🚗 The Used Car War Manual

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy Fam!

Chris here. In case you’ve not caught on: I really like music.

I’d like to share this enthusiasm with you, and to ensure we start on neutral ground, I’m starting with Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list. Number 1 on the list is Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”

I’ve listened to it a few times and my first note is: “Where is ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough??”

Give it a listen and tell me, does it really deserve the #1 spot?

Keep Pushing Back,
-Chris

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THE UNION

From the Automotive State of the Union

Friday’s episode delivered a potent mix: RJ Scaringe dropped gloves on legacy OEMs, Elon gave Grok the keys, and a conversation over coffee turned into a culture check.

Rivian Swings

Scaringe didn’t hold back, calling automakers like GM and Toyota Rivian’s “biggest adversaries” in the fight for EV adoption and direct sales. With incentives shrinking, he says legacy players are quietly rooting for EV momentum to stall, while brands like Rivian, built for digital-first fans, may actually thrive in the reset.

Tesla Talks Back

Meanwhile, Tesla’s AI chatbot Grok will officially roll out in vehicles next week. Yes, it’s local, conversational, and likely a bit sarcastic. But under the jokes is a serious shift: Musk wants every Tesla to become a computer-powered assistant on wheels.

The Cup That Broke the Vibe

And at Starbucks, a new “connection” policy is creating friction behind the counter. Handwritten notes on cups are being positioned as feel-good branding, but some baristas say it feels more like forced cheer than authentic connection.

The real takeaway? Customers can tell the difference.

From The News w/ ASOTU

The Used Car War Isn’t a Metaphor—It’s a Manual

A long time ago (May), in a galaxy not so far away (Hanover, MD), a rebel alliance of dealers took the stage at ASOTU CON to battle the Empire of Margin Compression. Armed with data, discipline, and Death Star-tight recon processes, they laid out a blueprint for victory.

Every appraisal’s a firefight. Every trade, a trench. But with the right systems, the Force is on your side.

Watch the full saga unfold, starring Brian Kramer, Joe Blanco, Joe Neiman, and powered by Cars Commerce + Accu-Trade.

Read our Star Wars-themed summary here.

Watch the full session here.

🥊 Quick Hits

• Our friends at WOCAN have entered a new chapter as Kerri Wise passes the torch to new leaders Ashley Lopez Cavazos and Jessica Smith to continue the mission of uplifting, empowering, and driving lasting change across the industry. Congratulations to all! 🥳 

• Everybody wants to be at the top. So, really, Ford should be proud it has recalled a LOT more vehicles than everybody else. 🤷 

• A woman one her way home after a dentist appointment with an icepack on her face was fined for using a cell phone while driving. The picture is easy to mistake, but the phone calls to get it corrected must have been a pain. 🤕 

TOGETHER WITH CARNOW

Big Promises are Easy. Real Results Aren’t.

The auto tech space is full of bold promises. But at the end of the day, your dealership needs one thing: performance that shows up in the numbers.

CarNow’s connected retail platform doesn’t just look good on paper. It delivers measurable results across the board. Dealers using CarNow are seeing higher close rates, faster follow-up, and smoother transitions from online to in-store.

No guesswork. No workaround wizardry. Just tools that work together and actually perform.

👉️ See the Performance

TECHNOLOGY

The Right Tools in the Right Hands

The biggest players in AI aren’t just chasing new tools, they’re revealing their playbooks. Apple’s taking the slow, human-centered path: build tools that help people work better. Meta? They’re hiring away Apple’s best and building systems designed to replace the work altogether.

Here’s why it matters: The tools you choose in your store reflect the philosophy you believe in. Are you investing in tech that amplifies your people—your advisors, your BDC, your managers? Or are you hoping automation will carry the load?

AI isn’t coming someday. It’s already shaping how work gets done. Make sure it aligns with how you do business.

Practical takeaways:

• Audit your tools. If they’re not making your team more effective, they may be eroding trust or morale.

• Train before you automate. A well-trained advisor with AI backup outperforms blind automation every time.

• Retention = ROI. Just like AI companies are fighting to keep top talent, your best people are your biggest edge—don’t let clunky systems push them out.

• Don’t chase the flash. Choose tech that fits your strategy, not Silicon Valley’s hype cycle.

The future isn’t about using AI. It’s about using it on purpose.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

It Took 17 Years For Gas Stations to Become a Thing…Be Patient

🔁 Today in History

• 1915: Chevrolet buys Mason Motor Company. 💰️ 

• 1951: The first Formula One win for Ferrari. 🏆️ 

• 1983: The video game Mario Bros. is released in Japan, launching the internationally popular Super Mario Bros franchise. 🕹️ 

It’s a brand new week, my Friend…