🚗 Rising Stakes and Rising Stars

TOGETHER WITH

If you’ve been on social media lately, then you know that everyone and their brother is still gushing about ASOTU CON. It’s the biggest compliment we could receive to know that you all enjoyed the event as much as we enjoyed hosting it.

So, keep ‘em coming! We love to see it.

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

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THE NEWS

GM Halts Exports to China, Subaru Hikes Prices, and the Senate Takes on California

GM Taps the Brakes on Exports to China

GM is hitting pause on shipping U.S.-made vehicles to China, blaming shaky economic conditions and ongoing trade drama between the two countries.

While tariffs have been temporarily eased, long-term trade policy is still up in the air. Still, GM’s not bailing on China completely. Its local joint ventures moved 442K vehicles in Q1 alone.

Subaru Hikes Prices—But Won’t Blame Tariffs

Subaru is raising prices across most of its lineup starting in June, with some models jumping by over $2,000. Ascent, Forester, and Outback will likely see the biggest increases.

The company cites “market conditions,” sidestepping any mention of Trump-era tariffs—unlike Ford, which openly acknowledged them.

Senate Targets California’s 2035 Gas Car Ban

The U.S. Senate is gearing up to vote on a bill that would block California’s plan to ban new gas-only car sales by 2035 (a move already adopted by 11 other states, covering 40% of the U.S. auto market).

Automakers say the mandate isn’t realistic and warn it could shrink overall vehicle inventory. California argues the plan is vital for reducing pollution, and Democrats claim the Senate’s vote breaks the rules.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s fuel economy rules are also under fire, as regulators look to scale back EV-related targets critics say are too aggressive and overreaching.

TOGETHER WITH STONEEAGLE

StoneEagleDATA Exclusive: F&I PVR Nears $1,900 in Q1

F&I offices posted a 5% year-over-year increase in F&I profit per vehicle retailed in Q1 2025, which climbed to nearly $1,900 on 1.54 products per deal (up from 1.51). Vehicle service contract and GAP acceptance rates rose 3.6% and 2.1%, respectively, highlighting where top performers capture every opportunity.

StoneEagleMETRICS not only centralizes your transactional data into powerful performance reports, it connects you to StoneEagleDATA benchmarks covering over 50% of the market. Compare your results to real-time industry standards, uncover trends sooner, and sharpen your strategies with confidence.

Click to explore StoneEagleDATA’s granular, transaction-level benchmarks — then see how StoneEagleMETRICS brings those live insights directly into your performance reporting.

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

Young Talent Takes the Wheel

This summer, 19 students from across the country are getting a front-row seat to life inside a leading dealership group, thanks to Walser Automotive Group’s NextGen Internship Program.

For 12 action-packed weeks, these future pros are diving into the nuts and bolts of the industry—from HR and marketing to sales, IT, accounting, and inventory. It’s all designed to help them build skills, expand their networks, and explore a future in automotive.

This year, Walser set aside internship spots specifically for students from its community partners, bringing in three interns through programs like Urban League Twin Cities' Black Gems, Bloom in Bloomington, and Wallin Education Partners. It’s part of an intentional push to open doors and create career pathways that better reflect the communities dealers serve.

The program wraps at the end of summer, and top interns may be offered full-time roles. But, whether they stay in automotive or take those skills elsewhere, it’s a smart investment in the next generation of talent.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🗓️ Coming Soon

👩‍🔧 August 3-6th: Women In Automotive Conference in Nashville

🛒 August 18-19th: Reynolds Retail Summit: Amplify 2025 in Dallas

🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 August 26-29th: NAMAD Annual Meeting in Las Vegas

💻 October 14-15th: Digital Dealer Conference & Expo in Las Vegas

🛍️ November 16-18th: Modern Retailing Conference in Palm Beach

🥊 Quick Hits

• NASA and Wisk Aero just inked a 5-year partnership to research how autonomous air taxis can safely share national airspace. 👨‍🔬

• Actor union_, SAG-AFTRA has filed a complaint over Fortnite’s use of an AI Darth Vader voice. 🤖

• Mountain Dew and Papa Johns have launched a limited-time “Cini Dirty Soda” by blending the bright green soda with the pizza chain’s signature pepperoncini.🥤 

🔁 Today in History

• 1819: The first bicycles in the U.S. are introduced in New York City. 🚲

• 1881: The American Red Cross is founded by Clara Barton. ⛑️

• 1932: After flying for 17 hours from Newfoundland, Amelia Earhart lands near Northern Ireland, completing the first transatlantic solo flight by a woman. ✈️