🚗 Auto Adventures Abroad

TOGETHER WITH

More Than Cars is officially international, y’all!

Some of our team flew half-way around the world this week to hang out with warriors, meet with like-minded visionaries, and drink some….shall we say…questionable beverages.

Follow along with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube for more on our incredible adventure to Kazakhstan.

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

_{Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here!
Reading time: 3 min and 27 sec}

THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

We’re continue our week of Q4 strategy with Joe Castelino, VP of Fixed Ops at American Motors Group. We get into:

• Holiday traffic isn’t just for the sales team. Joe breaks down how campus-based stores prep for the rush of visiting parents and traveling students.

• Efficiency is everything when the lanes get busy. Joe shares how his teams stick to strict targets on time, communication, and throughput—even when volume surges.

• Tech in the lane isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must. From mobile check-ins to video diagnostics to license plate recognition, modern tools help staff move faster and see what’s really happening.

From The News w/ ASOTU

EVs Hit a Speed Bump

Dana Inc. just shut down its Auburn Hills plant after a sudden drop in EV orders. The loss of federal tax credits is taking a toll, and this might be the first of several supply chain shakeups if demand doesn’t bounce back.

Rivian Feels the Chill

Rivian is laying off workers too, facing the same post-incentive EV slowdown. It’s a tough time for premium EVs, and the company is tightening operations while betting on its upcoming, more affordable R2 models to broaden its reach.

Volvo’s Big Gains

While others tighten their belts, Volvo just pulled off its best trading day ever. Q3 profits smashed expectations, thanks to aggressive cost-cutting and momentum behind its next-gen EV lineup. Still, tariffs and market pressure loom large.

Holiday Spending Gets Cautious

New research shows consumers are still planning to shop this season, but they’re getting pickier. Essentials are in. Flashy gifts are out.

TOGETHER WITH NADA

Real Insights. Real Strategy. Real Results.

The education lineup for NADA Show 2026 is officially live, and it’s built with one goal in mind — making your time worth it.

Whether you’re focused on growing your team, improving performance or planning for the future, there’s something here for every level and every department.

Here’s what you can expect:

• 60+ Workshops: Focused sessions led by experienced operators and subject matter experts, covering topics like sales, service, leadership and digital retail.

• 18 Dealer Learning Lab Sessions: Short, tactical sessions held right on the Show floor. These are ideal for getting up to speed on trends, tools, and innovations without missing a beat.

• 13 Exchange Topics: Peer-led roundtable discussions designed to surface real challenges and collaborative solutions from people in the same boat as you.

Plus so much more! Start mapping your agenda and bring your team. There’s too much good stuff to tackle alone!

Explore the full lineup here.

EVERYTHING ELSE

Quick Hits

• 🤖 AI: Microsoft has debuted an AI assistant that some are calling Clippy 2.0.

• 🛒 Retail: Nike announced several new products in the works including a battery-powered walking shoe, an inflatable jacket, and a sneaker that mimics the sensation of walking on grass.

• 🌍 World: Almost 16K drones took to the skies in Liuyang, China, breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest drone show to date.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

With the NADA Show coming up, we thought we’d break out this insightful conversation we had with Mike Stanton, CEO of NADA, at the NY Auto Show just a few months ago. We dive into all things tarrifs, EVs, and the current state of retail auto.

Check it out here.

Today in History

• 1901: Annie Edison Taylor went over Niagara Falls in a barrel, and survived. 🛢️

• 1929: The New York Stock Exchange suffers a catastrophic day of losses known as “Black Thursday.” 🏴‍☠️

• 1945: The United Nations was founded. 🇺🇳

If you’re reading this, that mean you’ve survived the week. Congratulations!