#562 - 🌍👩‍⚕️📈 Global Automotive Health

TOGETHER WITH

Detroit has electric roads, Europe and Canada's auto market is healing, and some automakers are staying the course on their charging network dreams.

Just another day in the dynamic world of mobility. It's essential to remember that our industry is about more than just cars – it's about the people and communities we serve. Today's email brings you the latest insights and developments that are shaping the way your customers drive and live.

We're at a pivotal juncture where every advancement and decision contributes to a broader narrative – one the world is watching.

As you continue your invaluable work, remember that it represents progress, innovation, and a commitment to the communities we serve.

Keep looking for the better story (it’s not hard to see), and of course...

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Serious Business Only

Charging

New Wireless Charging Roadway in Detroit:

• Location: A quarter-mile segment of 14th Street, west of downtown Detroit.

• Technology: Copper inductive charging coils installed beneath the street.

• Function: Charges EVs while driving, idling, or parking above the coils.

• Development: Part of Michigan Central Innovation District's goal is to advance mobility technologies.

• Future Plans: Aiming for public availability within a few years.

GM and Pilot Flying J's Nationwide Charging Network:

• Current Progress: 17 charging stations operational across 13 states.

• Expansion Plans: 25 more stations by year-end, targeting 2,000 stations in the next few years.

• Features: Plug and Charge compatibility, pull-through stalls, amenities like Wi-Fi, and food services.

• Accessibility: Locations available via GM's apps, Pilot's myRewards Plus, EVgo app, and others.

• Partnerships: Collaboration with EVgo and special offers for Hertz rental car customers.

Ford and Xcel Energy's Charging Port Initiative:

• Goal: Install 30,000 EV charging ports across the US by 2030.

• Collaboration: Part of Xcel Energy's Electric Vehicle Supply Infrastructure program.

• Coverage: Will expand in states including Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas.

• Benefits: Infrastructure support for business customers, with most upfront costs covered by Xcel.

All these automakers are investing in tubes to move electricity, but not locations to capture electricity. It's like everybody opening a coffee shop, but nobody is planting any of those sweet, sweet beans. 

 
International

Global Car Sales Surge in November:

• DesRosiers Report: November car sales jumped 20.7% compared to last year.

• Total Sales: 138,747 new vehicles sold, with Mazda, Acura, and Toyota seeing significant gains.

• Challenges: Despite growth, sales are still below pre-pandemic levels of 143,315 in November 2019.

UK's Automotive Market Gains Momentum:

• Sales Increase: New car sales up by 9.5% in November, nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels.

• Fleet Investments: The majority of the 24,359 new BEVs sold were fleet purchases.

• SMMT Insights: Calls for VAT cuts on public EV charging and new BEVs to boost private demand.

China's Nio Reports Narrower Losses:

• Stock Performance: Nio shares rose 4% after reporting smaller-than-expected losses.

• Financials: Q3 revenue at 19.1 billion yuan, with a loss of 2.67 yuan per share.

• Market Strategy: Focus on efficiency and cost discipline amid intense competition in China's EV market.

• Future Outlook: Aims for vehicle margin between 15% and 18% in 2024.

Many of the lingering effects of 2020's problems are finally falling off the global market...just in time for 2024's problems. Y'all ready?  

TOGETHER WITH AUTOMOTIVE VENTURES

Learn with the Best

The latest Intel Report from Steve Greenfield and the Automotive Ventures team is packed.

🚗 EVs are piling up: Dealers nationwide are grappling with an excess of unsold electric vehicles.
📉 Dealership Profits: The buy-sell market is buzzing despite a dip in dealership profits. 
🚚 Hydrogen for Long-Haul: Keep an eye on hydrogen fuel trucks.
📈 Policy Impacts: With potential political shifts, stay sharp on how evolving policies could affect your business.

Short, sweet, and packed with what you need to know. Stay ahead of the curve and sign up for more insights from Automotive Ventures here. 

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Big Rigs, Bigger Hearts

The generosity of the South Dakota Trucking Community is shining bright this holiday season. With their incredible efforts, they raised a remarkable $14,500, far surpassing their initial $10K goal.

This heartwarming act of kindness was amplified by Rude Transportation, a longstanding and respected association member since 1925 known for its commitment to efficient and caring service.

The funds were put to great use at Target and Scheels, where the team shopped with zeal for the kids at Sanford Children’s Hospital and Children’s Home Society. The stores extended their support with generous discounts, adding to the festive spirit.

The joy of giving culminated at the Christmas Gala last Saturday, where the community came together to celebrate the true essence of the holiday season—spreading cheer and creating lasting memories for children in need. 🎁

TIE CUTTERS

2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee: David Mills

David Mills, a nominee for the prestigious 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Award, has become a community cornerstone in addition to a successful dealer.

A graduate of Moline High School and Colorado State University, Mills took the reins of Mills Chevrolet in Moline, Illinois, a dealership his father founded in 1952.

He actively supports various local causes, including Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Handicapped Development Center, and the Davenport Challenger League. Mills also demonstrates his dedication to nurturing future talent by providing resources to auto-trade programs.

Kudos for creating a legacy of giving back, and congratulations on the well-deserved nomination, David! 👏

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 🧑‍💻

   

• JANUARY + FEBRUARY
  More Than Cars Episodes 3 + 4
  Tired of waiting for new episodes of retail auto’s only docu-series, More Than Cars? Us too. So, we’re dropping new episodes in January and February. Let’s start the new year right!
   👀 Watch episodes 1 and 2 👀

   

• 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 🤝
  🎟️ Secure your ticket 🎟️

CULTURE

Robot Round-Up

In Oregon, Agility Robotics' RoboFab is getting set to mass-produce humanoid robots at their new 70,000-square-foot facility. 10K annually to be exact.

At 5’9 and weighing in at 140lbs, their bi-ped bot, Digit, is promising to revolutionize warehouse work and is already grabbing attention from retail giant, Amazon.

But, we predict they’ll be missing the days of bathroom break complaints once Digit takes hours to recharge. 🔌

Tiny living robots created from human cells — aptly named "anthrobots" — are the latest sensation in a Tufts and Harvard lab.

Born from adult tracheal cells, these microscopic marvels have shown to exhibit some unique healing properties and just may reshape the future of healthcare.

Lab-confined and bio-degradable, these ethically sound cells are quickly turning science fiction into science fact. 🧫

In a pioneering fusion of AI and robotics, Google's A-Lab is transforming material science.

Cutting out the previous, painstakingly slow laboratory work, their autonomous system can now effortlessly synthesize new materials in a matter of days.

Meanwhile, Google DeepMind's AI has identified nearly 400K stable substances, providing a vast playground for the A-Lab's innovations.

Already being referred to as the “ChatGPT for materials discovery,” its potential use and impact are only beginning. 🤖

Quick Hits

• The Oxford English Dictionary crowns “rizz” as Word of the Year. 😎

• The Education Department released new details on its second attempt at student debt relief. 💸

• A YouTuber crashed a private plane on purpose and will do six months in prison over it. 🛩

• The GTA6 trailer hypes fans up but then reveals an expected 2025 release, which is a bit deflating. 🎈

History

• 1893: Edsel Ford, the only child of automobile magnate Henry Ford, is born. 👶

• 1947: America’s longest-running TV show "Meet the Press" debuts on NBC. 📺

• 1998: President Bill Clinton declares approximately 10,000 square miles of Michigan the Automobile National Heritage Area. 🚘