🚗 Security Evolves, EPA Shifts, Toyota Expands

TOGETHER WITH

Friday at last!

Family makes the weekend good, and team members make the weekend possible.

It’s a great day to thank them both.

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

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AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

ASOTU CON 2025!

Two months from ASOTU CON 2025, Friend!

Are you ready to meet automotive leaders from across the industry pushing retail auto into the best future of technology, sales, leadership, compliance, AI, service, and everything else that keeps the dealership world spinning around?

Of course, you are!

Get your ticket today.

THE NEWS

Fraud and Security, EPA Rollbacks, Toyota Everywhere Else, and Tesla’s Rebound

🔥 Fraud is Evolving—Are Your Security Measures?

Deepfake-powered fake IDs are now nearly impossible to detect, making manual ID checks useless. Fraud losses hit $12.5B in 2024, and auto transport scams are rising. Dealerships need biometric verification and AI-driven security to stay ahead. Is your fraud prevention up to speed?

⚖️ Trump’s EPA Rollback: What It Means for Dealers

The EPA is loosening EV mandates, reviewing strict fuel economy rules, and scaling back the push for 50% emission cuts by 2032. California’s 2035 gas-car ban is still standing, but expect automakers to double down on hybrids and ICE. Will hybrid sales take off again?

👉 Will Hybrid Development Lose Steam with Less EPA Pressure?

Paul and Kyle discuss this in Automotive Troublemaker—check out this segment:

🚗 Toyota’s EV Expansion—But Not in the U.S. (Yet)

Toyota just launched the C-HR Plus EV, an upgraded bZ4X, and the pedal-free FT-Me city car—all in Europe. The U.S.? No word yet. Toyota is also planning six new EVs by 2026, including a possible electric Land Cruiser. So, when do we get our turn?

💰 Tesla Stock Rebounds, But Trouble Looms

After a 15% plunge, Tesla shares bounced back 8%—but tariff fears, brand erosion, and growing competition still weigh on the company. Musk promises an affordable EV and a driverless ride-hailing service this year. Will Tesla pull it off?

More

Check out more on these stories and several more here.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Google’s AI knows what you’ve been searching for…literally. It can read your search history. 🔍️ 

• Consumer snack budgets are taking a hit. 🍪 

• The grand total of Saturnian moons is now 274. 🪐 

TOGETHER WITH UPSTART

The AI Transformation Is Here

How will AI transform automotive retail?

VP & GM of Upstart Auto, Alex Rouse, caught up with Car Dealership Guy’s Yossi J Levi at NADA 2025 to find out.

Get the highlights on the future of car sales, emerging tech and in the recap here.

And check out the full video interview here!

DATA & INSIGHT

Markets Wobble, Inflation Cools, and Tariffs Loom

Quick Take: Economic growth is slowing, inflation cooled slightly, and tariffs are making investors sweat. Here’s what you need to know:

• Markets in Reverse: S&P 500 down 3.1% this week, Nasdaq off 5.8% YTD. Defensive sectors like healthcare are gaining while tech stocks retreat.

• Earnings Slowdown: Q1 earnings growth expectations dropped from 11.5% to 7.3%—companies are bracing for a softer economy.

• Inflation Check: CPI eased to 2.8% YoY in February, but core inflation remains at 3.1%. Tariff uncertainty could push prices higher.

• Auto Sales Slip: New car sales fell 0.7% YoY, while used car demand held up with an 8% YoY increase.

• Fed Watching: Markets expect 2-3 rate cuts this year, but uncertainty is high.

More details in our full breakdown—read here.

🔁 Today in History

• 1900: The Gold Standard Act is ratified, placing the United States currency on the gold standard. 🥇 

• 1942: Under the care of Orvan Hess and John Bumstead, Anne Miller becomes the first American patient to be treated with penicillin. 💉 

• 1963: The Mercedes 230SL debuts. 🆕