🚗 Rollbacks and Surprises

🚙 Tariff Turmoil Continues, Dodge Battery Tech, and Feelin' the Heat

April 30, 2025

TOGETHER WITH


🤓 Interesting: News comes and goes, but we never call it “olds.”

Tariff talk is feeling new and old at once. We are keeping an eye on everything it means for dealers standing between lawmakers, automakers, and the consumers who need them to get along.

And we’re bringing some trustworthy and innovative minds together in Hanover, MD for ASOTU CON 2025 (in case you haven’t heard). 🤭

We hope to see you there.

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

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Tariffs Fizzle (For Now), Polestar Dangles $20K, Volvo Hits the Panic Button

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We’re trying real hard to stay excited about tariff updates, but honestly, it’s starting to feel like waiting for a hurricane that keeps getting rescheduled. "It's next week! No wait, next month! No wait, it’s theoretical! No wait, it’s raining in China!"

At this point, we’re all just staring at the sky, ready for whatever storm actually shows up.

🚗 Trump Walks Back Auto Tariffs (Again)

After weeks of spooking the industry, Trump is now offering automakers a Band-Aid: retroactive tariff refunds and partial reimbursements on parts. Automakers won’t get double-taxed on steel, aluminum, and finished cars... for now.

Dealer takeaway: Prices might not spike immediately. Inventory shifts could still sneak up fast. Stay on your toes, service teams.

🔋 Stellantis: Solid-State Muscle Cars Incoming

Dodge's next-gen Charger will pack real-deal solid-state batteries starting in 2026 meaning lighter, faster-charging, 600+ mile EVs. This isn't lab fantasy; it's happening.

Dealer takeaway: Get ready to sell "muscle EVs" to people who swore they'd never drive one. Also: train your techs. New battery tech means new service challenges

📉 Porsche and Volvo Feel the Tariff Heat

Margins are tanking, layoffs are starting, and both brands are scrambling to rework their U.S. strategies. Porsche’s profits dropped off a cliff; Volvo’s slashing $1.87B in costs and axed future forecasts altogether.

Dealer takeaway: Used Euro-luxury values could slide. Expect price hikes, sticker shock, and maybe if you smart a few conquest wins from customers jumping ship.

➕ More

Check out more on these stories and others in our Daily Digest.

PS: Want to be actually ready for the next big storm? Come to ASOTU CON 2025 in Hanover, MD. May 13-16. No umbrellas needed, just sharp minds and good vibes. 🌩️🚗

🥊 Quick Hits

  • Consumer confidence is down for April. 😓 

  • Dulingo is replacing workers with AI. Which is funny, since most of us could replace Dulingo with AI. 🦉 

  • An invisible cloud the size of 40 moons is hanging out near earth. 🔭 

Connected Auto Retail Meets AI-Powered Financing

Looking to close more deals, boost profits, and deliver a seamless experience from your website to the F&I office? Upstart’s end-to-end platform is helping dealers do just that with connected retail tools and AI-powered financing that turns more shoppers into buyers.

With proven results like:

  • 90 minutes saved per deal

  • 4x higher close rates

  • Up to 50% higher back-end gross

…it’s no wonder dealers are calling it “second to none.”

Catch Upstart at ASOTU CON 2025 where they’re hosting the breakout session: “Maximizing Profits with AI: Strategies to Convert More Shoppers and Drive Sales.”

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

A $50,000 Surprise for the Kids

At the Depew-Lancaster Boys & Girls Club’s Annual Spring Fundraiser on Saturday night, West Herr Automotive Group's President and CEO, Scott Bieler, gave the room and the community something to cheer about.

Through the Scott Bieler Family Foundation, he surprised attendees with a $50,000 donation in honor of Bethanne Hollis, West Herr’s VP of Variable Operations and a dedicated board member of the club.

With the club facing major funding losses this year, the timing couldn’t have been better. Scott’s generosity, combined with the evening’s other fundraising efforts, will help keep programs alive for the youth in the community.

Team West Herr reminded everyone that leading well means giving well.

Gubagoo is Shaping The Future of Retail Automotive.

Using the industry's first Unified Intelligence Engine, Heuberger Subaru achieved a 55% higher closing ratio, 15x ROI in just four months, and a 56.3% open rate. Curator’s Unified Customer Profile offers a true 360° view of every customer, including history, household, communications, and business value.

“I believe we're looking at the future of how cars are going to be sold,” said Alex Gauthier, Director of Marketing at Heuberger Subaru.

Learn more from Gubagoo and join them for their breakout session, One Customer, One Story, at ASOTU CON on May 13–16th in Hanover, MD.

🔁 Today in History

  • 1803: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15M, more than doubling the size of the young nation. 💵 

  • 1925: Automaker Dodge Brothers, Inc is sold to Dillon, Read & Co. for $146M plus $50M for charity. 🚘️ 

  • 1939: NBC inaugurates its regularly scheduled television service in New York City, broadcasting President Franklin D. Roosevelt's N.Y. World's Fair opening day ceremonial address. 📺️ 

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