#581 - 👑🚙👑 GM Reigns Supreme

TOGETHER WITH

GM had its best sales year since 2019 and retained its title as the top-selling automaker in the US.

As more Q4 and 2023 facts and figures cascade into the public over the coming days, we will keep them front and center here in the email and on our daily podcast.

Trust, if it happens in, around, or against retail auto, ASOTU is gonna type it down, poke a little fun at it, and send it your way.

Stay informed, stay connected, and of course…

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Info and News

General Motors Leads US Sales in ‘23

GM maintained its status as the top-selling automaker in America in 2023, outpacing its closest competitor, Toyota, with impressive sales growth.

• 📈 Sales Surge: GM's total U.S. vehicle sales rose 14.1%, leading an industry-wide upsurge to the highest sales since 2019.

• 🌟 Standout Stars: Notably, Buick sales skyrocketed by 61%, and Chevrolet saw a 13.1% increase.

• 🏗️ Overcoming Obstacles: Despite a costly auto strike, GM maintained its lead, contributing to nearly 2.6M vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2023.

Zipcar's Electrifying Leap

Zipcar hears people aren't as hype about owning EVs as automakers once thought. But they figure "borrowing" can't be off the table, right? 

• 🌆 City Rollout: Launching in metropolises like New York, LA, Seattle, and Denver, Zipcar aims to boost urban sustainability.

• 🔋 Fleet Expansion: Plans to double its EV fleet by 2024 show a charged commitment to greener transportation.

• 🤝 Community Commitment: Allocating 25% of its electric fleet to less privileged areas, Zipcar drives toward equitable mobility access.

It takes me two months to figure out where things are in a new ride. Can you imagine going through that multiple times a day? 

Hyundai and Kia Set for a Modest 2024 Rise

Hyundai and Kia are playing "Underpromise, overdeliver," or they simply do not think 2024 will be a breakout year for their business. 

• 📈 Sales Forecast: Eyeing a 2% global sales increase in 2024, Hyundai and Kia aim to rebound from last year's shortfall.

• 🚘 EV Drive: With a focus on electrification and new model launches, Kia anticipates a 4% rise, while Hyundai targets a 0.6% increase.

• 💼 Strategic Shift: Amid economic headwinds, the duo emphasizes customer trust and swift adaptation to market changes for sustainable growth.

The economy is a pond. In every pond, there is something to eat the algae, and something to eat the things that eat the algae. We aren't sure if EV sales are algae or tadpoles. Hyundai and Kia are for sure amphibians though. Is any of this analogy making sense? 

 
Porsche Taycan's Transformation

Porsche's Taycan super-EV is sporting a new look in 2024 and setting some new records on the track. (where driving fast records should be set)

• 🏁 Nürburgring Champion: The refreshed Taycan, with test driver Lars Kern at the wheel, blazed through the Nürburgring in 7:07.55 minutes, outpacing its previous record and rival EVs.

• 🚗 Stylish Overhaul: Slated for a 2024 release, the Taycan sports a revamped nose, flush headlights, and sharper tail, along with potential powertrain upgrades and a swanky interior.

• 🚀 Performance Prowess: A new Turbo GT variant reportedly packs at least 1,000 horsepower, showcasing Porsche's commitment to leading the electric hypercar league with its fastest model yet.

Rivian's Swift Software Solution

Rivian saw a recall on the horizon and got a software patch out before in-person visits were needed. Take note, medical science. 

• 🛠️ OTA Fix: Rivian's software update has already reached 85% of the 7,800 affected R1T and R1S vehicles, preempting the need for physical service visits.

• 🚗 Safety First: Addressing issues of unintended movement in extreme heat, Rivian ensures safety with both a software patch and an optional hardware replacement.

• 🤝 Proactive Partnership: Collaborating closely with the NHTSA, Rivian's quick response and customer-focused approach highlight its commitment to reliability and regulatory compliance.

For real, though, all this science, and we can't just download cold medicine? 

A New Autonomous Robotaxi on the Horizon?

Robo-taxi tech has been a hard nut to crack; time for a Croatian supercar company and Kia to take a swing?

• 🚕 Robotaxi Reveal: Rimac's Project 3 Mobility, backed by Kia, is set to unveil this year, promising a futuristic shift in city transportation by 2026.

• 🌐 Global Ambitions: In talks with 20 cities across Europe and the Middle East, Rimac plans an extensive pilot in Zagreb before going international.

• 🏭 Dedicated Dynamics: Aiming for premium yet accessible service, Rimac is constructing a specialized factory for the autonomous fleet, with plans to export thousands annually.

Have you ever seen those bulletproof glass demonstrations where the CEO sits behind the glass, and somebody shoots an AK at it? ALL robotaxis CEOs should pass a similar test before normal people are forced to share roads with them.  

TOGETHER WITH AUTOMOTIVEMASTERMIND

2024 Is Here!

2024 is here, y'all! With buyer preferences shifting and new faces in the market, understanding your customers has never been more critical for staying ahead.

Leveraging data from its parent company, S&P Global Mobility, automotiveMastermind is tracking four emerging buyer personas in the market, and tailoring your dealership to their experience is going to determine success in the new year.

Luckily, with the company's Mastermind platform, connecting effectively with each unique shopper is a breeze. Mastermind equips dealers with the insights to understand and engage these varied customers, transforming any potential challenges into opportunities for growth.

Navigate this complex market with ease. Contact automotiveMastermind to help attract and retain buyers in 2024 and beyond! 

TIE CUTTERS

2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee:
Arin Emmert

Arin Emmert is making waves as a TIME Dealer of the Year Award nominee, all the way from Wyoming. As a fourth-gen car dealer, Arin's got the business in her blood, leading the charge at the family dealerships her great-grandpa started back in '38. From answering phones at 17 to steering 11 locations today, she's all about mixing hard work with a genuine love for the car game.

She's not just bossing it in the business; Arin's big on giving back too. Whether it's supporting local sports teams and rodeos, or making sure kids don't go hungry, her heart is as big as her ambition. And she's all about keeping that trust and community vibe strong.

Big shout out to you, Arin Emmert! The ASOTU team is tipping our hats to your awesome blend of family legacy, community spirit, and forward drive. 👏

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 🎥

TECHNOLOGY

The Drone Zone

As we head deeper into the decade, we’re likely to hear a lot more buzzing in the skies as delivery drones are projected to become even more prevalent in the new year and beyond.

Data shows that as of 2022, drones are making over 2,000 commercial deliveries daily worldwide, and that number is consistently on the rise.

These delivery drones are making a real impact in hard-to-reach places and are way kinder to the environment than traditional vehicles. But, it's not all smooth sailing just yet.

The primary speed bump? Moolah.

Right now, labor costs are through the roof because of tight regulations, making up about 95% of the total delivery cost.

But, there's good news on the horizon. With tech getting smarter and cheaper, we're looking at a future where one person could manage a whole squad of drones. This could slash costs down to a couple of bucks per delivery, and major players like Amazon have already been gearing up to make it a reality.

Quick Hits

• Starbucks will now allow customers to bring their personal, reusable cups for nearly all orders. 🥤

• Snoop Dogg has been chosen to help NBC report on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 🇫🇷

• A Florida woman is suing Hershey’s for $5M over “misleading” packaging of their Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins. 🎃

• A 13-year-old boy beat Tetris, a feat only previously accomplished by AI. 🎮

History

• 1865: The New York Stock Exchange opens its first permanent headquarters at 10-12 Broad near Wall Street in New York. Before this, it had rented rooms at 40 Wall Street, but following the Great Fire of New York which destroyed the building, it was forced to relocate. Only later in the 1920s does it move back to Wall Street. 📈

• 1900: The first car in Florida arrives. 🥇

• 1936: Billboard Magazine publishes the first pop music chart that is based on national record sales. The very first No. 1 was "Stop, Look and Listen" by Joe Venuti and Orchestra. 🎵