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- #560 -📈🚕🎩 Gigs And Salt
#560 -📈🚕🎩 Gigs And Salt
Brand New News, Leveraging Levers, and a Holiday Heist
TOGETHER WITH
New S&P names, Serbian manufacturing, and vehicles keep getting smaller.
Whatever is happening in the automotive world, we got the facts and context you need to keep confidently serving your community.
That’s why we do podcasts, emails, and webinars: because information is power, and an empowered dealership changes the world for its people and community.
We get tingly just thinking about it.
Keep Pushing Back, Friends
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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BUSINESS
A Quick Look At The News
Giphy
Uber Technologies, Jabil, and Builders FirstSource Join S&P 500
Uber's stock jumped 5.5% after the announcement of joining the S&P 500 Index.
They replace Sealed Air, Alaska Air Group, and SolarEdge Technologies.
This inclusion sparked a rally in the stocks of the new entrants.
It's hard to imagine a world where Uber has a bigger slice of the gig-based-ride-share market, but now traders in fancier suits are watching, so who knows what will happen.
Stellantis to Manufacture Electric Fiat Panda in Serbia
The announcement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Expected to boost Italian-Serbian trade beyond 4.6 billion euros annually.
This follows a 190 million euro deal signed in 2022.
This marks a significant development in Serbia's automotive industry.
Someday, Serbia may be called "The Detroit of the Balkans," and we can all say we were there when it started.
Arma Electric Scooter: A New Competitor
Arma/Electrek
Dubbed the first 'lunchbox scooter'.
Weighs only 10 lbs and can fold to the size of an A4 paper.
Offers a 9.3-mile range and a top speed of 14.9 mph.
Competes with Honda's Motocompacto.
It's still a prototype but pre-sold at a similar price via crowdfunding.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
"I promise I'm not insane. My real scooter is in my fridge."
World's Tiniest Electric Delivery Van
A one-seater combining a cargo box and a utility scooter.
Equipped with a 3,000W electric motor, reaching over 28 mph.
Despite its small size, it offers impressive functionality.
Finally, a part-time delivery gig for the criminally-under-represented 4-7-year-old crowd.
Sodium-Ion Batteries in the Automotive Industry
Competing with lithium-ion, but faces uncertain prospects in the U.S.
More suitable for lower energy requirement applications.
Challenges: Decreasing cost of lithium-ion batteries and U.S./European consumer preferences.
Honestly, salt has been an all-star since humans started using it. If it suddenly became the best battery option too, we wouldn't even be surprised.
What do you think will be the dominant technology powering vehicles in 100 years? |
TOGETHER WITH UPSTART
Roadmap to Success
This isn't just a glimpse into the future of car buying — it’s a roadmap to mastering the digital domain of auto retail. 🗺️
Join our 30-minute webinar on December 13th with Upstart Auto Retail to:
⭐️ Learn how to blend online prowess with in-store digital finesse, alongside top-tier financing and management tools.
⭐️ Discover how to deliver an omni-channel experience that keeps pace with the fast-moving expectations of today’s consumers.
⭐️ Dive into the mechanics of strategic partnerships that power successful dealership transformations.
⭐️ See how Colonial VW and Colonial Subaru accelerated their sales team's adoption of cutting-edge tools with training that's as efficient as it is effective.
Forget the shiny new tech; this is about getting your team up to speed, quickly and competently. Register today! 👈
DATA & INSIGHT
Leveraging Inventory Levers
Giphy/Xbox
During last week’s conversation over at David Long’s All Things Used Cars, we learned that mastering inventory management is not just a skill—it's an art. Let’s dive into three strategic levers to pull to help redefine the way dealerships manage and sell their merch:
📍 Position to Sell
Craft Compelling Descriptions: A compelling, accurate, and detailed description is crucial from the moment a car is acquired.
Showcase with High-Quality Photos: A picture speaks a thousand words, especially in car sales. Vibrant, comprehensive, and professionally edited photographs are indispensable.
Market-Aligned Pricing: Market-conscious pricing can make the difference between a car that lingers and one that sells.
📍 Master Trade Walks
Trade walks are a goldmine of customer insights. By examining a customer's current vehicle (bumper stickers, car seats, tow hitches, bike racks, etc) a savvy salesperson can quickly glean information about what the customer values. This intel allows for a more tailored sales approach and smarter inventory stocking.
📍 Detailed Inventory Management
Market Day Supply: Manage inventory based on market day supply and demand, not age. This metric isn't just about numbers, it's about understanding the local market dynamics.
Monitor Activity: Keep a pulse on which cars are garnering customer interest to implement strategic pricing and promotional tactics.
TIE CUTTERS
2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee:
Thomas Murphy
Thomas Murphy is a highly respected Massachusetts auto dealer nominated for the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Award.
From humble beginnings as a lot attendant, Murphy rose to own Falmouth Toyota, a renowned dealership known for customer appreciation and integrity.
His community contributions are notable: he established the Falmouth Toyota scholarship fund for Massachusetts Maritime Academy freshmen, supports the Ridge Club's caddie scholarship with Bobby Orr, and aids local food pantries, donating over 200 turkeys annually. At 85, Murphy's journey from humble beginnings to community benefactor is truly inspiring.
Congratulations and best of luck, Thomas! 👏
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 🎥
Podcast
Enjoying our daily email? Then, we expect you’ll dig our daily podcast, too!
The Automotive Troublemaker is a quick look at the day’s business, tech, culture, and of course, automotive news.
MORE THAN CAR MOMENTS
The Grinch Strikes Again
Mohawk Chevrolet
Despite their fool-proof security, Mohawk Chevrolet in Ballston Spa, NY has become a victim of theft this year by a familiar foe — the Grinch. 🎁
After perfecting a flawless disguise and casing the joint, the furry felon made off with a valuable Christmas present and zipped away in one of the dealership’s white Camaros.
Distraught GM, Travis Horne, is offering the community a $500 reward to find and return the stolen present.
Stay tuned to their YT for more breaking news and clues! 🔍👀
Quick Hits
Select Subways are offering free foot-long cookies today in honor of National Cookie Day. Here are all the other restaurants celebrating the delicious holiday. 🍪
A drug designed to extend the life of man’s best friend takes a major step toward FDA approval. 🐕
Louis Vuitton reveals new 3-D printed shoes. 👟
History
1619: Considered by many to be the first Thanksgiving in the Americas, 38 colonists from England disembark in Virginia and give thanks to God. 🦃
1915: During WWI, Henry Ford's peace ship, Oscar II, sets sails for Europe “to get the boys out of the trenches by Christmas.” ⛴️
1945: The Senate approves US participation in the United Nations. 🌎
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