🚗 Punchlines and Parts Trouble

TOGETHER WITH

Don’t forget the value of having a good time.

Sometimes, people read strict professionalism in a tense time as a reason to be more tense.

Drop something fun on LinkedIn. Get in on a trend with IG. If you still have TikTok, make your GM do a trending dance.

Optimism is one of those things you can show better than you can tell.

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

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THE NEWS

The $20K Switch, the $100B Squeeze, and the Trade Chill That Could Freeze Your Parts Department

🚘 Auto Tariffs = Major Sticker Shock Ahead

Trump’s 25% auto import tariff is still in play, and it’s a wallet-buster. Prices could rise $2K–$6K, with analysts projecting a loss of 2M unit sales per year. Automakers are adjusting—some holding prices, others pulling out of the U.S. market entirely. Expect affordability pressure, tighter supply, and rising used car interest.

Service, trade-ins, and used inventory may soon be your MVPs.

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🇨🇳 China Goes Full Tariff Retaliation Mode

After trying diplomacy, China snapped back with hardline tariffs and trade freezes. U.S.-China auto-related goods? Practically frozen solid. Beijing’s new stance could worsen parts shortages and price swings in the months ahead—especially for dealerships tied into international supply chains.

This isn’t just politics—it’s supply chain turbulence with a capital T.

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💰 Polestar Took a Swing at Tesla—What’s Next?

In March, Polestar offered $20K in lease incentives to lure Tesla drivers into its new Polestar 3. The message was clear: Not Elon, Not Tesla, Still Fast. The promo ended, but it signaled something big—EV conquest marketing is heating up.

If your OEM isn’t leaning into Tesla fatigue…why not?

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➕ More

Check out more on these and several other stories in our Daily Digest.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Google’s new AI could allow people and dolphins to communicate. 🐬 

• Pfizer gets out of the weight-loss pill game. 💊 

• GM announced some temporary layoffs due to a decline in EV demand. 🧑‍🏭 

TOGETHER WITH SPIFFY

Mobile Service Done Right

What if your next service lane didn’t have a lane at all?

Mobile service is how Fixed Ops managers are growing their business without adding bays or overhead.

But scaling it takes more than software. It takes hands-on training, purpose-built vans, and diagnostic hardware — all working together as one system.

Our friends at Spiffy bring over a decade of real-world experience, with millions of services completed and hundreds of vans deployed—unified in the only full-stack platform built for operators, by operators.

Mobile service isn’t just convenient, it’s your next profit center.

Book a demo 👉 getspiffy.com/digital-servicing

See them at ASOTU CON, May 13–16!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

ASOTU CON 2025: Opening Keynote from Claude Silver!

Time to let the cat out of the bag. We're beyond excited to announce:

Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer of VaynerMedia, will be the Welcome Keynote Speaker at this year’s ASOTU CON!

With her as CHO, Vayner has grown from 400 people to a global team of 2000 with offices in 11 countries. Claude also helped lead the company to be named the Breakthrough Media Agency of 2022 by Adweek.

She has worked with massive brands like P&G, PepsiCo, TikTok, and more, cultivating leaders with heart throughout each organization.

Her opening welcome keynote will share insights on leadership and a people-first attitude that can open doors for everyone from dealerships, to vendors, to industry partners.

Don’t miss your chance to snag culture secrets that have scaled brands you already admire—join us for Claude’s speech in May!

🔁 Today in History

• 1865: President Abraham Lincoln dies after being shot the previous evening by actor John Wilkes Booth. Three hours later, Vice President Andrew Johnson is sworn in as president. 🇺🇸 

• 1923: Insulin becomes generally available for use by people with diabetes. 🏥 

• 1964: Gail Wise is first to buy a Ford Mustang. 🐎