🚗 Before The Holiday Rush

Welcome to Saturday, Friend!

It’s the weekend before Christmas. Somehow both too soon and exactly when we needed it.

Whether you’re ready or very much not, we hope you find joy tucked somewhere in the middle of it all.

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

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ICYMI

Catching Up on the Week

The Daily Pushback Email

• On Monday, Volkswagen signaled a shift toward range-extended EVs as U.S. demand plateaus, especially outside metro markets. Used-car sales climbed 2.3% in November, with affordability pulling buyers back. Globally, EV demand rose 21%, but the U.S. lags amid policy shifts and incentive uncertainty. ⚡️
   

• Then. on Tuesday, Carvana bought another CDJR store, confirming that even digital-first players need physical rooftops. EV demand stayed weak in new sales but grew 14% in used, showing affordability still defines adoption. And with global policies shifting, clean data—not more tech—is what enables sustainable scale. ⚖️
   

• Wednesday, Ford confirmed it’s ending production of the all-electric Lightning and pivoting to extended-range EVs. Legacy OEMs like VW and Hyundai are doing the same. Meanwhile, 83% of shoppers now use AI tools to guide early car research, reshaping how and when they arrive at your store ready to buy. 🤖
   

• By Thursday, GM announced a new autonomy push focused on personally owned vehicles, not robotaxis. Meanwhile, California gave Tesla 90 days to fix its Autopilot marketing. ⏰
   

• Before we knew it, it was Friday. Cox Automotive’s 2026 forecast pointed to a bifurcated market, while Steve Greenfield highlighted how shifting policies and global scale are shaping dealer pressure points. Wall Street is already separating retailers by execution and discipline, reinforcing one theme: in 2026, precision will be the edge.🎯 

PODCASTS

Auto Collabs

The biggest force reshaping the auto industry right now is not EVs or autonomy.

It’s China.

Recorded live at the Merge 2025, our conversation with global analyst Michael Dunne lays out how fast Chinese automakers are expanding, where those vehicles are really landing, and why this moment feels fundamentally different from anything the industry has faced before.

Catch the recap to understand what industry leaders need to understand right now.

The Dealer Playbook

What if your dealership became the place people wanted to gather, not just buy?

In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, Ashley Brockhurst shares how Charlesglen Toyota turned community into its real differentiator.

From hosting dozens of local events a year to building loyalty without relying on traditional marketing playbooks, her approach challenges how most dealers think about growth.

Watch the full episode to see how community-first thinking can quietly change everything.

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

DATA & INSIGHT

Holiday Travel Nears New Highs

Get your playlists queued and your snacks pre-sorted. This year’s holiday travel is about to get crowded.

AAA expects nearly 115M people to travel between Christmas and New Year’s. That’s the highest number since 2019 and just shy of an all-time record.

Most travelers will be driving. With national gas prices dipping below $2.90/gallon on average, road trips are still the go-to.

But flying hasn’t taken a back seat. Over 7.5M folks are set to fly this season, and airports everywhere will be humming. Lines, delays, tough weather—pack extra patience for all of it.

May your holiday travels be safe, smooth, and minimally stressful, Friend.

Quick Hits

• Be sure you’re prepared for your travels. Here is what the NHTSA recommends for Winter Weather Driving. ❄️

• A new study found that Grubhub is the most affordable food-delivery service in most states (but it really depends on where you live). 🥡

• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington is being renamed the "Trump-Kennedy Center.” 🎭