🚗 Losing Never Looked So Good

🚙 The Weekly Rewind, Pods x3, and a Bet is a Bet

March 08, 2025

Welcome to Saturday and International Women’s Day!

The heart of our industry beats strongest when everyone brings their unique talents to the table, and today we're shining a spotlight on the remarkable women whose dedication and expertise continue to elevate our automotive community.

Your perspective enriches our workplaces and the experiences you create for customers every day.

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

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ICYMI

Looking Back on the Week

Gifer

The Daily Pushback Email

  • Monday’s highlights saw Carvana dipping a toe into franchised dealership ownership with its first-ever new car store and the REPAIR Act making a comeback to shake up the fixed ops space. Meanwhile, Vegas Auto Gallery and Sylvester Stallone turned a luxury car auction into a $1M power move for charity—because why stop at one Lotus when you can give away two? 🚗
     

  • In Tuesday’s news, we found that 1 in 5 online leads get ghosted—dealers, that’s money walking out the door. Xiaomi’s EV launch went wild in China, but U.S. buyers? Not so fast. Honda’s dodging tariffs by shifting Civic hybrid production to Indiana, while Easterns Automotive proved dealerships do more than sell cars—dropping a donation to Building Bridges Foundation to support trauma survivors. 🌉
     

  • On Wednesday, we take a deeper look into how new U.S. tariffs could hike car prices. BMW doubled down on EVs with next-gen battery tech, calling it their “project of the century.” AI’s dealership takeover is accelerating, and failing EV chargers are pushing frustrated drivers back to gas. ⛽
     

  • Then, on Thursday, Toyota and Lexus dominated KBB’s resale value awards, reinforcing their edge as a selling tool. Meanwhile, Trump’s 25% auto tariffs shook the industry—until a last-minute exemption offered temporary relief. And Rohrman Automotive stepped up for California wildfire relief, proving dealerships drive more than just sales. 💗
      

  • Finally, it was Friday, and Ford said farewell to the Focus, doubling down on trucks, SUVs, and performance models. Automakers turned their sights to space, investing in satellites and rockets to power the future of connected cars. Meanwhile, stocks wobbled, gas prices inched up, and used inventory tightened—keeping the market on its toes. 🎢

PODCASTS

The Automotive Troublemaker

The auto industry breathed a sigh of relief this week as it was announced that they will be exempt from the 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods. Plus, the Automotive Troublemakers look at the cars that hold their value the best, and Google’s push towards AI search.

Catch the full conversation on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.

NADA 2025

Parts inventory can make or break a dealership’s profitability, yet many dealers don’t realize how much money they’re leaving on the shelf—quite literally.

At this year’s NADA Show, Michael Cirillo and Kaylee Felio from PartsEdge break down how smarter inventory management helps cut waste, avoid delays, and keep service running smoothly.

The Dealer Playbook

Jim "The Alpha Dawg" Ziegler was more than an industry icon—he was a force of nature. In this special episode of The Dealer Playbook, we honor his legacy, his impact, and his unforgettable voice.

Listen to the replay on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

The Countdown Continues

🦀 May 13-16th — ASOTU CON in Baltimore, Maryland.

🎟️ Buy your ticket.
🏨 Book your hotel (rooms are filling up fast!).
📱Get the app.

SOMETHING FUN

A Bet is a Bet

Some bets come with bragging rights. Others come with a little public humility. This one came with a little bit both.

After the Chiefs took the L in the Super Bowl, our pals Brandiss Drummer and Danny Zaslavsky held up their end of a bet with Paul J Daly in stride, rocking Eagles jerseys and belting out the Eagles fight song.

While Brandiss and Danny may not have loved the Philly green, they proved to be great sports all in support of Vehicles for Change, a nonprofit all about helping families get back on the road.

Want to see the moment they embraced their inner Eagles fans? Check out the full video here! đŸŚ…

Quick Hits

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