🚗 515-Mile Range

TOGETHER WITH

August 15th.

Better stories are all around you. One great part of being on a team is that there is always something to celebrate. Service moves toward the problem, taking solutions seriously, but a relationship of service is also there for the good times.

What are you and your team celebrating this Friday?

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Tesla’s 515-Mile Model 3 Plus

Tesla just unveiled its longest-range Model 3 yet—515 miles—but only for China (for now). Powered by a 78.4 kWh LG battery and efficiency upgrades, it beats the “700 km ceiling” without simply adding weight. Aims to undercut local rivals like Xiaomi SU7 at under $38K, launching in September.

U.S. Fast-Charging Network Surges

Nearly 60,000 ports are now online, with 19% growth expected in 2025. Private capital—not NEVI funds—is driving expansion, even as EV market share slips to 8.6%.

Skydweller’s 74-Hour Solar Flight

A Boeing 747–sized drone stayed aloft for 74 hours using only solar power and batteries, hinting at potential military, internet, and environmental monitoring applications.

From The News w/ ASOTU

Norway Says “Tesla Shame”? Nah.

While Tesla’s political baggage is slowing sales across Europe, Norway’s up 24% YTD. Why? A 12-year relationship, unmatched charging infrastructure, and irresistible incentives. Lesson: loyalty and ease beat controversy when customers feel the product just works.

Honda’s EV U-Turn

Honda’s walking back its all-BEV dreams after $4.47B in projected EV losses this year. The pivot? More hybrids and hydrogen. Dealers should read this as a call to diversify powertrains and match offerings to the adoption curve.

Other stories we’re watching…

• VinFast: Retreats from U.S., pivots to Asia after poor reception and recalls.

• Monterey Auctions: Boomer classics softening, younger buyers chasing ’80s–’00s supercars.

• Online Price Trap: Texas dealers’ in-person prices thousands higher than online listings — a trust-killer.

In every case, the through-line is clear: trust and adaptability keep you in the driver’s seat.

TOGETHER WITH CARS.COM

Turn Your Team into Local Stars

Your sales team is already closing, but Cars.com can give them even more ways to win…

Here's the deal — Cars.com puts you in front of the biggest auto market AND helps you convert 63% better than Google. How? By connecting real shoppers directly with your all-star team through profile pages, reviews, and leads enhanced with all the buyer intel you need.

Ready to learn more? Check out their game-changing strategies that turn sales teams into local legends.

Show Me How

SOMETHING ELSE

The Click-to-Curb Conundrum

We found this article on RetailWire, and since we live in an ecosystem, we looked deeper to see if there was anything we could apply to our context.

Amazon just made grocery delivery same-day in 1,000 cities, aiming for 2,300 by year’s end. That’s groceries, gadgets, and grandma’s chicken soup ingredients… all in one cart, at your door in hours.

Here’s the kicker: “online-first” players like Amazon aren’t learning how to do fast delivery — it’s already in their DNA. Meanwhile, many long-standing brick-and-mortar businesses are still figuring out how to make digital feel seamless.

Don’t try to “be Amazon.” Instead, pick one part of your online-to-showroom experience that feels clunky — maybe your trade-in process or first-response time — and make it lightning fast and ridiculously easy this month.

Speed + simplicity = trust. And that’s how you win before the shopper even parks in your lot.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

In this episode of ASOTU Unscripted, Brian Kramer of Cars Commerce sat down to unpack the high-stakes, behind-the-scenes decisions shaping how data is handled in automotive retail.

Speaking with remarkable transparency, Brian revealed how Cars Commerce is navigating the gray space of data ethics, dealer trust, and tech evolution, explaining why the company made a bold choice to not monetize dealer inventory data in ways competitors often do.

Instead, they’re drawing a firm line in the sand: dealers are partners, not products.

Check out replay here.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Alcohol consumption in the U.S. is at a record low. 🍺 

• A fella asked GPT for dietary advice, and ended up poisoning himself. 💊 

• U.S. weekly jobless claims fall amid low layoffs. 👷 

🔁 Today in History

• 1947: Ferrari makes its racing debut. 🏁 

• 1969: The Woodstock Music & Art Fair opens in Bethel, New York, featuring some of the top rock musicians of the era. 🎸 

• 1994: Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique go into production. 👩‍🏭 

Have a great Friday, and a peaceful weekend, Friend!