Automotive

Articles

Articles about the broad scope of the automotive industry, dealers, and innovative ways of doing business.

Automotive

Dodge’s New Electric Muscle

Dodge Decision Time — A. Drive toward greater affordability of electric vehicles. B. Increase collaboration in sourcing, development, and production. C. Add an unnecessary gear shift and electric pipe organ to our next car.

August 19, 2022

Automotive

Ricart Automotive’s Students and Steers

psst. In case you were wondering how hard you should be nodding in silent cowboy-like admiration and approval. Both of those were within the last month. 🤯

August 19, 2022

Automotive

We Didn’t Forget You, South Korea!

TL:DR — A high-ranking S. Korean-based auto park maker is pulling a divide and conquer, while SK Group, the 2nd largest individually controlled S. Korean conglomerate, invests in safe chargers for apartment buildings. Each move feels like an investment in being key players in the global shift toward electrification.

August 19, 2022

Automotive

Target’s Humbling Q2

It is difficult to look at this and not imagine what we would do if we lost 90% of our income, but this is profits. The company paid everybody and all its bills and still has almost $200m for growth. It may embarrass Target, but it won’t hurt Target. Mixing the two up leads to bad choices.

August 19, 2022

Automotive

Rethinking How You Manage Inventory Age With Dale Pollak

Inventory management, exercise, or parenting, almost nothing is better on autopilot. No matter what it is. Ya gotta be in it to win it.

August 18, 2022

Automotive

Inflation Reduction Act Signed Into Law

Next to everything this means for US consumers and the climate, does it also feel like a low-key attempt to leave China’s sphere of influence? Or is that just us?

August 18, 2022

Automotive

Polestar's New Roadster

0-62mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 155mph… 🤯 More like the Polestar dragster, amirite?

August 18, 2022

Automotive

Auto Loan Defaults Up, Repossessions to Follow?

Cox Automotive and John Ellis: 1, Doomsayers: 0.

August 17, 2022

Automotive

Dodge Discontinues Gas-Powered Muscle With A Roar

Selling ICE muscle cars to fund a transition to electric feels similar to using the ever-faithful Internet Explorer to download that new-fangled Google Chrome.

August 17, 2022

Automotive

VW To Supply Mahindra For Indian EVs

Lately, we have written about more supply collaborations than supply shortages. That isn’t us being picky with what we cover, just the results of the slow recovery in the supply chain.

August 17, 2022

Automotive

Breakdown: New FTC Regulations

Explain it like I’m 5 Challenge — Write in and let us know how you would explain these regulations to a 5-year-old. Our favorite answers may just become email content down the road!

August 16, 2022

Automotive

Tesla Breaks 3 Million Cars Produced

TL:DR — Tesla production has been increasing rapidly since its factory in China opened. Lockdowns in the country have a direct and severe impact on the company. Musk is still swinging for the fences.

August 16, 2022

Automotive

BMW And Toyota’s Green Partnership

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Or, in this case - Don't fill all your baskets with the same kind of eggs…?

August 16, 2022

Automotive

If Only, If Only with All Things Used Cars

A commitment to growth has to be real every day. You should be making an offer to every customer who comes through the door. Like panning for gold, you won't always get something, but when you do, it is worth it.

August 15, 2022

Automotive

Rivian Posts Earning Loss

Nobody said competing against 100 years of automotive history would be easy(or cheap).

August 15, 2022

Automotive

Top US Regulator Steps Down

Everybody loves a good job quitting story, but a good government job quitting story is better. Ya know, because it’s tax free.

August 15, 2022

Automotive

GM Retools To Supply Dealers

Why stop at 95%? Let’s design a vehicle that picks up litter and MAKES chips. -10% chips per vehicle by 2030!

August 12, 2022

Automotive

Calling Out Tesla

TL;DR — Ford’s Michigan operations are going solar; Tesla’s AutoPilot apparently also needs the sun for different reasons; Farley, Musk, and Nader are in talks with the UFC to borrow an octagon.

August 12, 2022

Automotive

Rivian and Lucid Open Tax Credit Loophole For Buyers

Them: Let’s fight inflation so people can afford climate-protecting vehicles! People: *Used a loophole to afford climate-protecting vehicles.* Them: No, not like that! People: 🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷

August 12, 2022

Automotive

California DMV Accused Tesla

What next? Moon robots playing whack-a-mole with SpaceX rockets?

August 11, 2022

Automotive

How Ya Doin' Japan?

TL:DR — Toyota says production is going to be fine. Honda says profits are going to be a bit better than fine. Hyundai and Kia say your car is going to be fine, just, like, keep a good eye out, huh?

August 11, 2022

Automotive

Growth From Knowledge Dealership Favor Research

Throwback — A few weeks ago, David Long and the All Things Used Cars folks talked about the impact of markups on loyalty. While no specific +/- impact was agreed on, they agreed on the importance of transparency, communication, and staying competitive in the local market.

August 10, 2022

Automotive

Ford Reopens F-150 Lightning Orders With Higher Price

Are “Other Factors” here “Wow, running two businesses is expensive!” vibes or something else?

August 10, 2022

Automotive

Kunes Auto's Trade In Hunger Event

We can’t think of any wrong ways to go about helping people experiencing food insecurity. Turning it into a contest that invites more people into the giving end of the equation has to be pretty high up on the list of right ways though.

August 9, 2022

Automotive

EV Batteries Outliving Expectations

We had to include an Energizer Bunny reference because the batteries “keep going.” We don’t make the rules… our hands are tied here.

August 9, 2022

Automotive

Products And Policies

TL:DR — The US has big plans for the future of self-driving and chip production, but some OEMs think they forgot the part where they sell the cars they already have.

August 9, 2022

Automotive

Insights Into Actions

So, in short, the secret sauce for turning insights into actions starts with high-quality insights becoming realistic goals that produce measurable steps with a willingness to fail fast so you can fail forward. With this fresh guidance, ASOTU has work to do, and we know you do too.

August 8, 2022

Automotive

Carvana Earning Report

In a lot of ways Carvana did everything right: sold more cars, had more revenue, and made good use of their big acquisition. Just shows acquiring used inventory for the right price is as difficult as it is critical.

August 8, 2022

Automotive

Australian Dealers Take It To Court

Yes, franchise protections exist in the US, but bigger things have been changed when you throw enough money at lobbyists. We are not preaching fire and brimstone, but we ARE suggesting you double-check where your brimstone-proof shoes are, just in case.

August 8, 2022

Automotive

Hey, Tesla, Whatcha Up To?

TL:DR — Tesla is getting ready to start selling solar roofs again, may be upgrading the charging experience in unimagined ways, and could be splitting its potentially overvalued stock. What a week!

August 5, 2022

Automotive

VW’s ID.4 Goes Affordable

208 miles seems low compared to some other EVs on the market, but compared to the average person’s daily driving, it seems pretty adequate.

August 5, 2022

Automotive

Hino Motors Ltd. False Emission Investigation

Some people: We aren’t mad, we’re just disappointed. Toyota President: Nope, we’re mad.

August 5, 2022

Automotive

Multiple Looks At The Recession

TL:DR — Analysts say car demand is dropping as high prices persist. Automakers say enough backlogged demand already exists to withstand a recession, and demand will never get too low. What do you think?

August 4, 2022

Automotive

GM’s Super Cruise Expands

Y’all, GM is fighting to get back on top even if the car that takes them there has to drive itself!

August 4, 2022

Automotive

Dealership Consolidation

Local workers mean the paychecks mostly get spent in the community. Local leadership means profits do too.

August 3, 2022

Automotive

The Court, The Market, and The Showroom

Don’t sue GM, Don’t sleep on Ford, and don’t forget BMW also sells EVs.

August 3, 2022

Automotive

A Four Day Work Week

There are as many ways to invest in your people as there are… well… people. We are excited to see the brand success that grows from this investment in associate success!

August 2, 2022

Automotive

The Chips And Science Act

Honestly, though, the US gov would be more effective if they spent some time doing some bipartisan muddin’. Just sayin’. 🤷

August 2, 2022

Automotive

NIO Expands Into Europe

Asian and European expansion does not mean eventual US adoption. EG: Diesel cars. BUT we will still be watching for battery swap tech to hop the pond(s).

August 2, 2022

Automotive

Building A Recession-Proof Dealership

In all the tried and tested ideas shared by the dealers and friends of the All Things Used Cars community, one thing always resonates with us - the compounding value of collaboration.

August 1, 2022

Automotive

Q2 Highs, Lows, And In Betweens

TL:DR — Stellantis is thrivin’, Nissan is survivin’, and Rivian ain’t hirin’ anytime soon.

August 1, 2022

Automotive

VinFast: The New Kid On The Block

Tesla used to be out to disrupt the way things are, but now they are part of the way things are. They grow up so fast…

August 1, 2022

Automotive

Edit? Yes. Delete? No.

This is (dissapointing) (disapoinging), (dasippointing), a letdown.

August 1, 2022

Automotive

US Looks To Extend EV Tax Credits And Then Some

It would seem the narrow path for “early adopters” is closing. Soon it will be the 8-lane highway or folks trying to catch up. How many charging stations you rocking at your dealership?

July 29, 2022

Automotive

Ford Shares Bounce

OEMs have their own corner of the ecosystem, but they are still part of it. While currently in different situations, GM, Ford, Honda, and Toyota, are each finding perspective and stability that will spread up and down the supply chain with time.

July 29, 2022

Automotive

Examining Dealer Loyalty With Rita Proctor

Sure! Every customer is different, but when enough people repeat the same desires, it makes sense to include it in your core practices. Have a good website, find and eliminate time wasters, be a human talking to a human, and invest in a long and happy relationship between customer, car, and dealership.

July 28, 2022

Automotive

Hyundai Goes To Court And Space

Hyundai has been making impressive moves in the EV market, just announced they have hired new safety chiefs, and now are learning a lesson about credit reporting the hard way. Two steps forward, one step back.

July 28, 2022

Automotive

Sky's The Limit

The immortal quality of art is only overshadowed here by imagining somebody trying to explain an NFT to Biggie back in 95’ when CDs were never going to go out of style.

July 28, 2022

Automotive

Fred Beans Auto Group Named Best Place To Work

Is Automotive the only industry where brand success is like a potluck? Everybody brings their personal success to the table, and professional success flourishes.

July 27, 2022

Automotive

Checking on GM

TL:DR — GM has enough battery metal to make 5 million EVs, missed nearly half their Q2 profit goals, and wants to be sure everybody knows how neat EVs (well, GM EVs) are.

July 27, 2022

Automotive

Minority Dealers Are On the Rise

Minority dealerships took a major hit in the 2007-2008 recession, but accountability, diligence, and hard work are putting them back on track.

July 26, 2022

Automotive

Like A Boss

TL;DR — VW is changing bosses, but (probably) not directions, GM wants everybody to remember the last 5 years was just practice and NOW they are going to take down Tesla, and Hyundai says avoiding car fires was always part of their plan, but now it is even MORE part of their plan.

July 26, 2022

Automotive

Striking Workers In S.Korea Reach Agreement

The Jenga tower of dealer inventory shortages just lost another block.

July 26, 2022

Automotive

All Things Used Cars: What Recession?

David Long getting the dealer community together to listen to DJ Smokey Smoke share some data-driven positivity is the kinda thing we mean when we say band together and push back. In case y'all like living examples.

July 25, 2022

Automotive

Fleet Electrification

USPS: We will tell you how many years your EV can last if you take it easy. Amazon: We will tell you how many deliveries your EV can last if you go hard all day everyday because next day delivery 👏is 👏not 👏a 👏joke!

July 25, 2022

Automotive

Honda Announced Production Cuts

Fewer new Hondas to go around. Where are you on your quest to build a shortage-proof used car business?

July 25, 2022

Automotive

Ford All Over The News

Step 1. Split ICE and EV. Step 2. Layoff a bunch of ICE side workers. Step 3. ??? Step 4. Dominate the EV Market

July 22, 2022

Automotive

UK Plans Hydrogen Component Factory

Disclaimer — Hydrogen power is quite safe. We chose the image because we like balloons, science, and controlled explosions. 🔥

July 22, 2022

Automotive

VW CEO To Step Into New Role as CEO of Scout

Scott is about to experience that ‘hero to zero’ moment every salesperson and service advisor knows all too well in automotive. Welcome to the club!

July 21, 2022

Automotive

Pass The Chips

The US moves towards chipindepenance; VW too; Volvo used the word “normal'' in a sentence.

July 21, 2022

Automotive

US Consumer EV Interest Increasing

The most immediate question isn't if or when EVs will "phase out" ICE but how to provide the best experience for two diverse sets of consumers in whatever ratio that may appear in the next 1, 5, or 10 years.

July 20, 2022

Automotive

Carvana in Illinois: Two Strikes. You’re out?

Hey, it happens to us all. The note taker at the meeting forgot to mention the number 1 thing Carvana does not want to get caught doing right now. It’s really on them…

July 20, 2022

Automotive

Now Introducing...

TL:DR — Chevy’s Blazer is going electric, Hyundai brings the cool, and Toyota makes friends and vans.

July 20, 2022

Automotive

Additive Manufacturing: Automotive 3D Printing

3D printing parts at the OEM level is already a realized option. Some companies are already using 3D printing but mostly in prototypes and special models. Like every proposed solution for an issue people currently face, it will take time, but that period has started.

July 19, 2022

Automotive

Weird Flex, But OK.

Looking at the Aptera makes us wonder if the designers never saw a car before or saw one and hated it so much that they specifically avoided anything familiar.

July 19, 2022

Automotive

Stellantis Joint Venture In China Ends

Talkin’ bout somebody else’s business claims another victim.

July 19, 2022

Automotive

The Future With Steve Greenfield

Steve and David shifted through facets of the opportunity-covered road ahead, once again urging awareness. Staying informed on what is happening, what may happen later, and how plans have changed will equip dealers to find the part of the roof that still needs to be fixed. Caution is an insufficient word in a landscape so rich with opportunities.

July 18, 2022

Automotive

It’s Not Easy Being A Self Driving Car

TL:DR — Tesla’s Autopilot shifts from asset to liability, GM may have known Cruise was not ready for testing, and feral skateboard kids are attacking Waymo robo-taxis.

July 18, 2022

Automotive

Kelly Blue Book Brand Image Award

What do you think? — Any surprised or wrong calls on KBB’s list?

July 15, 2022

Automotive

Legacy Moves

TL:DR — GM is investing in truck stops, Ford is building more batteries, and Volvo’s CEO says OEMs can’t ride two horses.

July 15, 2022

Automotive

Hyundai Launches The Ioniq 6

Looks like a nice car, but we miss when cars had animal names and not just random “Q”s thrown at existing words.

July 15, 2022

Automotive

Wholesale Prices Take A TIny Dip

Manheim needs a stamp that says “down, but still up.”

July 14, 2022

Automotive

Polestar Coming In Hot

Polestar will also compete against Tesla by hiring a CEO who posts hot takes on Facebook 8 to 17 times a day.

July 14, 2022

Automotive

The Future Of Energy

TL:DR — BMW is looking to invest in renewable energy, VW is going dumpster diving, and EVERYBODY is trying to invent the battery of the future.

July 14, 2022

Automotive

BMW Starts Subscription-Based Heated Seats

Building cars with features that may never be turned on during a chip shortage seems like a really strange plan. What do you think?

July 13, 2022

Automotive

OEMs In The Race To The EV Top

TL;DR — Rivian may cut jobs, Greely gets in the EV pickup war, and Lordstown Motors eyes a competitive next move.

July 13, 2022

Automotive

The Automotive News “40 For 40”

The list is a snapshot of the industry's tenacity today and a hopeful look at the hands that will guide it in the coming years. Congratulations to all the winners!

July 12, 2022

Automotive

Lexus's Secret Mountain Head Office

Have you checked the woods behind your dealership for a secret Ford test track lately?

July 12, 2022

Automotive

Does A Healthy Culture Sell More Cars?

Spoiler — It 1000% does.

July 11, 2022

Automotive

Like Jonathan Smoke Sees It

We are not economists, but we feel safe saying you should never be more worried than Dale Pollak and Jonathan Smoke.

July 11, 2022

Automotive

Vehicle Retention Increases In June

Translation — "Uncertain future macroeconomics prospects" = You think I should buy a new car? IN THIS ECONOMY?!

July 8, 2022

Automotive

EV Tax Credits Here And Abroad

At a domestic level, economies are like gardens, they sustain the people who sustain them. At a global level it’s county fair rules and only one prize pumpkin is taking home the blue ribbon. Is China getting a big head start if the US doesn’t extend similar incentives?

July 8, 2022

Automotive

Consumer EV Interest Grows

Pushback Proverb — The best time to become a community center for EV education and charging was yesterday, the 2nd best time is right now.

July 8, 2022

Automotive

Investing In EVs = “EVestments”

TL;DR — GM wants firemen to know how to put out battery fires, VW wants more batteries AND more US charging stations.

July 7, 2022

Automotive

Steve GreenField Stops By For A Chat

Real Talk: That is what Steve Greenfield eats for breakfast. Then he feeds his cats (no, seriously).

July 7, 2022

Automotive

Rivian Deliveries Quadruple

Rivian delivered nearly five thousand vehicles in the first half of the year, and now are aiming to deliver 4 times that in the second half of the year. Apparently, no one told them about the chip shortages…

July 7, 2022

Automotive

Cox Automotive Data Shows Some Recession Insulation

With rumors of an impending recession capturing more of the news cycle, it is good to see data showing there is time for businesses to fortify themselves against whatever may come.

July 6, 2022

Automotive

Ford See Slight Uptick In Q2

An uptick in an OEM’s sales is an uptick in available inventory. #KeepOnTicking

July 6, 2022

Automotive

Quebec To Relaunch Lithium Mine

We aren’t telling anybody how to do their business, but if you know where some gold is buried…GO DIG IT UP!

July 6, 2022

Automotive

The Agency Model

Facing the Future of Retail Automotive

July 5, 2022

Automotive

GM In 60(ish) Seconds

TL;DR — GM is an OEM. OEMs are navigating in a hurricane right now. GM shows no signs of sinking.

July 5, 2022

Automotive

Shipping Delays Causing Inventory Backup

Dock worker strikes in Germany are preventing auto parts manufactured in neighboring countries from arriving in the US on schedule. Each day the delay drags on it becomes disproportionately more time-consuming to resolve.

July 5, 2022

Automotive

NADA CEO Issues Challenge

What do you think? — Are the new rules too much, need adjustment, just right, not enough, etc.? We want to hear from you. 🎤

July 1, 2022

Automotive

Nissan Is Discontinuing The Titan

History Lessons: 1. Don't invade Russia in the winter. 🥶 2. Don't try to beat Ford at trucks. 🛻

July 1, 2022

Automotive

VW And Audi In Brazil

Brazil is the world’s 6th largest auto market and possesses many of the resources to source, manufacture, and sell vehicles for any OEM interested.

July 1, 2022

Automotive

Cox Automotive Cuts New Vehicles Sales Forecast

Louder for the people in the back - The best insulation against new car noise is a solid used car business.

June 30, 2022

Automotive

Autonomous Driving Cruises Along

TL;DR — Chinese Robo Taxis are wearing their learner’s permit OUT, Tesla is using fewer people to offer more Autopilot options, and Waymo took away the reason we pump our arms at semi-trucks.

June 30, 2022

Automotive

China Sees Jump In Auto Sales

A locked-down economy seems to share some interesting qualities with the rubber part of a slingshot…

June 30, 2022

Automotive

The Rise of Gru Expects "Booming" Release Weekend

Just when you thought it was safe to wear yellow in public again…

June 30, 2022

Automotive

Changes At Home

TL;DR — Ford switches from leasing EVs to renting them, VW divests its stake as Electrify America looks to massive expansion, Hyundai and Kia are quietly giving Tesla something to think about.

June 29, 2022