#646 - 🚗 30 in Three

Ford goes to India, Nissan wants 30 models, and

March 26, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

The hospitality industry is usually mistaken for just “hotels.” We expect our ASOTU CON 2024 keynote speaker, Will Guidara, to help us get this straight once and for all.

But speaking of hotels, ours is just about full, so if you hope to skip commuting back and forth from the event space, you may want to get yours booked.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Check Tuesday Out

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With automakers lobbying to roll back emission/mileage rules in the US AND sending their more affordable models elsewhere, we are beginning to wonder if they are taking the whole “China has a $10K EV coming to the global market” thing seriously.

We’re not telling anybody how to run their business, but Little Caesars flings them cheap hot-n-readies all day.

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Ford Cuts Costs In India

Ford and India are thinking about getting an apartment together (in India). The automaker is considering moving some of its smaller, cheaper EV production to the Nation to rejuvenate its presence in the global market. Keeping affordable vehicles out of US consumer reach is just some sort of weird added bonus. 

The company plans to launch the EV series, including pickups and SUVs, in 2026, with prices starting around $25K. If things do end up proceeding in India, it would create 2,500-3,000 jobs over the next three years.

Stellantis: Cuts Jobs, Deals, and Airbags

What's going on with Stellantis, you ask? 

  • Stellantis plans to cut about 400 US salaried jobs in engineering and tech to lower costs amid uncertainties, aiming to streamline operations in line with its "Dare Forward 2030" strategy for €300 billion revenue by 2030.

  • The company also joined an emissions agreement with California, ensuring a balanced distribution of its hybrid and electric vehicles nationwide. This move, enhancing sales flexibility, supports Stellantis's electrification plans and dealer vehicle allocations.

  • Furthermore, Stellantis is recalling nearly 285,000 Dodge Chargers and Chrysler 300 sedans from 2018-2021 due to a safety concern with side curtain airbag inflators. Fixes begin in May. 

Nissan Cuts the Wait Time: 30 Models in Three Years? 

Nissan's "The Arc" business plan targets the launch of 30 new models by 2027, including 16 hybrids and EVs, focusing on the US market with seven all-new models. This initiative aims for a major refresh in Nissan's lineup, with electrified vehicles expected to make up 40% of its model mix by 2026-2027, increasing to 60% by the end of the decade, marking a strategic move towards sustainability.

The strategy includes reducing costs and advancing technology in EVs, with goals to make them 30% cheaper than the current Ariya model by 2030 and achieve cost parity with combustion engine vehicles. Nissan plans to introduce next-generation EVs with advanced battery technologies, underscoring its commitment to innovation and maintaining competitiveness amidst industry challenges.

GM Cuts Ties (w/ Spies) 

Last week, we covered a story about rising insurance costs linked to data-reporting cars used to punish driving habits. This week, GM says it won't work with those data brokers anymore, but insurance is still going up. Maybe it’s a spy?

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  • General Motors ended its partnership with data brokers LexisNexis and Verisk following a lawsuit accusing GM of sharing drivers' data without consent via OnStar, affecting insurance rates. GM says they are committed to customer trust and privacy and will start acting like it. 

  • Auto insurance premiums in the US have increased 26% so far this year. But data-snitches aren't completely to blame. Longer repair times, higher rental costs, and more expensive repairs have increased the sector's market worth to about $353B.  

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Do options, features, style, and brand loyalty outweigh “dramatically more affordable” for the average American car shopper?

What do you think?

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TOGETHER WITH PARTSEDGE

The Parts Whisperer

April Simmons at Horne Auto Group hit the nail on the head when she said, “Everything kinda stops and starts with parts.”

When done properly, that department boosts the entire dealership which is why they need the right tech and support to do their jobs as efficiently as possible.

That's where PartsEdge comes in.

In our latest interview with friend Kaylee Felio, Sales & Marketing Manager of PartsEdge, she reveals the secrets to:

  • Take Control – navigate inventory with precision and confidence.

  • Empower Your Team – equip your Parts Managers with all the tools and resources that they need to thrive.

  • Increase Efficiency –  ditch outdated spreadsheets for a tailored system designed to optimize your operations.

  • Cut Costs – waste less money on parts nobody needs.

(Spoiler alert: it’s PartsEdge.)

Listen to the full interview to discover how PartsEdge has helped revolutionize parts management at Horne Auto, and learn more with their latest eBook guides here!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

More Than Cars Ep 3

More Than Cars Episode 3 at West Herr Auto Group is out TOMORROW, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Paul and Kyle ventured to North New York to enjoy West Herr’s employee picnic. With over 50 locations and 3,000 employees, their “picnic” was like stepping into a carnival where everybody was already friends.

Check out the teaser and then RSVP Now!

Auto Collab w/ Matt Lasher

Our love and respect for West Herr goes way back! Check out this chat we had with the NYC auto group’s Matt Lasther.

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Pack a Lunch

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Group 1 Automotive shared a scene on LinkedIn last week that made us proud and… hungry.

The team partnered with Kids Meals Inc. to fill lunch bags for local kids.

A lovely reminder that there are people all over your town looking to help; sometimes, they are just waiting for a partner to help get it all done.

Quick Hits

  • A colossal restoration initiative is breathing new life into the Florida Everglades. 🐊

  • Ghostbusters earned $45M in the opening weekend. 👻

  • Some AI-generated blues exist, but they aren’t wowing fans just yet. 🪗

History

  • 1915: The Vancouver Millionaires win the 1915 Stanley Cup Finals, the first championship played between the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey Association. 🏒

  • 1953: Dr. Jonas E. Salk announces a vaccine has been used safely and successfully in preliminary trials on 90 children and adults with polio vaccine; two years later, the vaccine is released and given to every child in the United States. 💉

  • 2008: Ford sells Jaguar & Land Rover 🐆

Thanks for reading, friend! We honestly could fill an email with all the other stuff we have going on. Follow us on the various social media pages linked below to keep up with this great big community.

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