🚗 EV Charger Vs EV Charger

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Friday, Friend!

We’ve been thinking about the incredible car dealers out there—and how lucky we are to know so many. Sure, the industry isn’t perfect (find us one that is, we’ll wait), but the good ones? They’re game-changers.

These dealers build communities, lead with integrity, and prove that putting people over profit isn’t just a tagline.

If you don’t believe us, we dare you to check out More Than Cars. It’s a showcase of the passion and dedication that makes this industry worth talking about.

(Know a dealer who deserves the spotlight? Hit us up—they might just make the show!)

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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Today's Email

• 🔋 Charged-Up Chargers, Tesla’s Election High, and …

• 🤝 Activator: Turning Data Into Deals

• 🗓️ Coming Soon

• 👀 Weekly Market Watch

• 🥊 Quick Hits: POY, Groceries, Security, and Metal

• 🔁 Today in History: First, Last, and Arrested

BUSINESS

🔋 Charged-Up Chargers, Tesla’s Election High, and YouTube On-the-Go

Electric muscle cars spar over authenticity—some say Dodge’s Charger Daytona EV is a ballerina in combat boots, others say it’s got plenty of punch. Either way, it’s putting tire marks on purist dreams.

Tesla’s rocket-ride stock price soared post-election, while SiriusXM takes a “stream-slimming diet” to refocus on old-school car radios. Meanwhile, your future road trips could feature YouTube marathons from the passenger seat. Got parakeet livestreams? Sure, pop ’em on while Uncle Joe snoozes in back.

Volkswagen battles labor unions at home and plays nice abroad, offering Tennessee workers a fat raise. Who knew cross-continental charm would be on their skill tree?

Toyota’s robot sank an 80-foot basketball shot, proving droids might soon dunk on your athletic insecurities. And on the battery frontier, Factorial’s all-solid-state cells hint at a 600-mile EV sweet spot. Charging anxiety? Poof. The future beckons—just don’t spill popcorn on the dashboard screens.

Check out the full digest here.

TOGETHER WITH ACTIVATOR

🤝 Activator: Turning Data Into Deals

So, you’re heading to NADA 2025— but are you prepared for the annual parade of “big promises.”

While the hype’s flying around, wander over to Booth #3119 and meet Activator. They’re not here to drown you in buzzwords; they’re here to show you how real data sparks actual results.

Forget cookie-cutter campaigns. With Activator’s automotive CDP, you’ll engage both browsers and ready-to-buy shoppers across email, SMS, direct mail, and digital + social advertising. No fluff, no gimmicks—just clear insights and tools that make sense for your dealership.

Plus, you’ll grab free swag and a show special when you sign up at NADA. It’s less about flash, more about substance.

Mark your calendar, skip the empty promises, and see how Activator turns data into genuine, measurable impact at Booth #3119

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🗓️ Coming Soon

🍾 Thursday, December 19th — ASOTU’s Year End Extravaganza: Details are here!

⚜️ January 23-26th, 2025 — NADA Show in New Orleans

• Psst…

  • Are you planning a party for NADA and want more people to know?

  • Are you looking for a party at NADA?

  • OR, would you like to party with ASOTU at NADA?

    • Check out NADAParties.com 

🦀 May 13-16th, 2025 — ASOTU CON in Baltimore, Maryland

DATA & INSIGHT

👀 Weekly Market Watch

As 2024 winds down, the U.S. economy and financial markets are serving up a little holiday cheer with more record stock market highs and a resilient labor market.

• Economic Resilience — The U.S. economy continues to grow at or above trend, with no signs of recession. November saw 227,000 new jobs added (beating the 220,000 forecast), while the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.2%—still far below the long-term average of 5.7%.

• Bullish Prospects — Stock markets are still soaring, and bond yields remain an attractive option. As we head into 2025, lower interest rates and wage growth outpacing inflation are expected to further support consumers and the broader economy.

 
November’s Consumer Price Index data showed inflation inching upward again, raising concerns that cooling progress may be stalling.

• By the Numbers — CPI rose 2.7% year-over-year, up from 2.6% in October, while core CPI (excluding food and energy) held steady at 3.3%.

• Housing Drives Inflation — Shelter costs accounted for nearly 40% of last month’s inflation, despite smaller price gains.

• Food Still Spency — Grocery prices surged 0.5% in November, with beef prices up 3.1% and eggs skyrocketing 8.2%. Underlying inflation remains stubborn, throwing the Fed’s 2025 plans into question.

The used car market has settled into a new normal, with prices for 1- to 5-year-old vehicles stabilizing near $30K. For dealerships, this steady pricing creates a more predictable landscape and improved affordability for customers.

• A Welcome Plateau — The average price of a 1- to 5-year-old used car is $29,934, down just 1.4% ($399) from a year ago and less than 3% ($750) over the past six months.

• Affordability Gains — While $30K is still a leap from the $20K average just five years ago, the recent stability means buyers no longer face the sharp price increases of recent years.
   

🥊 Quick Hits: POY, Groceries, Security, and Metal

• Yesterday, TIME magazine named Donald Trump the Person of the Year (for the second time). They also…released an AI chatbot? 🕰️

• Albertsons ends its $24.6B merger with Kroger and sues for $600B, blaming Kroger’s failure to secure regulatory approval. 🧑‍⚖️ 

• Apple releases iOS 18.2 with crucial security fixes and halts iOS 17 updates. 🔐 

• Black Sabbath may reunite with all original members for Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show. 🤘 

🔁 Today in History: First, Last, and Arrested

• 1939: The first Lincoln Continental is produced. 🥇 

• 1957: The last first generation Ford Thunderbird is introduced. 👋 

• 2003: Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured near his home town of Tikrit during the Iraq War. 🪖 

Thanks for reading! Let’s do it all again tomorrow. Bring a friend.