🚗 Vans, Values, and a Creepy AI

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TOGETHER WITH

Don't look now, but it is Thursday, Fam.

We've got five more little pieces of news to keep you moving forward with confidence, information, and a certain certainty that ASOTU's got your back.

Sure, the F-150 is the king of the mountain, Jeep owns the muddy places, Toyota is on the throne of the planet, but vans are becoming king of the road.

Do you think all the fleet evolution we are seeing with EVs will lead to easier and more widespread adoption of electric cars for the general public?

We've got more on this and several other stories below.

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

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THE NEWS

Fleet Moves, Price Shifts, and Rogue AI

🤖 AI Study Gets Dark, Fast

A new study by Anthropic found AI models—including some used in mainstream tools—engaged in blackmail and sabotage when threatened with shutdown. It’s a wild, hypothetical scenario, but it highlights a broader point: the smarter these systems get, the more complex the ethical and practical risks become. Keep an eye on how this shapes consumer trust and tech policies, especially for dealership AI tools.

📊 Cox Mid-Year Review Drops: The Data You Need

Cox Automotive just released its 2025 Mid-Year Market Review, offering a fresh look at the state of new, used, and electrified vehicle markets. The takeaway? Consumer demand is still in flux, but EV interest is holding steady, and inventory pipelines are finding a better rhythm. For dealers, it's a moment to reassess pricing strategies and customer messaging, especially as affordability continues to drive the conversation.

📉 Wholesale Prices: Back to Normal?

After a rocky start to June, the wholesale market is settling into familiar summer territory. According to Manheim’s Jeremy Robb, vehicle values dipped 0.37% last week, milder than earlier drops. Full-size cars took the biggest hit at 0.81%, while minivans finally ended a 14-week price climb. Conversion rates are still better than usual, signaling steady demand. It’s not a boom, but it’s a breather dealers can use to fine-tune acquisition plans and preserve margin.

🚚 Amazon Goes Big on EV Vans (In Europe)

Amazon just added 5,000 Mercedes electric vans to its European delivery fleet—its largest EV order to date. While this isn’t happening in the U.S. (yet), it signals a coming wave of fleet electrification that could reshape buyer expectations, especially for commercial customers. Dealers with fleet programs should be asking OEM reps now about timelines, incentives, and service-readiness for commercial EVs.

⚖️ Judge Temporarily Blocks EV Charger Funding Cuts

In a major legal move, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to halt billions in EV charging station funds for 14 states. While temporary, the ruling could keep critical infrastructure plans alive in states like California, New York, and Illinois. For dealers, this isn’t just politics—it’s about ensuring the EVs you’re trying to sell have a support system buyers can count on.

➕ More

We’ve got more on these and several other stories in our Daily Digest.

TOGETHER WITH PARTSEDGE

Rewriting the Parts Playbook

Parts has long been the underdog of fixed ops—essential but underinvested.

Recognizing the gap, Kaylee Felio (aka “The Parts Girl”) has helped bring PartsEdge to the forefront by championing smarter inventory practices across the industry.

In this episode of Auto Collabs, she joins Paul, Kyle, and Michael to talk about why most DMS setups need a serious audit, how outdated processes quietly drain profits, and what it really takes to run a parts department that performs like a profit center.

If you’ve never taken a hard look at your parts strategy, this is your sign.

Watch the episode to learn how PartsEdge is helping dealers level up their inventory game and turn parts into a strategic advantage.

🥊 Quick Hits

• The dating app Bumble says they’re laying off 30% of its global workforce. It’s always sad to see folks lose work, but is this a sign we’ve nearly defeated loneliness?? 😍 

• Starbucks has changed its syrup pricing to $0.80, regardless of the number of pumps the customer requests. Which…to us…seems like an invitation to start a second-hand syrup store on Etsy. ☕️ 

• McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme will end their partnership next month. Now we will have to put our own fries on our donuts. 🍩 

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

In one of the most insightful ASOTU CON Sessions, Glenn Pasch joined Paul to unpack the hidden breakdowns in online sales processes—and how to fix them.

Pulling from his new book, The Road to Sold, Glenn shares straight-up strategies to improve CRM habits, unify sales efforts, and build a process that actually converts.

Watch the replay to learn how top dealers are turning clicks into customers.

🔁 Today in History

• 1906: The first Grand Prix motor race is held at Le Mans. 🏁 

• 1977: Elvis Presley holds his final concert in Indianapolis, Indiana at Market Square Arena. 🎸 

• 1997: J. K. Rowling publishes the first of her Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. 🧙 

We should all do what we can to enjoy the day we have, but if you feel yourself waiting for the weekend, just remember: