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- 🚗 Countdown to Connection
🚗 Countdown to Connection
🚙 Trump Takes Office, Pulse Beta, and Berger Gives Back
TOGETHER WITH
We’re one day closer to the NADA Show in New Orleans, folks, and we cannot wait to see all of our pals there (and hopefully meet some new ones!).
What are you most excited for this year?
Keep Pushing Back,
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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Tariff Tango, Incentive Snafus, and Dealer Disputes
🌍 Trump’s Tariff Tango
Donald J. Trump has officially returned to the White House as the 47th President of the United States. Now, all eyes are on the new administration and how it intends to proceed with their proposed tariffs. Trump’s latest memo hints at a seismic shift in trade policies, and while no duties have been imposed just yet, the groundwork for steep tariffs—up to 60% on Chinese imports—has been laid. The potential impact on supply chains, vehicle prices, and dealership margins is massive.
🍁 Canada’s EV Freeze: A Wake-Up Call?
Canada’s federal EV rebate program has hit an unexpected wall, running out of funding months ahead of schedule. Automakers like Ford, GM, and Hyundai are stepping in to cover the shortfall, but the abrupt halt raises concerns about the sustainability of such programs. With EV adoption mandates still looming, could the U.S. face a similar scenario?
🚨 Honda and Ford Under the Spotlight
Honda and Ford are navigating rough terrain as federal regulators ramp up investigations into their advanced technology. Honda faces scrutiny over emergency braking systems causing unintended stops, while Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving tech is under fire after two fatal highway crashes.
⚖️ Scout Counters Dealer’s Arguments
Scout Motors is in the thick of a legal battle, defending its direct-to-consumer sales model against California’s dealership laws. The VW-backed EV brand insists it operates independently, but dealers argue otherwise.
Read the Full Digest
Get the full scoop on these stories and more. Dive into the latest trends shaping the auto industry—read here!
Everyone is telling you to come to their booth at NADA. Here's what you'll learn if you come to Widewail:
Widewail is bringing something fresh to the table this year: Widewail Pulse. Pulse helps dealerships get their public reviews and private surveys working in sync with the added benefits of automation.
Here’s what else is going on at Booth #8745: 👇
Discuss key findings from Widewail’s Voice of the Customer Report, where they will walk attendees through what should be prioritized in 2025.
Learn more about which OEMs are driving the most positive customer reviews, why they do, and the behind-the-scenes of Widewail’s analysis.
Explore how Widewail is integrating customizable private surveys into their review platform, Pulse.
Discover the under-appreciated AI capabilities in Widewail’s platform (and how they can help pinpoint employee issues at dealerships).
For OEMs or Top 150 dealer groups, Widewail will walk through a custom brand scorecard step-by-step.
If you’ll be attending the NADA Show this week, visit Widewail at Booth #8745—they’d love to share what they’ve been working on and hear your perspective.
Berger Chevrolet: Celebrating a Legacy of Giving and Community Impact
Berger Chevrolet
You know us. We love a good “more than cars” moment, and Berger Chevrolet’s Berger Gives Back campaign fits the bill perfectly. This Grand Rapids dealership has seamlessly woven community impact into its 99-year legacy, showing that loving people always comes first.
This year, Berger employees teamed up to collect over $1,200 worth of toys forToys for Tots, spreading holiday joy to local children. But their giving spirit doesn’t stop there. Through year-round payroll donations, the team supports impactful organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids, Kids’ Food Basket, and Heart of West Michigan United Way.
As they gear up to celebrate 100 years in 2025, the family-owned dealership stands as a testament to how businesses can shape communities. With 330 employees working across a sprawling 20-acre campus, Berger Chevrolet is proving that serving West Michigan means so much more than selling cars.
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
🗓️ Coming Soon
📝 January 30th — Public Policy Day with WANADA and the Washington, D.C. Auto Show.
🦀 May 13-16th — ASOTU CON in Baltimore, Maryland. Get the app!
🥊 Quick Hits
TikTok had a weird weekend, and its future in the U.S. is still uncertain. 😵💫
Costco Teamsters nationwide voted to strike if a fair contract cannot be agreed upon by January 31st. 🪧
BusPatrol cameras in Miami-Dade County are making sure reckless drivers pay for illegally passing school buses. 🚌
🔁 Today in History
1911: The first Monte Carlo Rally takes place. 🏁
1954: The first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, is launched in Connecticut by Mamie Eisenhower, the First Lady of the United States. ☢️
1981: First DeLorean DMC-12 is complete. ⏲️
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