🚗 Last Week But Faster

🚙 Working For Peanuts, Charging Smarter

March 15, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

ASOTU CON inches every closer and you should plan to be there, Friend!

But we aren’t just saying it; we’re ready to explain it.

Hit us up with a reply or send a message to our Linkedin page asking, “Why should I come to ASOTU CON?”

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

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Last Week But Faster

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The Daily Pushback Email

  • Monday kicked off with a mixed bag of data—used car prices up, down, and somehow both at the same time. Volkswagen made waves by announcing a budget EV running on Rivian software, while Toyota tried to claw back market share in China with its cheapest EV yet. Meanwhile, Nissan's CEO faced pressure over weak performance, and the board debated his future. 😓
     

  • Tuesday saw dealership numbers shifting, with total rooftops growing while franchise locations shrank. Automakers scrambled to maneuver around looming tariffs, with some moving production stateside, while auto credit access hit its highest level since December 2022—good news for buyers, but rising negative equity remains a concern. 📈
     

  • Wednesday brought big headlines in fixed ops—81% of service revenue starts with a phone call, but most dealerships aren’t converting those calls into appointments. Nissan made leadership changes as CEO Makoto Uchida stepped down, and Ford officially ended its free Tesla adapter program, now charging $200 per unit. 📱
     

  • Thursday revealed a 28% surge in EV sales despite shifting industry strategies, with automakers hedging their bets on hybrids. A new recall-tracking tool identified millions of unfixed recalls, creating a massive service opportunity for dealers. Dealer sentiment showed optimism for the spring market, but profitability remains a challenge. 🌱
     

  • Friday closed out the week with a focus on fraud prevention—deepfake-powered fake IDs are now nearly undetectable, making manual ID checks obsolete. Meanwhile, Trump’s EPA rollbacks signal a shift in emission regulations, Toyota expanded its EV lineup (but not in the U.S.), and Tesla stock rebounded after a tough start to the year. 🥸

📼 Watch @ ASOTU.be

How To Protect Yourself From Lawsuits With Compliance for Car Dealers

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From Parts to Purchase: The Impact of Tax and Trade Policy on Automotive | Public Policy Day 2025

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The Secret to a Fast, Profitable Dealership Website Experience with Ron Andrews | NADA Show 2025

Check out the latest from AI in Auto in the autoindustry.AI weekly email.

Last week’s issue: 💬 Tech Talk at SXSW

EV Charging Costs Are Rising—What Can Dealers Do?

EV ownership isn’t as cheap as some expect—especially in states like California, where charging can cost more than gas. In this week’s ASOTU Edge webinar, Robert from Renew Energy broke down how home solar can slash EV charging costs and how dealerships can turn this into a value-add for customers.

With federal incentives shifting, dealers who integrate charging and energy solutions into their sales strategy can boost customer loyalty and unlock new revenue.

Check out the replay above, or visit Renew Energy to learn more!

SOMETHING FUN

We May Have Found Your Dream Job, Friend

Do you love road trips? Enjoy making people smile? Want to spend a year inside a giant peanut? If you answered yes to all three, then congratulations, you might just be Peanutter material.

Planters is hiring three lucky individuals to pilot the Nutmobile, a 26-foot-long peanut on wheels, across the country for a full year. But this isn’t just about driving—Peanutters are full-time brand ambassadors, spreading joy (and probably some free snacks) at over 200 events nationwide. The gig pays $45K plus benefits, but let’s be honest, the real perk is saying, “Yeah, I drive a peanut for a living.”

Requirements? A degree in marketing, PR, or communications—and an extreme tolerance for nut-related puns.

The Nutmobile first hit the road in 1935 (a year before the Wienermobile, just saying). Think you’ve got what it takes? Apply now and prepare to go nuts for a year.

Quick Hits: Breakfast Edition?

  • Apparently, more eggs are being nabbed at the border than fentanyl? 🥚 

  • Coffee thefts are up as bean prices rise. ☕️ 

  • Orange juice company, Tropicana, is in financial trouble thanks to weather, bugs, and sugar wary consumers. 🍊 

🔁 Today in History

  • 44 BC: The assassination of Julius Caesar takes place on the Ides of March. 🗡️ 

  • 1954: The 5,000th Porsche is built. 🧑‍🏭 

  • 1961: Jaguar E-Type is released. 🐈‍⬛ 

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