#557 - 🧑‍💻🤒👩‍💻 Web Well-Being

TOGETHER WITH

Toyota’s moving money around, Rivian is leasing, and GM is doing ok in the market (no thanks to Cruise).

That’s Wednesday in the Automotive industry. Other people are getting bored with the week, and we’re still finding new beginnings, middles, and ends.

Thanks for starting your day with us, and please consider forwarding this email to a friend who likes staying up on events, being part of a community, or just answering polls.

Until tomorrow…

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Events and Perspective

Toyota's Strategic Shift to Electric Vehicles

• Selling a $4.7B Stake in Denso: To finance EV development.

• Largest Auto Industry Sale in a Decade: A significant step in Toyota's EV push.

• New EV Technologies: Showcasing next-gen EV batteries and manufacturing innovations.

• Extensive EV Range Planned: Promising nearly 500 miles of range by 2026.

• Adopting Tesla's Production Techniques: Introducing Giga casting for efficiency.

• Maintains Investment in Denso: Despite the sale, it remains the top investor.

• Market Challenges: Accelerating EV production due to market share loss.

• Hybrid to EV Transition: Using hybrid tech as a bridge to full EVs.

• Brand Image Update: Introducing a new blue dot symbol for electrified vehicles.

While some people are unable to imagine a world where EVs are a viable option for everybody, Toyota is unwilling to imagine a world with an EV market where they aren't a major player. 

Rivian R1T's New Leasing Program

• Available in 14 States, Including NY, FL, CA, and TX.

• Leasing Terms: Starting at $899/month with $6,794 due at signing.

• Bypassing EV Tax Credit Cap: For models over $80,000.

• Strategic Financing: Offering flexibility in acquiring EVs.

Anecdotes aren't evidence, but has anybody met one of these people wishing they could pay $900 a month to borrow a Rivian??

Pierce's Electric Firetrucks

• North America's Largest Firetruck Manufacturer: Pioneering with the Volterra model.

• Nationwide Deployment: Delivering electric firetrucks across several departments.

• Oshkosh Corporation's Strategy: Broad electrification initiative.

• Diverse Vehicle Manufacturing: From mail trucks to military vehicles.

• Cross-Application Technology: Electrifying various vehicle types.

Ain't no wrong way to get water on un-requested fire, y'all. 

GM's Strategy Post Cruise Incident

• Cuts in Cruise Investment: Following a pedestrian accident.

• Safety Review and Leadership Changes: Prompted by the incident.

• Focused Relaunch Plans: Prioritizing Bolt-based autonomous vehicles.

• Dividend Announcement: $0.09 per share on Dec 14.

• Sustainable Dividend: Indicating a stable dividend despite past fluctuations.

• Risk Awareness: Advised of potential GM stock risks.

Imagine keeping your license after hitting this many people, places, and things with your car. #CruiseVSNouns

More about The Amazon & Hyundai Partnership

• Selling Vehicles on Amazon: Starting in 2024 enhances dealer visibility.

• Hyundai Chooses AWS for Integrating AI and IoT Technologies.

• Alexa in Hyundai Models: Built-in feature in future cars.

• VADA's Stance: Embracing innovation while upholding franchise laws.

• Franchise Laws Impact: Monitoring the partnership's alignment.

• E-commerce Flexibility: Permitting dealer use, barring OEM infringement.

• Ongoing Monitoring: Protecting dealer and consumer interests.

It's always good to get more perspective on these matters. Shout out to Don Hall from VADA for sharing this thoughtful analysis.  

TOGETHER WITH WIDEWAIL

Reputation Counts

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Uncover rankings, benchmark reputation metrics, and explore geographic insights with just a few clicks.
Enhance your dealership's performance or scout potential brands to sell.

 Widewail's dataset offers endless possibilities, from mapping out competitors to analyzing state-level review volumes and OEM-specific reputations. Empower your decision-making with current data and stay ahead in the ever-evolving automotive market.

Explore more now! Check out Widewail's Free Automotive Reputation Index and let the data drive your success!

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Paws for Celebration

Celebrating their 50th anniversary, the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family is taking a meaningful approach to mark their huge milestone.

As part of their "50 for 50" initiative, they're donating $1,000 to fifty charities, demonstrating a deep commitment to the community that has supported them over the years.

Jeff Wyler was excited to share that their latest donation beneficiary is Paws for Miles, an admirable foster-based animal rescue organization that stands out for its dedication to caring for animals of various breeds, ages, and needs.

In addition to the donation, the group’s Milford office recently had the pleasure of hosting the rescue group, enjoying time with three adorable, adoptable pups.

TIE CUTTERS

2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee:
Brian O’Meara

Brian O'Meara stands out as one of 49 nominees up for the prestigious 2024. TIME Dealer of the Year Award.

His career in the family business, O’Meara Motors, spans over five decades, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, both celebrated in the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame.

O'Meara's dedication extends beyond business success to a profound commitment to community service. His philanthropic efforts include supporting pediatric cancer research through the Morgan Adams Foundation, contributing to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, and aiding organizations like the Denver Children’s Home and Food Bank of the Rockies.

Kudos on all the hard work and well-deserved nomination, Brian! 👏

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon

• Wednesday, DECEMBER 13 @ 2:00 PM EST
  ASOTU Edge Webinar with Upstart
  Transforming Car Buying: The Power of Connected Auto Retailing
  Learn how to blend online prowess with in-store digital finesse, alongside top-tier financing and management tools in 30-minutes.
  🧑‍💻 Register now 🧑‍💻
   

• 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

  Next year, we’re elevating the focus on context, connection, and dynamic conversations. Unlike traditional conferences, we’re going beyond a passive listening experience, turning every attendee, speaker, and exhibitor into a crucial part of the larger dialogue.
  🤝 Partner with us 🤝

TECHNOLOGY

The Internet’s Mental Health Myth

For years we have been warned of the mental health dangers that the internet poses, but a new study shows that there may be less to worry about than we previously thought.

In a comprehensive report spanning two decades, researchers found no concrete link between internet adoption and a rise in mental health issues globally.

The Oxford Internet Institute examined data from 2.4M people between the ages of 15 and 89 in 168 countries between 2005-2022, as well as analyzed data on rates of mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and self-harm in 200 countries from 2000 to 2019 compared to the rate of internet adoption during that period, and found there was little evidence to suggest that increased internet usage was associated with negative mental health effects.

This finding drastically contrasts the ongoing criticism of social media giants which accuses these platforms of exacerbating mental health issues in young people, especially around body image issues.

Despite the extensive analysis, researchers still call for more openness from tech companies to facilitate further examination into these continued concerns.

Quick Hits

• Forty-one workers were rescued from a tunnel collapse after 17 days trapped inside the Himalayas. 🙌

• Mark Cuban announced that he’s finally leaving Shark Tank. 🦈

• McDonald’s new concept restaurant, CosMc’s, is going up in Bolingbrook, Illinois. 🪐

• Miss the good ol’ days of Microsoft XP? Well apparently you can wear the Default Background as a sweater. Enjoy. 🎅

History

• 1803: The Louisiana Purchase costs the US $15M and transfers control of land including present-day Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, plus part of what are now Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Louisiana. 🇺🇸

• 1906: A group of Fiat racing drivers, including Vincenzo Lancia and his friend Claudio Fogolin, founded Lancia & C. Fabbrica Automobili in Turin, Italy. Lancia achieved commercial success with their first vehicle, the Tipo 51. This 12-hp car remained in production from 1907 through 1912. Lancia earned a reputation for innovation when it became the first automaker to offer production V4 and V6 engines, as well as independent suspension. 🏎

• 1947: The United Nations votes in favor of partitioning the British-controlled Palestine and allowing the creation of an Independent Jewish State of Israel. 🌍