TOGETHER WITH

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Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

LOT WALK

• From behind bars to under cars. 🧰

• Taking a peek at new tech coming to a customer’s wishlist near you. 👀

• Checking in on the international auto market. 🌎

• Biking in Arizona. 🚴

Reading time: 4 mins 25 secs

DEALERS

Road to Redemption

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Florida made history last week as ten tenacious female inmates became the first to conquer an automotive training program and receive their certifications. 🛠️

The initiative's primary objective is to give incarcerated individuals practical, valuable skills to secure good jobs after their release. With tools in their hands and determination in their hearts, these individuals aren't just repairing cars; they’re breaking toxic cycles. 🛑

The sheriff's office proudly emphasized, "This achievement marks a crucial step in providing inmates with valuable skills to transform their lives and contribute positively to the community upon release,” reminding us that it’s not just about gears and bolts; it's about helping to forge a path to a better, brighter future. 🌟

A career in automotive does amazing things for people, and women do amazing things for the industries they participate in. Looking forward to hearing more about things like Girls Auto Clinic when Patrice Banks comes to share at ASOTU CON!

AUTOMOTIVE

New Tech

🤖🔌🤵 

GM's Robo-Revolution: Imagine cruising into a charging station, and BAM! A robotic arm plugs into your EV like a futuristic pit-stop pro. GM is working on this Wall-E meets Tesla robo-charging device for home garages.

🚪🕊️🛫 

Ford's Flyin' Gullwing Doors: Think gullwing doors are only for exotic supercars and Marty McFly? Think again! Ford's cooking up a clamshell-styled gullwing door that'll make you feel like you're stepping into a sci-fi flick every time you hop in.

A bit wild? Sure! But why not make every drive a grand entrance.. or, well… exit?

🎧👩‍🏫🏎️

Hyundai's Non-Robot Driving Coach: Hyundai's got a treat for all you track-day heroes and speed demons. A patented driving assistant that doesn't babysit you but turns you into a racing guru. This tech is like having a pro racing coach in your dash, giving you the low-down on how to shave those precious seconds off your commute.

And the best part? You still drive your car.

AUTOMOTIVE

GM In Mexico 🇲🇽

GM's BrightDrop is making waves with its expansion into Mexico, the third North American territory to embrace these all-electric last-mile delivery services. Mexican commercial customers will soon be able to order BrightDrop's Zevo 400 and 600 electric vans.

EVs in Vietnam 🇻🇳

A recent BMI research report predicts EV ownership in Vietnam will jump to 13.6% in 2023, a leap from a mere 2.9% in the previous year.

Fueled by local EV maker VinFast and an influx of affordable China-made EVs, this growth trajectory is impressive and indicates technological advancement and a rising prioritization of environmental issues.

Stellantis in Italy 🇮🇹

The Italian government is moving toward a comprehensive plan for the national automotive industry. Aiming for a year-end agreement with Stellantis and other key groups, this ambitious blueprint covers:

• Increased vehicle output

• Bolstered R&D

• Efficiency enhancements

• Investments in green technologies

• Worker training

The collective effort involves unions, local governments, and the automotive lobby group ANFIA underscoring Italy's determination to become a leader in the global automotive industry.

Slump In China 🇨🇳

For the second month, China's passenger vehicle sales are down by 2.6% year-on-year. Despite government-backed discounts and supportive measures, the world's largest automobile market is grappling with weakening demand.

But here's the twist: a cutthroat price war involving over 40 brands adds complexity. Yet, not all is grim; sales of new energy vehicles remained up 31.9% in July, illuminating an essential trend within the market.

CULTURE

Walkability Wonderland

Nestled in Arizona, Culdesac Tempe has emerged as an avant-garde, car-free community defying norms and piquing interest. 🚫🚙

Offering convenient and sustainable travel solutions like e-bikes and discounted ride-sharing, the neighborhood boasts a plethora of eateries, co-working spaces, and eco-friendly living options for their Earth-conscious residents, all only a leisurely walk or cycle away. 🚶🚲

It isn’t all bike paths and rainbows, though. Thanks to the obnoxious, human rights-violating heat waves we’ve been experiencing lately, the summer highs have been consistently in the 100s. 🥵🥵

🎙️ Check out Paul and Kyle’s take during yesterday’s Automotive Troublemaker podcast here. 🎧

Quick Hits

• Nearly 10K people offered to legally change their name to “Subway” to get free sandwiches for life. 🥖

• “Beluga Cams” are back! Tune in as thousands of whales make their Summer migration. 🐳

• Scientists are finally doing something useful — finding new ways to help people avoid hangovers. 🍻

History

• 1892: Thomas Edison receives a patent for a two-way telegraph. 📟 

• 1917: Barney Oldfield sets new speed records in Golden Submarine. 🤿

• 1936: Jesse Owens wins his fourth and final gold medal at the Summer Games in Berlin. 🥇