🚗 Rewind and Refuel

🚙 This Week's Headlines, Must-See Podcasts, and Nike's New Moves

October 25, 2025

You made it to Saturday, Friend!

We hope you find time to relax and soak up some of the Fall weather this weekend.

Hit reply and let us know — what’s your favorite part of this season?

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

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ICYMI

The Rewind

Yarn

The Daily Pushback Email

  • On Monday, California’s governor blocked a doc fee increase, Tesla revived “Mad Max” mode, and Home Depot launched free online trades training. Used sales dipped 5.2% in September, and tariff relief talks sent GM shares up nearly 4%. Germany also rebooted EV subsidies for 2026. 🔁
     

  • Then on Tuesday, Patrick Abad joined us to talk year-end strategy, while the CFPB proposed easing oversight on small auto lenders. Waymo faced scrutiny after passing a stopped school bus, GM teased new budget EVs, and cable thefts continued disrupting charging stations across the U.S. and Europe. 🥷
     

  • Wednesday, tariffs set to increase for imported commercial trucks, Carvana expanded same-day delivery to San Diego, and F&I trust stayed strong despite slipping satisfaction. Social media strategist Russ Flips Whips dropped Q4 tips, and TIME revealed 47 Dealer of the Year nominees celebrating excellence across the retail auto industry. 🌟
     

  • Thursday’s Q4 Strategy podcast featured Andy Guelcher on smart EV selling post-tax credit. Ford issued a 1.45M-vehicle recall over backup cam failures, GM teased eyes-off driving, and Uber launched EV grants for drivers. 💰
     

  • Fixed Ops took the spotlight on Friday as Joe Castelino shared how his teams prep for holiday chaos. EV demand diminished, but Volvo bucked the trend. Meanwhile, the NADA Show 2026 drops a jam-packed education lineup and ASOTU went global in Kazakhstan. 🇰🇿 

PODCASTS

ASOTU Edge Webinars

Want a smarter way to move used cars between stores?

Modern Auto Group shows how to place units where they’ll sell fastest and for the most money using clear triggers, fair transfer pricing, and an enterprise view of inventory.

Check out the replay, or read the full article here for the playbook, KPIs, and a 2-week rollout plan.

Auto Collabs

What if one number could cut burnout, fix your follow-up, and turn “lost” leads into lifetime customers?

Kristine Lentz of Urban Science joins Auto Collabs to unpack the real story behind customer defection and how data (done right) can re-humanize your sales process.

Hear why ego kills opportunity, 20% of your “active” leads may already be gone, and why human is the new premium.

The Dealer Playbook

When the market got messy, Alex Lawrence didn’t flinch—he built. The tech veteran, professor, and founder of EV Auto shares how he grew one of the nation’s first used EV dealerships through volatility, tax credit chaos, and all-out uncertainty.

Hear why patience beats hype, authenticity drives sales, and the EV revolution is only just beginning.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Don’t Let Bad Data Sabatoge Your AI

In this session, Dave Steinberg of Foureyes and Daniel Kim of Barnes Crossing break down how to modernize your data plumbing so AI actually drives results instead of risk.

Learn how to connect your data end-to-end, reduce waste, and build a foundation where AI can finally deliver on its promise of scale, efficiency, and smarter selling. Because if your data doesn’t flow, neither will your customer experience.

Join us Wednesday, November 5th at 2PM EST—register here!

SOMETHING FUN

Nike’s New Playbook

Nike

The company announced Sport Offense, a new division that combines its innovation, design, and product teams from Nike, Jordan, and Converse. Instead of running separate plays, they’re now building everything together with athletes as the starting point.

There’s Project Amplify, a powered footwear system that uses motors to help everyday runners go farther with less effort. Think of it like e-bikes, but for your legs.

There’s a jacket that inflates or deflates depending on the weather, and it’s intended to be worn by Team USA during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

They also announced Aero-FIT, a fabric that keeps players cool with better airflow, and shoes that stimulate walking on grass.

It’s a reminder that breaking down silos and focusing on the customer experience (or athlete experience, in this case) leads to sharper results. Sometimes the best ideas come from rethinking how your team builds in the first place.

Quick Hits

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