#568 - 🌎🤝✂️ 200 Nation Agreement

TOGETHER WITH

GM’s switching infotainment plans, the COP28 commits, and Tesla’s Swedish problems get messy.

Plenty of news to keep up with today, but also some pretty uplifting pieces from the world of pizza, coffee, and retail.

‘Tis the season for the world to hold generosity a little higher on their priority list. If we could convince them to do it all year, they may catch up to dealers. 😉

It’s not a contest, but to us, y’all are the champions!

Keep living generously, and as always…

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Classy News for Classy Folks

GM's Shift Away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Safety Focus: GM phases out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in new EVs for safety.

• Integrated System: Replaces with "Ultifi" software, featuring integrated Google apps.

• Revenue Strategy: Move aligns with data management and in-car spending potential.

• Commitment to Partnerships: Maintains ties with Apple and Google despite changes.

Historic Agreement at COP28 for Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

• Global Commitment: Nearly 200 countries agree to transition away from fossil fuels.

• Ambitious Targets: Aim for net-zero emissions by 2050 and tripling renewable energy by 2030.

• First COP Recognition: Official acknowledgment of fossil fuels contributing to global warming.

• Non-Binding Nature: Agreement criticized for loopholes; action and finance mobilization needed.

 
Toyota Partners with Cirba Solutions for Battery Recycling

• Strategic Collaboration: Partnership focuses on recycling end-of-life EV batteries.

• Cost and Emission Reductions: Up to 70% savings anticipated.

• High Recovery Efficiency: Cirba Solutions to recover up to 95% of critical minerals.

• Carbon Neutrality Goal: Aligns with Toyota's ambition for 2035.

Swedish Union's Stand Against Tesla Over Labor Rights

• Labor Action: Union halts waste collection at Tesla's Swedish workshops.

• Widespread Support: Movement gains backing from various sectors and international entities.

• Collective Bargaining Demand: Focus on employee rights for wages and conditions.

• Legal Challenge: Tesla faces a court case over license plate collection in Sweden.

Range Rover EV: Anticipating a 2024 Debut

• Early Launch: JLR advances Range Rover EV launch to 2024.

• Rigorous Testing: Undergoing extensive engineering tests and patent filings.

• High Performance: Comparable to V8 Range Rovers with rapid charging feature.

• Electrification Commitment: Part of JLR's goal to be electric-first by 2030. 

TOGETHER WITH WIDEWAIL

Keys to Customer Satisfaction

Ever wonder what makes your customers tick? Widewail’s got the scoop! 🍦

Their 2023 Voice of the Customer Report is a treasure trove of information for dealers focused on shopper satisfaction.

In this detailed report, you'll discover:

⭐️ Valuable insights gleaned from 800K customer reviews.
⭐️ Pricing strategy analysis and its effects on consumer expectations.
⭐️ Growing trends in the EV market and subsequent consumer sentiment.

For dealerships, this is the ultimate cheat sheet for understanding and improving the customer experience.

Download the Widewail report today to learn exactly how to maximize positive reviews at your dealership, backed by exclusive research. 🤓

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Safe and Warm

💙 In a heartening display of community support and generosity, DeNooyer Chevrolet has teamed up with Justice For Orphans and the CarePortal Network to donate over 100 beds to children in the Capital Region this holiday season. This initiative highlights the power of collaboration and the impact businesses can have in addressing local social issues. 🛌

🎄 Joe DeNooyer, President of DeNooyer Chevrolet, spoke about the initiative and how the public can get involved. "We're committed to making a difference in our community, especially during the holiday season," said DeNooyer. "We invite everyone to join us in this cause. By simply donating a twin bed set, preferably in neutral colors, you can help make a child's holiday season a bit brighter." 😴

The dealership is inviting its community to participate in the giving by accepting donations such as twin sheets, mattress protectors, and bed-in-a-bag sets. 

Shout out to DeNooyer Chevrolet for your deep commitment to your community. It sets an inspiring example for other businesses. Through such initiatives, they strengthen community ties and address crucial needs, making the holiday season more comfortable and joyous for children who might otherwise go without. 

TIE CUTTERS

2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee:
Steve Hinchcliff

Steve Hinchcliff, a third-generation car dealer from Nebraska, is a distinguished nominee for the TIME Dealer of the Year award at the 107th annual National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas. Chosen by the Nebraska New Car & Truck Dealers Association, he stands out among 49 nominees for this prestigious accolade, highlighting the top auto dealers in the U.S. with a deep commitment to community service. Leading the H+H Group, which includes multiple dealerships and the H+H Family Foundation, Hinchcliff is celebrated for creating a positive workplace and actively contributing to community development, particularly in youth mentorship and career training.

Congratulations from the ASOTU team Steve! Your dedication to the auto industry and your profound impact on the community truly set a standard for excellence. We wish you continued success and commend your inspiring journey in the automotive world!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon

• Thursday, DECEMBER 22 @ 1:00 PM EST
  The 3rd Annual ASOTU Year End Extravaganza
  We’re capping off this wild year with our annual Year End Extravaganza! Join us in re-living 2023’s greatest hits, and planning for big moves in 2024.
  🥳 Experience the Extravaganza 🥳
   

• 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 🤝

CULTURE

Festive Foodie Favors

Domino’s has vowed not to allow any pesky snowstorms to deter them from safety delivering you a fresh, hot pie this winter.

As part of their “Plowing for Pizza” initiative, they're offering a cool half-million in community snow-plowing grants with twenty lucky cities receiving $25K each towards clear, safe roads.

Who knew a pizza chain would be the hero of winter road maintenance?
 

Domino’s isn’t the only pizza chain dishing out goodwill this season. Pizza Hut recently rolled out their creative “reverse delivery” concept offering customers a free doormat with a scannable QR code.

The code allows delivery drivers from any company to receive a $25 Pizza Hut gift card as a token of appreciation during the bustling holiday season.
 

Adding a bit of festive cheer to your coffee experience, Starbucks is offering a sweet deal to its customers with a free (ish) short Signature Hot Chocolate on weekends through December.

We say “ish” because you have to buy a grande or larger to qualify for the free cocoa.

But, after all the oodles of money dropped on them a year, we’ll happily take any free thing they have to offer and consider it a win.
 

In other weird food news…

🍸 Empirical and Doritos teamed up to create the first-ever nacho cheese spirit. And, they’re already recommending cocktails.

🦃 IKEA is giving away a giant, turkey-sized Swedish meatball that feeds 25 people.

🍊 After several postponements, Nike’s “Fruity Pebbles” Lebron 4’s are finally slated for a Spring 2024 release.

Quick Hits

• Tesla is recalling all US vehicles as Feds say autopilot is too easily abused. 🤖

• The long-standing and popular game expo show, E3, is shutting down for good. 🎬

• The Wu-Tang Clan will launch a Vegas residency in February. 🎤

• The Fed is preparing to decide on interest rates amid cooling inflation. Economists expect them to leave them untouched. 🤷

• Cattle Ranchers in Colorado are suing the state over its decision to reintroduce gray wolves to the area. 🐮

• Poison control centers are experiencing a 1,500% increase in calls

  related to people overdosing on injection weight loss drugs. 💉

History

• 1903: The Wright brothers make their first attempt to fly with the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, NC. 🛫

• 1909: The last brick is laid at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 🏎

• 1972: Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan become the last men to walk on the moon during the Apollo 17 mission. 🚀