#584 - 🌎📈🚗 The Global Leap

TOGETHER WITH

Loving people more than you love cars requires work.

Sometimes it’s direct, and sometimes it isn’t.

Keeping up with a chaotic world of automakers, lawmakers, market moves, and data-backed daydreams is just part of loving your people with your time, attention, and skills.

So, in a way, opening this email moved the whole world one tiny bit from Apathy toward Love.

Look at you go. It’s not even lunchtime yet.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Telling the News

2023 numbers are coming in, and everybody has something fun to talk about. Several sites specifically mark the increase in EV and Hybrid sales, with Toyota, of course, playing a critical part in any story from the global auto market. 

Toyota's performance in 2023 exemplified industry trends, with a 30% increase in sales of electrified vehicles, signaling a robust consumer shift toward hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs). The remarkable 459% increase in all-electric car sales underscores the accelerating transition towards sustainable mobility solutions.

So, legacy automaker EVs are getting into the hands of people who want and can afford them. Some startups are beginning to embrace the existing dealer network to get their cars to their customers. 

VinFast's partnership with US dealerships to expand its all-electric vehicle offerings demonstrates the potential for collaboration between innovative startups and established sales networks. This approach not only facilitates market entry but also enhances the availability of diverse EV options for consumers.

VinFast isn't the only company looking to break off more of the US market. While it isn't the biggest, the market is important across the business world. The procession of companies looking to get in or gain access to EV tax credits continues. 

Honda's consideration of a $14 billion investment in an EV and battery plant in Canada reflects a strategic response to changing US EV tax regulations. This move highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to policy shifts and market incentives in the North American market.

Northvolt's securing of substantial EU funding to establish an EV battery plant in Germany indicates a growing commitment within Europe to meet the rising demand for EV infrastructure. The planned 60 GWh annual capacity marks a significant step towards addressing future needs and ensuring a stable supply chain for EV manufacturers.

Across the world, in the largest auto market, companies are constantly unveiling new things that could one day spell a heavyweight bout between long-standing US favorites and well-established Chinese brands. 

Xpeng's initiatives, including its entry into the MPV segment and ambitious plans for advanced technologies, highlight the intense competition and rapid innovation within the Chinese auto market. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for US auto dealers looking to anticipate global trends and potential competitive pressures.

TOGETHER WITH AUTOMOTIVEMASTERMIND

Predictions

Ever wish you could read your customers’ minds?

With automotiveMastermind and its Mastermind technology, that wish is closer than ever to reality. 🔮

Their highly accurate Behavior Prediction Score® can tell you who’s about to be in market, when they are in market and why, which car/model they’re in market for and what price best matches their needs.

Along with the unique blend of comprehensive customer insights, dealers also get hyper-personalized marketing offers via print, digital and social, plus expert onsite and virtual consultative services.

Connect with automotiveMastermind at the upcoming NADA Show and let them tell you more about how they predict, engage and provide actionable intelligence on every car buyer.

TIE CUTTERS

2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee: James Davis

James Davis is hitting it big as a nominee for the TIME Dealer of the Year award, representing the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers. This guy's story is all about turning dreams into reality, starting from his days as a car salesperson in Texas, fueled by his knack for connecting with people and a love for cars.

James didn't just climb the ladder; he built one for others too. Now the proud owner of Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Houston and Hyundai of Silsbee, he's all about lifting others up, showing them the ropes, and sharing the success.

He's a mentor at heart, leading both in the dealership and the community. Whether it's hosting back-to-school drives or supporting local education, James is all in. His dealership is more than a business; it's a community hub where everyone's like family.

Big props to you, James! Your journey from sales to ownership is impressive. Keep on rolling and making a difference!

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 🎥

CULTURE

Back to the Moon

In a historic event, the United States launched its first lunar landing mission since 1972, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The mission, led by a private company, was launched aboard the Vulcan Centaur rocket, a new model developed by United Launch Alliance. This monumental launch from Cape Canaveral carried the Peregrine lander, designed by Astrobotic Technology under a NASA contract. The mission's uniqueness lies in its commercial nature and diverse payload, which includes human remains, stirring controversy and raising ethical questions.

The Peregrine lander, expected to land on the moon on February 23, carries 20 payloads, of which five are NASA science instruments. These include radiation environment monitors and lunar soil analyzers, advancing our understanding of the moon's environment. However, the inclusion of human remains by space burial companies Elysium Space and Celestis has sparked opposition, particularly from the Navajo Nation. They regard the moon as sacred, and the idea of it becoming a resting place for human remains is deeply disturbing to them. The Navajo Nation's president, Buu Nygren, has urged NASA and other authorities to consider these cultural implications. However, NASA has limited oversight over this private-sector mission.

The launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket is also noteworthy. The rocket represents a significant step forward for United Launch Alliance, competing in a market dominated by companies like SpaceX. Featuring US-made engines by Blue Origin, Vulcan Centaur symbolizes a shift from reliance on Russian-made engines, a change driven by political factors.

This mission, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, is a testament to the evolving nature of space exploration, where private companies play a significant role. While it opens new opportunities for scientific discovery and commercial ventures, it also highlights the need for sensitivity toward cultural and ethical concerns in space exploration. 

Quick Hits

• Shareholders and the US Gov are wondering if Elon has been enjoying himself a bit too much, while his legal team insisted his drug tests are clean. 🧼

• VW is adding ChatGPT to its in-car infotainment system. Add a text-to-voice system, and you could generate weird podcasts on your whole drive. 🤖

• Oppenheimer won 5 awards at the Golden Globes, making it the “winner” of the night. 🏆

• Oil prices drop following Saudi price cuts, and OPEC production increases. 🛢

History

• 1924: Ford’s worth tops $1 billion. 📈

• 1958: Toyota and Datsun come to the USA. 🌎

• 2007: Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the original iPhone at a Macworld keynote in San Francisco. 📱