#623 -🥇🔋♻️ Gold, Grid, and Good Vibes

Gold Medal for Hybrids, Grid Power Up, and Good Vibes for Customers

TOGETHER WITH

From making art to solving puzzles, “fresh eyes” are a powerful tool.

Either stepping away for a rest or inviting a trusted collaborator in to find a solution, some problems are best addressed by not being in a hurry to address them.

Lull the problem into a false sense of security, then BAM, spring into action!

In any case…

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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Reading time: 4 mins 43 secs

BUSINESS

Lotta News Today

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So consumers like hybrids, but it feels less like news every time somebody says it. Obviously, customers like vehicles that save them on gas, and since hybrids are mostly newer vehicles, they come with bells and whistles.

Really, most customers just want to get to work, the grocery store, a couple of vacations, and maybe pick up a free desk from Craigslist from time to time.

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Hybrids Take the Wheel

We've said it before, and we will say it again, Hybrids are winning right now. Consumer Reports' 2024 reflects a shift toward eco-friendly and efficient options. 

Toyota leads with four top picks, all hybrids or plug-ins, underscoring the automotive market's move towards diverse powertrain choices. The list notably includes three plug-in hybrids, emphasizing their role as a practical bridge between traditional hybrids and full EVs. 

These vehicles offer the best of both worlds, combining electric driving with conventional engines for longer trips, addressing current EV infrastructure challenges. 

Full list of Consumer Reports' 2024 top vehicle picks:

  1. Small Car: Mazda 3

  2. Midsize Car: Toyota Camry Hybrid

  3. Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid Car: Toyota Prius/Prius Prime plug-in hybrid

  4. Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek

  5. Compact SUV: Subaru Forester

  6. Midsize SUV: Toyota Highlander Hybrid

  7. Luxury SUV: BMW X5/X5 PHEV

  8. Small Pickup: Ford Maverick/Maverick Hybrid

  9. Plug-in Hybrid SUV: Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid

  10. Electric Vehicle: Tesla Model Y

Honda Takes the Green Lane

Honda will lease its co-developed hydrogen CR-V in California despite fueling-station limitations that make EV chargers seem to grow on trees. 

The result of teaming up with GM is that the 2025 CR-V e:FCEV will have a 270-mile range, including 29 miles of all-electric driving and 174 horsepower. 

Like many plug-in models, the SUV will feature bidirectional appliance charging. So if you've got no power, you'll at least keep your ice cream frozen until help arrives. 

Guardians of the Grid-alaxy

Speaking of bidirectional charging... Vehicle-to-grid (V2F) standards are enhancing the ability of EVs to interact directly with the local power grid. A recent breakthrough at the University of Delaware could transform EVs into a grid asset instead of concerns over them draining or damaging existing infrastructure. 

The new standard relies on communication and control features to increase the efficiency of the V2G power exchange, so peak hours are less taxing and everybody wakes with a charged battery. 

No Contest, More Collab

Automakers will not contest the EU's 2035 fossil-fuel vehicle ban despite some early tension. The ACEA President says automakers will instead rally around the need for supportive policy, subsidies, and infrastructure updates needed to make a transition to electric feasible. While not the only factor, an impending battle with China for the European market has automakers looking to strike a healthy head start while the iron is hot. 

Recycled Pennies, Saved Dimes

An Israeli battery startup is planning a $400M factory in the US to produce copper anodes for EV batteries. The project will supply material for 1M EVs per year starting in 2027. Leveraging the US Inflation Reduction Act grants and focusing on recycled copper, Addionics targets more cost-effective production that could increase companies' affordability in their supply chain. 

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Ok ok we know pennies aren’t really made of copper anymore, but the idea felt so smooth I had to go for it.  

The real crime here is how little “Grid-alaxy” is like “Galaxy.”

TOGETHER WITH SMEDIA

From Old to Sold

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Moving aged inventory can often feel like an uphill battle.

Enter sMedia's Aged Inventory Campaign with Smart Offer. By combining a custom conquest campaign that automatically enrolls units that have overstayed their welcome with a UTM fired game-changing lead tool, you will turn that Sisyphean challenge into strategic opportunity.

Automatic Enrollment: It’s costing you money just sitting there, the instant it’s “aged”, it’s in the campaign - no effort on your part. It's the strategic edge you need to ensure your marketing dollars are spent wisely on the inventory that needs it most.

Tailored Offers: With the ability to customize promotions, deployment, and timing, Smart Offer empowers dealerships to craft compelling, buyer-specific incentives. It's about making an offer they can't ignore.
Proven Success: Leveraged by several large auto groups, Smart Offer has a proven track record of transforming stubborn inventory into success stories.

If your dealership is ready to shift aged inventory from park to drive, sMedia is the right partner for the job. Discover how our Aged Inventory Package can revolutionize your approach to aged inventory today!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

If we don’t know why we are doing it, are we sure it needs to be done?

ASOTU CON 2024 keynote speaker Will Guidara, Author of Unreasonable Hospitality, is ready to help us challenge the status quo so we rediscover the why behind our actions and traditions.

We should never throw the baby out with the bath water, but we should also be sure the baby gets clean since we are giving it a bath after all.

WHAT WE’RE READING

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Ever wonder how you can turn car buying or servicing from a chore into a positive and memorable experience for your customers? That's where unreasonable hospitality comes in!

Unreasonable Hospitality in a Nutshell

According to author Will Guidara, "unreasonable hospitality" isn't about being reckless or impractical. It's about pushing beyond the "norm" of good service to create truly memorable and delightful experiences for your customers.

In his own words: “Genuinely engaging with the person you’re serving so you can make an authentic connection—that’s hospitality.”

Think of it like this:

🙂 Good Service = Meeting someone's needs efficiently and professionally. 

🤯 Unreasonable Hospitality = Going above and beyond, anticipating needs, exceeding expectations, and showering others with sincere care and consideration.

We’ll be working through Will’s book for a few weeks to reveal some powerful tips and tactics that can easily be translated to auto. Here are some key aspects that we’ll unpack:

Intentionality — Being deliberate and thoughtful, going beyond routine actions.

Personalization — Understanding individual needs and tailoring experiences accordingly.

Surprise and delight — Offering unexpected things that spark joy and positivity.

Genuine connection — Building relationships that go beyond the transaction.

Emotional impact — Creating a lasting positive impression that resonates with customers.

What are some ways that your dealership exemplifies “unreasonable hospitality”? Hit reply and let us know!

Quick Hits

  • Apple released a free sports app for the iPhone. 📱

  • Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount have reportedly hit pause on merger talks. ⏸

  • Wendy’s is discussing adopting Uber’s Surge pricing as early as next year. Just in case you need another reason to cook at home. 🍔

History

  • 1954: U.S.A. DNA Double Helix Discovered 🧬

  • 1975: AMC Introduces the Pacer đźŞź

  • 1983: M*A*S*H Final Episode ⛑

Thanks for reading, friend. Nothing clever to say here. Get after your day! Why are you still reading this?! Go!