🚗 Heading to sNOwLA

TOGETHER WITH

It’s time, Friend!

Today, our team touches down in New Orleans to kick off the biggest auto industry event of the year—the NADA Show! Well, as long as the weather cooperates. 🤞

We’ll be diving headfirst into this year’s festivities: capturing the energy on the show floor, streaming live throughout the day, and hosting interviews at our booth. Don’t forget to stop by and say “hi!”

See You Soon,
-The ASOTU Crew

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BUSINESS

⚡️ Orders in Overdrive, Stellantis Strategizes, and Canoo Crumbles

✍️ Trump’s Flurry of Orders

President Trump hit the ground running, issuing sweeping executive orders reshaping trade, energy, and federal workforce policies. Trade investigations, potential tariffs of up to 60%, and a focus on reviving fossil fuel projects signal a dramatic policy shift. Meanwhile, lawsuits over birthright citizenship and federal worker protections are already piling up, setting the stage for legal battles.

🧭 Navigating Trump’s Rules: Stellantis’s Playbook

Stellantis chair John Elkann spent four days in Washington aligning with Trump’s new administration. With tariffs looming on Canadian and Mexican imports—40% of Stellantis’s U.S. sales—optimism mingles with caution. The automaker is prepared to adapt as EV policies shift and gas-powered favorites like Ram pickups take center stage.

⚓️ Canoo’s Final Chapter

EV startup Canoo has called it quits, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. With $164M in debt and only $126M in assets, its collapse highlights the incredible risk of the competitive EV market. High-profile deals with NASA and Walmart weren’t enough to save the company from leadership instability and funding woes.

Read the Full Digest

Get the full scoop on these stories and more. Dive into the latest trends shaping the auto industry—read here!

TOGETHER WITH FOUREYES

🤝 Stop Searching and Start Matching

You’re going to see a lot of AI sales tools at NADA designed to take over your sales team's tasks.

Foureyes is different.

Foureyes works alongside your teams to understand what your buyers really want – from third-row seating to towing capacity—and matches those preferences to the inventory on your lot.

Then it automatically informs those buyers of that inventory – whether it’s new-on-lot, a price change, or similar vehicles.

Meanwhile, your sales staff keeps doing what they do best: building relationships and closing deals.

Try it for free or book time with us at NADA (booth #3563)!

CULTURE

Get Social at NADA 2025: A Quick Guide for Auto Dealers

If you’re in NOLA for the NADA Show, and it’s the perfect time to level up your social media game. Here’s your quick, no-nonsense guide to making your online presence shine:

1. Snap Like a Pro

• Lighting is king: Natural light wins. Avoid harsh overheads or dim corners.

• Angles matter: Get creative—low angles for bold shots, eye level for authenticity.

• People love people: Include faces, team moments, and genuine smiles.

2. Post Timing is Key

• LinkedIn: 7-9 AM or 5-7 PM (hello, commute scrollers!).

• Instagram: Midday (11 AM-1 PM) or evenings (7-9 PM).

• Twitter/X: Whenever news drops—be fast!

3. Work the Algorithms

• Hashtags: Use #NADA2025, #AutoDealers, and relevant buzzwords (limit to 3-5).

• Engagement: Reply to comments, tag collaborators, and share others’ content.

4. Be Authentic

• Share what excites you—innovations, key takeaways, or that killer po’ boy from lunch.

Remember, your phone’s a tool, not just a distraction. Showcase your personality and expertise—you never know who’s watching!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

🗓️ Coming Soon

⚜️ THIS WEEK! January 23-26th — NADA Show in New Orleans. Find the all best parties here!

📝 January 30th — Public Policy Day with WANADA and the Washington, D.C. Auto Show.

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

🎙️ Auto Collabs

In this episode of Auto Collabs, we welcome Ted Rubin, CEO and Founder of ActivEngage, to talk about the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in auto retail.

Catch the replay to learn how AI can enhance—not replace—the personal touch in sales.

🥊 Quick Hits

• A major winter storm blanketed New Orleans in snow on Tuesday and broke their single day snow total record. ❄️

• Honor and Porsche Design are teaming up to launch a magical smartphone.📱

• Trevor Noah will host the Grammys for the fifth consecutive year. 🏆

• The Ohio State Buckeyes win the National College Football Championship for the ninth time. 🏈

🔁 Today in History

• 1905: Bloody Sunday in Saint Petersburg marks the beginning of the 1905 revolution. 🔫 

• 1975: The Mercury Bobcat goes public. 😺 

• 1984: The Apple Macintosh, the first consumer computer to popularize the computer mouse and the graphical user interface, is introduced during a Super Bowl XVIII television commercial. 🍎