🚗 Budgets and Bureaucrats

TOGETHER WITH

Barring any unforeseen Groundhog Day situation, it is Friday, my Friend!

At any rate, Tuesday's gone.

• 🇺🇸 Today, we've got a little too many facts and thoughts about recent news from Congress. If you imagine our industry as an island, and the ceaseless whims of political players is the sea, the new budget is some sort of storm. Tsunami or midday rain shower? Time will tell. 🇺🇸

• 🛻 Then there's Ram's CEO calling Slate’s $20K truck a bluff. He says the version folks will actually want will land closer to $35K. But in a world where work and home are 12 miles apart on average… maybe basic gets the job done. 🤷

• 🧑‍⚖️ Further down, we've got a weird piece from France where a group of Tesla owners are suing the auto brand to break their lease. They say Musk's political antics have transformed their routine travel into a political parade they don't want to be in. They didn't say it that way, but here we are.

Read on, stay awesome, and as always…

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

_{Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here!
Reading time: 4 min and 52 sec}

THE NEWS

News to Read: Congress, Ram, and French Teslas

🧨 Congress is Back on Its Budget Nonsense

In the latest round of “What Will They Gut Next?” lawmakers are trying to pass a budget bill that could strip fuel economy penalties, definitely end EV tax credits for popular models, and maybe block states from regulating AI in cars for the next 10 years. On the plus side, buyers might be able to deduct $10K in car loan interest—as long as it’s a U.S.-built vehicle.

To you? This isn’t just wonky D.C. drama. It's the next 12–36 months of inventory strategy, EV messaging, and customer affordability playing out in real time. Stay tuned, this storm could hit July 4th.

🚚 Ram Calls Out the $20K Truck Fantasy

Ram’s CEO says the Slate EV truck might start at $20K, but the real version people will want (you know, with windows and Bluetooth) will cost closer to $35K. Fair point—but maybe he’s underestimating just how many buyers don’t need leather seats for a 12-mile commute. Still, his shade raises a solid question:

What does “affordable” even mean in 2025?

🚨 Tesla Drivers Want Off the Political Ride

A group of French Tesla owners is suing to break their leases, claiming Elon’s politics have turned their eco-friendly rides into “extreme-right totems.” Apparently, resale value and social comfort matter a lot more when your car’s CEO is trending on Twitter—for all the wrong reasons.

Moral of the story? Even the most advanced vehicle can’t steer clear of brand perception.

➕ More

We’ve got more on these and several other stories in our Daily Digest.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Are you struggling to apply the right amount of AI? Apparently, that’s called “AI Fatigue.” Yay, a new way to be tired. 😴 

• Jobless claims are rising. 👆️ 

• Cancel your plans, Spaceballs 2 is coming! May the Schwartz be with you. 🚀 

TOGETHER WITH CDK GLOBAL

Partnering Up with Jim Ellis Auto Group

Just weeks after CDK Global delivered hard-hitting EV insights at ASOTU CON, the company is making headlines again—this time by extending its partnership with Jim Ellis Automotive Group.

With this renewed agreement, CDK is powering all twenty-one Jim Ellis dealerships with the CDK Dealership Xperience platform, including Fixed Operations and Intelligence Suites.

And they're not stopping there. The group is also tapping into CDK Professional Services to fine-tune everything from CRM to accounting.

Jim Ellis VP, Stacey Ellis Hodges says, “CDK has been instrumental in helping us elevate both our sales and service operations. Their expert consulting and tailored approach were key factors in our decision to renew our partnership.”

Read the announcement here to learn more about how CDK can help your dealership grow.

CULTURE

MrBeast is Going to Fix Your Squeaky Doors!

Lowe’s just swung a sledgehammer into the influencer game, with MrBeast leading its new Creator Network. The hardware giant’s not just slinging hammers anymore; it’s courting creators like DadSocial and Chris Loves Julia, offering commissions, training, and personalized storefronts that link straight to Lowes.com.

MrBeast’s curated picks include obstacle course kits and backyard builds (yes, really), and Lowe’s red vests are helping build BeastCity for Season 2 of his Amazon Prime show.

More than a flex, this is Lowe’s attempt to sell products people didn’t know they wanted—by showing them how cool it is to build big, wild stuff.

Try this at Home:

This is your playbook, too—local influencers. On-lot builds—storefront content. Auto retail isn’t far off from DIY home builds—it’s just got wheels. Lowe’s is betting big that creators drive commerce. It might be time to grab your camera (or creator) and start building.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

One Tiny Scratch, One Big Lesson in Leadership

Ready for a masterclass in what not to do?

In this emotionally-charged speech, Patrick Abad shares the real story of two teachers, their dream 4Runner, and one small scratch that revealed a big gap in dealership care.

What starts as a celebration quickly unravels into a cautionary tale about missed opportunities, siloed teams, and the cost of inaction.

Patrick makes the case for empowering employees to solve problems on the spot—and why that mindset shift is the key to loyalty, retention, and real reputation.

Catch the replay and see why this moment became one of the most talked-about sessions at ASOTU CON 2025.

🔁 Today in History

• 1953: Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton win 24 Hours of Le Mans (rumor has it, they were drunk). 🏁 

• 1966: The United States Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that the police must inform suspects of their Fifth Amendment rights before questioning them (colloquially known as "Mirandizing"). 👮 

• 1983: The NASA space probe, Pioneer 10, becomes the first man-made object to leave the central Solar System after passing beyond the orbit of Neptune. 🔭 

Well, you’ve finished the email, but you’ve got a whole day ahead of you so…