🚗 Grit and Gears

🚙 Hitting the Highlights, Punchy Pods, and a Robot Battle Royale

August 16, 2025

 

Welcome to the weekend, Friend!

Today is National Tell a Joke Day, and we’ve got a good one for you:

A woman walks into a library and approaches the librarian.

The woman says, "I'm looking for a particular kids book for my son, but I can't remember the name."

The librarian says, "Okay, can you describe it for me?"

The woman replies, "It's an adventure book about Pavlov's dog and Schrodinger's cat."

The librarian thinks for a minute and says, "Hmm…it rings a bell, but I'm not sure if we have it or not."

Do you have a favorite go-to joke? Hit reply and share it with us!

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

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ICYMI

The Weekly Catch-Up

Tenor

The Daily Pushback Email

  • On Monday, CarGurus confirmed it will sunset CarOffer by year’s end, Ford opened a new EV development hub in Long Beach, and global automakers face $12B in tariff-related hits. We also praised CMA’s Valley campus who recently donated 70 “Journey bags” to foster kiddos in need. 🎒
     

  • Then, on Tuesday, we learned that auto loan rejection rates have dropped to 6.7%. Jaguar also announced a push into ultra-luxury EVs starting with a $150K electric sedan, and Tesla has applied to supply electricity to homes in the UK. 🇬🇧
     

  • Wednesday, Ford announced a $2B investment to build a $30K midsize EV pickup by 2027. Plus, GM announced shifting autonomous focus from robotaxis to personal vehicles, and tariff hikes on Chinese imports were paused 90 days as U.S.–China talks progress. ⏸️
     

  • On Thursday, Presidio reported auto retail margins and net income is on the rise with 72% of dealers expecting stable or growing profits. EV growth slowed globally in July, and Tesla hired NY-based robotaxi “babysitters” without permits. 🐣
     

  • Friday, we discussed VinFast retreating from the U.S. market, a new Boeing-sized solar drone that stayed airborne for 74 hours, and dealers who continue to battle online price transparency issues. 🤼 

PODCASTS

Auto Collabs

In a recent episode of Auto Collabs, Paul J Daly sits down with Jamie Butters to trace his journey from covering Toyota’s first U.S.-built minivan to shaping global auto coverage at The Wall Street Journal.

They talk bankruptcies, EV battles, hybrid “overnight” success, and why trust—not tech—is the backbone of good journalism.

Listen now on YouTube, Spotify or Apple.

The Dealer Playbook

Megan McDowell went from selling cars at Lexus of Austin to leading operations at TrueCar. In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, she shares how dealership skills like reading people and asking the right questions can open doors you never knew were there.

ASOTU Unscripted

In this episode of ASOTU Unscripted, Errol Bomar talks with Landon Garside about how a chance career change—and a decade-old great buying experience—led him from teaching music to shaping dealership marketing.

It’s a story about resilience, people-first decisions, and doing what’s right even when it’s not the easy choice.

Warm your heart with this inspiring story in under 10 minutes—tune in here.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

😎 What We’re…

👀 Watching: Twisted Metal
Inspired by the fan-favorite video game, Season 2 is back on the road with even wilder wheels, high-octane havoc, and that signature snark that fans love.

📚 Reading: AI in the Service Drive
An interesting report from Charisma Communications revealing how AI is being used in service departments today, and what is actually improving efficiency.

🎧 Listening To: Name Written in Water by Cass McCombs
Easy on the ears but heavy on the feels, this song plays like a slow Sunday afternoon when you’re lost in thought. If you like your folk songs a little hazy and a bit heart-tuggy, this one’s for you.

🤤 Eating: Wedding Cake
Because someone in our crew just got hitched—congratulations Teagan and Issac!

SOMETHING FUN

Let the Games Begin

Han Haidan / China News Service / VCG via Getty Images

If you’ve ever watched the Olympics and thought, “This would be better with more tech,” then you’re in for a treat.

The first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games debuted this week in Beijing with over 500 robots, 280 teams, and 16 countries participating.

In this three day event, metal battles for medals in soccer, boxing, track and field, gymnastics, and even a fashion show. Because nothing says fierce competition like a jaunty little hat.

According to organizers, the whole point is to “accelerate the integration of robots into human life” and “build a platform for international exchange.”

So, whether you watch for the fights or the fits, what’s important really isn’t the accolades. It’s the people across countries, cultures, and languages choosing to build something together.

CXinhua / Zhang Chenlin

Quick Hits

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