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- #627 - 💧🇬🇧🐘 Elephants, Electrics, and "Experiences"
#627 - 💧🇬🇧🐘 Elephants, Electrics, and "Experiences"
Eating an Elephant, Ignoring electric Cars, and Weird Wonka Experiences
TOGETHER WITH
Some would say the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.
We say: bring friends.
The same goes for telling a story as big as the automotive industry. We can’t do it all with one fork, so we do emails, podcasts, a docu-series, webinars, and our very own in-person experience, ASOTU CON, to shine as many lights as we can on this powerful community.
Pull up a seat, and let’s tell a little more of this story together.
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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BUSINESS
Monday News
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Plenty to talk about today, but nothing more pressing than the UK working to embrace self-driving tech. We aren’t saying we are glad to see more autonomous vehicles, but we do hope they don’t get lost or crash getting there.
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Toyota: Still Not Down with EVs
Toyota is sticking with hybrids, mostly skipping over EVs, and getting into hydrogen. CEO Ted Ogawa says customer demand is with hybrids, so Toyota will be too.
The Japan-based world auto leader says it is targeting just 30% of its U.S. market presence to be all-electric by 2030, while other brands have (soft) drop-dead dates around the same timeline.
To get its hydrogen dreams off the ground, Toyota is offering significant discounts on the Mirai. Despite infrastructure challenges, the company is investing in clean fuel sources, including massive discounts some write-ups call "practically giving them away," or even "paying people to buy them."
Start-Up Write-Ups
Canoo (GOEV): Advances with the American Bulldog electric pickup, embodying rugged American spirit. Secured significant deals, including USPS's purchase of delivery vans, highlighting growth in the commercial EV sector.
Fisker (FSR.N): Shares plummet amid financial struggles and reduced production forecasts. Fisker faces a critical year, pivoting towards partnerships to sustain future projects and operations.
IM Motors: Raised $1.1B for smart-car development and overseas expansion. Co-founded by giants like SAIC and Alibaba, the funding underscores strong support for its innovative EV projects.
Tesla Opens the Gate
Ford is rolling out its charging adapters, and Tesla says Rivian, GM, Polestar, and Volvo are next. This Spring, the EV giant will roll out access to its 15K superchargers to the auto brands through NACS-to-CCS adapters and automaker software updates.
Overall, the plan accelerates Tesla's commitment to transitioning more of the world to renewable energy and brings Tesla into even more EV conversations than it already is.
UK Embraces Automated Vehicles
The UK's Automated Vehicles Bill aims to create a comprehensive legal framework for AVs, positioning the UK as a forefront leader in self-driving technology.
In addition to the bill and the UK government's investments, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education United Kingdom (PAVE UK) was launched at The University of Warwick. While the nation looks to become an authority in AV and AI, they are hoping not to outpace the comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks needed to roll the tech out well.
Shout out to Ross Douglas for this article on the moves.
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Toyota is working to prove you can’t always control the market. But, with enough work, you can just make your own. You know, Apple style.
TOGETHER WITH UPSTART
Data-Driven Dynamics
Upstart recently took the lead in our dynamic webinar about the future of dealerships and the critical steps needed 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.
PLUS, part two is in the works. Stay tuned for the deets!
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
ASOTU CON 2024: 70 Days Away
We’re steadily announcing speakers, panels, topics, and everything we have planned to share with you in Baltimore this May. Join us for talks with industry leaders on topics like:
Mobile Service Department Playbook
Delivering Relevant Content to the Right Audience
Fixed Ops is the Real Front Door
With more to come, if it helps dealers win, then you can expect it to be at ASOTU CON 2024! Grab your early-bird ticket now!
AUTO COLLABS PODCAST
Catch this 20-minute chat with John Foley last week?
There's opportunity and potential in the EV market, but only if you seek to understand customers and adapt to their needs. John and the guys talk about how!
CULTURE
Wonka: Putting the W in WTF?
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In Glasgow, Scotland, a "Willy Wonka experience" was a disappointing event in a warehouse with minimal decorations and costumed actors. The event, organized by the Glasgow-based House of Illuminati, faced backlash for not delivering the promised "optical marvels" and "extraordinary props," charging £35 ($44) per ticket.
What Happened? A silver-faced villain named "The Unknown" emerged as a peculiar highlight, intriguing attendees despite the event's failure.
The Unknown, an evil chocolate maker who lives in Willy’s walls, and many other elements of the event were made with AI and...just...not double-checked.
“The Unknown”
What is The Unknown? "The Unknown" is a fabricated antagonist introduced at the event, now humorously considered part of the Wonka lore by some.
What has happened since the event? Following widespread criticism and viral negative attention, the organizers issued apologies and committed to refunding the attendees. The controversy sparked discussions about consumer expectations and creative liberties in entertainment.
What did we learn? The debacle highlighted the challenges of event planning and the importance of delivering on promises. It also illustrated the unpredictable ways in which communities can embrace new elements, even in flawed contexts.
Quick Hits
History
1789: In New York City, the first Congress of the United States meets, putting the United States Constitution into effect. 🇺🇸
1957: The S&P 500 stock market index is introduced, replacing the S&P 90. 📈
1989: U.S.A. Time Inc. and Warner merge. ⏲
Thanks for reading, friends. Let’s shake off the morning dew and put these full brains, beating hearts, and capable hands to work!