#492 - 👀 Stay Vigilant

TOGETHER WITH

Sometimes vinyl just sounds better.

The needle’s groove gets deeper with time and repeat visits. The rough edges become smooth.

Likewise, routines lead to consistency and simplicity which allow for discoveries that brainstorming and planning alone can’t uncover.

Don’t think something is useless when it becomes routine; that just may be when a new discovery is about to appear.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

TODAY’S LOT WALK

• MTC: Bees, Cars, and Wishes. 🐝🚘🪄

• Data: Customer Satisfaction Report. 🛒🎭📋

• Business: Chinese Brands Ups And Downs. 🇨🇳📈📉

Reading time: 4 mins 49 secs

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

A Dream Come True

Thanks to a heartwarming collaboration between the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Covert Bee Cave, and the 12 Kings Classic Car Club, Nicholas Johnson’s dream of riding in a classic Corvette became a reality on his 17th birthday. 🎁

Since childhood, Nicholas has bravely faced challenges due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy with unwavering positivity, and his infectious enthusiasm and resilience have made him an inspiration.

One of his biggest sources of joy? Classic cars. 😎

Covert Bee Cave, an enthusiastic supporter of Make-A-Wish, proudly opened its doors to host this special event. In addition to being generous with their time and efforts, they've also collectively donated nearly $200K to the organization since 2021.

Known for their charity work, the 12 Kings Car Club not only provided the classic car but also made Nicholas an honorary member of their group. 🏅

For Nicholas though, the highlight of the day was a thrilling ride in a vibrant red 1968 Chevrolet Corvette through the picturesque Texas Hill Country, a radiant smile on his face. 🏎️

/Positivity

We love sharing the stories of dealers partnering with their communities. If you have a story like that, send it our way! 🕊️

DATA & INSIGHT

Customer Satisfaction Report

Cue the Rolling Stones! We’re talking satisfaction, so it’s the law. 🎸

Understanding customer sentiment can be challenging, but the ACSI Automobile Study for 2022-2023 has made ranking their satisfaction a bit easier. Based on feedback from approximately 9,000 customers who purchased cars in this period, here's a quick snapshot:

🚗 Overall Satisfaction: The auto industry saw a 3% boost in satisfaction, rising from a score of 77 in 2022 to 79 in 2023.

🚙 Mass Market Highlights:

• Biggest Movers: Toyota and Honda both surged with a +5% change.

• Top Scores: Toyota leads at 84, trailed by Subaru (82), Honda (81), and Mazda (80).

• Most Significant Drop: Ram's satisfaction dipped by 5%, placing it at a below-average 74.

• Bottom Five: Four Stellantis brands occupy this zone: Dodge (75), Jeep (74), Ram (74), and Chrysler (71). VW, the only non-Stellantis in this group, experienced a 3% drop to score 75.

🚘 Luxury Market Insights:

• Cream of the Crop: Tesla and Toyota's Lexus are tied at the top with a score of 83. While Tesla saw a +4% rise, Lexus experienced a -1% dip from 2022.

• Lowest on the Ladder: Honda's Acura recorded the steepest fall (-4%), settling at a score of 79.

🤔 Did You Know?: Younger buyers are making waves in the luxury market. It seems they're splurging on high-end cars—maybe because many believe homeownership is out of reach for them. 

TOGETHER WITH ASOTU CON

Art and Artist!

Come meet Erin and so many more artists, pros, and leaders at ASOTU CON 2023 — September 25-27 in Baltimore, MD.

Already got your ticket? That’s great! Now consider inviting somebody whose voice is missing from the conversation about the future of automotive retail, service, technology, and community. 👇

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

More Than Cars in Georgia!

The wait is almost over, Troublemakers!

We are less than a month from the More Than Cars Episode 2 release. Get ready to hear more from the folks at Beaver Toyota of Cumming in Georgia.

Voices and conversations from every corner of the dealership will be center stage for another long look behind the curtain of retail auto with Paul J. Daly and Kyle Mountsier.

Get ready for real stories, real people, and the real heart that makes the auto industry home to so many wonderful people.

BUSINESS

Chinese EV Presence Doubles in Europe

Chinese firms are extending their dominance in the global EV market, making a prominent mark at Munich's IAA mobility show. This move illustrates Europe's contrasting reliance on combustion engines and underscores the imminent threat to their auto market share.

🔋 BYD's Phenomenal Rise

• H1 Profits soared by a whopping 204.7%, achieving a record 10.95 billion yuan ($1.50 billion).

• Q2 Deliveries: Set a record with 700,244 vehicles.

• Global Expansion: 10% of BYD's EV sales were exported, indicating their growing international presence.

🌀 Nio's Challenging Times

• Q2 Loss: Deepened to $835.1 million, attributed to transitioning to new models amidst an economic downturn.

• Recovery on the Horizon: Nio remains optimistic with expected substantial growth in H2 2023 post the launch of updated models.

🤝 Xpeng and Didi's Strategic Partnership

• Acquisition: Xpeng will acquire Didi's EV unit for $744 million.

• Targeted Sales: Xpeng plans an A-class model launch, aiming at 100,000 unit sales annually.

• The Big Picture: This collaboration boosts Xpeng's production capabilities and aims at cost reduction.

CULTURE

Serving Up Superchargers

Elon Musk is well-known for his love of advanced technology, but his latest endeavors feature a surprisingly vintage touch. 🤌

Blending nostalgia and cutting-edge tech, the city of Los Angeles has given the thumbs-up to what's being dubbed the "Tesla Diner.” 🍽️

The boredom from charging an EV can feel like waiting for water to boil, but not here. The retro-futuristic diner is set to be a two-story behemoth with not one, but two movie screens to keep you entertained while your vehicle juices up at any of the 32 Supercharger stalls. ⚡️

Though the project was given the green light in July, no grand opening date has been set (if it’s anything like the Cybertruck, it could be a while). ⏰

One thing is for sure — as a full-on experience combining classic Americana with 21st-century convenience, once the Tesla Diner does open its doors, it will certainly draw intrigue from far more than just EV drivers. 👀

Quick Hits

• A 5-year-old in Seattle raised over $17K for victims of Maui wildfires with his lemonade stand. 🍋

• A new bill in Arizona will offer unlimited mental health services to 911 dispatchers. 🧠

• Handwritten ad copy by Steve Jobs just sold at auction for more than $175K. 🍎

History

• 1959: The first Austin Mini 7 goes on sale for £497. 🇬🇧

• 1967: Thurgood Marshall is confirmed as the first African-American Justice of the United States Supreme Court. 🇺🇸

• 1980: Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” hits the charts at #78. 🤠

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