🚗 Ford's Adapters, Nissan's New Boss, and Service Calls

TOGETHER WITH

Wow-Wednesday!

Wow, did you know we’re bringing Pitch Tank back to ASOTU CON this year?
Wow, did you know you can participate in the Pitching? (see below)
Wow, did you know… our days just aren’t the same when we don’t get to have these little talks with you?

What’s on your “wow” list today?

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Pitch Tank @ ASOTU CON 2025!

🚀 Got a Game-Changer? Pitch It at ASOTU CON!

Think your idea could shake up automotive retail? The ASOTU CON 2025 Pitch Tank is where innovators take the stage, pitching fresh ideas to top dealers, investors, and industry leaders.

✅ Get in front of decision-makers
✅ Receive expert feedback
✅ Gain industry exposure

Submissions close on March 28! Don’t miss your shot—apply now.

THE NEWS

Service Calls, Nissan’s New CEO, and Ford’s “Free” Adapters.

Service Calls Are Bleeding Revenue—Here’s How to Stop It

🔧 A new study found that 81% of service revenue starts with a phone call, but most dealerships aren’t converting them effectively.

• Only 43% of advisors ask for an appointment.

• 95% of dealers quote higher than independents—pushing customers away.

• 98% of calls fail to maximize engagement.

💡 The Fix: Train advisors to sell, not just answer calls. Book appointments proactively. Use CRM tools to track and retain customers.

Nissan CEO Steps Down Amid Profit Struggles

🚨 Nissan’s CEO Makoto Uchida is out, with Chief Planning Officer Ivan Espinosa stepping in on April 1—making him the fourth CEO in eight years. This follows Nissan’s failed merger talks with Honda and a 78% drop in Q3 profit.

📉 Nissan now faces major challenges, from declining EV sales to a massive $95.7M net loss last quarter. Can Espinosa turn things around?

ASOTU’s Thoughts

Ford Ends Free Tesla Adapter Program

🔌 Ford has officially shipped all 140,000 free Tesla Supercharger adapters. Now? New customers will need to buy one for $200.

• Ford EVs now have access to 20,000+ Tesla chargers.

• The BlueOval charging network has grown 40% YoY.

• Supercharger locations now show up in Apple Maps via CarPlay.

The freebie phase is over—time to monetize Tesla’s charging network shift!

More

Read more on these and several more stories in The News /w ASOTU.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Ditching its decades-long “two bags fly free” strategy, Southwest says they will no longer allow free checked luggage. ✈️

• Job market resilient but risks grow 💼 

• All these GPS mapping projects may lead to more robo-cars on the road. 🗺️ 

TOGETHER WITH FOUREYES

Turn Dealer Data into Advertising that Actually Moves Metal

Your dealership clients are sitting on a data goldmine when it comes to helping you deliver ad campaigns that move metal – not just metrics.

And it’s time to cash in.

Foureyes Connect gives digital advertisers instant access to what dealers want you both to know: who's shopping for what, right now.

• Match shoppers with vehicles they're eyeing. 

• Prove campaigns sell cars, not just leads. 

• Power and expand your solutions in ways that make competitors jealous

Transform your client conversations from defending metrics to strategic advising.

All via a self-serve platform. Are you ready?

Get a tour!

DATA & INSIGHT

Credit Flows but Risks Grow

Auto credit access improved in February, offering some relief for car buyers and dealers alike. The Dealertrack Credit Availability Index climbed to its highest level since December 2022, with approval rates rising and subprime lending expanding.

However, while it’s getting easier for consumers to secure financing, higher down payments and growing negative equity could still create challenges for dealers.

More Approvals, More Subprime Lending

• Approval Rates Up: Loan approvals increased by 10 basis points (BPs), allowing more buyers—especially those with lower credit scores—to secure financing.

• Subprime Lending Expands: The subprime loan share surged by 150 BPs, signaling greater lender willingness to take on riskier borrowers.

• Longer Loan Terms: Loans exceeding 72 months rose by 50 BPs, helping keep monthly payments lower but increasing long-term interest costs.

Warning Signs in Borrowing Trends

• Negative Equity Rises: Up 110 BPs, more borrowers now owe more on their vehicles than they are worth, raising default risks.

• Higher Down Payments: Lenders are tightening by requiring more upfront cash, with down payments increasing by 10 BPs.

• Rising Auto Loan Delinquencies: Despite improved credit availability, a record number of Americans are falling behind on car payments, with 6.6% of subprime borrowers at least 60 days overdue as of January 2025.

🔁 Today in History

• 1894: Coca-Cola is sold in bottles for the first time in a candy store in Vicksburg, Mississippi. 🥤

• 1912: Girl Scouts begin in the U.S. (originally known as the Girl Guides). 🍪

• 1957: Random House and Houghton-Mifflin co-publish "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss. 📖