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- #548 - 🤝 Gigacast Rivalry
#548 - 🤝 Gigacast Rivalry
Getting Under 22k, Walking the Walk, and Wonka's Xbox
TOGETHER WITH
Welcome to another glorious day in the automotive industry.
We've got enough news below to make Ron Burgundy take a vaycay.
From GM's strategic acquisition to the affordable EV race led by Volkswagen and Renault, and Toyota and BMW's electrification strategies, our industry is in a constant state of innovation. It can be hard to keep up while also holding down a full week of serving people.
So, while we bring the information and assemble the community, the ambition needed to put it all to use and seize the day is on you.
Let's keep our eyes on the horizon, our feet on the ground, and most of all...
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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Read time: 5 mins 32 secs
BUSINESS
Just The Facts Please
Giphy
General Motors Acquires TEI
GM buys TEI, a Tesla gigacasting tech supplier, enhancing manufacturing efficiency.
Gigacasting: Casts large car parts in one, saving time and cost.
Impact: Strengthens GM, challenges Tesla in the race for affordable electric vehicles.
General Motors has acquired Tooling & Equipment International (TEI), a significant player in Tesla's gigacasting technology, marking a strategic move in the EV sector. This acquisition enhances GM's manufacturing capabilities, which is crucial as the competition in the automotive industry, particularly against Tesla, intensifies.
Volkswagen and Renault Focus on Affordable EVs
Volkswagen and Renault are targeting the affordable EV market, with Volkswagen announcing a $22,000 EV and Renault introducing a sub-$22K model called The Legend. Both companies focus on making EVs more accessible amidst stiff competition and market challenges.
Toyota and BMW's Strategy Shift
Toyota and BMW are adapting their vehicle technology strategies in response to the shift towards electrification. Toyota's 2025 Camry will be exclusively a hybrid. Meanwhile, BMW is halting ICE production in Germany to focus on EVs, though still maintaining ICE production in other locations.
UAW's Record Contracts Amid Discontent
Achievement: UAW secures record deals with GM, Ford, and Stellantis after strikes.
Challenge: Discontent among GM veteran workers, risk of contract rejections.
Balance: UAW faces balancing union demands with diverse member needs.
The United Auto Workers achieved record contracts with significant automakers. Still, they faced internal challenges with discontent among GM veteran workers. The situation highlights the complexities of meeting diverse member needs in the evolving industry.
Larger Vehicles and Pedestrian Safety
Study: SUV trucks with hood heights over 40 inches are 45% more likely to cause pedestrian fatalities.
Trend: Pedestrian deaths in the US are at a 40-year high.
Call to Action: Reevaluate vehicle design and safety standards for pedestrian protection.
New data indicates that larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, significantly increase the risk of pedestrian fatalities. This alarming trend calls for reevaluating vehicle design and safety standards to improve pedestrian safety.
What do you think?Should vehicle safety ratings include pedestrian safety, especially for larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks? |
TOGETHER WITH INVOCA
Exceeding Expectations
Today's the day!
Our friends at Invoca are joining us today at 2:00 pm EST for a quick 30-minute webinar that will revolutionize and reinvigorate how you engage with call tracking.
Take 30 seconds to RSVP here, and we will send a link to the webinar to your inbox at show time. 🎥
Gain a deeper understanding of consumer expectations during phone interactions to optimize call management.
Leverage phone call insights to personalize and target audiences effectively in marketing campaigns.
Bridge the gap between online and offline conversions, accurately measuring the true impact of your campaigns.
Enhance call handling to drive customer loyalty and revenue growth.
MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS
Walking the Walk
Giphy/Disney
Our podcasting pal, Daniel Govaer, recently gave a shout-out to the team at Mercedes-Benz of Easton who stepped up in a big way at this year’s Ametek Central Ohio Walk For Wishes event held at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 🌟
In addition to lacing up their walking shoes for the event, together the team raised over $14K for Make-A-Wish’s Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana chapter.
And, since the event was hosted at the zoo, participants were also granted access to the park for the entirety of the walk day — total win-win for everyone involved!
Mercedes-Benz of Easton
Thanks to the crew at Mercedes-Benz of Easton for doing more than just talking the talk! 👟👟
TIE CUTTERS
2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee: Dean Sides
Dean Sides has been chosen to represent Arkansas among 49 national contenders for 2024’s TIME Dealer of the Year Award in large part due to his commitment to community service and thoughtful leadership.
After graduating from Murray State University, he significantly grew his dealership, George Kell Motors, and actively continues to contribute to his community by serving in leadership roles in local organizations, supporting economic development, education, and organizing various community events.
Congrats and good luck, Dean! 👏
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
Coming Soon
TODAY, NOVEMBER 16 @ 2:00 pm EST
ASOTU EDGE 30-Minute Webinar in partnership with Invoca
“Revolutionizing Phone Call Management: Adapting to the Digital Era”
Discover how the automotive industry is revolutionizing phone call management, personalizing marketing through call data, and enhancing customer experiences with cutting-edge tools like Invoca's AI technology. Dive in, decode, and drive success in today's digital age!
☎️ Register now ☎️
NOVEMBER 21 @ 7:00 pm EST
More Than Cars: Episode 1-3 Mashup Premiere
We're mashing up the best of More than Cars’ Episodes 1 and 2 with an exclusive glimpse into Episode 3 before it’s released — just for YOU.
👁️ See it first 👁️
FEBRUARY 1-4, 2024
NADA 2024 in Las Vegas
Are you going to NADA and itching for some eye-catching media coverage? We're your dream team for content creation.
🎥 Let’s link up 🎥
MAY 14-17, 2024
ASOTU CON 2024 in Baltimore
The design team is putting the finishing touches on elements and assets for the event. All participants and collaborators can expect to see the release THIS WEEK!
The Wheelhouse
Did you catch this week’s episode of The ASOTU Wheelhouse with Host Daniel Govaer?
Our panel of retail auto advocates went around the horn with the question: “Are Dealers The Problem with EV Adoption?”
Give it a listen and let us know what YOU think.
WHAT THE KIDS ARE INTO
Wonka’s New Game
Xbox
A Sweet Gaming Treat!
Xbox introduces a mouth-watering twist in gaming: an edible chocolate controller! Wrapped in gold and ready to indulge, this treat launched on November 13 as part of a whimsical sweepstakes celebrating the upcoming Wonka film.
Not Just for Eating...
Mimicking Wonka’s iconic burgundy coat, the controller comes with five special chocolate truffles. Each truffle, from the espresso-zinged “Button Smasher” to the zesty “Your Citrus Sidekick,” promises to add a playful touch to your gaming experience.
X/Xbox
A Feast for the Eyes Too!
For those who prefer their gaming gear non-edible, there's the special Xbox Series X console, designed like Willy Wonka’s enchanting chocolate shop.
Join the Fun!
Eager to dive into this delicious gaming world? Follow Xbox on X, retweet their sweepstakes tweet, and you might just unwrap this unique gaming experience before the movie's premiere on December 15.
What’s on your Christmas list that wouldn’t be totally ruined if Saint Nick dropped it off and it was made of chocolate?
Quick Hits
History
1901: Andrew Riker’s battery-powered Torpedo sets a new US land speed record for electric motor carriages at 57mph. ⚡️
1907: Oklahoma joins the US as the 46th state. 🇺🇸
1973: President Nixon signs a bill authorizing the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. ⛽️
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