#761 - 🚗 Dealers Drag Their Electric Feet?

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy again, Friend!

A survey caught our eye this morning. They claim that dealers are the bottleneck between automakers and consumers, who have agreed that all want EVs (allegedly).

Read on, and let us know if you’ve experienced any of what they are talking about.

The truth is, if consumers want EVs, they will look to dealers to help them through that transition. Some consumers DO indeed want EVs, so there is an opportunity to pull together, dismiss stereotypes, and embrace a new flavor of being head and shoulders above any alternative to meeting the mobility needs of our communities.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Monday News: Dealers, Bikes, Muscle, China, and Paint

Dealers are slowing down EV adoption, y’all. Like how Bass Pro is slowing down yacht sales.

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Dealers Ride Brakes Toward EVs?

Survey Uncovers Reluctance: A recent survey by CDK Global reveals a sobering truth: nearly half of U.S. car dealers aren't thrilled about selling electric vehicles. The survey, which polled 250 dealership leaders nationwide, shows that enthusiasm for EVs varies dramatically depending on the region, with the Pacific states being the most excited—though even there, the excitement is tepid.

Customer Hesitation Drives Dealer Reluctance: So, why the long faces? Many dealers feel their customers aren’t ready for EVs, and this lack of interest trickles down to sales staff. Dealers in regions like the Mountain States, where charging infrastructure is sparse and winters are brutal, are particularly hesitant. One Montana dealer said, “We live in a rural area with large distances between towns … It's just not a viable alternative to ICE.”

Training Deficits Stall EV Momentum: This hesitance is compounded by a lack of EV training among sales teams. In regions with robust training, like New England, excitement about selling EVs is higher. But overall, many dealerships are still neutral regarding the electric future. With a predicted second wave of EV shoppers, dealers might want to shift gears and get their teams up to speed—before they’re left in the dust.

Silver Lining: On the bright side, those "free oil change coupons" could someday cost you $0 to give out.

Ford Joins the E-Bike Circus

Ford, the company that brought you the Mustang and Bronco, now sells e-bikes. Yes, you heard that right—e-bikes. They hope to inject some automotive "adventure" into the cycling world with two models, the Mustang and the Bronco. Prices start at $4,000 for the Mustang and $4,500 for the Bronco because who wouldn't want to drop that kind of cash on a bike that's almost as heavy as the SUV it's named after?

Dodge's Electric Muscle Flex

Dodge, always one for subtlety, has priced its first electric muscle car, the Charger Daytona, with a base model starting at $59,595. If you've got a spare $73,190, the Scat Pack model is available, complete with fake exhaust noise to remind you that, yes, it's still a Dodge, even without the gas-guzzling engine.

TOGETHER WITH THE VIOLET FOUNDATION

Help Fund the Fight

Two years ago, the Napleton family was struck by pediatric brain cancer. Their wonderful 3-year-old daughter, Violet, lost her life to a form of cancer that is rare, ruthless, and under-researched. In her memory, they founded the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer, transforming their grief into a mission to help others.

Pediatric brain cancer is the deadliest form of childhood cancer, yet it receives minimal funding. The Napletons are determined to change that by raising money for research and supporting families during their darkest days.

Last year, auto dealers across Chicago joined this fight, and the impact was profound. This October, the call is going out to dealerships nationwide. This isn’t just about business—it’s about coming together to fight for something bigger.

This October, the call is going out nationwide under the campaign Driven for Kids to see what impact hundreds of dealers can have on pediatric brain cancer.

Visit www.drivenforkids.org to learn more.

BUSINESS CONT’D

China: GM, EVs, and Expansion

GM is committed to its operations in China despite challenges from local competition and investor pressure. The company aims for a self-sustaining, cash-stable business despite recording a $104 million loss in Q2 2024. GM’s shares rose over 4% following its restructuring plans with a joint-venture partner.

Meanwhile, China’s EV market is booming. In July 2024, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for 50.7% of car sales, driven by government incentives like doubled cash incentives and tax exemptions. Beijing expanded its NEV license quotas to reduce pollution.

In early 2024, EVs made up nearly 33% of new car sales in Singapore, attracting Chinese automakers like Zeekr and Xpeng. With Singapore targeting 60,000 charging points by 2030, the city-state is becoming a key market for Chinese EV brands.

Nissan's Magic Paint Trick

Nissan has unveiled a new "self-healing" paint to fix those little scratches your car collects like badges of honor. The paint, which sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, uses some fancy polymer science to fill in the scratches when exposed to sunlight. So, if you've ever wanted your car to be as invincible as it feels in a video game, Nissan's got you covered—literally. 

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon

👨‍⚖️ August 19th — Paul and Kyle 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.

Quick Hits

• Many companies lost money during the CrowdStrike outage. Delta will seek $500M in damages from the company and its owner, Microsoft. 🧑‍⚖️ 

• A chess player in Russia used mercury to poison a rival’s board. ♟️ 

• The Borderlands movie, despite being based on some pretty cool games, is a critical flop. 🔫 

History

• 1908: The first Ford Model T is assembled. 🥇 

• 1955: The U.S. minimum hourly wage is set at $1.00/hour. 💰️ 

• 1990: The skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex is discovered in Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, South Dakota. 🦖 

Thanks for reading, friend! It’s a humbling joy to write these things to you. We don’t take the opportunity lightly. Be well!