TOGETHER WITH :
China, China, China!
We read the news all day, we know. It’s getting to be a bit much. But today, we’re taking a look at what it actually means for US dealers today with the help of some excellent journalism, data, and some of the craziest car biz people we know.
Down lower, we still have a handful of today’s news and moves too, so give it a read and hit reply to let us know what you think.
Keep Pushing Back,
- Chris with Paul, Kyle & Kristi
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Dissecting Chinese Auto
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China's auto market is slowing. This story isn't staying overseas.
China's auto market just posted its eighth consecutive month of declining sales. Reuters reported that May vehicle sales fell more than 22% year over year, while The Wall Street Journal noted that consumer demand remains soft despite electric vehicles and hybrids now accounting for nearly two-thirds of all new vehicle sales.
At first glance, that sounds like a China problem.
Or Is It?
When growth slows at home, companies look elsewhere.
That's why this story deserves more attention than a simple sales report.
While China's domestic market struggles, its automakers continue expanding globally. Exports are growing, Chinese brands are gaining market share across Europe, and industry observers increasingly expect their influence to reach North America through partnerships, manufacturing agreements, and existing global brands.
The pressure isn't disappearing.
It's moving.
What Are They Doing Differently?
In a recent WardsAuto column, industry analyst John McElroy argued that the real advantage isn't the vehicles themselves. It's what he calls "China Speed."
What Is China Speed?
The concept is straightforward: faster development cycles, more component sharing, fewer layers of complexity, and a relentless focus on bringing technology to market quickly and affordably.
The result is vehicles that often arrive with more features, competitive quality, and lower price points than many legacy competitors.
Whether you agree with the model or not, it's forcing the global auto industry to pay attention.
What Are The Pros Saying?
At ASOTU CON, we sat down with investor Steve Greenfield, dealer Brian Benstock, and international automotive advisor Alex Rezultov to unpack what they're seeing firsthand.
One observation stood out.
"The consumer pull will be very, very strong."
— Steve Greenfield
That's the part dealers should pay attention to.
Consumers have always gravitated toward products that deliver more value for the money. If Chinese automakers continue improving quality while maintaining aggressive pricing, customer curiosity will grow regardless of politics, tariffs, or headlines.
The conversation wasn't centered on fear.
It was centered on preparation.
Alex shared examples of markets where Chinese brands went from almost invisible to significant market share in just a few years. Brian spoke about driving Chinese vehicles firsthand and seeing how quickly product quality has evolved.
Then he offered a perspective that sparked plenty of discussion.
"If you can't beat them, join them."
— Brian Benstock
That wasn't a prediction.
It was a reminder that dealers have always succeeded by adapting. The operators who thrive tend to be the ones willing to learn before they have to.
You've Got All This Traffic... But Where Are the Opportunities?
You know the feeling.
Your website traffic is up. Shoppers are browsing inventory. VDP views look healthy.
But somehow the opportunities don't seem to match the activity.
Protomiq helps dealerships turn more website traffic into real opportunities by giving shoppers tools to value their trade, explore payments, and take meaningful steps before they submit a lead.
More context. Better conversations. More opportunities to sell cars.
Dissecting Chinese Auto Continued
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What Should Dealers Take Away?
Trying to predict exactly which brands arrive, when they arrive, or how regulators respond may not be the most productive use of time.
What Are Customers Really Asking For?
More.
Value. Technology. Transparency. Confidence in their purchase decision.
Those expectations are already reshaping the market, regardless of where a vehicle is built.
Where rubber meets the road:
With headlines about Chinese automakers, EV competition, tariffs, and global expansion showing up everywhere, some customers may be wondering what it all means for their next vehicle purchase.
If you'd like to help cut through the noise, here's something you can post today:
"There's been a lot of talk lately about Chinese automakers, EVs, and the future of the automotive industry.
Here's our perspective: more competition typically leads to better vehicles, more innovation, and more choices for drivers.
No matter how the industry evolves, the questions that matter most stay the same: Which vehicle fits your needs? What will ownership look like long-term? Who will be there when you need service, support, or advice?
That's where a trusted local dealership still makes a difference.
Our job isn't to tell you what to think about the latest headline. It's to help you understand your options, answer your questions honestly, and help you make the best decision for your situation.
If you're curious about where the industry is headed, we're always happy to have that conversation."
🚘 At The Store
Tesla’s Range Receipts
Edmunds tested the 2026 Model 3 RWD at 393 real-world miles, 30 above EPA. Efficiency still sells.
The €44 Gelato Lesson
A Rome tourist paid €44 for two ice creams. Reminder: customers forgive price faster than they forgive feeling played.
Comms Gets Promoted
WSJ says communications chiefs are moving into the C-suite. Turns out messaging isn’t “soft” when trust is on the line.
🧠 In The Customer’s Head
Remote Work Gets Lonely
NPR reports remote workers spend 58% more time alone. Convenience wins attention, but connection still wins hearts.
AI Can Hide Skill Gaps
Axios says AI may mask low literacy at work. The tool can write the sentence, but judgment still has to show up.
Aging Meets Affordability
A 74-year-old left $7K/month assisted living and bought a small home. Consumers keep redesigning life around cost.
📀 On The Tech Stack
Siri Gets Serious
Apple introduced a rebuilt Siri AI with personal context, onscreen awareness, and writing tools. The assistant wars just got louder.
AI Needs Fiber
Amazon’s multibillion-dollar Corning deal adds fiber capacity and 1,000 jobs. The cloud still needs cable guys.
Data Centers Hit Home
A Texas town sold donated park land for a data center. AI infrastructure is getting very local, very fast.
1790 - John Barry copyrighted "The Philadelphia Spelling Book," which was the very first book to be copyrighted under the United States Constitution.
1909 - 22-year-old Alice Huyler Ramsey departed Manhattan, New York, for San Francisco, California, in a 30-horsepower Maxwell touring car.
2020 - SpaceX successfully completed the first crewed launch of its Crew Dragon capsule for NASA, ushering in a new era of commercial spaceflight.
Thanks for reading, Friend!
