#503 - 🛠️ Mind The Gap

TOGETHER WITH

With only a little over a week before ASOTU CON, we are in beast mode getting all our bespoke goodies prepped and ready for you all.

Custom kicks? ✅
Custom shoelaces? ✅
Custom scarves? ✅
Custom guitar? ✅

Don’t miss out; join us on September 25th - 27th in Baltimore for all this and more!

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

TODAY’S LOT WALK

• MTCM: The team at Hicks Family Subaru double-down on their local elementary school. 📚

• DATA & INSIGHT: Creating unity in the service department. 🤝

• BUSINESS: ChargeScape powers up, Hyundai begins hypercasting, Mitsubishi boasts top safety ratings, Tesla ramps up Mexico investments, and Ford ups the hybrids. 🚘

• CULTURE: The predictable and unpredictable at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. 🏆

Reading time: 4 min and 40 secs

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Support Where It “Counts"

Anybody who has ever been a teacher, loved a teacher, or has a vague understanding of what a teacher is, knows they deserve more support than we can give.

The folks at Hicks Family Subaru dropped a magnificent amount of support on the teachers at Corpus Christi's Gloria Hicks Elementary.

Teachers were expecting another Monday afternoon meeting. The Hicks team was ready with a generous gift that will help teachers help students all year long.

The Hick's team presented each teacher with a school supply kit, collaborating with Subaru's "Subaru Loves Learning" initiative.

The magic didn't stop there! Hicks Family Subaru, collaborating with adoptaclassroom.org, revealed an initial intention of donating $10,000 for classroom supplies. Yet, in a heartwarming twist, Charlie Hicks, the CEO, doubled the donation to $20,000, ensuring all 40 teachers received $500 each for their classrooms! 🚗🍎📘🌟

DATA & INSIGHT

Bridge the Service Gap

In the realm of service departments, there often exists a noticeable divide between service managers and technicians. While they share the same team, they have a tendency to operate in parallel rather than hand-in-hand, and the lack of collaboration can have a detrimental impact on productivity, efficiency, and overall customer satisfaction.

🔍 Understanding the Disconnect 🔎

Determining where the rifts are occurring is the only way to patch them up. Here are some of the usual suspects:

• Training Troubles — Insufficient training can be traced back to many workplace challenges, and the service department is no different. It's not just about acquiring technical knowledge; it's about understanding the intricacies of their roles and the systems they work with.

• Transitioning Talent — Promoting technicians to managerial positions can lead to tension. Managers may struggle with new responsibilities, while technicians might feel disconnected from a leader who once walked in their shoes. It’s important to establish clear boundaries and expectations for the transitioning roles and address concerns early on in order to preserve those existing relationships and open lines of communication.

• Lost in Translation — Confusion and resentment often grow when the goals and expectations set are vague or unachievable. Establishing clear, SMART objectives can provide a roadmap for both managers and technicians.

👯‍♂️ Fostering Unity 👯‍♀️

The path to aligning service managers and technicians isn't complicated, it just takes dedication and a willingness to listen. Here’s how:

• Enhanced Communication — Effective communication is essential. Regular dialogues such as stand-up meetings, memos, or email newsletters can keep everyone informed and involved.

• Leverage Technology — Maximize your dealership's technology infrastructure to improve communication and collaboration among service staff.

• Shared Goals — Unify your team with common objectives, such as boosting customer satisfaction and retention rates.

• Feedback Mechanisms — Provide opportunities for feedback, whether through informal conversations, meetings, or structured processes like 360-degree reviews.

• Cultivate a Cohesive Culture — Team-building activities and shared experiences can foster stronger bonds between service managers and technicians, creating a more collaborative environment.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

ASOTU CON App Unveiled

We know, we know — you've probably been to a bunch of conferences with apps that felt like they were straight out of 2007, but we're about to change the game. 😎

We're thrilled to launch the brand new ASOTU CON APP — a platform that's as innovative and dynamic as the conference itself. This little powerhouse is packed with features that will make your ASOTU CON experience smoother, richer, and a whole lot more fun.

👉📱 Available now on Google Play and the Apple App Store. 📱👈

(What’s that? Still haven’t purchased your tickets!?? Time’s running out — get yours today! 🎟️)

BUSINESS

Keeping It Short

🔌 ChargeScape: A Vehicle-to-Grid Initiative 🔋

Ford, Honda, and BMW launched "ChargeScape," a platform for EV owners to send energy back to the grid, simplifying energy-sharing logistics and helping users save money. Operations begin next year.

🔨 Hyundai's "Hypercasting" Inspired by Tesla's Techniques 🔧

Hyundai is creating a "hypercasting" method inspired by Tesla's Giga Casting to increase EV production and reduce costs. This innovation supports Hyundai's ambition to be a top EV producer by 2030.

Also, they said if nobody would sue them for a bit, that would be great!

🥽 Mitsubishi's 2024 Outlander PHEV Earns IIHS Top Safety Nod 🦺

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV boasts IIHS top safety recognition, 38 miles of electric range, and exclusive DC fast-charging capability.

🤑 Tesla Ramps Up Giga Mexico Investment to $15B 📈

According to Nuevo Leon's governor, Tesla and suppliers tripled their initial $5B investment in Giga Mexico, upping it to $15B over two years.

The facility's role? Producing Tesla's next-gen vehicle, with production details yet to be finalized.

⛽️ Ford Doubles F-150 Hybrid Production 🔋

Amid slower EV sales, Ford aims to boost F-150 hybrid production for 2024, eyeing a 20% US sales rise. The company is hopeful despite potential United Auto Workers strike threats.

CULTURE

Music Video Awards

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by Nicki Minaj, took place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

To the surprise of no one, Taylor Swift won a lot, but the real winners of the evening were *NSYNC fans since the group reunited for a performance at the show. It is the first time the group has performed live since 2013. The sudden appearance is likely connected to Justin Timberlake’s upcoming role in “Trolls 3.”

Announced Winners:

• Video of the Year: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

• Song of the Year: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

• Best New Artist: Ice Spice

• Push Performance of the Year: Tomorrow X Together – “Sugar Rush Ride”

• Best Collaboration: Karol G, Shakira – “TQG”

• Best Pop: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”

• Best Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj – “Super Freaky Girl”

• Best R&B: SZA – “Shirt”

• Best Rock: Måneskin – “The Loneliest”

• Best Latin: Anitta – “Funk Rave”

• Best Afrobeats: Rema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”

With over 20 live performances, the show ended before all the winners were announced, but the show’s Twitter account continued announcing winners long into the night.

Quick Hits

• Coca-Cola’s new “Y3000” flavor will feature AI-generated art, despite controversy. 🥤

• A stolen Van Gogh painting was recovered and returned to its owner in an Ikea bag. 🖼

• A second spotless baby giraffe has been discovered on a reserve in Africa just weeks after the first in Tennessee. 🦒

History

• 1959: The first man-made object reaches the moon. 🚀

• 1969: The Dodge Charger Daytona makes its NASCAR debut and wins at Talladega. 🏁

• 1998: Microsoft becomes the biggest company in the world after just 23 years. 💾