#608 - 👟🏈🏆 Kicking Off the Weekend

A Peek at Last Week and Super Bowl Hype

 

In case you haven’t heard, the Super Bowl is tomorrow evening.

It never seems to get much coverage, so we thought we’d give them a lil’ shout-out. You’re welcome, NFL.

Just remember: No matter who you’re rooting for this season and no matter who wins, know that the ASOTU Crew is cheering for you all year long.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

ICYMI

Giphy/Netflix

The Daily Pushback Email

  • On Friday, automakers balanced EV investments against market hesitations, GM appointed a VP of Batteries from Tesla to advance its EV platform, and Nissan embraced affordability with LFP batteries. After a busy few weeks, a weekend of sleeping in, football, and a heap of junk food is just what we need. 🍕

  • Thursday showed us that Ford is steadily beefing up their hybrid game. Meanwhile, Toyota and Mitsubishi adjusted their revenue strategies with significant investments and shareholder plans. 💰

  • On Wednesday, we saw Toyota gearing up for profit growth, Carvana tightening its belt for a leaner future, and Mazda getting cozy with Tesla charging tech. Not to mention, we dropped an important article on steering clear of digital fraud and scams. 🤖

  • Hyundai dealers selling cars on Amazon showcased mixed early outcomes on Tuesday, highlighting both skepticism and optimism. Waymo contended with regulatory and labor challenges in California, Stellantis dismissed rumors of a merger with Renault, and Krause Auto Group's expansion in Florida marked both growth and a return to roots. Plus, we review important updates to the FTC’s CARS ruling. ⚖️

  • We found ourselves both exhausted and invigorated as we dragged ourselves out of bed on Monday after the NADA Show. 🥱

The Automotive Troublemaker Podcast

It was a fun Friday as Paul and Kyle reacted to some newly released Super Bowl car commercials. We also talk about Toyota’s record stock price, as well as a CEO survey reflecting a modest return to optimism.

Get into it with the Automotive Troublemakers on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple.

Coming Up

Will Guidara, best-selling author of Unreasonable Hospitality, will be the keynote speaker for ASOTU CON 2024 in Baltimore 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.

SOMETHING FUN

Super Bowl Sunday

As the countdown to Super Bowl LVIII ticks down, the nation braces for what's promised to be a spectacle of epic proportions. Or, at the very least, an excuse to hoover an ungodly amount of nachos and shout at a TV on a Sunday.

Here are some interesting stats about this year’s match-up:

 

SSRS

 

This year, an extra special musical guest will be at Allegiant Stadium for the big game, and it isn’t the half-time performer — it’s Travis Kelce’s girlfriend.

You may know her better as Taylor Swift. 🎤

When it comes to net worth, Swift will be the real MVP in the house. This year's Super Bowl's richest players are Patrick Mahomes (quarterback for the Chiefs) at $70M and Nick Bosa (defensive end for the 49ers) at $50M. Travis Kelce can’t even hold a candle to Swift with a net worth of only about $40M.

 

Statista

Taylor Swift singingly quietly to herself at the Super Bowl: The players gonna play, play, play, play, play, and the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, but I’m just gonna rake, rake, rake, rake, rake it in, rake it in. 🎶

Quick Hits

  • A former engineer at Apple will serve time in prison after stealing trade secrets related to the company’s self-driving car tech. 🍎

  • President Biden's AI advisor, Ben Buchanan, is working on a way to “cryptographically verify” White House videos so viewers don't mistake them for deepfakes. ✅

  • Kobe Bryant has been immortalized with a 19-foot bronze statue at the Los Angeles Lakers' arena (with two more statues in the works). ⛹🏾‍♂️