🚗 Fixed Ops Heroes

🚙 Reality Check, Hanover, and Jacksonville Love

April 10, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to Thursday, Friend!

It takes a whole team to make ASOTU happen, but in the most direct sense, this email is really just a few of us each day. Hit reply, tell us how you’re doing, ask us why you should come to ASOTU CON, and send us your favorite YouTube video.

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Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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ICYMI

Trump Pauses (Some)Tariffs for (Some) Countries

Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on recently proposed tariffs—just hours after telling the public it was a “Great time to buy.” The markets responded immediately.

  • The S&P 500 surged 9.52%, marking its third-largest one-day gain since WWII.

  • The Dow climbed nearly 3,000 points (7.87%),

  • and the Nasdaq jumped 12.16%, its second-best day ever.

This comes after a brutal four-day slide that pushed the S&P briefly into bear market territory. While much of those losses were erased in a single day, analysts warn that volatility may stick around. Trade negotiations haven’t begun, and headlines will likely swing both ways. We’ll keep an eye on what’s next.

Parts and Imports, Employee Pricing Win, and Some Global Tariff Response

🔧 Fixed Ops Positioned for a Strong 2025

With 25% tariffs hitting imported parts, service departments may become the year’s profit MVPs. Roughly 44% of OEM parts are imported, giving dealers a 4–6 week window before inventory costs spike.

Cox Automotive warns brake jobs alone could cost $150–$200 more per axle. LaFontaine Auto Group is staying ahead by contacting customers who previously declined repairs—while parts are still in stock. It’s not just proactive. It’s profitable.

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đŸ·ïž Ford’s Employee Pricing Promo Moves the Needle

Ford’s unexpected employee pricing promo is creating real-world results. Sentry Auto Group in Massachusetts sold 17 cars in a single Saturday—their best day in four months.

The promo, coupled with looming tariff fears, pushed hesitant buyers to act. “We’d rather sell twice as many cars and make half as much on each one,” said Sentry’s president. It’s a reminder that bold, simple offers still get people in the door.

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🌎 Global Tariff Tensions Escalate

Canada and South Korea have responded to U.S. auto tariffs.

Canada is imposing its own 25% tariff on non-USMCA-compliant U.S. vehicles, potentially affecting up to 60% of American exports.

South Korea, meanwhile, is propping up its auto sector with tax breaks and subsidies.

Dealers should brace for shifting supply chains, unpredictable pricing, and customer confusion as the trade chess match plays out.

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➕ More

Read more about these stories and several more in our Daily Digest.

đŸ„Š Quick Hits

  • China has issued retaliatory tariffs on the US. đŸ€ș 

  • A guy in Nevada was arrested after 7 “emotional support” tigers were rescued from his him. 🐯 

  • Research is looking for solutions to strokes in your gut. 🩠 

Your Trade-in Tool Need a Reality Check?

At this point, it seems inevitable that new car prices are gonna go up, increasing demand for used cars, which is gonna increase those prices. 

Can your trade-in tool keep up with volatility in vehicle valuations, every singe day, in your local market?

Can you configure your trade-in offers to get more aggressive on used car acquisition?

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Subaru of Jax Shares the Love (Big Time)

Subaru of Jacksonville just set the gold standard for giving. Through the 2024 Subaru Share the Love campaign, the dealership donated a staggering $205,000 to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, which is the largest single-charity donation from any Subaru dealer in the country.

Here’s how they did it: While Subaru of America pledged $250 per car sold, owners Phil Porter Sr. and Jr. more than doubled that, kicking in an extra $350 per vehicle to support their local children’s hospital. The result? $62,500 from the OEM, $142,500 from the store, and a moment that proves this industry is about way more than selling cars.

And shoutout to young Kallam Achors, Wolfson patient and VIP guest at the check presentation, for reminding us why moments like this matter.

Subaru may “Share the Love,” but this team? They amplified it.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

ASOTU CON 2025

Early bird discounts for ASOTU CON 2025 tickets end Saturday evening!

Now is the time to get yours if you're still putting it off. If you're still on the fence, take a look at:

And make plans to invest in your career, team, and business May 13-16th in Hanover, MD.

🔁 Today in History

  • 1879: The founder of Hertz rental cars is born (Hertz was founded in 1918, which kinda blew Chris’s mind). 🔑 

  • 1912: RMS Titanic sets sail from Southampton, England on her maiden and only voyage. 🧊 

  • 1925: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is first published in New York City by Charles Scribner's Sons. đŸš„ 

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