff leading the charge—using the topic to create urgency and close deals. If you’re not talking tariffs, someone else is… and they might be winning the deal. We’ve got the data and why this matters for every sales desk, BDC, and front-line pro.
--
🚗 Who’s Actually at Risk from Tariffs? It’s Not Who You Think
You might be surprised who’s on the hook for import tariffs. GM, Mazda, and Subaru lead the pack in exposure—even though they’re household names in the U.S. About 39% of all vehicles sold in America last year were imports, and with parts tariffs kicking in May 3, the industry’s cost structure is shifting fast. That “Made in the USA” badge? Might be stamped in ink from Tokyo. See who’s sweating—and why you should care.
--
➕ More
Check out more on these stories and several others in our Daily Digest.
🥊 Quick Hits
Can AI Help Turn Shoppers Into Buyers?
Ready to boost profitability and convert more shoppers into buyers, especially in this environment when shoppers are looking to make a quick purchase?
In just 30 minutes, Marri Stokes from Leif Johnson Ford and Danielle Mills Walden from Upstart will show you how to convert more shoppers from your website to in-store buyers and provide competitive and flexible financing options.
Don’t miss out on these expert tips and proven tactics to help your dealership stay nimble in today's rapidly changing automotive market.
Register now to secure your spot!
MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS
#1 Cochran Youngstown: Supporting Kids and Community
We were just talking about this auto group. And like clockwork, here they are again, showing us what it really means to lift an entire community with your work, your success, and your drive.
This past weekend, the team showed up in full force for Project MKC’s 11th Annual Benefit Dinner, a sold-out event with one goal: to brighten the lives of children and their families by focusing on their unique needs.
Not only was it a beautiful night, but this dealership also stepped up as the 2025 Premier Sponsor for the organization. That’s not just generosity. It’s leadership.
Because this business isn’t just about cars, it’s about care, compassion, and community. And they’re living that dream every single day.
We see you. And we love to see it.
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
🗓️ Coming Soon
Don’t miss your opportunity to learn from and meet Danielle and Evan in person at this year’s ASOTU CON! They’ll be diving even deeper into how to boost your profitability, increase customer satisfaction and save time, all with the help of AI.
🔁 Today in History
1910: The oldest existing indoor ice hockey arena still used for the sport in the 21st century, Boston Arena, opens for the first time. 🏒
2003: Honda Element goes on sale. 📦️
2012: The Pulitzer Prize winners were announced, it was the first time since 1977 that no book won the Fiction Prize. 📖
Reply