🚗 Frozen Credits, Hot Tempers

TOGETHER WITH

Service, at its root, is about meeting needs, but the same could be said for almost any transaction.

In truth, true service is a transfer of options.

Making the choice to have slightly fewer options with your time, energy, and preferences, so someone else can have slightly more.

Anybody can help when it’s convenient, but service goes deeper.

Who’re you serving today?

Keep Pushing Back,
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Rivian’s $100M Credit Crunch

Rivian’s warning: $100M in EV credit revenue is locked up after the Trump admin froze CAFE enforcement. That’s 6.5% of their 2025 revenue, now in limbo. Tesla says it could lose $1.1B. Why it matters? These credits help EV makers stay afloat, and help legacy OEMs hit fuel economy targets without changing their fleets. If they stay frozen, we can expect slower EV rollouts, pricing shifts, and maybe fewer incentives from both sides.

Hubber Hits the Urban Gap

Elon axed Tesla’s Supercharger team, and his alumni just launched a rival. Meet Hubber: a UK-based startup turning empty city corners into high-speed EV hubs for taxis and delivery fleets. With £60M banked and Site #1 now live in London, they’re solving the “where do I plug in?” crisis for vehicles that charge like it’s a full-time job.

CEOs Breathe (a Little) Easier

The suits are still nervous, but they’re no longer in panic mode. CEO confidence rose to 49 in Q3, up from a gloomy 34 last quarter. Only 36% expect a recession (down from 83%), but job cuts are now outpacing hires.

From The News w/ ASOTU

10 Cheapest New Cars, Trucks & SUVs

Cars.com’s latest round-up proves that while cars are getting more expensive, automakers are still pumping out value models with increasingly improved features. While the Mitsubishi Mirage—the last car under $20K—is discontinued, Ford’s Maverick and Hyundai’s Santa Cruz remain under $30K, and subcompact SUVs continue to offer budget-friendly entry points.

Inventory Back to 2.9M Units

KBB reports dealer inventory hovering at 2.9M units, roughly where it was before the tariff frenzy. But with automakers still absorbing added costs, pricing stability remains fragile if sourcing or supply lines shift again.

Car Insurance Keeps Climbing

Insurify data shows the average annual premium has hit $2,543—up 26% since 2023 and expected to rise another 7% by year’s end. EV drivers face higher averages at $4,058, nearly 50% more than gas owners, but transparency around total ownership costs is helping customers make more informed decisions.

TOGETHER WITH CARS.COM

What Other Leads Aren’t Telling You

Let’s be real — cold calls are awkward. But with detailed shopper insights from Cars.com, they don’t have to be. Before you even contact a lead, you'll know what they’ve been looking at, their budget, and even the inventory they’ve been browsing at other dealerships.

Their leads already close way better than the competition. But now? You're getting insider info on the 89% of Cars.com shoppers who haven't decided where to buy yet. That's the kind of intel that turns leads into deals.

Get Your Advantage with Cars.com

SOMETHING FUN

A Supercar for a Super Cause

Ferrari said it would only make 599 Daytona SP3s. Then it made one more.

At Monterey Car Week, that one-of-one “599+1” sold at auction for $26M—ten times the base price and now the most expensive new Ferrari ever sold.

Every dollar went to benefit The Ferrari Foundation to support their education and relief efforts. Their most recent initiative was a collaboration with Save the Children to help rebuild the Aveson Charter School in California whose campus was tragically destroyed by wildfires earlier this year.

The winning bidder didn’t just buy a car. They bought a one-off, a moment in Ferrari history, and a serious flex for a seriously good cause.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Brian Kramer, EVP at Cars Commerce, joined Paul and Kyle on a recent episode of Automotive State of the Union to discuss new auto tariffs, and how the market is reacting.

Watch the full replay here.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Hurricane Erin isn’t expected to make landfall, but it may still cause flooding along the East Coast this week. 🌊

• Gen-Z slang like “skibidi” and “delulu” have been added to the Cambridge Dictionary. 🚽

• Air Canada has been forced to suspend operations after striking flight attendants refused a government back-to-work order. 🇨🇦 

🔁 Today in History

• 1909: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds its first race. 🏁

• 1934: The first All American Soap Box Derby is held. 🧼

• 1960: Russia launches Sputnik 5, the first spacecraft to safely carry animals into space and bring them back alive. 🐶

Thanks for reading, Friend. Now, go slay the day!