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🚙 News, Data, AI, and Experts

September 30, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

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Tomorrow.

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Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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From the Automotive State of the Union

Yesterday, Paul and Kyle took on the big topics: Dashed expectations, Loyalty in the age of Tariffs, and Apple’s AI Siri update.

  1. Despite expectations, US auto sales stayed stronger than expected over the summer. Analysts now warn the industry may face a soft Q4.

  2. JD Power says that folks are still loyal to brands like Toyota, Honda, and Ford despite the looming tariff terror. However, brands that have not put in the work to turn shoppers into loyal customers… maybe enjoy less stickiness.

  3. Apple has had Siri since before we could get instant essays on whatever topic we typed into GPT. Now, with folks wishing she had a few new tricks, Apple has reported that they are testing its AI chatbot, Veritas.

From The News w/ ASOTU

Click to read the full digest.

Toyota: Staying the Course

While the industry wrestles tariffs and panic, Toyota just clocked its 8th straight month of global growth. U.S. hybrids (+13.6%) offset Japan’s slump, bringing August to nearly 845k units. Is this the perk of being #1—or proof that calm, consistent execution beats noise every time?

EV Future: Peak or Plateau?

EVs hit a record 10% Q3 share (410k units) thanks to buyers racing the $7,500 credit before it expired. Now comes the test: will demand plateau, dip into an “EV hangover,” or rebound as affordable models land? Short-term wobble, long-term march.

  • Reddit Horror Story: Shopper ignored for 20 minutes → viral post. Somebody’s telling your story, Friend.

  • Gen Z Gap: They want cars most, but buy least, because… you know… money. However, it seems “click then brick” (Online then in person) is their preferred path.

  • JLR Cyber Rescue: UK backs £1.5B loan; lesson—auto = infrastructure.

Triple Your Phone Call Conversions

What if your dealership could triple phone call-to-appointment conversions? With Call-Q, that’s exactly what dealers are achieving. On average, clients see a 224% increase.

Here’s how: Call-Q combines real human coaching + AI-powered call analysis, not just call tracking. Unlike most solutions that report on what happened after the fact, Call-Q scores and analyzes every call, so nothing slips through the cracks. Then, expert human coaches deliver personalized training using their proven framework to consistently turn more calls into booked appointments.

Sales teams using Call-Q aren’t just answering phones; they’re converting quality appointments that fuel growth.

Ready to triple your results? Learn how with Call-Q.

EVERYTHING ELSE

Quick Hits

  • 🛒 Retail: Whoa, the economy may be in actual trouble. Costco is trimming its holiday items. Where will I get a 60-foot-tall inflatable Grinch now?

  • 🇺🇸 Policy: Gov shutdown probability increased to 70%.

  • 👽 Weird: Be careful, they found wood in the corndogs, which is a wild problem because it’s the one food that is supposed to have wood in it. Anyway, Jimmy Dean is recalling a bunch of food.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Used Car Superpowers w/ Frank Knox

Frank Knox has sat in many seats: CarMax buyer, indie group acquisitions lead, now COO of Auto Acquire.

His experience-backed blueprint? AI tools that let dealers finally compete with CarMax/Carvana on used inventory. Automated offers, household garage insights, and smarter follow-up shrink the pain and keep your buyers in control.

Check out a full write-up here.

And sign up for the AutoIndustry.AI weekly email for more experience-backed insights like these!

Today in History

  • 1882 – Thomas Edison's first commercial hydroelectric power plant (later known as Appleton Edison Light Company) begins operation. 💡 

  • 1936 – American journalists Herbert R. Ekins, reporter for the New York World-Telegram, Dorothy Kilgallen of the New York Journal, and Leo Kieran of The New York Times start the race to travel around the world[9] on commercial airline flights. The race takes 18 ½ days. ✈️ 

  • 1966 – The Mercury Cougar is introduced 🐅 

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