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- #599 -🏛📖💧 Visiting the Capitol
#599 -🏛📖💧 Visiting the Capitol
Diesel, Hydrogen, and Political Power
TOGETHER WITH
Big news across the industry and at ASOTU!
Toyota’s issues with diesel, Tesla’s issues with courts, and Ford’s issues with selling Mach-Es. These are all elements that shape the story of the automotive industry. The duty of acting on this information for the good of your community falls to you.
ASOTU is always thinking of new ways to support you as you serve your customers, and we are excited to announce that this May, we have the author of Unreasonable Hospitality, Will Guidara, joining us for ASOTU CON 2024 in Baltimore, MD.
We will ALL learn more about what it means to love people more than we love cars from Will and his willingness to share his experience.
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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BUSINESS
News
Giphy/NBC
Toyota's Diesel Difficulties
Measuring your effort is essential for growth, but what if your measuring tools are busted? Toyota has suspended shipments of several models, including the Hilux truck and Land Cruiser 300 SUV, due to discrepancies in certification tests for diesel engines. The issue, related to horsepower output testing, affects ten models globally and has led to a re-evaluation of the certification process with regulatory oversight.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Despite the setback, Toyota assures the safety of affected vehicles and is actively working on rectifying the certification irregularities, indicating a strategic focus on regulatory compliance and quality control.
Ford's Mach-E Machinations
Try before you buy. The modest sales growth of Ford's Mustang Mach-E, with only a 3% increase, contrasts with significant sales increases in other EV models, suggesting competitive challenges in the EV market.
Market Insights: The inclusion of the Mach-E in rental fleets and the challenges posed by the absence of federal tax credits highlight strategic shifts and the importance of incentives in the EV market.
Cat's Electric Excavation
The unveiling of Caterpillar's first battery electric underground mining truck marks a significant advancement in electric and semi-autonomous mining machinery, emphasizing sustainability and safety in mining operations.
Collaborative Innovation: The collaboration between Caterpillar and Newmont Corporation underscores the role of strategic partnerships in achieving technological breakthroughs in sustainable mining practices.
Tesla’s Labor Litigations
Tesla is appealing a National Labor Relations Board ruling related to CEO Elon Musk's tweet, highlighting the intersection of labor laws, free speech, and corporate governance in the automotive industry.
It’s getting dangerous for a billionaire social media, electric car, spaceship mogul to have a potentially economy-wrecking opinion these days… what happened to free speech?
Hydrogen's Market Margin
A 10% increase in U.S. FCV sales in 2023, despite a significant Q4 decline, indicates fluctuating interest in alternative fuel vehicles, with infrastructure development being a critical factor.
Dominance of Specific Models: The market dominance of the Toyota Mirai in the FCV segment and the challenges faced by other models highlight the importance of product performance and brand perception in consumer choices.
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Today's news tells us that a growth mindset can only take you as far as your commitment to the fundamentals will allow.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
New tech requires a doubling down on ever-green principles like safety, partnerships, and treating your people with respect and care.
New opportunities, old challenges.
TOGETHER WITH WIDEWAIL
The #1 Cause of Negative Reviews
Giphy
In Widewail's latest reputation research report, they studied 800,000 dealership Google reviews from 2023 and found that COMMUNICATION was the most frequently mentioned topic in negative reviews, showing up 37% of the time.
More specifically, communication was primarily an issue in the service department, often related to wait times and pricing.
In the report, learn where to dial in your investments to maximize positive reviews while minimizing negative reviews.
Get the report so you can spend your money and time on what will actually make the most positive impact on your reputation.
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
Coming Soon
🔥 JUST ANNOUNCED: Will Guidara, best-selling author of Unreasonable Hospitality, will be the keynote speaker for ASOTU CON 2024 in Baltimore, MD, this May 14-17th!
Will Guidara is a renowned figure in the hospitality industry, recognized for transforming Eleven Madison Park into the world's top restaurant 😉
His "Unreasonable Hospitality" is an approach rooted in human connection and emphasizes creating extraordinary experiences by giving people more than they expect. (Something we get behind!)
Many of you have already read his book or encountered the ideas, but there is nothing like hearing it, as only the author can express.
Join us at the NADA Live Stage for the ASOTU Docu-series "More Than Cars" Preview and Community Meet-up!
Wear your “Love People More Than Cars” T-shirt, grab a free More Than Cars metal badge, and hear what Paul, Kyle, and Andrew Guelcher from Mohawk Chevrolet have for the community!
🤗 Meet other community members face-to-face.
DATA & INSIGHT
Dealer Day in Virginia
VADA
Our friend Michael Wood, GM of Checkered Flag Auto Group and our first “More Than Cars Ambassador,” reported for us from VADA's Dealer Day, spotlighting Virginia's automotive legislative updates.
Key points include an assembly refresh and crucial bills HB 191 and SB 534, which aim to simplify dealership transactions.
His article investigates how these changes could affect the industry, emphasizing the importance of dealers.
Read his full analysis for practical insights into the evolving automotive landscape in Virginia!
Quick Hits
The US is developing an AI to determine the prices and predict supplies of nickel, cobalt, and other critical minerals in hopes of a more transparent market. 📈
You know what, keep it! Amazon backed out of a $1.4B deal to buy the maker of Roomba vacuums, iRobot. 🤖
Despite years of lobbying by private tax filing groups, the IRS is working toward a system for direct filing your return.
History
1848: James Marshall found the first gold nugget in 1848 at Coloma, California, leading to more than half a million people rushing to California to find gold. ⛏
1920: Mazda is founded. 🥳
2020: The World Health Organization declares the COVID-19 pandemic to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. 🥼
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