🚗 VW Stirs Things Up

TOGETHER WITH

One more day until Turkey Day, folks!

Is your menu prepped? Fancy china placed? Silverware polished?

Or, are you more of a wingin’ it with paper plates and plastic sporks kinda person?

Either way, we hope you’re enjoying all the warm and fuzzies this holiday season has to offer.

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

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Today's Email

• ✂️ Volkswagen Cuts, EV Boom, and Tesla Drama

• 🦃 Gobbling Up Gratitude

• 🗓️ Coming Soon

• 🥊 Quick Hits: Tariffs, Stars, and Chips

• 🔁 Today in History: First, First, and Last

BUSINESS

✂️ Volkswagen Cuts, EV Boom, and Tesla Drama

Volkswagen is breaking its 87-year streak by closing German plants, sparking union strikes and boardroom pay cuts. Meanwhile, EV sales are hitting record highs—new and used—with prices creeping closer to gas models. Incentives are practically begging buyers to make the switch.

Over in China, GAC’s AI-driven SUVs with massage chairs and 1,200 km ranges are making the rest of us look bad, while Baidu’s robotaxis roll into Hong Kong, showing off 8 million rides’ worth of autonomous swagger. Napping in one isn’t an option yet, but they’re working on it.

Closer to home, Rivian snagged $6.6 billion to build a Georgia plant, as long as they don’t fight unionizing efforts. Meanwhile, California is reviving EV rebates to counter Trump’s tax credit rollback, though Tesla might not make the cut. Oh, and Hyundai’s cars are rolling away on their own. Parking brake, people—always use the parking brake.

More on these stories in our daily digest.

TOGETHER WITH UPSTART

How One Dealer Achieved More Than Double the National Average on Lead-to-Sale

Colonial Subaru/Volkswagen connected their online and in-store digital experience with Upstart, improving customer satisfaction and speeding up deal cycles. But best of all, their lead-to-sale is more than double the national average for Subaru dealers, at 50% vs. the 23% national average.   

“Traditions are not today's best practices. Change in this industry happens so quickly, and we want to embrace the change and new technology,” said Karen Byrd, General Manager.

Read about their success with Upstart here.

MORE THAN CARS MOMENTS

🦃 Gobbling Up Gratitude

Walser Automotive Group celebrated the season of gratitude with its annual Turkey Drop, a tradition that ensures every employee heads into Thanksgiving with a turkey in hand.

As a gesture of appreciation for their hard work throughout the year, Walser’s leadership team personally delivered the holiday centerpiece to each employee before the big day.

This tradition, a hallmark of Walser’s commitment to its team, is all about giving back and fostering a sense of community. This simple yet impactful tradition reminds everyone at Walser that gratitude is a core value, both at work and at home.

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🗓️ Coming Soon

🥳  November 29th, 2024 — ASOTU CON Black Friday Ticket Event. Sign up now to get your discount code on Black Friday!

🍾 Thursday, December 18: ASOTU’s Year End Extravaganza! Details are on the way!

⚜️ 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.

🥊 Quick Hits: Tariffs, Stars, and Chips

• Trump plans 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, plus 10% on China, citing drug trafficking, migration, and fentanyl concerns. 💰️ 

• Star Wars: Skeleton Crew premieres December 2, a day early, with two episodes, featuring a coming-of-age adventure led by Jude Law. 🤩 

• The U.S. awards Intel $7.86B under the CHIPS Act, supporting semiconductor manufacturing projects across Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. 🐿️ 

🔁 Today in History: First, First, and Last

• 1095: Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont. ⚔️ 

• 1924: In New York City, the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held. 🦃 

• 1996: The last Cadillac Fleetwood. 🫂 

Thanks for reading, friend! If you made it this far, let us know…