🚗 Styles Change, Service Doesn’t

Welcome to Saturday, Friend!

We’ve been noticing a few familiar things making a comeback.

Cargo shorts. Plaid shirts. Even flared jeans are sneaking their way back in.

Funny how trends always seem to circle back. But the things that matter most like hard work, kindness, and showing up for people? Those never go out of style.

Good taste is optional. Good values are not.

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

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ICYMI

Top News to Know

The Daily Pushback Email

• On Monday, the industry paused to honor its workforce for Labor Day. Meanwhile, refinancing surged 11% in Q2 as buyers looked to cut monthly payments, and a new Tesla survey showed Full Self-Driving may be hurting more than helping sales. Plus, Mercedes-Benz traded BBQs for volunteer work in Atlanta. 🛋️
   

• Then on Tuesday, Tesla’s European sales dropped sharply while BYD’s profits fell amid China’s price war. Sames Auto Group celebrated 115 years with a community giveaway, and a new Cox study highlighted transparency, staff, informed buyers, and control as the four pillars of buyer satisfaction. 🏆
   

• Wednesday, Cadillac gained EV momentum with 25–33% of U.S. sales now electric and 80% of new buyers switching from German brands. Plus, Ford ramped up its public charging network through dealers. Meanwhile, Cochran Youngstown supported cancer care in Ohio. 🩺
   

• By Thursday, Hyundai pledged $5B in U.S. investments while facing strikes at home, VW paused ID.4 production in Chattanooga after Q2 sales dropped 65%, and Tesla bet big on humanoid robots. 🦾
   

• Before we knew it, it was Friday. Dealer confidence held steady while EV optimism sank to record lows, VinFast shifted to a franchised model as losses climbed, and we discuss how your slow website might be losing deals. 🐌 

PODCASTS

Auto Collabs

Auto shows aren’t dying—they’re evolving. And Jennifer Morand is helping lead the charge.

In this episode, the Auto Collabs crew sits down with the force behind the Chicago Auto Show and new chairwoman of the Automotive Experience Alliance to talk about how shows are becoming full-on experiences.

Jennifer shares how smart activations are driving real showroom traffic, why missing brands send the wrong message, and how dealers and OEMs can collaborate better. If you think auto shows are just static displays and stale pretzels, think again.

Watch the replay here.

The Dealer Playbook

In this episode of the Dealer Playbook, event strategist Ondar Tarlow breaks down why most dealership events miss the mark—and how to fix it.

With two decades of experience across luxury brands and pro sports, Ondar shares what actually moves people and builds loyalty.

Watch the full episode now.

ASOTU on the Street

In this episode of ASOTU on the Street, we chat it up with a candid car shopper who shares why online tools are helpful—but not enough—and what today’s buyers still want from their shopping experience.

Learn what real customers are looking for in a dealership here.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Missed appraisals aren’t misses if you know where to look.

Join our chat with Patrick Janes of vAuto and Adam Claiborne of Mike Shaw Kia on September 10th at 2:00 PM ET to learn how dealers are reclaiming missed appraisals and turning them into steady used car supply.

Bring a shovel and get ready to dig in—register today!

SOMETHING FUN

BMW Rethinks Two-Wheel Safety

Meet the BMW Vision CE: a futuristic electric scooter with the energy of a golf cart on Ozempic.

it comes fully loaded with a seatbelt, headrest, and a frame designed to protect your brain even if you forget to protect your brain. Technically, you could ride it without a helmet, though your insurance rep might like a word.

Bonus points: it self-balances. So, when you hop off to grab coffee or fight crime or whatever, it just stands there. No kickstand. No awkward tip-over in front of a crowd.

It’s just a concept for now, but rethinking what two-wheeled safety can look like is a bold idea, and a reminder that progress often starts with simply asking, “What if we…?”

Quick Hits

• The Powerball has jumped to $1.8B ahead of today’s drawing making it the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever. 💰

• OpenAI is developing an AI-powered hiring platform to rival LinkedIn. 💼

• Tyson is rolling out new nugs inspired by NFL teams (tbh, we had to do a double-take at “Eagles Nuggets”). 🏈

We know that the “weekend” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. For anyone working today, we see you and we appreciate your dedication.