TOGETHER WITH :
Howdy Fam!
What do you think of when you read “Year of the Human?”
It’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot right now, usually somewhere between AI headlines and conversations about automation. But underneath it, there’s a real question: as the tech gets better, what actually makes the difference?
Our take is pretty simple. The tools matter. But the person across the desk still carries the moment.
We’re unpacking that idea on stage at ASOTU CON in a couple of weeks in Hanover, MD. Not as a big declaration, just a closer look at where human connection still shows up and why it keeps moving things forward.
If you’ve been thinking about how to balance all the new tech with what customers actually need from you, that conversation will be worth your time.
Keep Pushing Back,
- Chris with Paul, Kyle & Kristi
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Detroit Three Earnings Set the Tone This Week
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GM, Ford, and Stellantis report Q1 earnings over the next three days, and expectations are far from uniform.
GM (Tuesday): expected to lead on margins and consistency
Ford (Wednesday): facing production gaps and rising material costs
Stellantis (Thursday): under pressure to prove its turnaround is working
Across all three, the same forces are in play: EV losses, softer demand, and rising costs tied to supply chain strain and global conflict.
What Shifted Over the Weekend
A few themes showed up across the latest headlines:
Automakers are putting more emphasis on in-car experience and software
The market is settling into gas, hybrid, and EV all coexisting
Global competition is speeding up, especially from Chinese brands pushing price and features
Affordability Improves, But Pressure Builds
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Cox Automotive reports that new-vehicle affordability improved in March, helped by rising incomes, stable rates, and slightly lower prices.
Average monthly payment: $752
Income needed to buy a new vehicle: 35.1 weeks
Consumer sentiment: 49.8, a new low
Retail sales saw a strong monthly gain, but much of that came from higher gas spending, not stronger vehicle demand.
Buyers have a bit more room on paper, but rising fuel costs and uncertainty are still shaping decisions.
Kia Cuts EV Prices as Competition Heats Up
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Kia is lowering EV prices across major markets to keep pace with lower-cost rivals, particularly from China.
EV sales up 55% year over year
Profits down 23% due to incentives and discounts
Competitors like BYD are gaining share quickly, forcing traditional automakers to respond on price.
One Platform, Six Experiences
After more than a decade as TradePending, today they’re introducing their new identity: Protomiq.
Their new brand signals two things:
Their unwavering mission to help auto dealers convert shoppers into buyers.
Their focus on the highest value digital experiences that car shoppers and auto dealers love.
This evolution signals a sharper focus on what matters most, helping dealers convert more shoppers into buyers through intelligent, insight-driven digital experiences. Renovating the brand captures the next chapter of innovation, where intelligence meets conversion, and every action drives more growth for our dealers.
Direct Sales Fight Is Escalating
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Rivian and VW-backed Scout are pushing harder against dealer franchise laws.
Rivian used the threat of a ballot initiative to secure direct sales in Washington
Scout is attempting to position itself outside VW’s dealer network
Legal experts say the real concern is not individual EV brands, but the possibility that legacy automakers could follow this path.
EV Range Holds Up Better Than Expected
New data from Recurrent, based on more than a billion miles of driving, shows modern EVs are retaining most of their range over time.
97% range after 3 years
95% range after 5 years
Automakers are using battery buffers and software updates to maintain consistent performance as vehicles age.
Honda Pulls Out of South Korea
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Honda will exit the South Korean market by year-end after years of declining sales.
The move reflects growing pressure from local brands and fast-moving Chinese competitors across Asia.
Where rubber meets the road:
All of these points to one reality: customers are walking in with more variables than ever.
They are weighing gas, hybrid, and EV options side by side. They are hearing about price cuts, new tech, and global competition. They are unsure what holds value and what might change in a year.
That’s where the opportunity is.
The role of the dealership is becoming less about presenting options and more about translating them. Helping a customer understand why one powertrain fits their life better than another. Explaining what range retention actually means over time. Putting pricing changes into context instead of letting them create hesitation.
The product is getting more complex.
The job is to make the decision feel simple, grounded, and right for the person in front of you.
Your website isn’t just a storefront. It’s your first closer.
DealerOn builds digital experiences that convert data, testing, and constant optimization to turn clicks into real opportunities across sales and service.
That kind of performance shows up in the numbers and in the day-to-day flow of your store.
At ASOTU CON, DealerOn is stepping into the panel conversation to break down how top dealers are tightening up their digital front door and getting more out of every visit.
Spend some time with their team while you’re there. You’ll walk away with a few ideas worth putting to work.
1881 – Billy the Kid escapes from the Lincoln County jail in Mesilla, New Mexico.
1956 – The Ford Skyliner hardtop convertible debuts.
1973 – The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, recorded in Abbey Road Studios goes to number one on the US Billboard chart, beginning a record-breaking 741-week chart run.
Thanks for reading, Friend!
