🚗 Tesla Built a Diner. Why Not You?

TOGETHER WITH

July 22nd.

Vowels control the world, my friend. Take the difference between “O” and “E.”

“Oh! I understand” vs. “Eee, I saw a mouse.”

Or, even better: “Got to” vs “Get to.”

Small changes add up.

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

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SOMETHING FUN

I (Chris) am 37 years old. And I recently had the pleasure of binge-watching A Man on the Inside with my wife.

It’s not a new show, it’s been out nearly a year. But, let’s be real: who can keep up with everything these days?

What surprised me most wasn’t the laughs (there were plenty) or even the tears (those too), but the moment the show gave me.

The best art doesn’t just entertain, it rearranges something in you. And somewhere around episode five, I found myself feeling like I was 100 years old, just wishing for one more day at 37. One more day where my daughter is still little. Where my job still feels like it's just getting started.. Where life is still uncertain—in the best way.

I saw the present with clearer eyes. I also more clearly saw the dignity of those who’ve lived much more life than I and are facing what comes next with a grace I hope to carry someday.

It’s eight episodes. I think you’ll enjoy it.

And if you’ve been watching anything good lately, hit reply. I’d love to know.

THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Today we’re talking record-breaking dealer profits, an electric Bronco you can’t get in the U.S., and a Tesla Diner that looks like it drove out of a sci-fi movie.

Franchised dealerships saw a 22% jump in Q2 profits, with domestic brands finally swinging back to growth. Ford’s new Bronco EV—boasting a 403-mile range and nap mode—is launching in China only (for now), and Tesla just opened a retro-futuristic Supercharger diner in Hollywood with roller skates, LED movie screens, and popcorn-popping robots.

Paul and Kyle are asking:
What does it look like to build spaces people want to gather in? Why aren’t more dealers owning that opportunity?

If your brand had a hangout, what would it feel like?

From The News w/ ASOTU

Daniel Govaer reminded us today that top-performing dealerships aren’t just tweaking—they’re rethinking everything. Especially how they lead and compensate the people who make the whole machine go. It’s not about softening standards. It’s about aligning incentives with what people can control, and responding to real-world complexity with compassion and clarity.

That thread runs through today’s stories:

• A Reddit shopper chronicles five dealerships, four failures, and one big question: Would you come back?

• Student loan repayments are warping credit scores—and with them, your view of today’s subprime buyer.

• Stellantis posts a $2.7B loss and EU retaliation looms. Tariffs are no longer theory.

• BYD’s sales soften, and EV momentum is showing signs of fatigue.

In every case: the details matter. The people matter more. Let’s get into it.

TOGETHER WITH TRADEPENDING

What Makes a Great Car Sales Person?

No matter how many amazing software tools your team has…

Like an amazing trade-in tool or payments calculator on steroids or digital brochures that nudge people to next steps or video tools that double sales and service appointments. We could go on…

You’ve still got to have great people staffing the floor. Here’s what Nashville thinks makes a great car sales person, courtesy of TradePending.

SOMETHING ELSE

Dealer Tech Is About to Get...Self-Aware?

OpenAI just launched something big: ChatGPT Agent. It doesn’t just chat—it acts. Think: reading your calendar, building decks, navigating websites, summarizing emails, and even placing orders…all from one prompt.

It’s not hype. It’s an AI assistant that can actually do your work.

Friends: this won’t stay in Silicon Valley for long.

These tools are coming for the workflows inside your store—BDC follow-ups, vendor research, even team training.

You’ve got two choices:

• Wait for your tech stack to surprise you.

• Or get curious about what AI delegation looks like on your floor.

What’s one 5-hour task you wish your system could just handle?

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Growing Up In The Car Biz with Jade Terreberry

The Auto Collabs crew recently sat down with Jade Terreberry—formerly of commercial real estate lending and dealership operations, now leading analytics and insights at Cox Automotive.

With her roots planted firmly in the car world (thanks to a dad who spent 40 years winning national Honda sales contests), Jade shares how her love for data and love for people collided to shape her journey back into automotive.

Check out Auto Collabs for this and more stories from the community we love to serve.

🔁 Today in History

• 1793: Alexander Mackenzie reaches the Pacific Ocean, becoming the first recorded human to complete a transcontinental crossing of North America. 🗺️ 

• 1894: The first ever motor race is held in France between the cities of Paris and Rouen. The fastest finisher was the Comte Jules-Albert de Dion, but the "official" victory was awarded to Albert Lemaître driving his three-horsepower petrol-engined Peugeot. 🏁 

• 1908: Fisher Body, the sole supplier of all closed bodies for Cadillac, is formed. 🧑‍🏭 

🥊 Quick Hits

• Blackstone has withdrawn from a consortium of investors looking to purchase TikTok's U.S. business. 📱 

• A 158-year-old company is dealing with hackers after a weak password failed to keep them secure. This is why you should change your password every 157 years. 💾 

• A study finds that exercise helps improve your mood. But exercising with friends, for the right reasons and in lovely places, helps even more. 💪 

That’s it for today, Friend…