🚗 The New Stellantis Boss

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy Fam!

We've got some interesting stuff today.

• V8s are "back." They never really left, but the spotlight has a new bulb.

• Ford recalled a bunch of cars due to backup camera glitches, which makes us wonder why we ever replaced mirrors. Mirrors don't glitch.

• And Nissan is trying more familiar moves to retain its access to market opportunities. This time, they are giving optional buyouts a try in Mississippi.

Read more below. 👇

The industry is like a river; it keeps on rolling, and if you turn over enough rocks, you'll find something to be afraid of.

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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THE NEWS

Stellanis, V8s, and Mr. Greenfield vs DeLorean

Stellantis has finally named Antonio Filosa as CEO, and he’s wasting no time showing dealers he’s got their back. He’s already restored key dealer-friendly leaders and promised deeper connection with partners. As U.S. sales wobble and tariffs loom, Filosa’s task is nothing short of rebuilding trust—and momentum.

Meanwhile, GM’s making noise (literally) with an $888M investment in a new sixth-gen V-8. Yes, a V-8 in 2025. It’s a sharp counter to the EV push, but it hits a nerve with American buyers who still love power—and gives dealers another bold talking point.

Ford, on the other hand, is back in recall territory with 1.2M vehicles affected by glitchy backup cameras. That’s a dealer opportunity: jump in early to support service, restore customer trust, and show them why local still wins.

German OEMs like BMW and Mercedes are racing to Washington to dodge Trump-era tariffs by leveraging their U.S. investments. That could protect showroom pricing—if they strike a deal.

Toyota’s leaning into plug-in hybrids, aiming for 20% of U.S. sales by 2030. With up to 50 EV-only miles, PHEVs are becoming the sweet spot between tech and trust for cautious buyers.

And Nissan’s comeback play? Buyouts. It’s a tough but strategic call as they delay U.S. EV production until at least 2028 and double down on hybrids to stabilize.

➕ More

Check out more in our Daily LinkedIn Digest!

TOGETHER WITH VEHICLES FOR CHANGE

Fueling Futures at ASOTU CON 2025

At this year’s ASOTU CON, our community showed up in the most tangible way. Two young mothers, each navigating life without a car, were handed the keys to something bigger than transportation. They received independence. Possibility. Relief.

Thanks to the generosity of the Carter Myers Automotive Group and our partners at VINCUE, Vehicles for Change was able to gift two deserving young mothers the keys to two sets of wheels.

Alongside the keys, these mothers received care packages with practical essentials—diapers, toys, and gift cards—offering an extra boost as they step into a new chapter.

And the generosity didn’t stop there. A custom guitar was auctioned off for whopping $10K thanks to Patrick Abad of Beaver Toyota, helping to raise even more in support of Vehicles for Change.

If you're looking to create meaningful change in your community, Vehicles for Change is the perfect place to start.
Learn more here!

DATA & INSIGHT

Tariff Complaints Are Surfacing in Customer Reviews

As tariffs drive up costs, customers are starting to notice — and they're calling it out in reviews. Brands like Kuru and American Tall have already seen feedback linking higher prices and surprise fees to tariffs. Review platforms confirm these complaints are rising, especially in auto, e-commerce, and electronics sectors.

Some customers support “Made in America” goods as a positive offset, but the louder voices are those frustrated by price hikes and policy impacts.

What can dealers do?

• Be proactive. Train staff to clearly explain tariff-related costs without blame.

• Get ahead of the narrative. Use signage or web content to clarify pricing changes.

• Highlight U.S.-built models where possible — it resonates with some buyers.

• Monitor reviews for early warning signs of customer sentiment shifts.

Customers value transparency. Get in front of the conversation now before it costs you more than a star rating.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Google is giving smart glasses another try. No, no, not just glasses celebrities wear in interviews, so we take them seriously. Like a smartphone you wear on your face. 👓️ 

• Amazon and Stellantis are calling it quits on their SmartCockPit venture. Guess we will have to change the radio volume the old-fashioned way a bit longer. 📻️ 

• The DOW jumped 700 points after Trump’s EU tariffs were paused. So… does ANYBODY like these tariffs? 🦘 

🔁 Today in History

• 1453 – Fall of Constantinople: Ottoman armies under Sultan Mehmed II capture Constantinople after a 53-day siege, ending the Roman Empire after over 2,000 years. ⚔️ 

• 1946 – Frazer begins production 🧑‍🏭 

• 1999 – Space Shuttle Discovery completes the first docking with the International Space Station. 🚀