🚗 Lithia's Blueprint

Saturday!

It’s almost the end of the year, and we know you’ve got goals to hit.

So thanks for opening the email and spending some of your limited time with us. Our goal is to keep you informed of, aligned with, and feeling good about all the innovations and announcements buzzing in our industry.

If the content isn’t doing that, let us know why. 👇️ 

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

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ICYMI

TL;DR: This Week in the Automotive Industry for Dealers

From The Daily Pushback Email

Leadership Transitions and Readiness in Automotive Retail

Monday set the tone with leadership, learning, and a reminder that growth isn’t about panic, it’s about preparation. Ed Roberts stepping into the COO role at Bozard wasn’t a reinvention as much as a refinement: same people, clearer lanes, better readiness for what’s next. Add in Carvana’s S&P glow-up, Waymo’s very public reminder that autonomy still needs guardrails, and winter driving data begging dealers to sell safety and service, not fear.

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Auto Sales Data Shows Growth, but Retail Confidence Remains Fragile

Tuesday zoomed out on the market and zoomed in on reality. Cox data says sales are “up,” but mostly thanks to fleet, not retail confidence. Used sales keep climbing while repossessions quietly flash red, pointing to affordability strain more than demand collapse. Tesla steadied its reliability rep, but next-gen EV tech is sprinting ahead. The takeaway? Customers feel uncertain, and dealers who help explain now versus next will win trust.

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Affordability Pressures Are Forcing New Vehicle and EV Strategies

Wednesday went small, literally. Leadership transitions at Asbury showed how calm succession should look, while Ford and Renault teamed up to chase affordable EVs overseas. Kei cars and micro-EVs sparked conversation, but cultural fit still matters in the U.S. Stellantis found itself in hot water with Canada, and Europe signaled it may loosen rules to stay competitive. Affordability is forcing creativity, even if the answers aren’t traditional cars.

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Payments, Technology, and Customer Experience Are Colliding

Thursday stretched the brain a bit. Payments hit new highs, VinFast hit pause, and marketers were reminded that chasing trends is the fastest way to look tired. Tesla’s holiday update blended fun with real UX improvements, while OEM apps continued… not app-ing. A Waymo robotaxi even helped deliver a baby, which somehow summed it all up: the future is here, imperfect, occasionally magical, and very much judged on convenience.

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Inventory Imbalances and EV Incentives Signal Market Recalibration

Friday closed the week with tension between supply, demand, and reality. Sub-$25K cars vanish instantly, while some 2024 inventory still gathers dust. Nissan admitted it lost its way and wants discipline back. Tesla leaned hard on incentives as EV demand softened, and Ford quietly walked back a battery JV. Meanwhile, AI took TIME’s top honor. The industry isn’t collapsing, it’s recalibrating. Slowly. Unevenly. Honestly.

PODCASTS

Auto Collabs: Dealership Data Integrity

If your dealership tech stack feels glitchy, the problem might not be the tools. It might be the data feeding them.

On this episode of Auto Collabs, the team talks with Jason Tryfon (Authenticom) about why disconnected systems usually point to upstream data issues, not downstream software failures. They unpack how “data” means different things to dealers, vendors, and OEMs, why customer expectations now demand real-time feedback, and why the industry is moving from reports to prediction.

The big insight: small data problems upstream can create massive pain everywhere else.

👉 Listen to the episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

ASOTU Edge Webinar: Rethinking Courtesy Transportation

Courtesy transportation has long been a service department staple, but rising margins and customer expectations are forcing dealers to rethink it. In the latest ASOTU Edge article, Lithia Motors’ procurement lead John Church and Trevor Stanco of Uber for Business break down how traditional shuttle programs hide high fixed costs, from vehicle depreciation and insurance to staffing and downtime, and why shifting to a variable, per-ride model changes the economics.

They make two key points: first, that customer experience and procurement are now inseparable, flexible transportation meets customer time expectations and supports retention, and second, that OEMs are reinforcing this shift through reimbursement programs.

The article also walks through practical transition steps, offers ways to measure impact, and explains how one employee can replace two in pickup workflows with a flexible model.

Read the full article for detailed takeaways and actionable next steps.

The Dealer Playbook: The Ford Signature 2.0 Playbook

This recent episode is a reminder that the future of retail isn’t louder… it’s kinder, cleaner, and more intentional.

JB Burnett just opened the world’s first Ford Signature 2.0 store—and instead of leaning on pressure, price, or tradition, he built the whole experience around hospitality. “Guests,” not customers. “Reservations,” not appointments. A space that feels more like welcome than wear-down.

You’ll hear how his team moved 300 vehicles plus full parts and service operations eight miles in four days, opened into record weeks, and stayed calm under real pressure with a leadership mindset that’s steady, not soft.

If you lead a store and want culture + execution, you can actually run, press play.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Dealer Conferences and Industry Events (2026)

• February 3-6: NADA Show 2026, Las Vegas, NV

• May 12-15: ASOTU CON 2026, Hanover, MD

SOMETHING FUN

Collector Cars and Automotive Investment Trends

Forget What You Heard: Cars Can Be Great Investments

Every car salesperson knows the truth: cars aren’t investments, they’re depreciating assets with cupholders. Still, once a year, Hagerty gives enthusiasts (and excuse-makers) something to talk about with its Bull Market List: 11 cars they believe could hold or even gain value heading into 2026.

This year’s picks range from attainable heroes like the NB Mazda Miata, Mk3 GTI VR6, and C6 Corvette Z06 to pure poster material like the Porsche Carrera GT (because who hasn’t cross-shopped that on a lunch break?). The common thread is rarity, analog driving feel, and strong enthusiast demand, the same ingredients that make certain used cars easy to sell and hard to replace.

Will any of these beat the S&P 500?

No. But if you’re going to love something, drive it, and maybe sell it someday for what you paid… That’s a win in our book.

Trends Dealers Should Watch

• The White House released an executive order to cut state regulation of AI. 🤖 

• Valvoline Instant Oil Change placed 16th in a Most Loved Brands list. 🛢️ 

• Data shows consumers are spending less in restaurants. 🥗 

This weekly automotive industry recap is written for dealers, operators, and leaders navigating retail, service, and technology change. So, thanks for reading, Friend!