TOGETHER WITH :
Howdy Fam!
Our LinkedIn feed leading up to ASOTU CON is always so cool. Check out our latest batch of certified humans planning to join us next month in Hanover, MD.
If you’re coming and want to get in on the algorithmic fun, send us a picture. We will handle the rest.
Keep Pushing Back,
- Chris with Paul, Kyle & Kristi
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What Customers May Be Bringing In This Week
A quick read on the stories shaping how people may be thinking about cars before they ever talk to you. If we get an idea of how they’re thinking, we may also come up with the right things to say when they show up.
Global pricing is getting attention
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Reporting out of the Beijing Auto Show highlights just how far apart vehicle pricing has become. In China, there are hundreds of EVs priced under $25,000. Some of the most popular models start under $12,000.
What customers may hear
“Cars shouldn’t cost this much.”
The better conversation
“The price gap is real. The vehicles, regulations, and expectations are different too. What tends to matter most here is how a vehicle fits your daily life and what it costs to own over time.”
GM’s strong quarter comes with a familiar footnote
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GM beat earnings expectations and raised its guidance, helped in part by a $500M tariff-related benefit. At the same time, it continues to absorb significant costs tied to adjusting EV plans.
What customers may hear
“Even the big companies aren’t sure about EVs.”
The better conversation
“Automakers are still committed to electrification, but they are adjusting timing and investment. That is why you are seeing more options across gas, hybrid, and EV right now.”
Move From Skepticism to Integration
AI has promised to "revolutionize" dealerships for years. But most dealers are still asking whether it actually works.
Tina Tasche, Innovation & Technology Specialist at Van Horn Automotive Group, stopped asking that question a while ago. With 20 years of experience across every corner of the dealership, she's the first to say the proof is in the numbers.
On our upcoming 30-minute ASOTU Edge Webinar, Tina joins Jordan Parker from Podium to pull back the curtain on what AI adoption actually looks like at a 16-store dealer group, including what changed, what didn't, and what the data showed.
A reminder about pricing transparency
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A federal case tied to deceptive pricing and add-ons resulted in tens of millions in refunds and new requirements around clearly disclosing the total vehicle price.
At the same time, online conversations across forums and social platforms are picking up around advertised price matching, what a customer actually pays.
What customers may hear
“Dealers have been hiding fees.”
The better conversation
“Clear pricing is becoming more consistent across the industry. If something is required, it should be included upfront so you can make a fully informed decision.”
Used market is steady, but more selective
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Wholesale data shows a stable market overall, with trucks and SUVs still leading. Some car segments saw slight declines, and buyer behavior is becoming more selective depending on condition and configuration.
What customers may hear
“Used prices are dropping.”
The better conversation
“Some vehicles are softening, others are still strong. What matters most right now is the specific vehicle, not just the category.”
Service expectations continue to shift
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Recent customer satisfaction data shows aftermarket service providers continue to win on speed and convenience, while dealerships maintain an edge in perceived expertise for more complex work.
Text communication and clear updates are playing a bigger role in satisfaction.
What customers may hear
“Dealers take longer and cost more.”
The better conversation
“Speed and cost are important. So is getting the job done right, especially as vehicles get more complex. The experience is improving in both areas across the industry.”
Where rubber meets the road:
If these stories are in your customers’ feed, they are already shaping expectations.
Here’s one way to meet them there:
“Seeing a lot of headlines lately about car prices, EV changes, and fees. If you’ve got questions about what’s actually changing and what applies to you, happy to walk through it with you. No pressure, just clarity.”
Some of your lost deals didn’t just disappear. They closed somewhere else.
Urban Science helps you see that.
By connecting the dots between your leads and real-world outcomes, they give you a clearer picture of what’s actually happening beyond your CRM, and what to do about it next. That kind of visibility changes how you follow up, how you prioritize, and how you compete.
At ASOTU CON, Urban Science is stepping into a Mini Keynote and in-show content to break down how top dealers are turning that insight into action.
🤖 AI: OpenAI didn’t hit its rev target.
🛒 Retail: Consumer confidence climbs following good jobs report!
🇺🇸 Policy: The Iran war is putting the squeeze on fertilizer, which puts the squeeze on grain.
💰 Economy: Affordability is still the name of the game in consumer data.
👽 Weird: New bill seeks to make Loveland Frogman Ohio's state cryptid
1953 – The first U.S. experimental 3D television broadcast shows an episode of Space Patrol on Los Angeles ABC affiliate KECA-TV.
1975 – Vietnam War: Operation Frequent Wind: The U.S. begins to evacuate U.S. citizens from Saigon before an expected North Vietnamese takeover. U.S. involvement in the war comes to an end. This happens after the Bombing of Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
2004 – The final Oldsmobile is built in Lansing, Michigan, ending 107 years of vehicle production.
Thanks for reading, Friend!
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