#487 - 🥳 Celebrating In Style

TOGETHER WITH

Having the right attitude can turn a failure into a learning experience.

Get enough of those attitudes in the same room, and you may turn setbacks into rocket fuel. 🚀

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

TODAY’S LOT WALK

• MTCM: Ira Toyota of Danvers grants birthday wishes to children in need. 🎁

• Business: Ferrari gets younger, Tesla hires Siri, and Toyota hits the brakes. 🚦

• Culture: Lamborghini unveils their latest concept car. 🐂

Reading time: 4 mins and 27 sec

MORE THAN CARS MOMENT

Gifting Birthday Smiles

In the realm of Ira Toyota of Danvers, their mission is not merely to steer vehicles off a lot, it's about injecting hope and compassion into their community.

When Customer Service Rep, Bianca Yurnet, discovered the One Wish Project, it was like finding the last slice of pizza at a party—pure joy. The Massachusetts-based nonprofit makes birthdays a blast for children in shelters and foster care.

Fueled by a desire to help, Bianca just knew her Ira Toyota family would want to joyfully join the noble cause. And she was right. Employees and customers alike eagerly contributed gifts and goodies, knowing that these small gestures would fill young hearts.

🥳 Hats off to Bianca and the entire team for making birthday wishes come true! 🪄

TOGETHER WITH ASOTU CON 2023

Ready to party?

Nashville's fantastic 12 South band is bringing the soundtrack to ASOTU CON 2023, but it's the automotive industry sending all the talent!

Come hear from tech, culture, and thought leaders like CARS' Brian Kramer, Ed Roberts of Bozard Ford Lincoln, and Vincue's Danny Zaslavsky.

With panel topics ranging from The Science & Art of Marketing to Caring for the Customer Lifecycle to Building a Robust Sales Funnel Through Alternate Channels!

Needless to say, we're gonna grow as hard as we party.

See you in Baltimore!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

MTC BTS

Featuring the wonderful people at Beaver Toyota of Cumming, episode 2 of More Than Cars will be here before you know it!

Check out episode one, “Arlington,” and keep an eye on ASOTU’s LinkedIn page for every lovely detail and more behind-the-scenes gems.

Know who we should feature next? Let us know! Across the industry, dealers, salespeople, techs, porters, F&I pros, and industry partners are moving mountains to show that the retail automotive industry is, and has always been, about more than cars.

BUSINESS

Making Moves: VW, Ferrari, Tesla, Toyota

 🚗🏭💡 Volkswagen ID.7: A New EV Star

Volkswagen has started producing the ID.7, its flagship electric sedan, at the Emden plant in Germany. Touted as the largest VW electric model to date, the ID.7 boasts:

• ID.7 Pro: Up to 382 miles

• ID.7 Pro S: Up to 435 miles

European fans can gear up for its debut this fall, while North Americans can anticipate its arrival in 2024.

👦⏱️🏎️ Ferrari: Exclusivity Over Volume

Despite a sizeable three-year waitlist for specific models and a 44% surge in share price over the past year, Ferrari's CEO Benedetto Vigna confirmed there's no plan to hike up production. The brand remains steadfast in its commitment to exclusivity and value. Interesting highlight: 30% of new Ferrari buyers are under 40.

 📯🐩📱 Tesla's App Update: Say "Hi" to Siri

Tesla's recent app rollout, version 4.24.0, is now intertwined with Apple's Shortcuts. This integration permits iPhone aficionados to voice-command vehicle features like:

• Dog Mode

• Bioweapon Defense Mode

• "Honk Horn"

All right, through Siri. It streamlines user experience by eliminating third-party apps for these controls.

🛑🤷‍♀️🔥 Toyota Production Halt in Czech Plant

Toyota's Czech assembly line is at a standstill due to a parts deficit from a blaze at a local supplier. Marking the second production halt this year, the plant typically crafts 1,000 cars daily. The span of this pause is yet to be confirmed.

CULTURE

Lanzador Charges Ahead

Last week, Lamborghini teased their first totally electric supercar concept ahead of its big reveal during Monterey Car Week. 🫣

And now, it’s finally here.

Meet Lanzador. 🤩

The new fully-electric 2+2 concept is named after a famous fighting bull like most Lambos. Still, it has way more charisma and power — boasting two electric motors and a peak power output in excess of one megawatt (roughly 1,340 horses). 🐂 = 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

The motors will get their juice from a high-performance battery that is said to generate a “long-range,” though no one has been quick to drop how many miles that may be. 🔋+ 🛞 = ❓

So, how long before you can get one of your own? The automaker says it plans to release its debut EV in 2028. Lamborghini is again keeping the exact figures close to the chest, but if the company’s latest model (the hybrid Revuelto) is any indication, this baby will likely start around $900K. 🚙 = 💰💰💰

🎧🎙️ Find out if Paul and Kyle can figure out how to pronounce the name of this new ride on the Automotive Troublemaker here! 👈🤭

Quick Hits

• For anyone living in the past, Netflix is giving away free DVDs as it winds down its movies in the mail option. 📀

• Scientists have found that tortoise and turtle shells can be used to study nuclear contamination. 🐢

• After 20 years of perfect attendance, Burger King rewarded their faithful employee with candy. The internet turned around and gave him $400K. ASOTU thinks a dealer should grab Kevin Ford for a job worthy of his excellence! 👑

History

• 1869: The first carload of rail freight arrives in San Francisco from Boston after a 16-day trip. 🚃

• 1914: Japan declares war on Germany in World War I. 🪖

• 2007: The hashtag is invented and first used in a tweet by US product designer Chris Messina. #️⃣