🚗 BYD Jumps 880%

🚙 Compliance, Sora 2, and Strong Despite it All

October 07, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Tuesday morning, my Friend!

There are a lot of moving parts in the auto world right now. Brands are crossing borders, giants are giving in, and some automakers are losing their “Soul.” (you’ll see what I mean)

But, in all that churning and tension, the dealership is a solid spot for the buyers, the professionals, and the community.

Work well today, knowing you’re part of an industry worth fighting to get into, and the momentum is pointed in a great direction.

Let’s get into it. 👇

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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From the Automotive State of the Union

Yesterday, Paul and Kyle talked about a mountain top moment for US EV charging (just in time for US EV sales to approach a potential cliff), Tesla’s announcement that they’re gonna make an announcement on Oct 7, and they shared some of Paul’s new obsession: Sora 2 AI videos. (We keep wondering when he will remake the Little House on the Prairie intro with him as Pa. 🤷 )

Check out the video above, or keep up with new Automotive State of the Union podcasts on Apple or Spotify!

Also In The Headlines

BYD Becomes UK’s Top EV Importer with 880% Sales Surge: BYD sold 11,271 cars in the U.K. last month—an 880% YoY jump—making Britain its largest market outside China. Affordable models like the Dolphin (£26K) are fueling growth despite exclusion from government EV grants.

Foreign Automakers Shift Production to U.S. to Dodge Tariffs: Brands from Honda and Hyundai to Stellantis and VW are investing billions in U.S. manufacturing amid Trump-era tariffs. Localized output boosts resilience and qualifies vehicles for incentives.

Kia Soul Bows Out After 1.5M U.S. Sales and 16 Iconic Years: The Kia Soul, a design-led breakout that helped triple Kia’s U.S. sales since 2009, ends production this month. Known for pop-culture “Ham-star” ads, Soul leaves a legacy of fun-first design.

Automakers Push AI Adoption Across Supply Chain: GM, Magna, and Martinrea are urging suppliers to embrace AI and automation to cut waste and boost output. Smaller suppliers lag due to cost, talent gaps, and data-sharing concerns.

Auto Market Stays Strong Despite Weaker Hiring, Soft Confidence: September new-vehicle sales jumped 6.7% YoY; retail SAAR steady at 13.4M. Consumer confidence slipped, but pending home sales and fleet demand rose—signaling resilient spending.

Why Wait for Lender Callbacks When You Can Just Click?

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EVERYTHING ELSE

Quick Hits

  • 🤖 AI: An expensive daydream. Deloitte Australia will refund part of a $440K AUD contract after its welfare compliance report was found filled with fake GPT-4o citations. The firm admitted undisclosed AI use.

  • 💰 Economy: Wall Street is positive about what’s still to come for Wall Street.

  • 👽 Weird: Did you hear the joke about the robo-taxi that got pulled over? Neither did we, but it really happened. Now, who gets the ticket?

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Sometimes, the people-work is hidden in the paperwork.

At NAMAD, attorneys Courtney Leyes and LaKisha Kinsey-Sallis joined Erroll Bomar III to reveal how missed details — from wage classifications to data privacy — can quietly cost dealers millions. Their advice? Prevention beats defense every time.

Because protecting people is protecting your business.

In an industry where legacy depends on trust, the best operators cross every T, dot every I, and make the call before trouble starts.

Today in History

  • 1913 – Model T moving assembly line starts 🧑‍🏭 

  • 1945 – The first postwar Cadillacs 🕊️ 

  • 2008 – Asteroid 2008 TC3 impacts the Earth over Sudan, the first time an asteroid impact is detected prior to its entry into Earth's atmosphere. ☄️ 

Until tomorrow, my Friend…

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