TOGETHER WITH:
Howdy, Fam!
Imagine being a little kid at the hospital, nervous about a surgery you don't really understand. Now imagine getting to drive yourself to the operating room in your very own ride-on car.
That's what Rusty Drewing Automotive just made possible at Boone Health in Missouri, donating two remote-controlled cars to help ease kids' anxiety before their procedures.
KRCG Maia Orme
And Rusty didn't stop there. "Any organization that needs any of these vehicles, for anything for a child, we will provide them and no questions asked," he said.
Then he turned the spotlight right back around to the doctors and nurses in the room: "You are all the real heroes."
That's a dealer who knows exactly what the job is really about. Let's go, fam!
In today's email...
Toyota is closing in on GM, and hybrids are the reason
Porsche plans to sell fewer cars and earn more on every one
Why US EV sales lag Europe's, Chinese brands recruit Canadian dealers, and connected cars share more than you think
Keep Pushing Back,
—Chris with Paul, Kyle & Kristi
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Toyota Is Closing In on GM, and Hybrids Are the Reason
GM has been America's best-selling automaker every year since 1931, except for 2021. That streak is looking less certain. GM's lead over Toyota has shrunk to fewer than 130,000 vehicles through September, and fewer than 37,000 separated them in the third quarter.
GM | Toyota | |
|---|---|---|
Sales through September | 2.01 million, down 6.3% | 1.88 million, up 0.6% |
Electrified share of Q3 sales | Less than 4% | 57% |
Hybrid lineup | One model, the Corvette E-Ray | RAV4 and Camry sold only as hybrids |
Strength | Silverado 1500 up 13% in Q3 | Hybrids across the lineup |
Toyota is doubling down, too. It just opened a battery center in Michigan that tests every stage of battery development for hybrids, plug-ins, and EVs under one roof.
Could Toyota pass GM in US sales?
Analysts don't expect Toyota to catch GM this year, but AutoPacific's Paul Waatti says 2027 could be "absolutely in play."
"You can lose a Corolla or RAV4 buyer today and still have a great quarter financially. But that customer may spend the next decade buying Toyotas." Paul Waatti, AutoPacific
Every customer who leaves your lot for a hybrid you don't have is a customer you may not see again for years. Know your answer before they ask.
Be the First to Know
AutoMobility LA hits the LA Convention Center on November 19th, one day before the public LA Auto Show opens.
That means the industry gets first crack at:
Vehicle reveals and automaker announcements before they hit the wider show floor
Industry sessions on autonomy, energy, and entertainment
Access to executives, dealers, analysts, media, and tech leaders all in one place
More time to actually connect, with hosted hospitality creating space for real conversations throughout the day
PLUS, exclusive for our readers, save an additional 20% off the Early Bird pricing with code MTCAMLA (through October 15th).
And if you’re already heading to LA for ASOTU CON West on November 18, stay one more day and get twice as much out of the trip.
It’s really a no-brainer, so what are you waiting for?
Porsche Plans to Sell Fewer Cars and Earn More on Every One
On Thursday's show, we looked at Porsche's plan to recover from a 93% plunge in operating income. New CEO Michael Leiters wants to raise prices about 20% on Porsche's 10,000 most expensive vehicles, cut management positions by 40%, and pass on building a US factory despite paying about $811 million in tariffs last year.
How Porsche is leaning into the K-shaped economy
"We remain firmly committed to value over volume." Michael Leiters, Porsche CEO
For Porsche dealers, that means fewer units, higher gross per car, and more conversations about customization.
Why US EV sales are lukewarm while Europe's are hot.
US EV sales are down 30.7% through September, falling to 6% of the market, while EVs climbed to 23.2% of Europe's.
US buyers are turning to hybrids instead, up 23% to 15.6% of sales, and used EV sales jumped 19%.
Ford's EV sales are down 68% and GM's 43%, while Rivian's rose 29%.
"The energy and the masses are definitely running to hybrid technology," said Detroit-area dealer Thad Szott.
Chinese automakers are recruiting Canadian dealers.
Up to four Chinese brands could have models certified for Canada by early 2027, and dealer sales and service agreements are circulating now. But Canada's 49,000-vehicle import quota is already one-third spoken for.
"Dealers need to go into it with open eyes and have a long runway," said Canadian Automobile Dealers Association CEO Tim Reuss. Meanwhile, Britain is weighing EU-style tariffs after Chinese brands registered more than 519,000 EVs and hybrids there through August.
Connected cars are sharing data with third-party trackers.
Northeastern University researchers found 19 of 21 vehicles tested contacted at least one third party, including advertising and tracking domains. The Tesla Model 3 led with 34, while the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Buick Envista contacted none. A walkthrough of privacy settings at delivery is an easy way to build trust.
🔧 Quick Turns
VW is recalling 22,524 ID.4s from model years 2023 to 2026 and telling owners to charge to just 80% until a fix is ready. Owner letters go out Nov. 27.
Mexico's auto exports fell 12% in September, the steepest drop since December 2025, as US tariffs take a toll.
Want better headlights? NHTSA is taking public comments until Nov. 9 as it reworks rules on glare, headlamp height, and global standards.
💾 Stuff
Layoffs remain rare. Initial jobless claims fell to 197,000, the first time since 1969 that claims stayed below 200,000 for four straight weeks, even as hiring stays slow.
OpenAI's revenue is about $20 billion lower than reported. Investor documents show annualized revenue approaching $50 billion, well short of the widely reported $70 billion, and tech stocks fell on the news.
A developer used AI to build free Adobe lookalikes, releasing seven open-source apps that mimic Photoshop, Premiere, and more. Early users say they still have plenty of bugs.
1855: Joshua Stoddard patents the steam calliope.
1888: The Washington Monument opens to the public.
2006: Google announces it's buying YouTube for $1.65 billion.
Thanks for reading, Friend! Do you have your tickets to ASOTU CON West yet?
