#448 - 🤩 Supercars, Super Hearts, Super Stars

TOGETHER WITH

Someone called and asked us yesterday if we take time for our families or just go till the wheels fall off. First, we appreciate so much the care of this community in looking out for everyone.

Second, we are firm believers that family should be cared for and time spent with them is extremely valuable. So take this as an opportunity to check in with yourself as we did yesterday and examine how you have cared for your family recently.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, & Chris

DEALERS

When Supercars Meet Super Hearts

The Ohio Expo Center witnessed an extraordinary gathering of luxury cars and automotive enthusiasts at this year’s Event III Hypercar Showcase presented by Mercedes-Benz of Easton. 🙌

😍 With over $50M worth of hypercars on display, the event brought together collectors, celebrities, and car lovers alike.

The Triple F Collection and renowned partners McLaren Automotive, Porsche, Bugatti, and RM Sothebys showcased rare and coveted vehicles, including the Sabre, Speedtail, Senna, P1, and more. 🏎️

🪄 The event not only celebrated these dope rides but also raised funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. With over 10,000 attendees and a remarkable $120K raised, The Event III was an impressive blend of passion for cars and commitment to a worthy cause.

Telling it like it is — If you think about it, supporting a charity is a lot like owning a custom hypercar – they both have the potential to inspire others and leave a lasting impression. If only they qualified for similar tax breaks…

/Positivity

Do you have a story showing the positive impact dealerships have on their community? Let us share it!

AUTOMOTIVE

Cox Mid-Year Review

The Cox Automotive's Mid-Year Review is out. We grabbed a few insights to share!

1️⃣ Auto sales have been on a steady upward trend since Q2 of last year, with forecasted sales for the current year increasing to 15M, up from 14.2M previously, driven by retail and commercial buyers despite rising interest rates.

2️⃣ Uncertainty lurks in the year's second half due to unpredictable market resilience. Sales seem hesitant, and underlying conditions are rapidly changing, with incentives per vehicle rising by 10% over the last year.

3️⃣ Average transaction prices were once higher than the MSRP but have recently dipped below. In contrast, the average APR for buyers has risen.

4️⃣ Production rates are improving, but supply conditions vary drastically across brands. Luxury brands hold a surplus, while others still face shortages.

5️⃣ The vehicle market is steadily shifting towards higher price points, with 41% of vehicles sold this year having an MSRP above $50K.

6️⃣ Traditional luxury brands are gaining market share, particularly in the post-COVID market.

7️⃣ Inventory recovery is expected to be a key driver of 2023 results.

8️⃣ CPO sales trends echo overall sales, anticipating increased sales later in the year.

9️⃣  Despite high prices, interest rates, and low supply, the US market continues advancing.

🔟 Introducing EVs has brought dynamic changes to the market, with a rise in inventory and sales and the launch of new brands and models leading to decreased prices.

Check out the full presentation and replay here.

Telling it like it is – Of course, if DJ Smokey Smoke’s summer playlist doesn’t do it for you, you can always check out ours. 🎶

TOGETHER WITH UPSTART

No Worries

Worried about data security and FTC compliance? 😰

Fear not!

With Upstart, your dealership can rest easy knowing that your customer’s data is in safe hands.

Upstart’s cutting-edge omnichannel platform is designed to optimize your customer information management practices and seamlessly bridge the online-to-in-store gap while acing those regulatory changes.

Their Multi-Factor Authentication and secure digital storage solutions keep your info perfectly secure while eliminating all those painful paperwork headaches.

Don’t fear compliance. Embrace it with the help of Upstart today! 🤗

AUTOMOTIVE

Motor Morsels: Tesla Ads, Kia Taxis, Volvo Chargers, Zeekr Expansion, and GM Home Power

📺💻📰

In case somebody doesn’t already know… Tesla CEO Elon Musk made a U-turn on his 'no-advertising' policy, with Google ads now tracing back to the EV pioneer. Musk hinted at this experiment during Tesla's annual meeting, aiming to highlight the features and benefits of their cars. Primarily seen in the UK and the US, Tesla's campaign marks a historic shift in its strategy.

🚕🤖🤓

Kiaboyz + Uber? Kia-style! The automaker plans to roll out Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous robo-taxis by 2025, aiming for excellent in-house service. Featuring their eS skateboard platform, these Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs) will revolutionize urban transport.

🔌⚡️🏳️

We’ve seen worse fads. Volvo's plugged into Tesla's energy standard! Striking a deal with Tesla, Volvo will provide its North American EV drivers access to 12K Tesla charging stations from 2025, offering the same convenience as Ford, GM, and Rivian. Adapting Tesla's North American Charging Standard plugs, Volvo aims to accelerate the shift to sustainable transport.

🧭🔋❄️

North for the summer. Chinese EV maker Zeekr (Geely's electric brand) is zipping onto your roads. With pre-orders for the luxurious Zeekr 001 estate and Zeekr X SUV now available in the Netherlands and Sweden, deliveries start this autumn. Charging into Denmark, Germany, France, and Norway by 2024, Zeekr's going global!

🏡💡🚙

All the cool kids are doing it.  GM’s new company is launching three energy management bundles under its Ultium Home unit, including two harnessing GM EVs' bidirectional V2H (vehicle-to-home) tech for power backups. Whether you're a GM EV owner or just need a battery boost, Ultium Home has a kit for you!

TL; DR – Tesla gets into ads, Kia gets into ride-sharing, Volvo gets into Tesla’s charging standard, Zeekr gets into Viking territory, and GM gets into house batteries.

CULTURE

Flying Cars?

✈️ Alef Aeronautics' "Model A" has become the first fully electric flying car to receive flight certification from the US government. 🚙

🎈Initially backed by venture capitalist Tim Draper, the company has created a vehicle capable of street driving, vertical takeoff, and landing, with a 200-mile driving range and a 110-mile flight range. 🚴‍♀️

🚀 After introducing the "Model A" in 2022, over 440 presale reservations were made by the end of the year. Full production and deliveries are expected to commence in late 2025. 🚃

Telling it like it is – I’ve shared roads with people who could afford this… I don’t want them flying above my head.

Quick Hits

• Oregon becomes the latest state to put Ranked Choice voting on the ballot. 🗳️

• Costco begins membership sharing crackdown. 🌭

• Like gritty kitchen tales? “The Bear” became FX’s most-watched Hulu premiere, with a 70% jump in viewership as season 2 launches. 🧑‍🍳

History

• 1956: Eisenhower signs the Federal-Aid Highway Act. ✍️

• 1985: John Lennon’s psychedelic Rolls-Royce goes to auction. 🪲

• 2007: Apple releases the first iPhones for sale. 📱