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🚗 In Case You Missed Something
🚙 "Welcome to Trucks"
Howdy and welcome to Saturday, Friend!
A lot of our Saturday emails are mini-catch-ups (so we never have to have a big catch-up). But down toward the bottom, we try to include some fun and, quite often, weird news. Enjoy!
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
See You There
👨⚖️ MONDAY! August 19th — Paul and Kyle are judging the Automotive Amplifiers Contest with Reynolds & Reynolds in Leesburg, VA.
🌴 August 20-24th — NAMAD Conference in Miami, FL.
🍎 September 16th — The Welcome Conference in NYC.
🦀 May 13-16th, 2025 — ASOTU CON in Baltimore, Maryland.
In Case You Missed It
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Monday’s newsletter dives into dealers' reluctance to sell EVs, Ford's new e-bikes, Dodge’s electric muscle car, GM's China challenges, and Nissan's self-healing paint. Plus, the Napleton family’s fight against pediatric brain cancer through the Violet Foundation.
Tuesday’s newsletter highlights Stellantis' shift towards electric muscle cars and job impacts, GM's new Terrain design, and LA’s bold “no-car” 2028 Olympics plan. Lucid leads in EV efficiency, Toyota recalls vehicles, and Buckhannon Toyota donates 400 backpacks to students.
Wednesday’s newsletter covers tightening auto credit making it harder for customers to secure loans, Ford’s free off-peak EV charging in Texas, and Elon Musk’s mixed messages on oil and gas. It also highlights China’s growing EV dominance, BMW’s new app to ease range anxiety, and a dealership replacing a stolen van for a nonprofit in Detroit.
Thursday’s newsletter highlights a dip in new vehicle prices, Polestar beginning U.S. production, and UAW’s legal action against Trump and Musk over labor rights. Nissan dealerships face financial struggles, while Rivian enhances its sound system and charging capabilities. Plus, Fiesta Subaru helps customers in need after the Ruidoso fires, embodying community spirit.
Friday’s newsletter covers GM’s strategic overhaul in China, Holman’s new investment in FM Capital, Toyota’s commitment to hybrids, and Waymo’s honking self-driving cars in San Francisco. BMW introduces a subscription model for suspension features, and Fiesta Subaru helps a fire-affected family. Plus, check out the latest economic update and insights from The Wheelhouse Season 2!
PODCASTS
The Wheelhouse Returns!
Season 2 of The Wheelhouse kicks off with a bang! Join host Daniel Govaer as he dives into automotive staffing trends with insights from Joe Lockerd, Anita Stout, Joe Zorn, and Steve Adragna. They discuss the importance of nailing the first 90 days, understanding resume gaps, and hiring service advisors. The second half shifts to industry headlines, featuring Jack Pearson, Zac Kinch, and Noah Lee, covering inventory challenges, TikTok's impact, and serving different generations of buyers. Tune in for actionable insights and lively discussion!
In The Dirt (And at the Dealership) w/ ASOTU
Join ASOTU's Jordan Cox on location at Jaguar Land Rover South Shore in Crown Point, Indiana, as he talks with Manny Bravo and Dylan Kachaturoff about their journey from porters to thriving in their roles as Sales Executive and Content Creator. Don’t miss their inspiring story!
Auto Collabs
Join us on Auto Collabs as we chat with Tina Cuatto from DealerOn. Explore how personalized website experiences are transforming car shopping and how Tina’s journey from the Smithsonian to automotive is making technology more human. Don't miss it!
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DALL-E
Howdy, Chris here. I wanted to let you know I used Dall-e to make the above image, and I love it so much that I didn’t want to make any changes at all. My favorite part is “Welcome to TRUCKS.” Enjoy
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Kei cars, Japan's tiny, affordable vehicles, are increasingly being banned in U.S. states due to safety concerns.
While these small cars thrive on Japan's narrow streets, they struggle on America's larger, SUV-dominated roads.
Massachusetts recently joined Georgia, Maine, and New York in banning Kei cars, citing their lack of compliance with federal safety standards.
Despite their charm, the dangers of sharing roads with larger vehicles have led to growing restrictions, making it harder for enthusiasts to legally enjoy these unique imports in the U.S.
Weird Quick Hits
A New Zealand food bank unknowingly distributed methamphetamine-laced candies in food parcels, leading to hospitalizations. Authorities are now trying to recover the remaining contaminated sweets. 🍬
A school worker in Chicago was sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings during the COVID pandemic, using a school van to pull off the year-long heist. 🍗
A California company, UPSIDE Foods, is suing Florida to block the state's ban on lab-grown meat. The company argues the law violates the U.S. Constitution and seeks to serve its product at a Miami Beach art festival. 👩⚖️
From drugs and stolen chicken wings to Florida's lab-grown meat ban, now Florida boaters are finding cocaine in the Gulf. The total haul? Over $1.5 million. After recent storms, boaters near Everglades City discovered 56 pounds of cocaine, adding to the growing trend of drugs washing ashore. Authorities are investigating, suspecting the packages were carried in by recent hurricanes. 🚣
History
1915: The electric starter is patented ⚡️
1945: The novella Animal Farm by George Orwell is first published. 🐷
1998: President Clinton acknowledged to a grand jury and the nation on television that he had an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky. 🤥
Thanks for reading, friend! If you made it all the way down here, we just want to wish you an especially good Saturday. Hit reply and tell us about your favorite hobby. We want to love it with you.
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