- ASOTU Daily Pushback
- Posts
- 🚗 Reflect and Refine!
TOGETHER WITH
Saturday!
Paul, Kyle, and Chris talked about the upcoming car giveaway(s) at ASOTU CON 2025 in the Automotive State of the Union show this morning. Our charity partners, Vehicles For Change, are going above and beyond previous years, and we’re so excited to share the celebration with each of you!
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here!
Reading time: 3 min
Reflecting on the Week
Monday: Crank Windows, Concierge Trucks, and a Legacy Rebranded
Slate’s $20K EV pickup might be the plain toast America actually wants. Ford rolled out luxury perks with smoked truffle interiors to justify $100K trucks, while Hendrick bought Love (Automotive). Dealers are still betting big—even when the economy plays coy. Also: Great Lakes Hyundai asked their community where to give $10K. Billy the Kid escaped jail on this day in 1881. Coincidence?
Tuesday: Robots in Sunglasses, Empty Factories, and EV Charging Profits
AI “consultants” with wigs and sunglasses are trying to replace your salespeople. Not today, Satan. Meanwhile, Toyota’s dropping $42B to keep their supply chain tight. Charging stations? Turns out they’re customer magnets. California’s cracking down on AVs, and StoneEagleDATA says Q1 F&I profits just hit record highs. Also: RIP Oldsmobile, which built its last car on this day in 2004.
Wednesday: Tariff Teases, Solid-State Dreams, and $50K for the Kids
Trump’s tariff talk softened, but don’t sleep—this weather changes fast. Dodge’s solid-state muscle cars are charging toward 2026, Porsche and Volvo profits are wilting, and Toyota’s reminding folks that gas still smells good. In NY, West Herr dropped $50K on a boys & girls club fundraiser, proving once again: the real flex is giving back.
Thursday: May Arrives, Profits Dive, and ICE Roars
April came in hot and left cold—so did auto sales. VW and Mercedes profits tanked, tariffs messed with luxury imports, and Toyota threw a bone to the gas-loving faithful. ActivEngage is turning chats into cha-ching, and a new bill wants to tax EVs an extra $200/year. Also: Ford’s 40-hour workweek debuted on this day in 1926. Thanks, unions.
Friday: Lithia’s Big W, Used Cars Surge, and Ford Retreats on Tech
Lithia posted a record-breaking Q1 while GM slashed its forecast by $3B. Used car prices are climbing like your service advisor’s espresso intake. Ford axed its “vehicle brain” project, proving that sometimes the best innovation is knowing when to chill. Renew Energy’s charging up ASOTU CON, and Rivian might have just played the tariff game better than anyone.
🥊 Quick Hits
Zuck wants to erase the advertising industry with AI. ✏️
Jobs grew in April despite tariffs. 🪴
‘Thunderbolts’ Makes $11.5 Million in Previews ⚡️
Fewer Buyers. Higher Costs. Big Headwinds.
Learn how dealers are using video to do more with less and turn every lead into a real opportunity.
In today’s market, every lead matters more than ever. With fewer buyers visiting dealerships, rising acquisition costs, and growing economic uncertainty (think: interest rates, tariffs, and tightening demand), dealerships are being challenged to do more with less.
That’s where video comes in. Join Covideo VP of Marketing, Margaret Henney, and Darrell Perry, SVP & GM at Vorderman Volkswagen, as they break down how modern dealerships are using personalized video to increase appointment rates, reduce friction, and accelerate the sales cycle.
You’ll get practical shortcuts, proven scripts, and actionable strategies that you can use immediately to make video your unfair advantage.
CULTURE
Playlist: Public Policy Day
We’ve got a collection of interviews and talks from Public Policy Day. Check out the whole collection with the link above.
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
AutoAcquireAI introduces the first Used Car Factory built specifically for dealers.
AutoAcquireAI is redefining used car operations with a cutting-edge platform that automates lead generation, streamlines inventory management, and personalizes customer engagement using advanced AI. Designed to help dealers stay ahead in today’s competitive market, AutoAcquireAI transforms raw data into actionable insights—driving efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and boosting profitability. It’s where innovation meets acceleration.
Come meet the AutoAcquire AI team at ASOTU CON 2025 and check out a breakout session called “We Found The Used Car Factory.”
Reply