#603 - ✅🎪✊ Show's Over, Work Begins

TOGETHER WITH

If you know, you know.

The NADA 2024 show is over, and we’re all home (or, getting there) with our heads full of new ideas and hearts full of what it means to be one big team.

Every dealership, partner, automaker, or community advocate has a part of the story to tell.

Let’s keep telling it, and…

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Tech and Hybrid News

Recommended Listening: “Heartaches by the Numbers” by Willie Nelson

Tech 💔 Auto? 

Tech and Auto have been going pretty steady for a while now, but now the question is, "Does anybody know they are in a fling while they are still IN a fling?" 

This week, some big joint ventures started to call it quits, and The Verge pointed out how close we are to Valentine's Day. Time to commit or quit, we guess. 

• Aptiv is pulling funding from its robotaxi JV with Hyundai, Motional, saying it has incurred millions in losses since the project began in 2020 with no launch to show for it. 

• Volvo handed its financial partnership with Polestar to its Chinese parent company, Greely, which is less like a breakup and more like leaving your cat at your parent's house when you go to college. 

• GM isn't ready to give up on Cruise, but it is pulling about $1B in funding from the robotaxi group for now. "I think you need to know who YOU are before you can meaningfully contribute to who WE are... please stop crashing into stuff." 

⚖️ At the time of writing, Hyundai Motor Co | US was unchanged in the market.

📈 Hybrids by the Numbers

Electric vehicles accounted for 16.3% of total US light-duty sales in 2023, which was a substantial jump from 2022. Those numbers include hybrids, which, at nearly 8%, outsold EVs (~7%) and plug-in hybrids (~2%) as more size classes were introduced across brands. While last year's EV excitement started to lose steam, automakers made plans to catch the hybrid train in motion. 

• Ford: In 2024, Ford's sales are rising, driven by a 43% surge in hybrid sales, despite a decline in all-electric vehicles and a 12% drop in F-Series pickups.

• Toyota: For Toyota (who was apparently onto something all along), hybrids make up a third of its sales. They are in a position to benefit from the shift towards hybrids over EVs.

• GM: GM revised its strategy to include plug-in hybrids, facing delays in EV programs while remaining committed to a zero-emissions future by 2035. 

At the time of writing:
📉 Ford Motor Co | US is down 0.08%
📈 Toyota Motor Corp | US is up 0.46%
📉 General Motors Co | US is down 0.15%

--

Ultimately, if any one option was perfect, we would only have one option, with one price, sold to one kind of customer. But that isn't how any of this works.

People want what they want, what meets their needs, and what makes them feel like the second biggest purchase in their life will reliably serve their family for the long haul. 

Well, that and a dope sound system. Can't forget that.  

TOGETHER WITH WOCAN

Breakfast with Friends

There is no wrong way to spend time with inspiring leaders of the automotive community. That’s why we work to spark collaboration and conversations wherever possible.

But, spending time while sharing breakfast is definitely the right way. 🥯🥓🍳

Join us for a members-only breakfast meetup at ASOTU CON 2024 with the Women of Color Automotive Network (psst…ask WOCAN for your member discount!).

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon

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 is a renowned figure in the customer service business, recognized for transforming Eleven Madison Park into the world's top restaurant.

His book Unreasonable Hospitality is an approach rooted in human connection and emphasizes creating extraordinary experiences by giving people more than they expect.

Many of you have already read his book or encountered the ideas, but there is nothing like hearing it straight from the author.

🎟️ Get your early bird tickets today! 🎟️

NADA 2024

ICYMI

We could say we had a blast at the NADA show, but in truth, we had at least five blasts. Check out some of the written content we grabbed, and hit reply to tell us what you picked up.

• Hear directly from the IRS about the Clean Energy Vehicle Tax Credits.

• Meet the 2024 NADA Chairmen, Gary Gilchrist.

• Learn some tips and tricks on how to lead your multi-generational team.

Keep an eye on the feeds for more from the show and the ASOTU community.

Quick Hits

• Ethiopia is set to be the first country to ban ICE vehicles. 🚫

• Tesla agrees to pay $1.5M to settle a hazardous waste lawsuit in California. 💸

• Mrs. Butterworth and Dunkin' partnered to create the first-ever glazed donut-flavored syrup. 🍩

• McDonald's reveals the Hamburgler's getaway car, the Burgercuda. 🍔

History

• 1924: The first Winter Olympic Games close at Chamonix, France. ⛷️

• 1972: Bob Douglas is the first African American elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. 🏀

• 1972: US airlines begin mandatory inspection of passengers and their baggage. 🔍

Thanks for reading, friends! Let’s get to work using all we learned at NADA to greet this day with courage, curiosity, and creativity! See you on socials.