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- đźš— Tesla Gets Philosophical?
đźš— Tesla Gets Philosophical?
đźš™ European Reckoning, SK Trade Tension, and Riding Purdy
TOGETHER WITH
“You are what you eat.”
I (Chris) have always enjoyed this truism and have tried to apply it to how I think about all consumption. Our bodies are composed of the food we eat, but our worldview is shaped by the information we consume.
So, what you watch on TV is building you into something. 🤔
If only there were a show you could watch that builds up and doubles down on positive regard for the whole retail auto community…
Watch More than Cars: The Truth about Car Dealers on YouTube, Amazon Prime, or Tubi.
Keep Pushing Back,
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi
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From the Automotive State of the Union
We don’t just read headlines; we make important connections across car dealerships, general retail, tech, and culture, all to help automotive leaders think clearly and move faster in a world that refuses to slow down. Catch up on yesterday’s stories:
Tesla’s Master Plan Gets Philosophical
Tesla’s “Master Plan Part IV” barely mentions cars. Instead, it focuses on AI, humanoid robots, and a vision Musk calls “sustainable abundance.” The document suggests Tesla’s long-term value will hinge less on EVs and more on autonomy, labor automation, and AI computing.
Jetson One Takes Flight
Tech founder Palmer Luckey became the first Jetson One owner, flying the $128K personal eVTOL after 50 minutes of training. The single-seater is already sold out through 2026.
McKinsey Leans Into Young Talent
Defying fears of AI job cuts, McKinsey plans a 12% hiring boost in North America, betting entry-level tech fluency drives growth more than machines alone.
From The News w/ ASOTU
Click to read the full digest.
Check out the latest automaker announcements, market data, insight & action, and More than Cars moments in our 5-minute digest. Today we have:
Europe’s Auto Giants Face a Reckoning
At Munich’s IAA show, Europe’s automakers put on a brave face as tariffs, Chinese price wars, and weak demand squeeze profits. Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, and Renault rolled out new EVs while cutting costs, and VW pledged €1B toward AI by 2030 to reinvent how cars get built.
Toyota Consolidates Lexus Production
Lexus ES production will leave Kentucky as Toyota consolidates luxury builds in Indiana, while some high-end output shifts back to Japan. Tariffs are shaping where vehicles are made and how brands manage their U.S. footprint.
Also in today’s headlines:
Join Us Today!
At 2:00pm EST this afternoon, we’re chatting with Adam Claiborne (GM at Mike Shaw Kia) and Patrick Janes (AVP at vAuto) to talk about how your missed appraisals can become your best source of used inventory.
The leads are already in your CRM. We’ll show you how to go get them.
We’ve even got a seat saved for you right here. See you soon!
EVERYTHING ELSE
Quick Hits
🤖 AI: Nebius just landed a $19B AI cloud deal with Microsoft, sending shares soaring 40%. AI may never make money… but it’s making money. 🫧
💰 Economy: China’s beef appetite is shrinking for the second year in a row as a slowing economy squeezes households—projected demand will dip to 11M tons in 2026, down from last year’s peak. Chick-fil-A’s ad campaign has really worked out for cows.
👽 Weird: It’s official, having a good time is illegal. Police in B.C. arrested a man for cruising a child-sized pink Barbie Jeep while over the limit. Witnesses called it “epic.” Charges call it DUI. He calls it “riding purdy.”
AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
A Party with a Purpose
Vehicles for Change’s 7th Annual Custom Cars, Cocktails & Change is just around the corner!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 27th at Maryland Live! Hotel & Casino for an evening of live music, dinner, killer cars, and even a luxe VIP lounge.
But here’s the real reason it matters—every part of this event helps Vehicles for Change keep doing what they do best: helping families unlock independence through car ownership and mechanic training.
Today in History
1846: Elias Howe is granted a patent for the sewing machine. 🧵
1897: The first DUI arrest is made. 🍺
1950: A new diesel speed record is hit. ⏩️
Dogs + Clothes = Good Vibes
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