🚗 Up, Down, All Around

🚙 Q3, the Economy, and MTC Ep 4

TOGETHER WITH

Big day today, Friend!

We’ve got a webinar at 1 pm EST, we’ve got a link to the premiere of More Than Cars episode 4: Mohawk Chevrolet, we’ve got information about how to hang with the ASOTU Crew at NADA NOLA in January.

Oh… and a ton of news. Enjoy!

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, Chris & Kristi

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Today's Email

🥣 Bowl of Hot News: Ford’s growth, Stellantis’ struggles, and Tesla’s dominance

📈 Ford’s F-150 Lightning is surging! Q3 sales more than doubled, hitting 7,162 units—up 105%. While the Mustang Mach-E saw a dip of 9.8%, Ford’s hybrid and electric offerings continue to grow, with EV sales up 45% year-to-date. Dealers should keep an eye on the expanding demand for electric pickups as Ford maintains its fight for second place behind Tesla.

📉 Stellantis, however, is struggling. Q3 sales dropped 20%, with Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler all taking hits. An open letter from dealers to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares calls the situation a "disaster," pointing to inventory and leadership issues.

🤖 Meanwhile, Tesla posted a 9.1% production increase in Q3, with deliveries up 6.3%. Tesla’s EV dominance continues, but they face increasing competition from Chinese automakers. With an October 10 event teasing new tech, Tesla’s self-driving future may be on the horizon.

Read more on these and several more stories here. (Read Time: 4 mins 55 secs)

NADA Show 2025 @ NOLA

Get ready for the automotive event of the year!

The NADA Show 2025 is set to take place in New Orleans from January 23-26. This four-day event promises outstanding education, insights into emerging trends, and unparalleled networking opportunities for everyone in your dealership.

From best-selling author and executive coach Ryan Leak to WWE superstar John Cena, the main stage speakers are lined up to inspire and energize. Whether you're in sales, service, or management, NADA Show 2025 has something for you.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this premier industry event! Register today!

📈 Punching the Numbers

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Stocks hit new record highs again last week, driven by optimism surrounding the Fed's rate cut, ongoing excitement around AI, and signs of broader market strength. While the looming presidential election hasn’t rattled markets yet, volatility could surface as November nears and policy proposals come into focus.

  • Record Streak Continues — Stocks have gained 11% since early August, with last week marking the sixth gain in seven weeks. The Fed's recent rate cut and AI enthusiasm are key drivers of the rally.

  • Market Fundamentals Reign: Despite political shifts, markets have historically performed well under both parties, with factors like economic growth and corporate earnings having a far greater impact on long-term performance.
     

Edward Jones / FactSet

 
The latest ZeroSum State of the Dealer report provides a detailed snapshot of new, used, and certified vehicle movement as of October 2024. Here are some of the takeaways on vehicle trends and inventory dynamics:

  • New — New vehicle inventory hit 3M, with October movement forecasted at 1.2M units as incentives continue to rise.

  • Used — Used vehicle movement has dipped, likely due to better deals on new vehicles pulling buyers away.

  • CPO — Certified pre-owned movement dropped 8%, hitting its lowest point since February, as discounts on new vehicles soften demand.
     

Zero Sum

Zero Sum

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🎧️ Live Interview From North Carolina

This morning Paul and Kyle spoke with Richard Lupo, Fixed Ops Director, Apple Tree Honda and Acura, about the situation on the ground in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

🗓️ Coming Soon

🤠 November 5-8th — Opening presenters at the 2024 ATAE PR & Communications Focus Group Meeting in Austin, Texas.

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

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

👀 TODAY — Webinar!

🎬 More Than Cars: Episode 4

Join us for the premiere of our latest episode of More Than Cars on November 13th at 1:00pm EST featuring the incredible team at Mohawk Chevrolet!

🥊 Quick Hits: FEMA, RTO, and AT-AT

  • Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas warned that FEMA lacks sufficient funding to last through hurricane season, despite immediate disaster needs being met after Hurricane Helene. 🪙 

  • Microsoft executive Scott Guthrie reassured staff there’s no immediate plan for a return-to-office mandate, unlike Amazon, as long as productivity remains high. 🧑‍💼 

  • YouTuber James Bruton 3D-printed a functional, rideable AT-AT from Star Wars, standing 6.5 feet tall. It moves at 0.037 mph using 3D-printed parts, aluminum, and motors. 🤖 

🔁 Today in History: Straight 8, SPUTNIK, and Thrust

  • 1928: Mercedes straight 8 debuts. ⛽️ 

  • 1957: The Space Race begins when the Soviet Union launches the first artificial satellite SPUTNIK. 🚀 

  • 1983: Thrust 2 sets new land speed record. 🥇 

Thanks for reading, friend! That’s it for Friday, friend. Of course, join us tomorrow for a fun weekly review email, and for the Automotive Troublemaker podcast when Chris, or Kris, or both, will join Paul and Kyle to shine a big bright light on the wonderful things happening in the dealer body every day.

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