🚗 Attention, Please

TOGETHER WITH

July 24th.

Attention rules the world, Friend.

It’s wild how we talk about paying attention—like we intuitively know it’s a costly resource, something to be invested wisely…or lost.

In one of his books, Kurt Vonnegut says attention is the only thing in the universe faster than light. You can look from one star to another in an instant, while the light takes years to get there.

And think about how it feels when a room full of people is looking at you—unsettling, or empowering, or somehow both.

Attention is amazing. Rare. And every one of us wakes up each day with just a little to give.

Spend it well.

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

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SOMETHING FUN

Meme Stocks: What’s Going On?

What are meme stocks?
Meme stocks are public companies whose share prices surge (and sometimes crash) not because of fundamentals, but because they catch fire on the internet—especially in online forums like Reddit’s WallStreetBets. Retail investors pile in, often targeting heavily shorted stocks, aiming to trigger a short squeeze and stick it to institutional investors.

How did it all start?
The phenomenon exploded in 2021 when GameStop, AMC, and Bed Bath & Beyond were suddenly swept up in a populist market frenzy. Fueled by stimulus checks, pandemic boredom, and viral social media narratives, retail traders coordinated movements that shocked Wall Street and made (and lost) millions overnight.

What’s been the result?
The first wave ended with more caution than victory laps. Some early investors cashed out big, but many were left holding the bag. Still, the moment permanently shifted how retail power is perceived—now making up over 20% of U.S. trading volume. And now in 2025, it’s happening again: GoPro, Krispy Kreme, Opendoor, and Kohl’s are seeing massive spikes for no clear reason beyond online momentum.

So…what should I do with this info?
Unless you’re in the game for thrills, the lesson is this: narratives move markets, but sustainable wins still come from strategy. The meme-stock drama is worth watching, but likely not worth chasing.

Let it be a reminder that attention is currency, but discipline is wealth.

THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

The auction model may be crumbling—and dealers are rewriting the rules.

Franchised dealers are moving fast toward private-party acquisitions (PPA) as rising fees, transport costs, and inconsistent condition reports make traditional auctions less viable.

• Auction-sourced inventory is down from 27% (2019) to 18% (2023)

• Buy fees are up 50%, transport costs up 30%

• NADA projects 40% of used cars will come from private sellers by 2025

We also cover:

• U.S. automakers’ pushback against tariff disparity with Japan vs. Mexico/Canada

• Delta’s controversial AI-powered pricing strategy, which could scale to 20% of routes this year

Today’s theme? Adaptation. Whether it’s sourcing smarter or pricing clearer, those who move with intention are finding the wins.

From The News w/ ASOTU

Cultural Roots; Brand Fruits

Today, we’re looking at how internal culture shapes external outcomes—from global trade deals to the feel of your showroom floor.

The U.S.–Japan tariff deal lowered import taxes from 25% to 15%, igniting stock surges across Asian and European automakers. It’s more than policy—it’s a preview of how your lot could look this fall, especially if a U.S.–EU deal follows.

Meanwhile, GM absorbed a $1.1B tariff hit and still doubled EV sales. Chevy is now the second-best-selling EV brand in the U.S., and GM is investing $4B to move more production stateside.

Also in today’s digest:

• Renault’s EV surge can’t offset van woes or a CEO vacuum

• Retail pros say this is the slowest summer in years, but culture’s holding them together.

• AI video isn’t replacing creativity, it’s evolving it. Promptcraft is the next dealership skillset.

What story is your store telling right now?

TOGETHER WITH NAMAD

NAMAD in Vegas

From NextGen workshops and economic deep dives to keynote sessions with industry powerhouses like Jonathan Smoke and Saundra Douglass Morgan, this multi-day event is packed with insights, networking, and celebration.

Whether you're eyeing dealer growth, employment law trends, or M&A strategy, you’ll find your people and your path forward here. Wrap each day with receptions, happy hours, and the can't-miss After Glow with DJ D-Nice.

The event only happens once a year, but its impact lasts all year long.

Grab your ticket today!

SOMETHING ELSE

The Courtroom Is Not Ready for AI

A Georgia divorce case may go down as a warning shot.

A judge vacated an order after discovering it relied on fake, AI-generated case citations. While the attorney was sanctioned, the deeper concern is this: overworked judges are still green when it comes to spotting AI “hallucinations.”

Experts now worry that many lower courts could rubber-stamp bogus filings out of habit or exhaustion, undermining trust in judicial decisions.

Only two states currently require judges to demonstrate “AI competence,” and many courts lack any formal guidelines. Some propose incentives for catching fake citations. Others are pushing for open legal data tools to verify references.

Either way, it’s pretty unnerving how much very human courts are falling behind the tools lawyers are already using.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Did you know our partners at NAMAD teamed up with us to produce an insightful and thought-provoking podcast called Now We’re Here?

Check out the full playlist here.

🥊 Quick Hits

• European Union officials are prepared to accept the 15% tariffs now on the table by the U.S., but are also ready to retaliate with 30% tariffs on over $115B in goods if a deal isn't reached. 🤑 

• Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert with Black Sabbath raised $190M for charity. 🦇

• Uber will begin letting women drivers and passengers accept rides only from other women next month. 🚕 

🔁 Today in History

• 1911: Hiram Bingham III re-discovers Machu Picchu, "the Lost City of the Incas." 🔍️ 

• 1917: Pullman Automobiles of York, Pennsylvania is liquidated. 🧑‍🏭 

• 1987: At 91 years of age, Hulda Crooks climbs Mt. Fuji. Crooks becoming the oldest person to climb Japan's highest peak. 🏔️ 

Welp, that’s it for today, Friend…