🚗 Takeaways and Tartan

Welcome back, Friend!

People want cars, people need tires, and people have accepted they should change their oil, and they’re all heading your way. Enjoy the ride!

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

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ICYMI

The Daily Pushback Email

On Monday, we kicked off the week with a blend of big automotive updates, community stories, and industry insights.

• 🚗 In-Car Speeding Alerts Are Coming: California's new bill could introduce speed alerts in all new vehicles.

• 🚙 Ford’s August Sales Surge: Mustang leads the muscle car market after rival models were discontinued.

• 📉 Stellantis Recall: 1.46M vehicles recalled due to anti-lock brake system issues.

• 🔋 Kia Holds Off EV9 Production: Delays due to U.S.-sourced battery requirements.

  

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On Tuesday, we delivered a mix of industry milestones, safety updates, and EV trends.

• 🚗 Dealership Market Breaks Records: The first half of 2024 saw 204 dealership transactions, representing 381 franchises, setting a new industry milestone.

• 🚙 Pedestrian Safety: NHTSA proposed new safety standards for automakers to reduce rising pedestrian deaths.

• 🔥 Jeep Fire Investigation: NHTSA investigates 781,000 Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators due to under-hood fires.

• 🔋 2024 EV Index: Delaware leads in EV infrastructure growth, while Alaska and Arkansas trail behind.

We also highlighted Beth Caro’s contributions to title compliance in the third-party agent industry.

On Wednesday, we reflected on unity in the face of darkness and brought you the latest automotive industry updates.

• 🚗 Auto Credit Tightens: Loan availability dipped in August, making financing tougher for consumers as interest rates rise.

• 🚙 EV Sales Growth: EV sales are stabilizing, with some concerns about charging infrastructure, though global sales remain strong.

• 🌍 China and EU Tariffs: Chinese automakers face pressure from the EU over tariffs, while China’s auto market continues to grow, led by NEVs.

We also spotlighted Rivian's safety award and Toyota’s push for solid-state batteries.

On Thursday, we covered major moves in the dealership market, auto industry highlights, and insights on falling prices.

• 🚗 Dealership Growth: The buy/sell market hit an all-time record in the first half of 2024, with 204 transactions involving 381 franchises.

• 🚙 Kia’s EV3 Expands: Kia is adding AWD and GT variants to its EV3 lineup, with U.S. orders opening soon.

• 📉 Vehicle Prices Drop: New-vehicle prices have fallen for the 11th straight month, with incentives up 49% YOY.

We also featured a webinar on modernizing title departments with Beth Caro of NIVTA.

On Friday, we reflected on the incredible work of dealerships honoring 9/11 heroes and highlighted major industry news.

• 🚗 Honoring First Responders: Billy Howell Ford Lincoln in Georgia served meals to local first responders in remembrance of 9/11.

• 🚙 GM & EVgo Charging Expansion: GM is rolling out 400 flagship EV charging stations across U.S. cities.

• 💰 VW Bets $5B on Rivian: VW invests big in Rivian as Stellantis pauses Fiat 500 EV production due to low demand.

We also shared the Top 10 Dealer Concerns and a webinar replay with title expert Beth Caro.

PODCASTS

30-Minute Webinar

This 30 minute ASOTU Edge webinar that will help you identify the areas where your title department may be lagging and how to address these challenges head-on.

Kyle Mountsier and Jordan Cox are joined by title expert Beth Caro, President and CEO of NIVTA (National Independent Vehicle Titling Agents Organization) to check into what a modern title department needs to reach its full potential.

In The Dirt w/ Jamie Butters

He knows the market will correct itself based off consumer desires.

Jamie Butters from Automotive News shares how they see the market has changed and where it may cool off.

Kyle Mountsier and Jamie Butters caught up at National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) to cover this and more.

The Automotive Troublemaker

As we turn into Tuesday, we’ve got guest host Daniel Govaer with us in the studio! Today we’re looking at Rivian’s referral program, what the future holds for Toyota’s battery production and recap everything from Apple’s iPhone announcement event.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Coming Soon

🍎 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH — The Welcome Conference in NYC.

🤠 November 5-8th — Opening presenters at the 2024 ATAE PR & Communications Focus Group Meeting in Austin, Texas.

⚜️ January 23-26th, 2025 — NADA Show in New Orleans.

🦀 May 13-16th, 2025 — ASOTU CON in Baltimore, Maryland.

SOMETHING FUN

Porsche’s Tartan Collection

In celebration of the 911 Turbo’s 50th anniversary, Porsche has rolled out something a little different: a tartan-inspired lifestyle collection.

While most automakers might celebrate with a special edition car, Porsche is bringing back a fabric that’s actually been part of its history for decades.

The story of tartan in Porsche history starts with, of all things, a pair of pants.

Back in the '70s, Porsche’s chief designer Anatole Lapine rolled into the office rocking tartan slacks, and the bold fashion choice lit to a creative spark within the design team. Soon after, they were moving to add some of that plaid flair to their interiors.

Now, Porsche’s latest lifestyle collection is expanding their tartan offerings beyond upholstery. Everything from jackets and shirts to travel bags and sunglasses, it’s all designed to give a fresh spin on the classic tartan patterns that once graced the interiors of their high-performance sports cars.

Quick Hits

• The Ig Nobel Prize awarded studies on butt-breathing mammals, missile-guiding pigeons, and fake medicines with side effects, celebrating comically intriguing scientific discoveries. 🐳 

• Central Market in Austin celebrated its 30th anniversary by breaking the Guinness World Record with a 1,032-pound charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. 🍖 

• A former Pentagon official confirmed the existence of a UFO program, sparking revelations about advanced technologies and unidentified aerial phenomena through the To The Stars Academy. 🛸 

History

• 1959: The First Man Made Object Luna 2 crash lands on the Moon becoming the first man made object to reach the Moon in what many are calling the space race between the worlds two superpowers of the United States and the Soviet Union. 🌝 

• 1969: Dodge Charger Daytona makes NASCAR debut, wins at Talladega. 🏁 

• 1998: Microsoft has become the biggest company in the world after just 23 years, after being valued at $261B on the New York stock exchange finally beating General Electric in valuation. 💿️ 

Thanks for reading, friend! Enjoy your Saturday. If you’re working, relaxing, or that special mixture we call recreating, enjoy it.