🚗 No Egg Left Behind

Welcome to Saturday, Fam!

Ever heard the phrase “as lost as last year’s Easter egg”?

It’s funny until it feels a little too familiar.

Most of us know what it’s like to feel stuck, frustrated, or just a step behind where we hoped we’d be. It paints a pretty good picture of those moments when you know something’s missing, but can’t quite put your finger on it.

But sometimes, that’s just part of the process. So, remember to give yourself a little grace.

You’re not lost. You’re just mid-hunt.

Keep Pushing Back,
—Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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On Monday, dealers started asking a tougher question: who actually owns their data, as Cox and VINCUE split and workflows slow. Meanwhile, GM doubled down on tech hiring, Hyundai pushed for U.S. production control, and used EVs surged as new EV sales dropped. Add in new FTC pricing clarity, and the message is clear: control, compliance, and speed matter more than ever. ⚡️

Then on Tuesday, pressure showed up everywhere at once. Gas prices jumped fast—hitting $3.99 nationally—while a supplier dispute forced Stellantis to pause Jeep production with almost no parts cushion. At the same time, safety rankings proved affordability and quality can coexist, with multiple sub-$30K vehicles earning top marks. 🦺

By Wednesday, BMW turned what started as a prank into a real race car, while Hyundai leaned into April Fools’ timing to grab attention ahead of a real reveal. Beneath the fun, the market message was serious: affordability gaps are widening, margins are tightening, and there’s less room for mistakes. Add in rising AI use, growing fraud concerns, and employee dissatisfaction tied to pay and growth, and it’s clear the fundamentals—execution, experience, and team investment—are doing the heavy lifting right now. 🤡

On Thursday, Hyundai revealed their off-road Boulder concept, signaled a push into high-demand truck and SUV segments, while the New York Auto Show made one thing clear: hybrids are gaining ground, EVs are getting more practical, and SUVs still dominate the middle. The bigger takeaway showed up in the details—more options, more balance, and fewer big swings—while on the retail side, trust and transparency in service continue to separate stores that keep customers from those that lose them.

Before we knew it, it was Friday, Mercedes announced a $4B expansion of its Alabama plant, while Tesla officially ended production of the Model S and Model X as it shifts focus to higher-volume models and future tech. At the same time, rising gas prices are driving more EV interest, with inquiries and searches climbing (even though adoption remains gradual). 🐢

There is a lot of noise around where the industry is headed. Most of it does not match what’s actually happening on the ground.

At this year’s NY Auto Forum, John Fitzpatrick (CEO of Force Marketing) connects the dots between policy, pricing pressure, EV inventory, and what dealers are seeing in real time. He also gets specific about where AI fits into the bigger picture.

Faster responses. Tighter communication. More consistent execution across the store.

This will sharpen how you think about the next 90 days.

You can have the best targeting, the cleanest data, and still miss the moment that actually moves someone to buy.

In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, Joey Zanetis (EVP at iHeart Media) breaks down what they’re seeing across thousands of campaigns. Shoppers might start with AI, but when it comes time to decide, they still look for a voice they recognize and trust.

That shows up in how people choose a store, who they listen to, and why some dealerships get the call before a lead is ever submitted.

Watch the full episode to hear where that trust is really being built.

Spring is here. Chocolate is everywhere. And if you’re lucky, your car might be hiding something too.

Not the candy kind. The kind automakers sneak in where almost no one looks.

Car Easter eggs are those tiny, hidden details you don’t notice until you do. Then you can’t unsee them.

Jeep might be the king of this. Open the fuel door on a Renegade and you’ll find a tiny spider saying “Ciao Baby.” Look a little closer and you might spot Bigfoot wandering across the glass. It’s weird, it’s unnecessary, and it’s perfect.

Other brands get in on it too. Some VW EVs have pedals labeled “play” and “pause,” like your commute is just another playlist. Ford hid silhouettes of older Broncos near the fuel door, a quiet nod to where it all started. Chrysler even slipped a Detroit skyline into a storage compartment…just without GM’s headquarters. Petty, and impressive.

And that’s kind of the point. These aren’t features, they’re inside jokes.

So, while you’re hunting for eggs this weekend, maybe take a second look at your own ride. You might already be driving one.