🚗 PayPal Gets Chatty

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Halloween Eve, Friend!

Today’s digest features a study on favorite candy by state but to tbh, we’re not convinced of its accuracy.

Hit reply with where you are and what your favorite candy is.

We’re gonna get to the bottom of this. 🕵️

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

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THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Slate Bypasses the Dealership

EV startup Slate Auto is rolling with independent shops instead of franchised dealers. The plan: use RepairPal’s 4,000‑shop network to handle everything from warranty work to high‑voltage repairs. Training included.

China Cuts EV Subsidies

After years of heavy support, China’s backing off. EVs are out of the next five‑year plan, and national tax perks are set to sunset by 2027.

PayPal Jumps into ChatGPT

A new OpenAI deal will let users buy directly inside ChatGPT using PayPal. It’s a big step toward AI‑powered shopping that doesn’t leave the chat.

From The News w/ ASOTU

Dealers Want AI That Works, Not Wows

According to new research from Cox Automotive, 81% of dealers say AI is here to stay, and 63% say investing now is critical. But they’re not buying hype. They want outcomes. The winners? They’re connecting AI across departments, training their teams, and tying results to actual KPIs.

Longer Loans, Lower Payments

84-month terms just became the most popular refinance option, per new data from Caribou. Drivers are stretching payments to keep monthly costs manageable, saving nearly $180 per month on average. With the Fed easing, refinancing is on the rise — and dealers should expect that to shape shopper budgets heading into Q4.

Lucid’s “Mind Off” Driving Plans

Lucid Motors wants you to take your hands off the wheel and your mind off the road. The EV startup is building toward full self-driving with a new system powered by Nvidia’s Drive AV platform. No timeline yet, but their mid-size model is first in line. Until then, expect incremental updates to Air and Gravity.

EU Chip Shortage Threatens Production

Europe’s automakers are warning that factory shutdowns could hit “within days” due to a chip supply crunch tied to China. Mercedes and others are scrambling for alternatives, as semiconductors from Nexperia face export restrictions. If lines go dark, the impact willl hit U.S. inventories, too.

TOGETHER WITH UPSTART

How Fast is Your Funding, Really? New 2025 Benchmarks Inside

This year’s survey reveals where time disappears during financing, and how top stores get it back.

The biggest drags? Stip collection, documentation errors, and rehashing. Download the full report to get the data, plus dealers' wishlist for tools to speed things up in 2026.

See how you stack up →

EVERYTHING ELSE

Quick Hits

• 🤖 AI: Fueled heavily by the AI boom, Nvidia becomes first company to reach a $5T valuation.

• 💰 Economy: As anticipated, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by .25% points yesterday.

• 🌎 Global: Hurricane Melissa is one of the strongest storms to make landfall in recorded history.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

If you’ve heard about AI in finance but haven’t seen what it can actually do in a dealership, start here.

Upstart’s Danielle Mills Walden and Evan Driscoll of Audi Jacksonville explain how AI-driven approvals are helping dealers close more customers.

Watch the full interview here.

Today in History

• 1873: P.T. Barnum's circus debuts in NYC. 🎪

• 1894: Daniel Cooper patents the time clock. ⏰

• 1974: The horror film "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" premieres in LA. 🪚

Life can be so serious. Don’t forget to have a little fun today.