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- #610 - 📰🔥🌏 Informed and Informal
#610 - 📰🔥🌏 Informed and Informal
Honda Hydrogen, Waymo's Fire, and Data with Details
TOGETHER WITH
In today's email, we see Honda's venture into hydrogen power with the 2025 CR-V, Waymo's recent encounter in San Francisco, Tesla's collaboration with Choice Hotels, and BYD's strategic move into South Korea.
Some of this news may be in your backyard, while others feel like it is from another planet; each says something about the possible future of mobility and skilled professional's place in it.
Stay informed and…
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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Reading time: 4 mins 12 secs
BUSINESS
News
Giphy/NBC
Honda CR-V Hydrogen
Honda has plans to bring hydrogen power into American homes. Or at least into American garages.
The 2025 CR-V hydrogen is being developed with GM
It will be built in Ohio and will be the only US-made fuel-cell electric passenger vehicle for a time.
Combines fuel-cell and battery tech to provide bidirectional charging.
Honda
The announcement doesn't explain how they will address hydrogen charging access, which parallels a major criticism point for all "by 2030" all-electric goals (we know they won't count on Shell, since they are closing their hydron station in CA).
St. Waymo's Fire
Call it the heat of the moment, Super Bowl fever, or just a dramatically warm welcome; either way, folks in San Francisco set a robotaxi on fire and don't seem sorry at all.
Tension between the Chinatown neighborhood and robotaxis has been mounting for some time.
Check out the raw footage of the fire (Warning: it's loud), and... maybe consider hitchhiking next time you are in CA.
Choice Hotels and Tesla
What's stopping people from getting down with EVs? Charging access? Price? Being so quiet, you forget you are driving? Well, Tesla can help with two of those!
This may do something for range and financial anxiety, but the noise thing is still under the microscope.
BYD Takes on Hyundai and Kia
China's BYD is trying to take everybody on at once. Next up, Hyundai and Kia on their home turf.
BYD is taking its affordable EVs to the land of affordable EVs, South Korea. History tells us they aren't coming to coexist; the current top global EV maker is looking to dominate a new market.
TOGETHER WITH UPSTART
Survey Says: Webinar
Join us on February 21st at 1pm EST to hear from our friends at Upstart about the data they collected and insights they’ve gleaned after surveying 100 dealers from across the nation.
🧠 You’ll learn valuable things like:
Dealers’ outlook for car sales in 2024.
How advanced dealers’ online and in-store processes are today.
The biggest pain points in the financing process (and, how to fix them).
And, how to effectively bridge the online and in-store gap.
/MTCM
Every day across this lovely industry and nation, you put your money where your mouth is. Or…your heart where your money is? Or, maybe your heart and money where your community is? Yeah, that’s the one!
We want to hear about your community and what you’ve participated in for the good of the people near you. 🕊️
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 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.
DATA & INSIGHT
Data and Details
Giphy
Since 2019, vehicle repairs have increased from $50 an hour to $60. Several factors contribute to the increase, and your customers may wonder why.
Vehicle Complexity: Modern cars are heavier and packed with advanced technology, making repairs more intricate and costly.
Skilled Technician Shortage: A growing scarcity of qualified mechanics is driving up labor rates.
Supply Chain Disruptions: The pandemic (yeah, that old thing) has exacerbated part shortages, inflating prices further.
Data like this released by the media can lead customers to wonder if they are being fairly charged. In truth, the average increase is skewed by the emergence of new tech. This information will help customers understand that while the average is up, each service transaction is priced based on their specific needs.
Quick Hits
History
1940: "Boogie Woogie on St. Louis Blues" is recorded by Earl "Fatha" Hines and his orchestra. The song eventually became a classic and is still popular among big band fans today. 🎹
1955: Israel obtains four of the seven Dead Sea Scrolls. 📜
1958: The four-seat Ford Thunderbird debuts. 🦅
Thank you for reading, bud! If you found today’s email informative, are pumped to see us in Baltimore this May, or just really enjoy that GIF of the dog mechanic, hit us up with a reply or in the social links below. We’d love to chat!