#499 - 🦘 Taking A Leap

TOGETHER WITH

You know that good culture is “caught” and not “taught.”

Imagine tomorrow, every member of your team shows up on fire to grab their part of the big picture with the passion of an entrepreneur, the wisdom of a seasoned vet, and the mindset of a leader, unwilling to let their team settle for clock-punching.

Every speaker, topic, and moment of ASOTU CON 2023 has been hand-picked and crafted to send participants home with such a fire.

Got anybody on your team ripe for a spark? We’re looking forward to seeing them in Baltimore later this month.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

TODAY’S LOT WALK

• MTCM: Learning with the best! 🤓

• DATA & INSIGHT: A quick update on UAW negotiations ahead of the September 14th deadline. ⏳

• CULTURE: German automakers electrify Munich Motor Show with killer concept car debuts. ⚡️

Reading time: 4 mins and 46 secs

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

LEAP for Learning

The Ciocca Dealerships are always busy serving their community, but this month they have something exceptional to celebrate: the largest contribution ever received by La Salle College for LEAP (La Salle’s Early Achievement Program). 🏫

Ciocca Dealerships cranked up the generosity-o-meter with a $200K donation, affording high-school students the opportunity to participate in dual enrollment and earn credits free of charge before beginning college full-time. 📚

The CEO and engine behind the auto group, Gregg Ciocca said, “Growing up in Northeast Philadelphia, the importance of community was ingrained in me from an early age. It's a value that's been at the heart of Ciocca Dealerships. When Mr. John Fries introduced me to the LEAP program at LaSalle, I was immediately struck by the impact it could have on young lives. It resonated deeply with our family's belief in education as a cornerstone for individual and community growth.” 🌱

Ciocca's commitment to the LEAP program is an investment in the untapped potential of knowledge-hungry minds. It proves that no dream is too big, no goal is too distant, and no hurdle is insurmountable when a community comes together to support the next generation. 💪

DATA & INSIGHT

UAW Strike Looms as Detroit Negotiations Intensify

🌋 The Landscape 🌋

🐢 Detroit faces an industry-altering showdown.

👩‍🏭 The United Auto Workers (UAW), representing 146,000 workers across significant automakers, is on the cusp of a strike against the Detroit Three: General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford.

🥩 The Stakes 🥩

🇺🇸 President Biden's 2024 reelection strategy is intertwined with the UAW's decisions.

🇨🇦 A simultaneous strike with its Canadian counterpart, Unifor, could mean irreparable inventory losses this year.

📉 A day-long strike might halt 25,000 units of production.

🤑 Potential losses for carmakers, suppliers, and workers could surpass $5 billion, with consumer car prices rising.

🪧 UAW's Firm Stance 🪧

🙅‍♂️ President Shawn Fain of the UAW remains determined.

🙋 97% of UAW members support a strike if no agreement is reached by September 14.

📈 Significant wage hikes and other benefits are among UAW's core demands.

🥸 Charges have been filed against GM and Stellantis for allegedly not bargaining sincerely.

🌥 Glimpses of Hope 🌥

⚖️ Fain showcases flexibility, hinting at potential compromises.

🤝 Current negotiations indicate possible breakthroughs.

As the deadline looms, all eyes are on Detroit. The outcome could reshape the auto industry's trajectory for the foreseeable future. 🔮 

TOGETHER WITH VINCUE

Partners You Can Trust

A “BADASS” indeed, Hugh Palmer is the Director of Used Cars with top Toyota dealer, Beaver Toyota of Cumming in Georgia.

The goal of “building and developing a selfless service” (BADASS) culture shifts from plan to process thanks to Hugh and the team’s partnership with VINCUE!

From employee to customer, Beaver Toyota continues to put people first. That is why 52 families relocated to experience GM Patrick Abad’s leadership and the initiatives developed over Hugh’s 20+ years in the business.

Their customers trust their team members, their team members trust their leaders, and their leaders trust VINCUE.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

David Long’s All Things Used Cars

Join us this morning at 6 am PST / 9 am EST on Clubhouse for another exciting exchange of expertly explained exercises to make your used car business explode (with profits).

As David Long always says, it’s a “Jerry Springer-style show,” so come ready to jump in and share (though we won’t snitch if you just come to sit back and listen.) 😉

BUSINESS

🔌 Tesla & Hilton Power Up!

Hilton partners with Tesla, rolling out 20,000 Universal Wall Connectors across 2,000 North American locations.

👀 This mega-move rockets Hilton to the top in the EV charging scene. Planning an electric road trip? You won't have to sleep in a Target parking lot this time!

🔋 Honda Hitches to Tesla's Charging Train!

Honda's hopping on board the EV express, embracing Tesla's NACS for its 2025 fleet. Riding alongside giants like Ford and GM, they're gearing up with a CCS-NACS adapter to plug into Tesla's Supercharger grid.

💳 Hyundai Kona's Wallet: Hyundai Pay!

Hyundai's 2024 Kona debuts "Hyundai Pay," a nifty in-car payment touch. From reserving a parking spot with "Parkopedia" to paying for your latte, it's all just a screen-tap away.

With digital security an obvious requirement, Hyundai's trying to make paying at the drive-thru as confusing as "tap to pay," but while you operate a heavy machine. Yay!

CULTURE

Cutting-Edge Electric Concept Cars

Multiple European automakers revealed their all-new, all-electric concept models during the 2023 International Motor Show in Munich this week. Here are some of the highlights:

If you often find yourself forgetting what brand of car you drive, Mercedes-Benz has developed just the solution for you. By slathering the Concept CLA Class in every size, shape, tone, and texture of the MB logo, it will be impossible for you (or anyone else) to forget! 🙌

BMW unveiled the Vision Neue Klasse that’s touting a sophisticated integration of real and virtual worlds with advanced iDrive technology (which we assume means the ability to play Pokemon Go as you drive). Intended to encapsulate a “futuristic and friendly persona,” the interior boasts a cozy yellow and an etched lower side fender that reads: the “future is bright.” ☀️

Rolling back time at Munich's IAA show: the iconic "bubble cars" have gotten an electric facelift! Micro's Microlino and XEV's Yoyo are buzzing through European streets.

While it does look like something Austin Powers would drive, it feels like something a toddler could propel Fred Flintstone-style.

Leading the charge as part of Volkswagen’s lofty goal to launch a variety of all-electric models by 2027 is this newbie, the ID. GTI. Not only does it pack a minimum of 223hp, it’s also coming in hot as the car with the most boring name in the bunch. 🥱

Quick Hits

• Google Chrome is 15 years old and preparing to unveil a big redesign. 🥳 

• China bans government officials from using Apple iPhones. 🚫

• The piano Freddy Mercy used to compose many Queen hits just sold at an auction for more than $2M. 🎹

History

• 1943: Following the deposing of Mussolini from power in July, General Dwight Eisenhower publicly announces the surrender of Italy to the Allies. 🕊

• 1974: Evel Knievel attempts to jump Snake River Canyon. His final stunt ended in failure when the parachute opened too early, but he landed safely. 🚀

• 1986: Nissan opens its first plant in the UK. 🇬🇧