🚗 The Countdown is On

Something’s been taking shape behind the scenes over here at ASOTU.

Anyone that joined us at ASOTU CON already knows, but we've been cooking up something big and we're nearly ready to invite everyone to the table. Cause we’re gonna eat.

Mark your calendars for September 23rd, friend. In the meantime…

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

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ICYMI

Rewind It Back

The Daily Pushback Email

• On Monday tariffs, Tesla, and tech took center stage. July’s sales pop looked strong, but experts flagged distortions from the CDK outage and pre-tariff pull-ahead. Ford’s hybrid gains outpaced EVs, BMW leaned on its U.S. plant to weather a rough quarter, and Tesla’s “Robotaxi” turned out to be a glorified Uber. Plus, Eccles Auto smashed a Benz for a good cause. 🔨
   

• Then on Tuesday, Carvana shocked Wall Street with a 10,000% stock rebound, fueled by $4.8B in Q2 sales and record net income. Gen X emerged as the top-spending demo, and underwater trade-ins hit a 4-year high. Meanwhile, 0% financing returned for top-tier buyers, and a Pennsylvania highway learned just how slick hot dogs can be. 🌭
   

• On Wednesday, Amazon started selling used cars with Hyundai dealers in LA, hinting at big shifts in the customer experience. A jury found Tesla 33% responsible in a fatal Autopilot crash and the EPA may roll back fuel efficiency rules. Plus, IKEA is partnering with Best Buy but hopefully that doesn’t mean we’ll soon have to build our own TVs. 📺
   

• Thursday, UAW President Shawn Fain faced pressure from within as members begin organizing to remove him. Chevy’s Silverado EV hit 1,059 miles on a single charge, and Stellantis faced emissions scrutiny. Plus, Toyota and TL-MODA helped give out 16K backpacks to students. 🎒
   

• Before we knew it, it was Friday. Ford unveiled plans for a new low-cost EV pickup, calling it a “Model T moment,” and Kia reported 12% July growth led by the EV9 and SUV sales. Meanwhile, a Retail Brew story sparked conversation on why used cars should be treated as brand assets, not leftovers. ☕️

PODCASTS

ASOTU Edge Webinars

With showroom visits down, service has become the most important touchpoint for loyalty.

In our latest ASOTU Edge webinar, Shane Wilson and Levi Baade from CarRx consider how connected vehicle tech is giving dealers better ways to stay in touch with customers after the sale.

The biggest takeaways for your team?

• Service reminders often miss. Sometimes by thousands of miles. Customers get pinged for maintenance way before or after it’s actually needed, and all it does it create confusion and chip away at trust.

• Battery problems are a big deal. Dead batteries are one of the most common issues, but most people don’t think to call the dealer. Knowing when it happens gives dealers a chance to step in and help.

• Used car buyers don’t return. Most used car customers go somewhere else for service. With the right tools, dealers can stay in touch and give them a reason to return.

Learn more in just 30 minutes here.

Unscripted with Erroll Bomar III

Steve Roessler didn’t come up through cars. He came through engineering, medical sales, and a relentless drive to make every message more human.

In this episode of ASOTU Unscripted, host Errol Bomar III talks with Steve Roessler, the brains behind “Live with Drive,” about building brands, embracing video, and why dealerships need to shift from templates to trust.

Learn how every step of Steve’s journey has led him to a successful path in automotive with the full episode here.

The Dealer Playbook

AI is changing the rules, and every dealership role is on the table.

In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, Michael Cirillo breaks down how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work and why now is the time to start learning, testing, and adapting.

He shares a clear path for using AI tools without losing sight of what matters: building trust, serving people, and staying useful in a fast-moving industry.

Listen to the full episode now.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

😎 What We’re…

👀 Watching: King of the Hill
Fifteen years after Season 13 ended, the series has been revived on Hulu with ten brand new episodes. Lots of familiar characters and voices return to the screen to help Hank and Peggy navigate new norms after retirement, and it’s pretty dang wholesome, I tell you what.

📚 Reading: The New Designer by Manuel Lima
This book doesn’t ask how your work looks, it asks what it does. From UX to industrial design, Lima challenges creators to rethink what “good design” actually means.

🎧 Listening To: Sad Dream by EchoWave
This song swivels between chilling us out and bringing up all the feels, and we’ve got it on repeat.

🤤 Eating: Fruity Pebble French Toast
‘Cause sometimes you want to infuse your breakfast with more breakfast.

SOMETHING FUN

Bugatti Meets Bricks

LEGO’s latest Speed Champions release brings the ultra-rare Bugatti Centodieci into buildable form. The 291-piece set captures key details from the real thing, including its signature five air intakes, horseshoe grille, and overhanging rear wing. Finished in white with a blue interior—just like the final production model—it also includes a Bugatti-branded minifigure for the driver’s seat.

Only 10 Centodiecis exist in the wild, but now anyone with 25 bucks and a coffee table can pretend they made the list. No one needs to know yours is only about 1/32 the size.

Quick Hits

• The wheel-less, pedal-less autonomous robotaxi by Amazon’s Zoox has been certified for demonstration use by the NHTSA. 🚕

• President Trump’s recent executive order opens U.S. retirement plans to crypto and private equity. 🤑

• Queen Elizabeth II’s 2006 Range Rover is headed to auction. 👑

• The craft beer brand Fat Tire has a new contest offering $100,000 to help one lucky winner “take the year off” to chase their dreams. 🍻