💣 Taking Action With ATUC

TOGETHER WITH

Sometimes the difference between a good story and an ignorable event is a little time and perspective.

Many people didn’t know what they were getting into when they started their first auto job. It was just a job.

But standing from the vantage point of 1, 5, 10, or even 20 years down the road? That day mattered.

Today matters. The people you meet, the work you do, and the words you speak are becoming your future. Get ready for a good story and that is what you will find.

Keep Pushing Back
-Chris with Paul and Kyle

DEALERS

Actionable Insights With David Long’s All Things Used Cars

David Long and the All Things Used Cars community threw down on turning their insights into actions on Friday, and we grabbed some tips to help start your week full of opportunity!

The below tips are not all centered on the movement from insight to action, but are insight-driven strategies from dealers and leaders who are finding success in these best-practices.

1. 🗺️ Focus on the customer journey: Understand the customer experience from start to finish, and ensure you meet their needs throughout the process.

2. 🥷 Utilize mystery shopping: Regularly test your store's processes and systems to ensure they function effectively and provide a positive customer experience.

3. 📀 DISC (Does It Sell Cars) litmus test: When implementing new processes or technologies, always ask if they will ultimately contribute to selling cars.

4. 🤓 Embrace data: Analyze data trends and identify areas for improvement to make informed decisions and drive sales.

5. ❓ Utilize the Socratic Method: Engage employees in problem-solving by asking questions instead of providing answers, fostering a collaborative and learning-focused environment.

6. 👵 Be proactive with aging inventory: Assign a dedicated team member to work on the oldest cars and reach out to previous leads before making significant price changes.

7. ☎️ Bridge department gaps: Enhance communication and collaboration between departments, such as the used car and internet departments, to ensure cohesive and efficient operations.

8. 😊 Simplify processes and systems: Keep your operations simple with only a few technologies or processes. Keep things streamlined and user-friendly for both employees and customers.

9. 📈 Continuous improvement: Regularly evaluate your processes and systems. Be willing to adapt and change to stay competitive and provide the best customer experience.

10. 👍 Prioritize customer satisfaction: Always put the customer first, aiming to provide an exceptional experience that will lead to repeat business and positive reviews.

If you have a thought to add, a challenge to issue, or kudos to share, hit reply and let us know! We will get your ideas into a relevant email soon!

Telling it like it is - Pass this weekly show along to your up-and-coming team members and watch them fly. 🦅

AUTOMOTIVE

Motor Morsels: Volkswagen, R&D, and Hyundai

Volkswagen is likely saying auf wiedersehen to many of the executive board members in its software division, Cariad, but has not yet disclosed any names.

The unit has repeatedly gone over budget and failed to meet many of its targets, contributing to significant delays for the Porsche e-Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron models. The lack of progress has also pushed back the launch of their structural car software for autonomous driving by at least two years to approximately 2028. 🐌

According to a study compiled from automaker financial reports, Wards Auto has found that although Volkswagen overall spends more money on research and development (R&D), GM has devoted a larger percentage of its 2023 profits to it.

The numbers reveal that companies such as Toyota, Stellantis, and Hyundai, who have been slower in EV development and are currently spending less on research and development, will need to significantly increase R&D expenditures as they ramp up their electrification efforts (potentially impacting their profitability and stock prices). 🧑‍🔬

Despite their nominal R&D budget, Hyundai is shelling out some serious innovation with a "crab-driving" prototype that could forever solve the plague of parallel parking.

In their latest video they showcase their e-Corner technology, making all four wheels swivel 90 degrees and resulting in some pretty snazzy sideways scuttling. 🦀

Telling it like it is - Car makers are all competing to be the first in the rush toward EV adoption and advancing technologies. While bigger budgets may result in expedited outputs, it seems the most important factor is the creativity of the teams.

TOGETHER WITH TRUECAR x ASOTU

Watch From Home

If you missed us in Tampa, don’t worry because we are coming to you through the power of the internet!

We are hosting a watch party for the pilot episode of More Than Cars later this month.

Please join us for a mid-day viewing of automotive’s only docu-series on May 24 at 1 PM ET/12 PM CT.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Use your unique referral link at the bottom of this email to invite your people to join the ASOTU community! We are the only dealer-owned media company in the world and pride ourselves on the sort of organic growth that money can’t buy.

Of course, money can buy sweet prizes, and we are giving another one away this week, so maybe it’s more like “organic growth that money can’t buy, but sweet swag can point in the right direction?”

Either way, whoever has the most referrals sign up wins a prize. It’s pretty simple.

Why are you still reading this? Go refer somebody.

Seriously, there is no more info here.

GO!

CULTURE

Event Inspo Via Coachella

With the warmer Spring weather comes more outdoor events, fundraisers and festivals. Consider taking a page from Coachella’s playbook at your next event with these over-the-top design trends from this year’s mega music celebration:

🤳 Socials-friendly Signage and Photo Ops —

An especially popular trend this year was super-sized logos and props. Photo ops offer tons of opportunities to cleverly integrate your brand and expand your reach.

⛽ Vintage Roadside Attractions —

Embracing the spirit of nostalgia and whimsy, there were an array of charming vintage roadside attractions along the journey for guests driving to the event.

💐 Lavish Statement Florals —

Coachella has long-since been known for its floral-affinity, but the displays just keep getting bigger and more extravagant.

🌈 Vibrant Colors and Neon Lighting —

The eye-catching display at göt2b encompassed both with their “Style Station.”

Telling it like it is - If there were a Coachella for Cars, what wildly dramatic display would you set up? 🤔

Quick Hits

• The job market grew in April despite expectations. 👩‍💼

• Ever wonder what sort of dino DNA is right below your feet? Somebody spent their very limited time on Earth making a map to show you just that! 🦖

• A town – like a whole entire town – in New Jersey is trying to figure out why there is a 500lb pile of pasta in their waterway and if the original owner wants it back or if they can add sauce and get to work. 🍝

• Hawaii tourists found themselves in deep water after following their GPS directly into the harbor. 🧭

• Brad Pitt will begin filming a yet-untitled movie based on Formula 1 beginning at the 2023 Silverstone Grand Prix. 🎥

History

• 1912: Paramount Pictures is founded.

• 1956: Henry Ford II resigned as the chairman of the Ford Foundation. From its founding in 1936 until the Bill and Milenda Gates Foundation started in 2000, the Ford Foundation often ranked the highest giving charity in the US.

• 1970: The Beatles released their “Let It Be” album in the UK.