🚗 BYD Builds a City?

🚙 Shocking Shopper Trends, Ford Cuts the Clutter, and Service That Sets You Apart

November 13, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to Thursday!

You know that deep, grateful exhale after you’ve been holding your breath a little too long?

That’s been the vibe around here lately.

We’ve been running hard, and thanks to a few incredible new additions to our crew, the load already feels a little lighter, the pace a little smoother, and the vision a little clearer.

Go connect with our latest rockstars Monica Yang, Paul Goldman, John Sukowaty, Dunia Castrillo, and Paige Rayo on LinkedIn.

They're the reason we’re all breathing a little easier this week.

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

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From the Automotive State of the Union

Gen Z Rewrites the F&I Playbook

CDK’s 2025 F&I Shopper Study shows Gen Z buyers are twice as likely to select six or more protection products, especially theft and security add-ons. Most show up with financing already secured, often through a credit union or online lender. To win this segment, dealers should simplify menus, highlight high-value coverage options, and ensure digital tools can keep up with pre-approved buyers.

Ford’s EV Wake-Up Call

After stripping down a Tesla, Ford CEO Jim Farley saw how much inefficiency was baked into their EVs. The teardown revealed over a kilometer of extra wiring in the Mach-E compared to the Model 3. Farley responded by launching Model E, absorbing major losses, and shifting the company’s culture toward transparency and speed. Expect leaner designs, fewer SKUs, and faster updates moving forward.

BYD Builds a Factory Bigger Than San Francisco

In Zhengzhou, BYD is constructing an industrial hub that spans 50 square miles—complete with housing, sports facilities, and high-rises. It’s not just a factory. It’s a strategy to keep production close, protect infrastructure, and scale EV output without outside dependence.

Kyle and Michael were able to drive some BYD vehicles in their recent trip to Kazakhstan. Catch the replay for their take on the rides.

From The News w/ ASOTU

Forget fancy tech or AI magic. Adam Gaedke helped grow a single Wisconsin store into an 18-rooftop group using nothing but repeatable habits rooted in real hospitality.

Standing to greet guests within 10 seconds, confirming appointments like a concierge, asking how buyers want to shop—these are zero-cost habits with massive ROI in trust, morale, and repeat business.

The best part? You can audit your store’s culture today using a simple 7-point checklist.

Read the full breakdown here, and share your own habits that changed the game.

Innovation in Motion

AutoMobility LA returns November 20th for a full day of connection and innovation. Industry leaders, policymakers, and visionaries will gather to explore how technology, infrastructure, and design are shaping what comes next in transportation.

Join media and automotive professionals for panels, previews, and conversations that set the tone for the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Plus, as a special treat for our community, enjoy 25% off registration with code MoreThanCars.

Quick Hits

  • 🤖 Tech: The new villain in the upcoming Toy Story 5 is a tablet.

  • 💰 Economy: The House is expected to vote to end the federal shutdown, thus concluding the longest government closure in American history.

  • 👽 Weird: The first “Netflix House” has opened just outside of Philly (with another location in Dallas scheduled for next month).

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon

Today in History

  • 1789: In a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, Benjamin Franklin writes "in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." 💸

  • 1841: James Braid first sees a demonstration of animal magnetism, which leads to his study of the subject he eventually calls hypnosis. 😵‍💫

  • 1954: Dentist Fred Slack invents the first acrylic fingernails using dental resin and aluminum foil. 💅

Thanks for reading along, Friend!

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