- ASOTU Daily Pushback
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- 🚗 Rising Notes and Softening Sentiments
🚗 Rising Notes and Softening Sentiments
🚙 The Loyalty Strategy, Sora 2, and Telling a Better Story
TOGETHER WITH
Howdy Fam!
Did you catch the launch? It was a joy to share our big news with so many of you in person and on the live stream.
We have a lot more than hype about the coming weeks and are excited to see the More Than Cars mindset take root deeper in every aspect of the retail auto industry.
Check out that replay, and hit us up with how we can serve you in the quest to love people more than cars.
Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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The Automotive State of the Union
You may already be familiar with the audio version of the ASOTU morning show. But did you know that on Saturday, we have an audio-only release?
Join Paul, Kyle, and Chris to talk about some of the wonderful things happening in dealerships like yours.
This Saturday, we talked about a dealership helping a veteran out with new wheels and a camper to go with it!
Then hit reply and tell us some stories of your own!
From The News w/ ASOTU
Click to read the full digest.
Retail auto proved again this week why it’s more than cars—it’s confidence in motion.
The government shutdown may stall certifications and guidance, but DOT funding continues and tariffs still collect. Dealers who plan around the gaps keep customers moving. Meanwhile, Tesla’s board faces blowback on Elon Musk’s proposed $1T pay package, even as deliveries hit records. BMW countered the loss of EV tax credits by cutting $7,500 off every electric model—plus promo APR and loyalty cash.
On the consumer side, affordability dominates: average new-car payments are $749, and nearly 1 in 5 buyers now take on $1,000+ monthly notes. Delinquencies creep up, terms stretch past 6 years, and finance desks hold the keys to peace of mind.
Finally, Cox’s Jonathan Smoke warns that softening sentiment, not supply, is the bigger risk. Dealers who offer clarity and stability earn lasting trust.
Read the full digest and check out the day’s articles here.
When Great Service Becomes Repeat Business
The lifetime value of a returning customer often tops $150,000. But only if they keep coming back.
That doesn’t happen in the factory or at the pump; it happens on your lot, in your service lane, and in your waiting room (or maybe not in the waiting room at all).
In partnership with Uber for Business, we’ll show you how elevating transportation convenience transforms CSI scores, builds loyalty, and makes service a true profit driver.
EVERYTHING ELSE
Quick Hits
🤖 AI: OpenAI’s upgraded video model, Sora 2, blends text-to-video creativity with a social remix feed. Early users can craft short, sound-synced clips—fast. Dealers should explore now: test storytelling, behind-the-scenes, or gratitude videos. Authenticity matters—label AI-assisted content and focus on meaning, not hype.
🛒 Retail: Over half of shoppers say real customer reviews are their biggest purchase driver. Verified reviews build trust fastest, while overreliance on incentivized ones can hurt credibility. Dealers win by encouraging authentic, verified feedback after every sale—especially from satisfied customers—so word-of-mouth feels earned, not engineered.
💰 Economy: Even with D.C. gridlocked, the S&P 500 and Dow hit record highs, powered by AI optimism and broad gains across sectors. But high valuations mean profits and Fed rate cuts must deliver. Dealers: watch consumer confidence—strong markets often lift retail sentiment, but bubbles can pop faster than incentives.
Today in History
1600 – Euridice, the earliest surviving opera, receives its première performance, beginning the Baroque period. 👩🎤
1927 – Opening of The Jazz Singer, the first prominent "talkie" movie. 🎙️
2010 – Instagram, a mainstream photo-sharing application, is founded. 🤳
All the grumpy Mondays were taken, so we brought you a great one!
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