🚗 Buying with Bitcoin?

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy Friend!

There are inspiring stories all around us. Maybe it’s because we pay closer attention to auto, or maybe it’s because auto appeals to people looking to live their own inspiring story, but for some reason we have a high concentration of good vibes in US dealerships.

If you’ve not watched More Than Cars yet, check it out on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Tubi.

Pick up some of the good vibes, and tell us some about your own.

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

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THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier don’t just read headlines; they make important connections across car dealerships, general retail, tech, and culture, all to help automotive leaders think clearly and move faster in a world that refuses to slow down. Catch up on yesterday’s stories:

⚡ Legacy EVs Surge, Tesla Slips
Legacy automakers saw EV registrations jump 27% in July as buyers rushed to capture the $7,500 federal tax credit before September’s deadline. Chevrolet, Honda, VW, and Audi led the charge. Meanwhile, Tesla dropped 13% and Rivian 6%. Takeaway: urgency + incentives = legacy EVs’ moment to shine.

• 🔌 Toyota Gamifies Charging: New ChargeMinder app uses behavioral nudges and streaks to boost plug-in hybrid charging habits.

• 🤖 Walmart Leans on AI for Hiring: CPO Donna Morris taps tools like ChatGPT to refine leadership searches and even coaches interviews.

From The News w/ ASOTU

📊 Prices Hold, Demand Surges

CarGurus says average new vehicle prices stayed flat at $49.5K in August—down 1% YoY—even as tariffs loom. Used demand jumped 5.6% MoM, while EV sales surged nearly 20% ahead of the September 30th tax credit deadline.

Takeaway: rare flat prices + strong demand = a dealer’s sweet spot.

₿ Bitcoin at the Dealership

A Mississippi store just took $1,000 in Bitcoin as partial truck payment. The dealer set up a digital wallet, saying: “If that’s what you’ve got, bring it.”

Takeaway: crypto’s still the Wild West, but customers are asking—better to test the waters than be caught flat-footed.

➕ Plus…

• 🚙 Diesel’s Countdown Clock: Toyota says ~10 years left.

• 💸 Tariff Squeeze: Costs could add $1,700 per vehicle.

• 🖥️ JLR Cyber Meltdown: 3 weeks offline, $1.36B lost.

Would you take Bitcoin on a deal?

TOGETHER WITH UPSTART

No Phone Tag, Instant Rehash

Skip the hold music and the “call you right back.”

Upstart gives you soft-pull approvals in seconds, lets you rehash instantly, and uses automated verifications with minimal steps so that things move lightning fast.

Structure the deal with up to 185% LTV and no caps on vehicle age or miles, then e-sign and get fast funding.

Meet your new favorite lender.

EVERYTHING ELSE

Quick Hits

• 💾 Tech: China has banned its tech companies from buying Nvidia chips.

• 🇺🇸 Policy: The TikTok ban has been postponed…again.

• 💰 Economy: Ben and Jerry are breaking up. Jerry left. Not even ice cream can keep folks together anymore.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Brian Ortega on Turning Dealerships into Studios

Most dealers sell cars—Brian Ortega sells stories. As Creative Director at Valley Hi Toyota & Kia, he swaps ads for entertainment: blockbuster spoofs, recurring characters (including AI-cloned staff), and seasonal sagas (yes, zombies). The goal isn’t views—it’s community connection that walks into the showroom.

Dealer value in 3 moves:

• Entertain to differentiate: Make customers binge the brand, not scroll past it.

• Use AI to scale faces: Clone voices/likeness (with consent) when staff can’t film.

• Plan content like campaigns: Seasonal themes + giveaways fuel authentic UGC and loyalty.

Think like entertainers; earn attention, trust, and traffic.

Check out the short write-up here.

Today in History

• 1851: First publication of The New-York Daily Times, which later became The New York Times. 📰 

• 1955: The two millionth Ford V8 engine is produced. 🌋 

• 1984: Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic. 🎈 

Stay classy, Friend!