#579 -🧂➕⚡️ New Year New Batteries

PRESENTING

VW’s salt batteries, Chargers everywhere, and big news in big China.

The new year is here, and so is the new news.

Today is a Tuesday we think can be good for more than Tacos. Tell em’ Tuesday. We’ve all got something on our list we are going to say when we get the chance. “Thanks,” “Sorry,” “Let’s talk about it,” “You should read the ASOTU daily email,” Etc.

Don’t wait another day, tell em’ and of course…

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

News and Fun

Volkswagen and JAC's Sodium-Ion EVs

Volkswagen and China's JAC are teaming up to bring a sodium-ion battery into the EV game. Kinda missed an opportunity by not inviting that Salt Bae guy, but nobody asked us. 

• 🔋 Yiwei's Sodium Surge: Introducing an affordable, efficient alternative to the EV market.

• 🧪 Cutting-edge Tech: Featuring sodium-ion cells and honey-comb structured UE module tech for enhanced performance.

• 🚗 Driving Prices Down: Promising to make EVs more accessible with cheaper raw materials and advanced technology.

The Rise of Curbside EV Charging

Cities are proof you can stack pretty much anything. People, homes, roads, and electrical grids. 

• 🌆 Adapting to Urban Needs: Tackling charging dilemmas in densely populated areas with innovative solutions.

• 🔄 Engaging Communities: Tailoring charging solutions to meet the unique needs of city residents.

• 🚀 Federal Endorsement: Gaining momentum with government support, setting the stage for widespread adoption.

It's like watching people invest in Blu-ray players right before the streaming era really took off. Do we really want to replace all these parking-meter-looking chargers in a few years when they are obsolete? 

Cybertruck's Collision

In a clash of titans on a California highway, Tesla's Cybertruck tangles with a Toyota Corolla, giving us a real-world peek into the durability of everybody's favorite ramp-shaped microwave on wheels.

• 🚗 Visual Evidence: Dashcam footage captures the first reported Cybertruck accident, sparking debates on its design.

• 🛑 Slight Scrape: The collision results in minor injuries, hinting at the Cybertruck's protective build.

• 🎥 Public Scrutiny: The incident invites the community and authorities to closely examine real-world safety implications.

Chinese Automakers 2024

Chinese automakers are pressing the accelerator (not the gas, because, you know... EVs). Signaling a cloud on the horizon for the U.S. auto industry in 2024. 

• 📉 Evergrande's Uncertain Journey: The lapse of a significant share sale deal raises questions about the future of its EV arm.

• 📈 Geely's Ambitious Leap: Aiming for a 13% increase in sales with a particular focus on new energy vehicles.

• 🔌 Li Auto's Electrifying Debut: Preparing to launch its first fully electric vehicle, potentially setting a new industry standard.

• 🚀 BYD's Dominance: Continuing to lead with an impressive sales surge and global expansion plans.

Sometimes clouds mean storms, and sometimes they mean shade. Do with that what you want.  

PRESENTING MORE THAN CARS

More Than A Mashup

New episodes of More Than Cars are on their way, y’all — make sure you’re caught up on Episodes 1 and 2!

Or, snag the highlights from our More Than Cars Mashup. There, you’ll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at three teams who make loving people more than you love cars look easy: Audi Grapevine, Beaver Toyota, and West Herr Automotive Group.

Tell us what you think, and then let us know who we should feature next!

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Ira Subaru Danvers

There’s no wrong way to look at cute pictures of dogs. 🐕

Group 1 Automotive’s Ira Subaru hosted a Last Hope K-9 rescue and placed dogs with their forever families to start 2024 right.

Enjoy these pictures from the event, and send us your own community-supporting, people-loving, more-than-cars-ing stories so we can help the world see who you and the retail auto industry really are!

TIE CUTTERS

2024 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee:
Thomas Ewald

Thomas Ewald, from Wisconsin, brings a legacy of family, leadership, and community spirit to the automotive world. Steering the Ewald Automotive Group with the ethos his parents instilled, Thomas has grown the family business into a beacon of quality and care. He's not just selling cars; he's building a community, nurturing future auto technicians with scholarships, and bringing technical education to the forefront. With a hand in everything from honoring veterans to supporting local soccer, Thomas's passion for people shines as brightly as his commitment to the auto industry.

The ASOTU team is thrilled for you, Thomas! Way to go on your well-deserved nomination!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon 

• FEBRUARY 1 - 4, 2024
  NADA 2024 in Las Vegas
  Are you going to NADA and itching for some eye-catching media coverage? We're your dream team for content creation.

  🎥 Let’s link up 🎥 

CULTURE

Melting In Georgia

A family just north of Atlanta found out the super hard way that new cars + and an intense Georgia sun = a melty mess.

What's Up? (Other than the temperature, apparently)
Charles Goldberg spills the beans on this sticky situation. His daughter's ride - mirrors, bumpers, you name it - began warping like crazy. Bubbles in the paint popped up like it was a hot day at a bubble wrap factory! He described it as if "someone shot a ray gun at our car." Pew! Pew! 😲

The Science-y Bit
Those energy-efficient windows meant to keep your home cool might be too good at their job. They reflect the sun's energy straight onto your poor, unsuspecting car. And guess what? That's not covered by the warranty. Ouch!

Honda's Two Cents
Honda chimed in, basically saying, "Yeah, focused sunlight can do that." But they're quick to add that it's not just a Honda or car issue. It's a sun-being-too-sunny issue. Still, they're sticking to their guns: no warranty coverage for sun-fried cars. 🌡️

The Big Question
This melty car business has the Goldbergs and other Honda owners raising their eyebrows. Is it time for carmakers to rethink their materials game? 🤔 

Quick Hits

• Economic data shows slowing hiring and unemployment inching up in 2024. 👩‍🍳

• AI led scientists to discover the first new antibiotic in over 60 years. 🩺

• “Harry Potter and the Chocolate Factory,” oh sorry, we mean “Wonka,” ended 2023 at number 1 with $9B at the box office. 🍫

• This article says naps are good, and we refuse to read any further because we just need permission to take more naps. 😴

History

• 1959: Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon and to orbit the Sun, is launched by the Soviet Union. 🌙

• 1974: New speed limit laws were set by Richard Nixon. The new speed limit on all national highways was set at 55 mph. Before 1974, individual states had set their speed limits-which were from 40 to 80 mph. 👮‍♀️

• 1994: Introducing the Dodge Neon 🧑‍🎤