#582 - 🦓🐒🦒 Auto Allies for Animals

TOGETHER WITH

Ford’s out of the pandemic woods, Europe is eyeing EVs, and the Kia Boyz may finally have met their match.

Remember when every email had something about the “Chip Shortage?”

Seems you survived that, and the crisis before that, and the one before that, etc.

Chances are looking pretty good that whatever comes next in 2024 will someday be another problem the auto industry solved together.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

What’s Up?

Fisker's Dealerships Expansion

Fisker shifts gears, embracing dealerships to accelerate its electric voyage across the US, Canada, and Europe!

• 🚗 Model Makeover: Fisker adapts its sales approach, planning to partner with up to 50 dealer locations in the US, Canada, and Europe to bolster its distribution network.

• 🌍 Global Grasp: Despite delivering only 4,700 Ocean SUVs out of 10,000 due to constraints, Fisker's new dealership partnerships aim to widen its reach and enhance customer access.

• 🔄 Industry Trend: Joining the ranks of Lucid and Polestar, Fisker embraces a hybrid sales model, merging direct-to-consumer with traditional dealerships to navigate the competitive EV market landscape.

It seems like, just maybe, everybody’s business thrives when everybody’s business thrives. #Collaboration

 
Ford's 2023 Sales

Ford Motors is ahead with a 7.1% surge in U.S. sales, though it's a bumpy ride compared to the industry's faster lane.

• 📈 Solid Surge: Ford reports nearly 2 million vehicles sold in 2023, marking its best performance since 2020 but trailing the industry's 12.3% growth.

• ⚡ Electric Edge: Electric vehicle sales jumped 18%, with the F-150 Lightning leading the charge, as Ford embraces a future fueled by electricity.

• 🏆 Unrivaled Reign: For the 47th year, the Ford F-Series maintains its throne as America's best-selling truck, reflecting enduring consumer loyalty and product strength.

You know what they say FORD stands for, right? "Finally Outta ‘Rona's Dip." Ok, sure, nobody has ever said that but it may catch on! 

 
Italy & France's Electrifying Moves

Europe's gearing up for an electric revolution from Rome to Paris with hefty investments and record sales.

• 🇮🇹 Italy's Billion-Euro Boost: Aiming to shake off its old, polluting cars, Italy is investing €930 million to incentivize citizens towards cleaner, electric options.

• 🇫🇷 France's Electric Surge: With EVs claiming a 17% market share and total electric drive at 26%, France sees a 16.1% spike in overall vehicle sales, reshaping subsidies to foster a greener future.

• 💸 Subsidy Strategies: Both nations are tweaking financial aids, with Italy targeting lower-income groups and France adjusting subsidies to favor eco-friendly, locally produced models.

Between them, Switzerland is awfully quiet. Must not want to take sides just yet.

 
Kia VS. Kia Boyz Pt. 102

Kia hopes to deter the notorious 'Kia Boys' with new ignition cylinder protectors and warning decals for cars vulnerable to viral theft methods!

• 🛡️ Protector & Decal Duo: Kia sends ignition cylinder protectors and window decals to owners ineligible for software updates, aiming to discourage thieves.

• 🚗 Vast Coverage: The initiative targets various models, including popular makes like Sportage, Forte, and Soul, enhancing their security.

• 📢 Awareness Campaign: By affixing vehicles with decals post-installation, Kia signals enhanced theft protection, deterring potential criminals at a glance.

Hey, if we're using stickers to fight car theft, let's just give gold stars to people who don't steal cars. Seems to work in kindergarten. 

 
Uber Freight & Greenlane

Uber Freight and Greenlane are teaming up to pave the way for cleaner skies with a network of electric truck charging stations!

• ⚡ Charging Ahead: Partnering to invest $650 million, they'll focus on Southern California and Texas for the initial rollout of charging stations for commercial trucks.

• 🌐 Strategic Placement: Using Uber Freight's logistics data, the duo will pinpoint prime locations for new stations, optimizing the network for efficiency and accessibility.

• 🚚 Sustainable Shipping: This collaboration aims to boost the adoption of Heavy-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles, driving down emissions and revolutionizing goods transportation.

Long recharge times would be an intuitive way to enforce mandatory truck driver break times. You know, like the opposite of putting No-Doze pills in your Monster energy drink. 

TOGETHER WITH NADA

See You In Vegas!

Have you heard!? The NADA Show is pulling out all the stops to host their Welcome Reception at the world’s largest orb — the Las Vegas Sphere. 🔮

The ASOTU Crew will be rolling deep for NADA and would love to see you there! 👀

Don’t miss out on The Sphere or The Floor — get your tickets to the 2024 NADA show now!

✨ And, let us know if you'd like to collaborate on some content worthy of the occasion. 😉

/Positivity

If we tried to tell all the wonderful, charitable, and creative stories happening in dealerships across our industry, we would need a bigger email. But we have just enough space in this email for YOUR story.

Let us help show the community and world what you have going on in your store! 🕊️

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Bean Automotive at Zoo Miami 🐒🚗

Since 2005, Bean Automotive Group has been more than just car dealers; they're supporters of Zoo Miami. By sponsoring events for their latest project, they've transformed waste into wonder.
 

Hundreds of pounds of cardboard and tires, byproducts of their vehicle services, now enrich orangutans and elephants. These intelligent primates love their new, cozy nests, while elephants enjoy the varied terrain. This initiative gives animals a better home and aids the environment by reducing waste.
 

Cheers to Bean Automotive for their innovative support and commitment to community and conservation! 🌱💚

TIE CUTTERS

2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee: Gary Dunn

Gary Dunn is in the running for the TIME Dealer of the Year award, repping Oklahoma with true pride. He's the heart and soul behind Dunn Ford, a place where customers are like family and where generations keep coming back for more. Gary's been part of the dealership life since sweeping floors as a kid, learning every nook and cranny of the business his dad started back in '63.

Now, with his son and niece by his side, Gary's keeping the family vibe strong. He's not just about selling cars; he's all about giving back too. From helping local schools with driver's ed cars since the '60s to supporting the next generation of farmers, Gary's is as much a part of the community as the dealership itself.

Big respect to you, Gary Dunn! The ASOTU team is all cheering for your dedication to your customers, community, and keeping the family legacy alive. 👏

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon

• 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 🎥

Quick Hits

• Google is working on “Bard Advanced,” an upgraded version of their AI language-learning model that will eventually be available through a paid subscription. 🤖

• Jack Black is set to star in yet another video game flick, the upcoming film adaptation of Minecraft. 👾

• The small but mighty Lancashire Heeler has become the latest breed of good boys recognized by the American Kennel Club. 🐕

History

• 1914: Henry Ford introduced a revolutionary pay deal when he introduced $5.00 per day wages for all his Ford workers. When asked about the pay, he tells reporters he wants his Ford workers to earn enough to afford a Ford motor car. 💵

• 1924: The first Chrysler car debuts. 🏭

• 1933: Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge breaks ground. 🌉

• 1959: The record It Doesn't Matter Anymore was released by Buddy Holly on this day. Ironically, this was the last record before he died in a tragic accident that took his life, as well as the life of Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Two months after Buddy Holly's death, his last record had reached as high as number 13 on the hit charts. Holly had written all his songs and made what later was a standard musician setup of two guitars, a bass, and drums. 🤘