🚗 Redemption and Roadblocks

TOGETHER WITH

We’ve been told we pump out a ton of content. And we can’t say we disagree.

Turns out, when you care about something, you tend to talk about it. A lot.

If you want to keep the conversation going, we’re just a click away.

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

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THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

TrueCar’s Back-to-the-Future Move

Scott Painter is reclaiming the wheel at TrueCar. He’s leading a $227M investor group to take the company private—almost a decade after his headline-making exit. The plan? Rebuild dealer trust and make TrueCar matter again.

Old Cars, New Strategy

CarGurus says the “budget buyer” is driving today’s used market. Nearly half of cars under $30K are seven years old or more, and six-figure mileage is no longer a dealbreaker. Dealers, it might be time to stock older and service smarter.

AI Makes Freelancing Weird

Freelancers are working faster thanks to AI tools like ChatGPT, but they’re also getting paid less. Clients want “good enough” work for cheap, and top talent is stuck proving why the human touch still matters.

From The News w/ ASOTU

First Brands’ $10B Collapse

Auto parts maker First Brands filed for bankruptcy with over $10B in liabilities, exposing top lenders like UBS, Jefferies, and Morgan Stanley. A DOJ probe is now underway, and suppliers are bracing for the fallout.

Musk $56B Payday Goes to Court (Again)

Delaware’s Supreme Court is reviewing Elon Musk’s 2018 compensation deal after a lower court called it excessive and tossed it out. Tesla shareholders reapproved the same plan in 2024, but judges aren’t sold.

Uber Drivers, Meet Side Hustle 2.0

Uber is testing AI-related gig tasks for drivers when they’re off the road—think uploading images or recording audio clips. Already piloting in India, the program lets drivers earn from digital micro-jobs with full pay transparency.

TOGETHER WITH VEHICLES FOR CHANGE

From Commutes to Comebacks

What if a car could do more than get you to work? What if it was the reason you could get work at all?

That’s the heart of Vehicles for Change—a nonprofit flipping the keys on generational poverty by providing reliable transportation to folks who need a second chance.

Whether it’s families climbing out of crisis or formerly incarcerated individuals training for a career in automotive repair, VFC turns “just a car” into a lifeline.

Want in? You can donate a vehicle, give your time, or just help spread the word. It’s one of those good things that doesn’t just move wheels, it moves lives.

EVERYTHING ELSE

Quick Hits

• 🤖 AI: Japan has formally requested that Sora 2’s creators prevent copyright infringement of Japanese IP. 🇯🇵

• 🛒 Retail: Jeep and Hasbro are running a unique promotional deal, offering customers the chance to use $500 worth of Monopoly money in exchange for 500 real dollars off a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 💵

• 💰 Economy: The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage declined again this week, down 6.27% from 6.44% a year ago. 📉

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Whether you were front row for every mic drop or had to live vicariously through the group chat, the ASOTU CON 2025 hype is still very real.

Watch the recap video to relive the energy or to discover what all the buzz was about. Then sign up here to get first dibs on updates for ASOTU CON 2026.

Trust us: you’ll want to be on the list.

Today in History

• 1855: Bessemer steelmaking process patented by Henry Bessemer revolutionizes manufacturing. 🧑‍🏭

• 1933: Albert Einstein arrives in the U.S. as a refugee from Nazi Germany. 🧮

• 1979: Mother Teresa of Calcutta is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 🕊️

Thanks for reading along, Friend!