🚗 A Helping Hand and a Hot Market

TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to a fresh week, Friend!

We hope you’re geared up and ready for a whole week of incredible NAMAD content cause we’ve got a stacked line-up of partners helping us to bring you all the latest and greatest from the conference.

Some of the crew will be boots on the ground, so if you’re in Vegas this week, come and find us. We can’t wait to see you all!

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

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MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Maximizing Mobility with West Herr

At just 8 years old, Jacob Miller was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which tragically cost him the ability to walk.

Now, as he heads into senior year at Starpoint High School with his sights set on studying Engineering at the University at Buffalo, West Herr gifted him an early graduation gift intended to keep him moving toward that future—a wheelchair-accessible van.

The donation came through West Herr Cares, the philanthropic arm of West Herr Automotive, which has quietly helped dozens of families across Western New York get access to the transportation they need. For Jacob and his family, this van means fewer obstacles, more independence, and the ability to chase big goals without waiting for a ride.

It is not just a vehicle. It is a helping hand.

THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Tariff Talks Turn Friendly

EU automakers could see U.S. tariffs drop from 27.5% to 15% (retroactive to August 1st) if the EU fast-tracks new trade legislation. Bonus: mutual safety standard recognition could be next. Translation? Cheaper imports, wider access, and a new playbook for Japan and South Korea.

EchoPark Is Cookin’

Sonic Automotive’s Q2 looked soft at first glance, until you see EchoPark’s numbers. Gross profit hit $62.1M, up 22%, and adjusted income jumped 200% YoY. The quote of the quarter: “EchoPark is just on fire.”

Gen AI = Retail Traffic Boom

Adobe says U.S. retail traffic from tools like ChatGPT jumped 4,700% YoY. Gen-AI visits stay longer, bounce less, and convert more. If AI isn’t in your sales funnel yet, it’s already in your competitor’s.

From The News w/ ASOTU

Dealers and Buyers: Mind the Gap

Urban Science’s 2025 Harris Poll reveals sharp disconnects. While 93% of dealers think affordability will delay purchases, only half of shoppers agree. Nearly half of consumers worry about service costs after the sale, but just 28% of dealers see it as a concern. And while 61% of dealers say the traditional model is “future ready,” only 37% of customers buy it.

Audi Bets on Predictability

Audi’s new Signature Care plan gives 2026 buyers three years or 30K miles of scheduled maintenance bundled in. It’s designed to sweeten the deal as prices climb—putting Audi in line with BMW while Mercedes keeps charging extra.

Also in today’s Digest:

• Tesla hikes the Cyberbeast price $15K, adding perks to justify the tag.

• EV concerns remain steady: range, charging, and upfront costs.

• Shoppers signal stronger demand for digital touchpoints.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Rolls-Royce marked the Phantom’s 100 year anniversary by throwing it in a pool. 💧

• On Friday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated possible interest rate cuts ahead. ✂️

• Bluesky decided to go dark in Mississippi instead of comply with their new age assurance law. 🌘 

TOGETHER WITH UBER FOR BUSINESS

Transform Your Dealership's Operations

Courtesy transportation isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential. 

That’s why 80% of dealerships say offering Uber rides helps retain customers. 

With Uber Central, you can book rides on behalf of customers—even if they don’t have the app. It’s a seamless way to elevate service, supplement shuttles or loaners, and streamline parts pickup and delivery. 

Request one-way or round-trip rides, add multiple riders or stops, set spend and distance limits, and track trips in real time. Plus, you'll get monthly reports to keep track of everything. 

Ready to cut shuttle costs and reduce loaner liability? Partner with Uber for Business today.

Click here to learn more.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Join us on September 10th at 2:00pm for insights from Patrick Janes of vAuto and Adam Claiborne of Mike Shaw Kia on how to help build out a process-based pipeline that connects to your CRM. And, ensure you consistently re-engage customers and get their business (and vehicles) before the competition.

Save the date and register today!

🔁 Today in History

• 1609: Galileo Galilei demonstrates his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers. 🔭

• 1916: The National Park Service Organic Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson to protect natural and historic sites for “the enjoyment of future generations.” 🏔️

• 1939: The Wizard of Oz premiered in U.S. theaters, becoming one of the most cherished movies in history. 🌈

Got a burning question? Looking for a megaphone to share a big idea? Need some help cooking up a new project? Whatever it is, we’d love to jump in. Just hit reply and we’ll serve you however we can. Cause we’re in this together.