🚗 The Legend of The Beast

TOGETHER WITH

Today is National “I Love To Write Day.”

And honestly? We really do.

Writing for this community every day is one of the best parts of the job.

Because when you're writing for people who actually care, who challenge the norm, and who show up for each other, the words just matter more.

Thanks for reading. And thanks for giving us something worth writing about.

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

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ICYMI

Rewinding the Week

The Daily Pushback Email

• On Monday, CarMax tumbled 24% after its CEO stepped down, Tesla shareholders approved Elon Musk’s $1T bonus plan, and Ford looks to pull the plug on the Lightning. Meanwhile, Scout’s buyers want backup generators and Phil Long dealerships launched a $100K campaign to support veterans this November. 🎖️
   

• Then, on Tuesday, nostalgia was the horsepower automakers brought to SEMA, Progressive gave us AI-generated animals behind the wheel, and China quietly reopened key trade levers. 🔑
   

• By Wednesday, Toyota was facing investor pressure over a take-private plan, while Kia previewed a bolder Telluride for 2027. New truck data revealed most pickups rarely haul or tow, and Cox warned dealers are leaking fixed ops loyalty despite competitive pricing. 💧
   

• On Thursday, CDK’s new data showed Gen Z buyers want more protection products but arrive pre-approved, pushing dealers to streamline menus. Ford found over 1km of extra wiring in the Mach-E vs. Model 3, and BYD started building a 50-square-mile EV factory city. 🇨🇳
   

• Friday, inventory ticked up to 2.97M units, but pricing held firm, signaling a calm, disciplined market. Toyota’s $14B hybrid battery plant went live as the brand doubled down on hybrid dominance. Meanwhile, Scout picked Charlotte for HQ and GM told suppliers to leave China by 2027. ✌️

TOGETHER WITH NADA

The Floor is Full (Literally!)

The NADA Show 2026 Expo is officially sold out! 

That’s right, folks. Every booth is booked, and every vendor is showing up with solutions built for the way dealerships run today.

The newly renovated North Hall has been reworked to feature an expanded layout and a focus on innovation. Expect real applications of AI as well as the ever-popular Dealer Learning Lab.

Brand new for 2026: a Product Discovery Stage, bringing you all the latest and greatest tech, tools, and tactics in the industry. 

While North Hall is about innovation, West Hall is about solutions. Together, the two deliver the full picture: North Hall drives what’s next. West Hall keeps business moving.

Register now and start mapping your walkthrough today!

PODCASTS

The Dealer Playbook

Luxury isn’t about logos—it’s about how you make people feel.

In this episode, Marion Cain shares how any dealership team can deliver premium experiences that build trust and boost gross, no matter the brand on the badge. From the first 90 seconds to the last signature, he breaks down how to frame value, read buyers, and create moments that stick.

Watch the full episode here.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

TTACD SZN 2

The show is back with a new name that says it all.

More Than Cars is now The Truth About Car Dealers.

Season 2 brings a sharper focus, a stacked lineup, and real stories from real people inside the dealership world. If you missed Season 1, now is the time to catch up.

Stay tuned. The Truth About Car Dealers drops this December.

SOMETHING FUN

Some Cars Push Boundaries, This One Stretches Them

This story starts in the 1960s, when British engineer Paul Jameson decided a tank engine belonged in a car (naturally).

He built a custom chassis around a 27-liter Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 and enlisted transmission guru John Dodd to make it move. Dodd shoehorned in a GM Hydramatic 400, somehow got it road-legal, and dubbed it The Beast.

That first Beast burned to the ground in the early 70s, which would’ve ended most stories. But Dodd doubled down, rebuilt it from scratch, and upgraded to a Merlin V12—the same engine used in fighter jets.

This second Beast became a legend. It got Dodd sued by Rolls-Royce. It briefly held the Guinness record for fastest road car. And it has haunted anyone who has had to parallel-park it.

Today, Beast II is back, freshly wrapped and reupholstered, and ready to head to auction in the UK later this month. It’s expected to fetch around $100K—a steal for the market looking to drive a hood with a car attached.

The Beast might be ridiculous, but it’s also a reminder: bold ideas tend to make the biggest impressions.

Quick Hits

• Vine is making a come back. Sorry, no AI allowed. 🌱

• After 232 years, the U.S. is retiring the penny. 🪙

• The number of delinquent subprime auto loans rose to 6.65% in October. 😥

Enjoy your weekend, Friend!