🚗 Early May Data

TOGETHER WITH

Yes! We had an outstanding ASOTU CON last week, but we’re back at it this week because this whole “More than Cars” thing is every day. Every hour. Every choice.

Catch up with Kyle and Michael from yesterday’s Automotive State of the Union for some more news and “vibes.”

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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THE NEWS

Walmart, May, Magnets, and More

CNCDA Demands Sony Honda Immediately Cease Illegal Sales of Afeela Vehicles in California. Dealers in CA aren’t messing around.

Used prices? Dropping. Manheim says wholesale values slid 1.1% in early May — faster than usual. Still up YoY, but the April heatwave is officially over. EVs took the biggest hit (down 2%). Don’t overpay at auction, and maybe give that EV trade a second look before it ages like milk.

Trump to Walmart: Eat the Tariffs. Walmart says tariffs are forcing it to raise prices. Trump clapped back: “Don’t blame me.” If the White House is threatening Walmart with price pressure… who’s next? Buckle up for parts, accessories, and supplier costs creeping north.

China’s got the magnets. And they’re not sharing. New export rules on rare earths — critical to both EVs and ICE vehicles — could pinch supply chains within 90 days. This one’s sneaky and serious: everything from catalytic converters to radar sensors is at risk.

GM: EV hero, anti-mandate villain. Despite its big EV push, GM just asked employees to fight California’s 2035 gas car ban. Translation: “We love EVs. Just don’t make us sell only EVs.” Dealer takeaway? Expect different rules in every state. Be the EV whisperer your customers need.

OEM WATCH: Merger rumors, factory shakeups, lease games.

• Stellantis + Renault = Nah. Stellantis is too busy finding a new CEO and fixing brands to worry about mergers.

• Toyota may buy its supplier. More vertical control, but no big retail shifts yet.

• Tesla lease buyouts are back. The Robotaxi dream is still a dream — now used Teslas might actually stay in-market.

• Nissan’s trimming the fat. Plant closures and job cuts could mean fewer models and longer sourcing gaps.

➕ More

Catch more on these stories in our Daily Digest on LinkedIn.

TOGETHER WITH MIA

Missed ASOTU CON? Mia’s Got Your Back.

Just like Mia never misses a call, they’re making sure you don’t miss this ASOTU CON special.

Missed Calls = Missed Revenue. Dealerships miss 15–30% of inbound calls, costing thousands every month. Mia changes that.

She’s your 24/7/365 AI super employee. She answers. She books. She checks inventory. She keeps your team in the loop. No awkward pauses, no lost leads—just smooth conversations that lead to more revenue.

Daily Pushback deal: Mention ASOTU CON and get your first month FREE when you book a demo.

Don’t miss this deal—or another call.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Recession probability has declined following some calculated chaos in US policy. We’d like to get off the ride now, please. 🎢 

• Salesforce is bringing AI coworkers to a Slack server near you. Don’t bother asking them what their favorite movie is. It’s The Terminator. The first one. When Arnold was a bad guy. 🤖 

• The Lilo & Stitch remake is getting high marks by viewers. 🛸 

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

ASOTU CON w/ Upstart!

How AI financing helps dealers close more deals and boost profits: Lessons from Audi Jacksonville

At ASOTUcon last week, Upstart’s team sat down with Evan Driscoll, Used Car Manager at Audi Jacksonville, and Jarrod Kilway, VP of Digital Operations at Casa Automotive Group, to explore how AI-powered financing drives faster, more inclusive approvals.

Two years after implementing Upstart Auto Finance, Audi Jacksonville reports higher PVR, more monthly deals closed, and significantly reduced time-to-close.

By leveraging over 1,000 data points for instant credit decisions, Upstart opens competitive offers to first-time buyers and those with thin credit files.

Driscoll compared the AI-powered financing to “a cheat code,” empowering his team to work efficiently even on nights and weekends.

Check out the Upstart Auto Finance site for smarter, faster financing.

🔁 Today in History

• 1873 – Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis receive a U.S. patent for blue jeans with copper rivets. 👖 

•  1899 – The first speeding ticket in the USA is issued for going 12 miles per hour. 👮 

• 1987 – AMC Agrees to Chrysler Acquisition Deal 👍️