#493 - 📈 Why the Surge?

TOGETHER WITH

Everybody is talented, but the things that come easiest to you may be challenging for others. That’s why having a community you can lean on and learn from is so important.

Because of human nature, communities form around almost everything, like grass sprouting from any bit of sunny dirt.

Gardens, however, require work, just like a truly empowering community. 🌻

Find your community at this year’s ASOTU CON in Baltimore, September 25-27th, and take your place in a growing partnership now.

We all have a lot to give. We all have a lot to learn.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

TODAY’S LOT WALK

• MTCM: Cleo Bay Subaru of Killeen pays their respects to fallen heroes. 🪖

• Data & Insights: Car prices continue to rise. 💰

• Business: Tesla’s range, European sales, Toyota’s glitch, and Electrogenic's conversion. 📊

• Culture: At BK, you can have it your way. Unless “your way” is how it’s pictured on the menu board. 🍔

Reading time: 4 min 32 secs

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Adorning Our Heroes

Serving a community near Fort Cavazos, Cleo Bay Subaru of Killeen fully understands the importance of supporting our men and women in uniform. 🎖️

They recently donated a substantial $16K to Wreaths for Vets, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers. The contribution will not only fund new festoons for the more than 14,500 heroes resting at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery but also create a facility on the property to store all the wreaths.

“It only makes sense to pair up with a veterans charity,” said Sales Manager Jon Locklin. “It helps most of our population here — retired, active, spouse, family.”

Their benevolence doesn’t stop there, because Cleo Bay Subaru of Killeen has a heart as big as the Lone Star State. Thanks to their yearly Share the Love event, they have given more than $177K to local nonprofits since they opened their doors. Other organizations that have been blessed with their generosity include the Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity, Texas Humane Heroes, Boys and Girls Club of Central Texas, and Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet. ❤️‍🔥

DATA & INSIGHT

Trucks VS Avg Monthly Payments

Car prices have surged, and consumers are feeling the pinch. Edmunds.com data reveals a shocking $733 average monthly payment for new cars. Used cars are just a little behind at $571. Let's understand why and how we can help our customers navigate this market.

🚗 Why the Surge? Pickup truck purchases, especially in states like Texas and Wyoming. These once-utilitarian vehicles have become status symbols, particularly in regions of rugged work like farming and energy production.

🤝 The Dealer Role: Customers trust their local dealer for guidance. So when panic, anxiety, and stress seem to keep people from coming in or settling on a purchase

• Help them focus on the specifics of their decision

• Emphasize the actual value of the vehicle

• Showcase financing options

• Understand and cater to their needs where possible

Though car prices have shifted, we have the opportunity to ensure our customers feel our vehicles' unparalleled value and utility.

🛣️ The Road Ahead As you know, cars aren't just numbers. They're about experiences. Let's give customers confidence about their journey by showing they aren't traveling alone.  

TOGETHER WITH CONNEXION

In-House Fleets vs Rental Fleets

Navigating the evolving auto world? Confront challenges from toll complexities to loaner demands with insights from experts.

Learn to:

• Master tolling in U.S. cities.🛑

• Boost profits with zero hardware and the utmost transparency.🪟

• Build trust with clear billing & tech.👩‍🔧

• Meet customer rental needs and stay ahead of the change.🏃‍♂️

Ready for the future of auto? Click here for the full webinar! 🔑

BUSINESS

Tesla's Battery Longevity

• Recurrent studied 12,500 US Tesla vehicles over five years.

• Found no significant range degradation difference between frequently fast-charged EVs and those rarely fast-charged.

• Suggests Tesla's battery management system effectively protects during routine fast charging.

• 🚨 Note: Fast charging in extreme conditions might increase battery risk.

📈 European Car Sales Growth

• July 2023: European car sales up by 15.2%, twelve consecutive months of growth.

• EV Sales: Up 60.6%, accounting for 13.6% of total sales.

• Despite the surge in EVs, petrol and diesel cars still lead the market but are declining.

Toyota's System Glitch 🛠️

• Malfunction: During a system update, all Toyota Motor plants in Japan stopped. 🛑

• Potential loss: $356 million in revenue.

• July 2023 Sales: Up by 8% globally.

• Projected Production for the year: A record 10.2M vehicles.

• Official word: The malfunction was not due to a cyber attack.

Electrogenic's Classic Conversion 🚗⚡

• Electrogenic unveils the conversion of a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II into an EV.

• Features a 93 kWh battery pack with up to 150 miles of range.

• Preserves the vehicle's vintage aesthetics while providing modern EV tech.

• Electrogenic Director Steve Drummond: "The most complex classic car EV conversion yet."

CULTURE

🍔 A Whopper of a Lawsuit

A U.S. District Judge in Miami rejected Burger King's motion to shrug off a sizzling lawsuit. The bone of contention? The menu board visuals might give the Whopper sandwich a bit more "whop" than reality.

🍖 Meaty Details:

• Accusation: The fast-food titan is said to portray a Whopper that's a whopping 35% larger and double the meat serving.

• Burger King's Defense: "Our advertisements are accurate!" But Judge Altman thinks the jury should have the final bite.

Burger King isn't dining solo on this controversial table. McDonald's, Wendy's, and Taco Bell are all simmering in similar lawsuits, each dishing out claims for a juicy $5M in damages. 

Quick Hits

• Worth a record-breaking $9.2B, the Dallas Cowboys are currently the highest-valued team in the NFL. 🤠

• Massachusetts is providing free community college to residents over the age of 25 as part of a program called MassReconnect. 🎓

• Dairy Queen will be selling Blizzards for 85 cents for a two-week period next month as a nod to the year the iconic treat was created, 1985. 🍦

History

• 1422: Henry VI becomes King of England at the age of 9 months. 👶

• 1897: Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope, a device that produces moving pictures. 🎥

• 1987: Michael Jackson's music video for the hit song "Bad" premieres. 😈