#504 -🐎 Vintage To Brand-New

TOGETHER WITH

We just updated 40+ session titles, subtitles, and descriptions for ASOTU CON. There is really something here for everyone.

But, time and tickets are running out, y’all! Trust us, you aren’t going to want to miss out.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

TODAY’S LOT WALK

• MTCM: Tampa, Cars, Pirates. 🏴‍☠️

• Data & Insight: Rolling out the red carpet shuttle service. 🚐

• Business: Detroit’s Auto Show and Pending Strike. 🪧

Reading time:4 min 31 secs

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Car Shows and Pirates

The ElderFord of Tampa team had some fun for a good cause recently.

The team hosted a 68-vehicle car show, showing off mighty rides from vintage Mustangs to brand-new F-150 Lightning.

The community enjoyed the sights, sounds, food, and fun while joining the dealership to support the AchieveAbility Therapy and Achievers Day School, two local charities that received all the proceeds from the event.

Lithia knows how to party. They even managed to get a visit from a pirate, which we hear is a requirement in Tampa. 🏴‍☠️ 

Shoutout to the people of ElderFord, Lithia, and Tampa for all you do for your community and Pamela L. Marshall for bringing the story to our attention!

DATA & INSIGHT

Shuttle Service Success

Dealerships often grapple with the management of shuttle services, but it’s a struggle that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. 🚐

That’s why Paul and Kyle pioneered a webinar this week with our partners, Tony Vigiletti, VP of Sales at Connexion, and Fernando Uribe, VP of Operations for Quickride, to address the untapped value a well-managed shuttle service can play in amplifying the customer experience and saving oodles of cash. Let's dissect some of the challenges faced and uncover potential opportunities:

Challenges:

🎢 Inconsistent Drivers — Customers shouldn't have to wait around for missing drivers, or feel like they're on a doomed rollercoaster ride during their commute. Many dealerships do not actively work to ensure consistency, reliability, and professionalism in their shuttle service.

😡 Lasting Impact — The shuttle service often serves as the last interaction customers have before collecting their vehicles. A negative experience here can cast a dark shadow over the entire dealership experience.

💸 Resource Drain — Managing shuttle services can be resource-intensive. The expenditure of time, fuel, and vehicle wear and tear can add up quickly. Dealerships often struggle to optimize these operations and minimize waste.

Opportunities:

🌟 Value-Added Service — When marketed and executed effectively, an exceptional shuttle service can reduce customer stress and enhance their overall experience. Be sure to offer exceptional hospitality and a high level of customer engagement.

⏪️ Warranty Reimbursements — Dealerships may not even be aware that they can tap into warranty reimbursements commonly offered by OEMs for providing shuttle services during warrantied work. Research additional revenue streams like this to be sure you aren’t leaving easy money on the table.

🙌 Unique Utilization — Shuttle services can do more than just transport customers — they can be utilized to introduce customers to new models and technologies (especially hybrids and EVs). Properly trained drivers can become valuable sales ambassadors during the ride.

💻 Check out the full webinar replay here! 👈

TOGETHER WITH IMPEL

Specialized, Contextualized, Revitalized

Why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary?

🚀 Impel’s pre-trained Language Learning Models (LLMs): Specifically engineered for dealerships, delivering results beyond out-of-the-box ChatGPT.

🚘 Automotive-specific solutions: Understands the nuances, terms, and trends ensuring you get the most accurate info.

🛠 Effortless decoding: From car-related queries to intricate details, get answers effortlessly.

🌟 Elevated customer experience: Addressing everything from vehicle specs to financing options.

🛣 Seamless transition: A traditional ChatGPT might start the journey, but Impel’s LLM guarantees a smooth shift from online to showroom interactions.

Upgrade your dealership's digital engagement today with Impel. Because when it comes to communication, in person or digital, precision isn’t important — it’s everything.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

You Can’t Spell Acquisition Without ATUC

This morning on Clubhouse, David Long’s All Things Used Cars community is taking a deep dive into procurement and acquisitions. Join us here at 6am PST / 9am EST! 🎙️🛞

BUSINESS

Detroit Auto Show Recap

This year's Detroit Auto Show, also known as the North American International Auto Show, occurred amidst a tense backdrop as Detroit automakers locked horns with the United Auto Workers labor union. However, several automakers managed to shine through with intriguing reveals.

• 2024 GMC Acadia

  • All-new design larger than its predecessor.

  • Powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 328 hp.

  • Interior features a 15-inch touchscreen and GM's Super Cruise system.

• 2024 Ford F-150

  • Revamped with new interior and exterior designs.

  • Introduced a new hybrid model aiming to constitute about 20% of the 2024 production.

• 2025 Cadillac CT5

  • Refreshed design with a bolder grille and restyled front.

  • The Interior is equipped with a large 33-inch touchscreen and modern features.

• 2024 Jeep Gladiator

  • Minor overhaul with a redesigned Jeep grille.

  • Upgraded 12.3-inch touchscreen system and enhanced off-road features.

  • New "X" versions for the Gladiator's Mojave and Rubicon trims focus on off-road capabilities.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing negotiations, the automakers did not hold back in showcasing their innovations. It's indeed an exciting time for car enthusiasts as these brands set the pace for the future of the automotive industry.

Speaking Of Detroit…

Detroit's auto world braces as UAW edges toward striking. With a historic simultaneous strike against Detroit's Big Three looming, President Shawn Fain highlights inadequate wage hike offers despite the automakers' booming profits.

The union's demands—40% pay hikes, shorter workweeks, and restored pensions—are at odds with offers from Ford, GM, and Stellantis. The union readies its strategic hit as the Thursday night deadline approaches, promising the auto giants an unprecedented labor standoff. All eyes are on the unfolding drama, with major economic implications hanging in the balance.

Washington’s Plan?

"Surely, the government will intervene amidst the auto strike turmoil.”

As Detroit faces an unprecedented labor standoff, the White House is addressing a different automotive concern.

• Focus: Nation's dysfunctional EV charging infrastructure.

• Action: US Department of Transportation authorizes $100 million to repair broken EV chargers.

• Concern: 4.1% of public charging ports are "temporarily unavailable."

• Feedback: EV owners are frustrated over unreliable charging experiences.

• Goal: Streamline EV adoption amidst other automotive challenges.

CULTURE

AI Music Gets An Upgrade

AI music production and tools have been around for a while, but like predictive text, it has slowly evolved the ability to provide a custom bedtime story about dinosaurs who work in banks. AI is inching closer every day to joining the artist on the creative side of the process.

🎧 What's New? Stability AI has unveiled Stable Audio, a game-changing text-to-audio AI. Just type a description and get CD-quality music or sound effects in return.

🚀 How Fast? It renders 95 seconds of audio in under a second on specific GPUs.

🤝 Humans & AI AI-generated audio is another tool for pros. We doubt an AI will ever capture the unexplainable connection between artists, art, and fans, but hey, people used to buy unsliced bread, so what do we know?  

Quick Hits

• The DOJ’s anti-monopolization case against Google lingers on and may have massive effects on Big Tech. 🎩

• Starlink was expecting 20M users by 2022 but is only at a bit over 1M. 🛰

• Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” dropped a new trailer. 🎥

History

• 1916: In France, The Battle of the Somme sees the first-ever use of primitive tanks on the battlefield. 📦

• 1954: Marilyn Monroe's iconic skirt scene is shot during filming for “The Seven Year Itch.” 💃

• 1991: Bugatti releases its EB 110. 🏎