TOGETHER WITH

You can’t shape the future by sitting on the sidelines.

That’s why we were in D.C. yesterday, face to face with the folks writing the rules and pushing for change.

Dealers. Policymakers. Innovators. All showing up with the same goal: build something better for the people who keep this industry moving.

Big thanks to Saferide.ai for helping us be in the middle of it all.

Stay tuned—the interviews and conversations are on the way and they’re worth the watch.

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

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At NADA 2026, see how Upstart Auto Finance uses thousands of data points (not just a credit score) to approve more buyers with faster, more flexible offers. Close more deals with instant, AI-powered decisions, longer terms, and higher LTVs that boost back-end profit without the lender runaround.

Visit them in Las Vegas, Feb 3-6 at booth #1901. The first 50 demos booked each get a $50 gift card, and everyone who stops by will be entered to win a super-automatic espresso machine for your showroom.

Congress is debating legislation that would eliminate $879M in federal funding originally earmarked to expand the nation’s EV charging network.

The money, part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, has been tangled in political and legal disputes since early 2025 and now faces permanent removal as lawmakers reallocate federal transportation dollars.

If the cut goes through, it could stall the build-out of public charging stations that EV manufacturers and retailers have been counting on to sustain adoption (20% of potential buyers cite unreliable charger networks as their top hesitation to buying).

The federal charger funds were intended to fill that gap by supporting highway-corridor stations and underserved markets through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which had begun adding roughly 1K new chargers per week.

A shrinking network of chargers could slow mainstream confidence, making it harder to convert curious shoppers into committed buyers. Combined with the rollback of EV tax credits, this latest development adds yet another headwind for buyers.

Kelley Blue Book has released its 2026 Best Buy Awards, highlighting vehicles that deliver lasting value, strong performance, and reliable ownership across a dozen major segments.

The 2026 Nissan Leaf earned both Best New Model and Best Electric Vehicle Under $35K, setting a new benchmark for accessible range and price. With more than 300 miles on a charge and a wallet-friendly price tag, the Leaf is well-positioned to attract a new wave of electric buyers.

Other top performers include the Hyundai Kona in the Subcompact SUV category, the Toyota RAV4 as Best Compact SUV, and the Ford F-150, which continues to lead the Full-Size Truck segment.

This year’s winners point to a steady realignment in buyer priorities.

Demand is concentrating around vehicles that combine everyday usefulness with dependable innovation, and those are the models shaping future showroom interest.

After years of promises, Tesla finally launched Robotaxi rides in Austin without a safety monitor up front.

Elon Musk announced the rollout on X. In reality, the company is starting small, with a few unsupervised cars mixed into its existing fleet that still includes safety drivers.

While Tesla pats themselves on the back, the math paints a messier picture. The company’s Robotaxis have already logged at least eight crashes since June, roughly eight times more frequent than human drivers.

Waymo, on the other hand, is cruising ahead with more than 125M fully driverless miles and far fewer fender benders under their belt.

The real story here isn’t triumph or failure, but it is progress. Each controlled test, each public rollout, and each mile logged adds another layer of insight for an industry still figuring out how “driverless” fits into the future of mobility.

NADA is a month away, and it’s time to prepare. Flight, hotel, horse-shoe-shaped neck pillow thing, AND, a full schedule o parties after the day’s work.

Check out NADAParties.com to make plans now.

Thank you for reading along, Friend!