🚗 The Popemobile Goes Green

Welcome to Saturday, Friend!

Ya know, the NADA Show is just around the corner and we’re already so stoked to see everyone.

If you haven’t already heard, we are teaming up with this legendary organization for an epic collab (which you can read more about here).

Hit us up and let us know if we’ll see you there!

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

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ICYMI

Looking Back on the Week

The Daily Pushback Email

• On Cyber Monday, we explored Hyundai’s playful Ioniq 5 N, Honda’s solid-state battery push for cheaper, long-range EVs by 2025, and Volkswagen’s union drama over cost cuts. Fiat and Lotus paused production dreams, while Genesis teased a luxury endurance hypercar. 🎩
   

• On Tuesday, Volkswagen wrestled with labor strikes, Tesla’s market cap hit $1.1T, and China’s EV giants like BYD and Xiaomi shattered delivery records. Then, we gave thanks for Fort Dodge Ford Toyota who teamed up with local culinary students to serve 3,500 Thanksgiving meals. 🍽️
   

• Then on Wednesday, Tesla wrestled with Cybertruck delays and Elon’s court drama, while Jaguar’s leaked EV concept stirred buzz and debate. Hyundai and Kia smashed sales records thanks to hefty incentives, and dealers braced for the potential loss of EV tax credits, which could dent sales by 27%. 😓
   

• On Thursday, CarMax leaned into a $135M media makeover, Stellantis snagged a $7.54B loan for Indiana EV batteries, and Hyundai balanced CarPlay love with futuristic tech dreams. Meanwhile, Terry Thompson Chevrolet donated a Trailblazer to Baldwin Prep, fueling students’ futures with hands-on auto tech learning. 🧰
   

• Before we knew it, it was Friday. We dug into ZeroSum's report showing rising inventory and tighter margins, leasing's EV-driven comeback, and Consumer Reports highlighting Subaru's reliability amid hybrid and EV challenges. Infiniti's survival strategy unfolded, while Honda, GM, Hyundai, and others kept service bays full with fresh recalls. Plus, AI is automating workflows without stealing jobs. 🤖

PODCASTS

ASOTU Edge Webinar

AI, new search trends, and political shakeups—changes are coming fast. Stream Companies’ Drew Diehl and Sarah West shared how to tackle it all.

Watch the replay and get ready to own the ad game in 2025!

The Automotive Troublemaker

We wrapped up the week with our buddy, Ben Hadley, diving into how Subaru topped the 2025 Consumer Reports Brand Report Card, Tesla’s clever leasing strategies to boost sales, and OpenAI’s whirlwind 12 days of product reveals.

Catch it on YouTube, Spotify or Apple.

The Dealer Playbook

Mohawk Auto’s Nathanael Greklek and his team at Mohawk Auto Group created a hilarious mockumentary series that’s “The Office” meets car dealerships—and it went crazy viral.

Learn how they used humor and creativity to build trust and showcase their culture—check out the replay here!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🗓️ Coming Soon

🍾 Thursday, December 19th — ASOTU’s Year End Extravaganza (deets coming soon!)

⚜️ January 23-26th, 2025 — NADA Show in New Orleans

• Psst…

  • Are you planning a party for NADA and want more people to know?

  • Are you looking for a party at NADA?

  • OR, would you like to party with ASOTU at NADA?

    • Check out NADAParties.com 

🦀 May 13-16th, 2025 — ASOTU CON in Baltimore, Maryland

SOMETHING FUN

⚡️ The Popemobile Gets an Electric Upgrade

Pope Francis is trading fumes for flair with Mercedes-Benz’s first electric Popemobile, just in time for the 2025 Jubilee.

The custom G-Class EV, featuring a swiveling seat and retractable roof, lets the pontiff greet millions while staying cozy, secure, and emission-free.

“This is a zero-emissions blessing,” joked Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, aligning with the Vatican’s goal to go fully electric by 2030.

A Popemobile icon since 1930, Mercedes proves even sacred rides can go green.

For the Jubilee, the Holy Father will be charging ahead—literally and figuratively—in style.

⛪️ Little Known Facts about the Popemobile:

• Early popemobiles were actually thrones carried by footmen.

• The first car, a Mercedes Nürburg, arrived in 1930.

• John Paul II’s 1981 assassination attempt led to bulletproof glass.

• Popes have used Ferraris, Jeeps, and even buses throughout time.

History

• 1787: Delaware is the first state to ratify the U.S. constitution. 🇺🇸

• 1804: Naturalist Alexander von Humboldt reports his discovery of the decrease in intensity of Earth's magnetic field from the poles to the equator. 🧲

• 1842: The New York Philharmonic's first concert. 🎶