TOGETHER WITH :
Howdy Fam!
Our crew is rolling through the NY Auto Forum today, catching up with friends, meeting new ones, and staying sharp on what’s shaping the industry right now.
Come say “hi” or follow along with us on LinkedIn!
Keep Pushing Back,
—Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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The Fastest Gas Price Jump in Years
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Gas prices are climbing fast again.
The national average just hit $3.99 per gallon, up more than a dollar since early March. It’s one of the quickest spikes since 2022.
No state is escaping it. Kansas and Oklahoma are among the lowest at about $3.26, while California is pushing $5.88, with Hawaii and Washington close behind. That’s a gap of more than $2.50 depending on where you fill up.
The differences come down to a mix of taxes, local regulations, and proximity to fuel sources. States with higher fuel taxes or stricter fuel standards tend to sit at the top, while those closer to refineries or pipelines usually catch a bit of a break.
But no matter the location, drivers are feeling it.
Jeep Production Paused Over Parts
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A supplier dispute is putting Stellantis in a familiar but uncomfortable spot.
A lawsuit was filed after Stellantis says supplier ZF Chassis Modules stopped sending key suspension parts after asking for more cash on existing contracts. Without those parts, Stellantis had to pause production at its Mexico plant on March 14, where it builds the Jeep Compass and Cherokee.
The supplier warned it could stop shipments to Stellantis’ Ontario plant which would have shut down production there too, but a judge stepped in and ordered parts to keep flowing. So, that plant is still running (for now).
Still, the margin for error is razor thin. Stellantis says it has less than a few hours of inventory for these components, and once shipments stop, production stops. No cushion.
The next court hearing is April 6th. Until then, tensions remain high.
The Safest New Cars of 2026
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If you assume the safest cars always come with luxury price tags, this year’s list might surprise you.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released its latest rankings, and more than a dozen top-rated vehicles come in under $30,000. That includes familiar names like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Prius, alongside a long list of SUVs and EVs.
To earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+, vehicles have to pass a growing list of tougher crash tests and safety checks. For 2026, that includes stronger requirements for rear-seat protection and updated crash prevention systems.
Source: IIHS / CR
A few standouts:
Small cars like the Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, and Kia K4 earned top marks.
SUVs dominate the list, with models like the Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia EV9 scoring highly.
Even newer entries like the Tesla Cybertruck made the cut.
One thing missing? Minivans.
IIHS noted they continue to fall short, especially when it comes to protecting rear-seat passengers, which is obviously not ideal for vehicles built around families.
Safety is improving, but not evenly. And as tests get tougher, automakers are being pushed to keep up. And for shoppers, that’s a good thing.
Fix the Funnel Leak
Everyone talks about leads. Fewer people talk about what happens between the click and the handshake.
Autotrader and Dealer.com are stepping onto the Main Stage at ASOTU CON this year to reveal how shoppers actually move from browsing to buying, and where that experience either builds momentum or quietly falls apart.
They’re bringing a perspective that connects search, website experience, and what happens when a customer finally shows up in-store.
If you’ve ever looked at your funnel and thought, “something’s getting lost here,” this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.
TODAY, March 31: NY Auto Forum
May 12: AutoIndustry.AI Summit
May 13-15: ASOTU CON 2026—get ready for the Year of the Human
🇺🇸 U.S.A: Security lines at airports are shrinking across the country as TSA officers receive their first paychecks since mid-February.
🤖 AI: Waymo is rapidly rising in popularity, with up to 500K paid robotaxi rides every week.
🛒 Retail: Krispy Kreme is selling a limited‑edition doughnut to celebrate NASA’s Artemis II launch this week.
1889: The Eiffel Tower officially opens for dignitaries and an award ceremony in Paris, France. 🇫🇷
1918: The first daylight saving time in the U.S. goes into effect. ⏰
1985: The first WrestleMania, the biggest wrestling event from the WWE (WWF at the time), takes place at Madison Square Garden in NYC. 🤼
Thanks for reading, Friend! Now get out there and show this day who's boss.
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