#620 - 🎥💭🤖 Dreaming in Digital

You gotta know when to gun it, and when to slow your roll. Even though one feels less active, they’re both necessary for progress.

Whether you’re flooring it or storing it, we hope you’re remembering to appreciate every step of the journey.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

ICYMI

The Daily Pushback Email

• On Monday, the auto world buzzed with Biden's EV push, Ford's pivot towards China, Mercedes' budget-friendly move, and Scout Motors' chunky buttons as the industry's giants navigate through emissions, affordability, and innovation. ⚡️

• Tuesday, we saw the U.S. consider dialing back EV ambitions (well that was fast), Ford facing a looming strike, and VW, Xpeng, and Stellantis making strategic moves on the global chessboard. Amidst these shifts, the cobalt market's fluctuation hinted at cheaper EV futures, while Forvia's job cuts raised eyebrows. 🤨

• Then, on Wednesday, Volvo revamped EV model names, Porsche amped up hybrids, Rivian targeted Europe, Toyota grappled with honesty issues, and Kia maintained strong sales. We also take a look at an old offering that Netflix is bringing back around — games. 🕹️

• Thursday, Carvana announced same-day deliveries, Toyota bet big on Kentucky for EV production (yet paused on wage talks), and Ford slashed Mach-E prices. Will doorstep deliveries eventually become the norm in car buying? Probably not anytime soon, but it’s another step in offering customers the flexibility to shop where and how they prefer. 🛒

• By Friday, we learned that Rivian was tackling challenges with a leaner team yet boosted deliveries, and VinFast set ambitious global sales targets. Mercedes-Benz also recalibrated its electric ambitions and Ford averted a potential strike. Whew…what a week! 😅

Auto Collabs Podcast

Known for his impeccable sense of style and sharp business acumen, Phil Gill shares with us his journey from working at TJX Corporate to steering the wheel at Tom Gill Chevrolet during this week’s Auto Collabs. He touches on the nuances of customer lifetime value, team dynamics, and innovative dealership practices.

Listen in on the convo here.

The Automotive Troublemaker Podcast

It's looking like 2030 might not be as electric as the government once thought. On this week’s Automotive Troublemaker, Paul and Steve Greenfield discuss relaxing government requirements on EVs and the broader implications of too ambitious of a transition.

Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple.

ASOTU Edge Webinars

On Thursday, Upstart took the lead in a dynamic discussion about the future of dealerships and the critical need to bridge the digital divide. Keishawn Batts, Upstart's Head of Customer Success, and Paul J. Daly dissected trends for 2024, digital transitions within dealerships, and pesky financing challenges (and how to battle them).

A must-listen for anyone looking for powerful insights based on proven data — watch the replay here.

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.

🎟️ Get your early bird tickets today! 🎟️

SOMETHING FUN

Create Worlds With Words

On February 15th, OpenAI (makers of ChatGPT) premiered their game-changing new text-to-video program, Sora, and it already has the creative and tech worlds stoked.

The team that developed Sora says they named it after the Japanese word for sky to signify its “limitless creative potential.”

The new tool incorporates advanced AI models and deep learning techniques to generate video content up to one minute in length with exceptional realism and accuracy based simply on a few words.

For now, OpenAI is only offering certain designers, filmmakers, and red teamers access to the platform as they work out any potential risks or kinks.

In the meantime, enjoy a peek into the future of ASOTU podcasting probably:

Check out more examples of Sora’s incredible capabilities here. 👀

Quick Hits

• The UAW is committing $40M to organize non-union automobile and EV battery workers in the U.S. over the next two years. 💰

• Russian President, Vladamir Putin, gifted Kim Jong Un a luxury limousine despite UN sanctions on North Korea. 🎁

• Chuck E. Cheese is being adapted into a “Squid Games”-style competition show. 🐭