#475 - 🤠 Partners Are Better

TOGETHER WITH

For us, a day without a Troublemaker Pod is like an oil change without a fresh filter, so we’re happy to be back at it this Monday morning over on LinkedIn Live.

If you’re lost at all with our flawless oil change metaphor, have lunch with a service tech today.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, & Chris

LOT WALK

• All Things Used Cars talks about collaboration

• Cadillacs are still expensive

• Riding the wind in Massachusetts

Reading time: 4 mins 40 secs

DEALERS

Make Friends, Not Deals

David Long and the All Things Used Cars community turned some heads last week with their Clubhouse room topic: "Fire Your Vendors." Luckily, David invited Liza Borches and many other voices from the auto retail community to help flesh out the reality that when you are invested in partnerships, you don't have time for transactional thinking. Here are some quick tips from the show.

Finding Your Business Buddies 👯‍♀️

Not all vendors are created equal. Some get you and your brand and are in it for the long haul. Others? Not so much. Embrace the ones who fit and make them part of your team. Even those big, scary OEMs can be your pals if you work it right.

Talking the Talk 🎙

Communication doesn't have to be a drag. Use plain language, keep things flowing, and ensure everyone's on the same page. And hey, regular meet-ups with vendors? Make them more like team huddles, and watch how real collaboration happens.

Building the Right Vibes 😎

Fostering an extraordinary culture means everyone owns their part of the success. Tailor-make your processes to fit the folks you're dealing with. Avoid those one-size-fits-all solutions. They're like wearing someone else's shoes - it feels wrong.

Navigating the Road Ahead 🗺

Long-term relationships need care and feeding. Be bold, innovative, and willing to pull the plug if something needs to be fixed. Keep your eyes on the road and handle those unexpected turns with grace.

Keeping Things Organized 🧹

The organization doesn't have to be dull. Regular catch-ups, keeping an eye on how things are used, and adapting to changes can be part of the fun. It's like tuning up your car - essential and satisfying.

Seeing It from Their Side 🤔

Your vendors are people too! Treat them like you'd treat your best customers. Reward them when they do well, and always keep things above board. It's just good business.

Turning those vendor transactions into genuine partnerships isn't just a smart move; it's a requirement when working to reach new heights.

Hit reply and tell us your best tips for turning vendors into partners.

TOGETHER WITH SPRIG

Don’t Guess, Ask!

There are only two ways to know what a customer wants. Since genies only exist in fantasies, our options narrow to one: asking customers what customers want.

Sprig gives you a direct line to your customers, so you know your data is backed up by living, breathing, and, most importantly, buying people!

Check out Sprig today to take the guessing out of offering the best customer experience possible!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Seems like just a year ago, we were talking with our friends in Philly… because it was!

While you consider joining us in Baltimore, MD, for ASOTU CON, consider catching up with some of our favorite people in automotive and beyond on ASOTU CON Sessions, a quick, live, and candid podcast we made on the ground last year.

AUTOMOTIVE

Cadillac 🤑

Cadillac's Celestiq EV: Unveiling the bespoke luxury set to rival giants like Rolls-Royce and Bentley! The customizable electric fastback sedan starts at an astounding $340,000 but could soar up to $400,000 with options. 

Highlighted by 115 3D-printed parts for personal expression and a 111kWh Ultium battery, production will start in December 2023.

Canoo 🍏

SEC vs. Ulrich Kranz: The drama unfolds as former Canoo CEO and current Apple car executive, Ulrich Kranz, faces a lawsuit from the SEC. 

Joined by Canoo's ex-CFO, Paul Balciunas, Kranz is under fire for alleged "unreasonable revenue projections." The stakes are high, as the SEC seeks to prohibit them from pivotal future roles in public companies.

Fisker 🍀

Fisker's Electric Dream: Get ready for the future as Fisker unveils an ambitious lineup of four electric vehicles at its "Product Vision Day" event! Featuring the sub-$30,000 Pear SUV, Alaska pickup truck, Ronin sports car, and an off-road package for the existing Ocean SUV. 

With innovations like the "Houdini Trunk" and a multi-tiered strategy, the most affordable model, the Pear SUV, is set to take the market by storm in mid-2025.

Toyota 🤖

Toyota's Robo-Taxi Revolution: In an exciting alliance with Pony.ai and GAC-Toyota, Toyota is set to mass-produce robotaxis in China. 

This game-changing initiative will launch this year with a massive investment of over 1 billion yuan ($140 million) and harness Pony.ai's cutting-edge autonomous driving technology. It's a monumental leap for Toyota in China's frenzied self-driving car market.

Nikola 🚛

Nikola's Rollercoaster Ride: The stock takes a dive in a turbulent Q2 report, further shaken by CEO Michael Lohscheller's sudden departure and rumors of a stock sale. 

But wait, there's a silver lining! The company has secured shareholder approval to issue new stock, enabling essential fundraising for Nikola's hydrogen refueling network across the U.S. and Canada.

TECHNOLOGY

A Big Ol’ Wind Farm

🌬️ Vineyard Wind 1 Makes Waves: U.S. offshore wind industry takes a massive leap as turbine installation 15 miles south of Martha’s Vinyard kicks off next week at the $3.5 billion Vineyard Wind 1 project.

⚡ Powering Progress: With 62 GE turbines, initial 78 MW to hit the grid by October, scaling to 806 MW by 2024 - enough to power over 400,000 homes and slash 1.6 million tons of carbon emissions yearly.

🐳 Innovation for Nature: Pioneering secondary bubble curtains to protect marine life, Vineyard Wind marries technological advancement with environmental stewardship.

Quick Hits

• Room temperature superconductor goes viral, but so does doubt it could be real. 🥶

• FCC prepares $75 monthly broadband subsidies for high-cost areas. 💻

• Rollercoaster riders were rescued from a 205-foot drop due to technical issues. 🎢

History

• 1937: Auburn Automobile Company closes ⛔️

• 1944: VW halts production due to WWII 🐞

• 1974: Philippe Petit performs a high wire act between the twin towers of the World Trade Center, 1,368 feet (417 m) in the air. ⚖️