🚗 Tech Fails and Chain Challenges

TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to a fresh new week, Friend!

Today, we’ve got your daily dose of auto updates, as well as a tech study by our pals over at J.D. Power, to start your week off right with some helpful news and insights.

We promise to keep dishing up the brain candy if you promise to keep killing it at serving your communities. Deal?

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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BUSINESS

Bite-Size Biz

The Department of Energy is directing millions to six states to help bolster their electric vehicle supply chains — Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois. 💸

How much? $50M was specifically allocated as part of the larger Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grants program. Just last month, they dropped $1.7B to help convert struggling or closed auto factories into EV powerhouses.
 

Automatic emergency braking systems are intended to prevent crashes, but with growing cases of false alarms and sudden unnecessary stops, they’re becoming a growing nuisance for automakers hustling to ensure they meet the stricter NHTSA standards coming in 2029. 🛑

But, why tho? Bad weather, poor lighting, or even sensor glitches can cause a car to slam the brakes when it shouldn’t, but fixing it could mean adding expensive fixes which could hike up car prices by thousands.

Striking Canadian rail workers have ground to a halt much of the North American supply chain, leaving dealers hanging and automakers scrambling to stash thousands of unsellable cars. 🚂

Yikes! David Adams, CEO of Global Automakers of Canada, warned: “Most production from Canadian facilities is going down to the USA — 85% by rail. It’s not practical to deliver vehicles by road. Dealers’ inventory levels will be drawn down.”
 

TOGETHER WITH ACTIVATOR

Time to Wake Up

The auto industry is still waking up from a tough time, and it's time to talk about how to rebuild trust with customers.

Join ASOTU and Activator Dealer Solutions to explore how the dynamics of customer loyalty have shifted, the repercussions of aggressive pricing strategies during inventory shortages, and the subsequent customer dissatisfaction in this 30 minute webinar — "Reawakening Your Dealership: Overcoming Industry Challenges from the Covid Coma.” 

DATA & INSIGHT

Tech Overload?

The latest J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study reveals a mixed bag for in-car technology. While AI-driven features like smart climate control are winning over drivers, others like as facial recognition and gesture controls are getting a big thumbs down.

Nearly 43% of owners report issues with gesture controls, and 21% say they’re just not useful at all. Even Tesla, known for its tech innovation, is seeing a dip in satisfaction, especially with features like direct driver monitoring.

On the bright side, Genesis and Hyundai continue to lead in innovation, with models like the Toyota Sequoia and BMW iX earning praise for their tech features.

As automakers roll out new features, it’s clear that not all of them are resonating with drivers. For dealerships, understanding which tech is truly valued—and which might be more trouble than it’s worth—could be key to enhancing customer satisfaction and closing more sales.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🍎 September 16th — The Welcome Conference in NYC.

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

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

Quick Hits

• Cadillac is now selling sneakers inspired by their EVs. 👟

• BMW surpasses Tesla in European EV sales for first time. 🏆

• Mercedes-Benz is bringing a huge library of video games right to their dashboards. 🕹️

History

• 1791: John Fitch is granted a U.S. patent for the steamboat. 🚢

• 1959: Mini makes its debut. 👋

• 1981: The Voyager 2 spacecraft takes photos of Saturn's moon, Titan. 🪐

Thanks for reading, friend! Did you know it’s National Dog Day? Send us a picture of your goodest boi or gurl, and then give them some scritches from all of us here at ASOTU.