🚗 A-Ford-able?

TOGETHER WITH

August 18th.

Here’s the thing. Last week I asked if “Abbey Road” should be “Higher or Lower” on Rolling Stone’s top 500 albums chart. 70% of people said “Lower,” and I have to assume they mean “closer to 1” now, “ranked after more albums.” Words are tricky sometimes.

Either way, I (chris) can say, I really enjoyed listening to the album this last week while believing some of you were listening to. Let’s do it again!

This week we’re listening to Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” Another album, like Abbey Road, that had a huge impact on the trajectory of music to follow, but also wildly diverse from The Beatles’ style.

Check it out and tell us…

Keep Pushing Back,
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Ford’s Affordable EV Moonshot

Ford EV chief Doug Field (veteran of Tesla, Segway, and Apple) wants Mustang-level performance with smaller batteries, lighter bodies, and 20% fewer parts.

His “first principles” approach blends Silicon Valley experimentation with Ford’s production discipline, aiming to break century-old inertia without losing practicality.

Also in today’s mix:

• Mitsubishi’s first U.S. “Gallery” store opens 2026 in Antioch, TN—luxury-style showroom, off-site inventory, and experience-first sales.

• OpenAI revives fan-favorite GPT-4o after GPT-5 backlash; CEO Sam Altman promises a warmer GPT-5 while keeping its new “personality” modes.

From The News w/ ASOTU

Toyota’s South Africa EV Gambit

Three fully electric models are coming in 2026 as Toyota doubles down on its 67% hybrid market share. But this isn’t just about product—it’s about shoring up a struggling local auto sector hit by factory closures, job losses, and import competition. Strategy meets survival.

Cadillac Goes “Elevated Velocity”

The new concept EV crossover greets you with gullwing doors and glacier-ice paint, then shifts into spa mode mid-drive. With Dominic Najafi (Bentley, JLR, GM Europe) taking the design helm, Cadillac is signaling its luxury EV ambitions are only getting sharper.

Also in today’s mix:

• U.S. auto sales drop post-tariff rush, inventories pile up

• Rivian opens East Coast HQ, auctions $175K R1S for charity

• Sedan sales keep sliding, but the right one still catches the right buyer

Let’s build something that lasts, Friend.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Retail sales rose in July. 📈 

• In terms of AI, the U.S. is doing well, But in terms of the grid needing to do AI well, China is holding the hill. ⚡️ 

• A brain implant can hear your thoughts. Oh my. 🧠 

TOGETHER WITH WIDEWAIL

Do You Know Where Your Dealership Stands?

We’re halfway through 2025. It's been a busy news year, but how is the automotive industry performing in the eyes of its customers?

In our upcoming 30-minute webinar, CEO of Widewail Matt Murray and ASOTU team up to analyze millions of Google reviews from dealerships nationwide to uncover the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping customer sentiment this year.

Join us August 20th at 2:00pm EDT—save your seat today!

SOMETHING ELSE

When the “Dealer” Isn’t the Dealer

The FTC just dropped a troubling stat: reports of older adults losing $10,000+ to impersonation scams are up more than 4x since 2020. Losses of $100,000 or more? Up eightfold.

Here’s the kicker—some scammers aren’t pretending to be the IRS or Microsoft. They’re pretending to be you.

That “urgent” call about suspicious account activity, a VIN mix-up, or a refund owed? It might sound like your store, use your logo, even spoof your number.

How dealers can help customers spot the fakes:

• Set expectations early. Tell buyers exactly how, when, and from whom they’ll hear from you after a sale or service.

• Give a single point of contact. A real name, direct line, and email address they can always verify against.

• Educate without fear. Explain how modern scams utilize dealership identities.

• Model safe behavior. Never ask for sensitive info or payments in unusual ways.

It’s not in the job description, but caring for customers means protecting more than just their car.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Most customer complaints boil down to things we all hate like long wait times or poor communication. So really, good customer service is just about treating people the way you'd want to be treated.

Find out what it takes to maintain a great reputation in 2025 here.

🔁 Today in History

• 1590: John White, the governor of the Roanoke Colony, returns from a supply trip to England and finds his settlement deserted. 🏚️ 

• 1920: The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing women's suffrage. 🇺🇸 

• 1963: James Meredith graduates from the University of Mississippi, becoming the first African American student to attend and graduate from the university. 🎓️ 

Ready for another week?