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

Automotive Headlines: BMW Adopts Tesla Chargers
Automotive

Automotive Headlines: BMW Adopts Tesla Chargers

BMW joins the rest, Volvo catches the wind, and Nio talks to dealers. 🔌🍃💬

October 19, 2023

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Tesla, and Mercedez
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Tesla, and Mercedez

UAW members ditch Ford’s Kentucky plant, Tesla ups ages for German employees, and Mercedes out-ranges Tesla. 🔋

October 13, 2023

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Stellantis, Ford & Hyundai
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Stellantis, Ford & Hyundai

UAW is making small strides, Ford and Hyundai follow in Tesla's footsteps, and Stellantis makes a poorly-timed announcement. 📢

October 12, 2023

Global Markets: Canada, China, and Japan
Automotive

Global Markets: Canada, China, and Japan

GM narrowly avoids a strike in Canada (for now), German automakers are struggling in China, and Japan invests in fancy chips. 🎩

October 11, 2023

Industry Round-Up: Genesis, Toyota, and Honda
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: Genesis, Toyota, and Honda

Safety award, 4% gains, and ANOTHER charging network…🏆

October 2, 2023

Industry Round-Up: Jeep, VinFast and Kia
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: Jeep, VinFast and Kia

Jeep’s all-electric Avenger is a hit, VinFast is missing the mark, and Kia introduces a seven-seater EV. ⚡️

September 29, 2023

Update: UAW vs. Big 3
Automotive

Update: UAW vs. Big 3

The UAW strike lingers on, Lucid opens its first international plant, and BYD America expands into EVs. ⚡️

September 28, 2023

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Ryder, Toyota, and Hyundai
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Ryder, Toyota, and Hyundai

Strike Expansion, E-Vans, and Toyota picks up the pace. 🚐

September 25, 2023

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Nio, Ford, and Toyota
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Nio, Ford, and Toyota

Union gains support, Cell-phone-car, and Ford asks the UK to reconsider reconsidering. ✊📱🙏

September 22, 2023

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Volvo, Stellantis, and Electric Go-Karts
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: UAW, Volvo, Stellantis, and Electric Go-Karts

UAW vs The Big 3 continues, and Volvo, Stellantis, and go-karts lean into EVs.

September 20, 2023

UAW Strike Update: Big Three & EV Plans
Automotive

UAW Strike Update: Big Three & EV Plans

Strike🪧, Tesla🏭, and Kenya. 🇰🇪

September 19, 2023

UAW Strikes
Automotive

UAW Strikes

UAW strikes, the Chinese EV push, and TikTok car talk. 🎶

September 18, 2023

Detroit Auto Show Recap
Automotive

Detroit Auto Show Recap

Detroit’s Auto Show and Pending Strike. 🪧

September 15, 2023

Keeping It Short
Automotive

Keeping It Short

ChargeScape powers up, Hyundai begins hypercasting, Mitsubishi boasts top safety ratings, Tesla ramps up Mexico investments, and Ford ups the hybrids. 🚘

September 14, 2023

Industry Round-Up: Ford, BMW and Volvo
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: Ford, BMW and Volvo

Ford adopts Apple Maps, Volvo tightens its belt, and BMW invests in Mini plants. 🌱

September 12, 2023

Chinese Automaker Update
Automotive

Chinese Automaker Update

Chinese automakers are making moves.

September 7, 2023

German Auto Maker News
Automotive

German Auto Maker News

Screens, scooters, and discounts in China.

September 6, 2023

Industry Round-Up: Ford, EV Funding, Tesla, and China
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: Ford, EV Funding, Tesla, and China

Ford’s Camera Recall, Tesla’s New Price Cuts, and Some Happenings in Washington. 🚘

September 5, 2023

Move Makers: Polestar, Mercedes, Uber, GM
Automotive

Move Makers: Polestar, Mercedes, Uber, GM

Uber Bikes, GM AI, and Mercedes’ Van. 🏍

September 1, 2023

Industry Round-Up: Tesla, Europe, Toyota, and Electrogenic
Automotive

Industry Round-Up: Tesla, Europe, Toyota, and Electrogenic

Tesla’s range, European sales, Toyota’s glitch, and Electrogenic's conversion. 📊

August 31, 2023

Chinese EV Presence Doubles in Europe
Automotive

Chinese EV Presence Doubles in Europe

Chinese Brands Ups And Downs. 🇨🇳📈📉

August 30, 2023

Industry Round-up: Rivian, Canoo, Xpeng, Kia & Hyundai
Automotive

Industry Round-up: Rivian, Canoo, Xpeng, Kia & Hyundai

Rivian ditches yellow, Canoo sells vans, and Xpeng soars. 🦅

August 29, 2023

Industry Roundup: Ford,
Automotive

Industry Roundup: Ford,

Hyundai may strike, Ford’s black tie F-150, and GMC’s campsite on wheels. 🏕

August 28, 2023

/Imagine: Alfa Romeo, Tesla, VW, Fiat
Automotive

/Imagine: Alfa Romeo, Tesla, VW, Fiat

We /imagine some automaker news. 📸

August 25, 2023

Making Moves: Lucid, Kia, GM, Massachusetts
Automotive

Making Moves: Lucid, Kia, GM, Massachusetts

Massachusetts passed a law requiring automakers to share repair info with third-party shops. 👩‍⚖️

August 24, 2023

Making Moves: VW, Ferrari, Tesla, Toyota
Automotive

Making Moves: VW, Ferrari, Tesla, Toyota

Ferrari gets younger, Tesla hires Siri, and Toyota hits the brakes. 🚦

August 23, 2023

Industry Roundup: Xpeng + VW, Rivian, Solectrac, Fisker, and Tesla
Automotive

Industry Roundup: Xpeng + VW, Rivian, Solectrac, Fisker, and Tesla

Solar tractors, big cup holders, and investigations — oh my! 🥤

August 22, 2023

Lidar, Google, and The Final Frontier(?)
Automotive

Lidar, Google, and The Final Frontier(?)

Nissan takes the Frontier electric. 💡

August 21, 2023

Chinese Exports
Automotive

Chinese Exports

Motor Morsels: China, VinFast, Cargo Bikes, and Tesla

August 16, 2023

Weekly Economic Update
Automotive

Weekly Economic Update

John Ellis and his weekly economic recap.

August 15, 2023

Too many EVs?
Automotive

Too many EVs?

No matter what happens, it will start in the dealerships that communities across the country trust to keep them getting where they want to go.

August 11, 2023

UAW Rejects Stellantis Contract
Automotive

UAW Rejects Stellantis Contract

What's up with Detroit?

August 10, 2023

'Round the World
Automotive

'Round the World

GM in Mexico, EVs in Vietnam, Stellantis in Italy, and China in a slump.

August 9, 2023

New Tech
Automotive

New Tech

Keeping you up-to-date with the latest in tech trends and what's on the horizon.

August 9, 2023

Motor Morsels: GM, Lucid, EV Golf Carts, and Tesla
Automotive

Motor Morsels: GM, Lucid, EV Golf Carts, and Tesla

GM is hiring, Lucid is lowering, golf carts are EVing, and Tesla is winning.

August 8, 2023

Market Dips and Drifts
Automotive

Market Dips and Drifts

This week's market insights courtesy of Automotive Advisor.

August 8, 2023

Motor Morsels: Cadillac, Canoo, Fisker, Toyota and Nikola
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Cadillac, Canoo, Fisker, Toyota and Nikola

OEM news in a flash!

August 7, 2023

Motor Morsels: Tesla and Rivian, Ford, and GM
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Tesla and Rivian, Ford, and GM

Tesla and Rivian lawyer up. 👩‍⚖️

August 4, 2023

Fighting Auto Loan Fraud
Automotive

Fighting Auto Loan Fraud

Calling out the fakers. 🥸

August 4, 2023

In Summary
Automotive

In Summary

Subaru eyes EVs, Toyota brings a new hybrid, and Ford restarts producing Lightings. 📰

August 3, 2023

A Word From Mr. Pollak
Automotive

A Word From Mr. Pollak

Dale Pollak shares acquisition wisdom. 👨‍🏫

August 3, 2023

Motor Morsels: GM, Exxon, Aston Martin, and BMW
Automotive

Motor Morsels: GM, Exxon, Aston Martin, and BMW

OEM news served up quick.

August 2, 2023

Service Lane Strategies for Success
Automotive

Service Lane Strategies for Success

The service and parts business is booming. Are you maximizing the trend?

August 2, 2023

Motor Morsels: Mazda, Genesis, Ample, Ford, and Lamborghini
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Mazda, Genesis, Ample, Ford, and Lamborghini

Get the scoop on Mazda, Genesis, Ample, Ford, and Lamborghini.

August 1, 2023

Market Check
Automotive

Market Check

John Ellis and the Automotive Advisor team hit us with hard data and valuable auto market insights every week.

August 1, 2023

Motor Morsels: Ford, Toyota, Tesla, and Rivian
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Ford, Toyota, Tesla, and Rivian

OEM news quick -- Ford, Toyota, Tesla, and Rivian.

July 31, 2023

Chopping Prices, Forming Alliances, Making “Friends,” and Luxury Charging
Automotive

Chopping Prices, Forming Alliances, Making “Friends,” and Luxury Charging

"When things become more affordable, more people buy them," doesn't seem like hidden wisdom, but some companies still don't get it.

July 28, 2023

Learning GA4 To Learn Even More
Automotive

Learning GA4 To Learn Even More

GA4 is out now, so we invited our friends back to share more and help us apply the new tool to measuring marketing ROI and its impact on the phones.

July 28, 2023

News: Nissan, Chevy, Stellantis, and Tesla
Automotive

News: Nissan, Chevy, Stellantis, and Tesla

OEM news in a jiffy!

July 27, 2023

Mastering ChatGPT
Automotive

Mastering ChatGPT

From generating creative content for marketing to knocking out dull busy work, ChatGPT offers plenty of exciting possibilities for dealerships and the auto industry like saving time, fighting creative block, and improving customer communication. 🦾🤖

July 27, 2023

VinFast, GM, EU, Toyota, and a $14K Tesla
Automotive

VinFast, GM, EU, Toyota, and a $14K Tesla

VinFast's new plant is breaking ground, GM profits dip, EU passes laws requiring subscription-free chargers, Toyota's layoffs, and a surprisingly inexpensive Tesla.

July 26, 2023

Data Smash: Wholesale, Repairs, and Trade Ins
Automotive

Data Smash: Wholesale, Repairs, and Trade Ins

Consumers are in a tough spot. Businesses that work to offer win-win options will earn more loyalty. You catch more flies with integrity than sympathy. 🪰

July 26, 2023

News Math: Ford, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Volvo, and Mercedes
Automotive

News Math: Ford, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Volvo, and Mercedes

ASOTU crunches the figures so you don't have to. You're welcome!

July 25, 2023

American Wallets Breathe Sigh of Relief
Automotive

American Wallets Breathe Sigh of Relief

The economy is finally easing up on American wallets.

July 25, 2023

Color Wheels
Automotive

Color Wheels

Do your preferences follow these trends? What color is your car?

July 24, 2023

What’s Up: Tesla, Ford, and Classic Bugs
Automotive

What’s Up: Tesla, Ford, and Classic Bugs

Tesla shares fall, Ford's new factories and converting VW bugs into EVs.

July 21, 2023

Tesla, Zeeba, Carvana, Tata
Automotive

Tesla, Zeeba, Carvana, Tata

Tesla settles lawsuit, Zeeba's adopting EV, Carvana's shares are up, and Tata's gigafactory is a go.

July 20, 2023

RIP Vermont DMV Loophole
Automotive

RIP Vermont DMV Loophole

We only found out about this loophole because they closed it. This is good because the last thing we need is a street-legal cozy coup with a flat-brim hat glued to the top. 🧢

July 20, 2023

Sneaky SUV, Big Little Factory, Battery Break, and Popularity Contest
Automotive

Sneaky SUV, Big Little Factory, Battery Break, and Popularity Contest

Dodge dusts off the Stealth, Rivian's new GA factory gets the green light, GM powers down its CAMI EV plant, and Kia's electric SUV is in high demand.

July 19, 2023

Used EV Prices Plummet
Automotive

Used EV Prices Plummet

Come on, Used EV Market. If Tesla jumped off a bridge, would you jump off too? No, seriously tho. We’ve seen Full Self-Drive news, and this is an important question.

July 19, 2023

Robots, Pizza, and Rally Cars
Automotive

Robots, Pizza, and Rally Cars

OEM news at lightning speed.

July 18, 2023

Weekly Economic Update
Automotive

Weekly Economic Update

The economy may have slowed, but sentiment increased along with gas prices reentering the atmosphere. Most people seem less concerned with what Wall Street is feeling and more focused on making good choices for their families, so each piece of consumer-favoring news brings buyers back into the market. How tidy are your leads? ☎️

July 18, 2023

Site Sleuthing
Automotive

Site Sleuthing

Have you mystery shopped your website lately?

July 17, 2023

Motor Morsels: Canoo, Lucid, Chevy
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Canoo, Lucid, Chevy

Canoo is struggling to stay afloat, Lucid's dreams are cut short, and the Chevy Blazer production is firing up.

July 14, 2023

ASOTU CON Speaker Announcement
Automotive

ASOTU CON Speaker Announcement

ASOTU CON breaking news!

July 14, 2023

Motor Morsels: Audi, Detroit, Used EVs
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Audi, Detroit, Used EVs

Audi in talks to acquire SAIC's EV platform, UAW talks worker negotiations, and EV prices are dropping.

July 13, 2023

Diving Into Digital Retail
Automotive

Diving Into Digital Retail

Did you catch the Webinar live? Let us know your favorite takeaways!

July 13, 2023

Motor Morsels: Rivian, GM, Geely/Renault, Toyota, Tesla
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Rivian, GM, Geely/Renault, Toyota, Tesla

Rivian is opening a showroom, GM is inching closer to affordable, Geely and Renault are partnering for ICE vehicles, Toyota is going hydrogen in the EU and China, and Tesla’s showing off robots.

July 12, 2023

Charging Changes
Automotive

Charging Changes

It’s taken over 100 years to get us to today’s modern gas pumps, so perfecting EV chargers may be a while...

July 12, 2023

Motor Morsels: GM Discounts, Tesla in Mexico, and Diesel Vs. Diesel Vs. Diesel
Automotive

Motor Morsels: GM Discounts, Tesla in Mexico, and Diesel Vs. Diesel Vs. Diesel

GM cuts prices in China despite a price war truce reported last week, Tesla gets permission to build its Mexico factory, and a diesel truck drag race.

July 11, 2023

Market Watch
Automotive

Market Watch

It’s easy to navigate the ever-changing market with confidence when you have buddies like John to keep you in the loop.

July 11, 2023

Motor Morsels: Hyundai, Ford, VW, and Tesla
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Hyundai, Ford, VW, and Tesla

US EV interest is growing, and so are people's options for getting one. Different companies are trying different things to claim the new market, but it is still too early to see what plan will ultimately win out. For now, Tesla has a target on its back, and everybody else seems to be packing a water pistol.

July 10, 2023

Motor Morsels: GM, NACS, and Price Truce
Automotive

Motor Morsels: GM, NACS, and Price Truce

GM is having a great year, Fewer companies by the day are holding out on adopting Tesla’s charging standard, and EV makers made a truce in the China price war.

July 7, 2023

New FTC Ad and Endorsement Rules
Automotive

New FTC Ad and Endorsement Rules

Leave it to the FTC to say “Keep Not Lying” with a 10K word document.

July 7, 2023

Motor Morsels: Lambo, FIAT, and Toyota
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Lambo, FIAT, and Toyota

The last all-gas Lambo is sold, Fiat is doing a ‘little’ self-discovery, and Toyota’s got its feet on solid ground.

July 6, 2023

Thrive with Tech Tools
Automotive

Thrive with Tech Tools

We wanna know – What digital tools have you found most helpful?

July 6, 2023

Motor Morsels: Tesla, Rivian, Stellantis
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Tesla, Rivian, Stellantis

Tesla’s Q2 is unofficially great, Rivian’s Q2 is better than anybody expected, and Stellantis’s Q2 is good, but not great.

July 5, 2023

AI and Automotive
Automotive

AI and Automotive

We left the dream portion of this piece open for replies; please let us know where you see the relationship between vehicle ownership and AI going in the one, ten, or one hundred years.

July 5, 2023

Motor Morsels: Halo Car, Ford in Germany, and Standardizing
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Halo Car, Ford in Germany, and Standardizing

TL; DR – Halo teaches cars to deliver themselves, Ford gets funding in Germany, and More companies join the Tesla charging standard.

July 4, 2023

How Low SHOULD You Go?
Automotive

How Low SHOULD You Go?

Meet the new tiny Panda

July 1, 2023

Motor Morsels: Toyota’s May, VinFast’s Support, Formula Sun, and Barra’s 2024
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Toyota’s May, VinFast’s Support, Formula Sun, and Barra’s 2024

Toyota’s up, VinFast will pay for that, Solar Cars are Racing, and Barra has plans for 2024.

June 30, 2023

Down But Still Up
Automotive

Down But Still Up

So profits are down but still up, and activity is down disproportionately compared to the dip in profits. Still, large groups and private buyers are --placing bets-- investing wisely in a solid recovery by acquiring stores while the value is down.

June 30, 2023

Motor Morsels: Tesla Ads, Kia Taxis, Volvo Chargers, Zeekr Expansion, and GM Home Power
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Tesla Ads, Kia Taxis, Volvo Chargers, Zeekr Expansion, and GM Home Power

Tesla gets into ads, Kia gets into ride sharing, Volvo gets into Tesla’s charging standard, Zeekr gets into Viking territory, and GM gets into house batteries.

June 29, 2023

Cox Mid-Year Review
Automotive

Cox Mid-Year Review

Of course, if DJ Smokey Smoke’s summer playlist doesn’t do it for you, you can always check out ours.

June 29, 2023

Motor Morsels: Stellantis, Chevy, Lordstown
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Stellantis, Chevy, Lordstown

Stellantis is taking on range anxiety, Chevy is taking on gravity and inertia, and Lordstown is taking on Foxconn.

June 28, 2023

Maximizing EV Readiness
Automotive

Maximizing EV Readiness

How is your dealership preparing for the influx of EVs? 🤔

June 28, 2023

Motor Morsels: Tesla, Hyundai, BYD, Aston Martin, and Lucid
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Tesla, Hyundai, BYD, Aston Martin, and Lucid

Reddit got a look at the Cybertruck’s rear-wheel steering in action, Hyundain may join the charging standard, BYD revealed a $10K EV, and Aston Martin is working with Liucid to electrify.

June 27, 2023

A Little Economic Optimism
Automotive

A Little Economic Optimism

You only ever hear about two kinds of breakdowns: mental and economic. Makes ya think…

June 27, 2023

Motor Morsels: Batteries, Anxiety, Loan-Layoffs, Wireless Charging
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Batteries, Anxiety, Loan-Layoffs, Wireless Charging

Batteries are complicated, Chinese drivers are worried about range, Ford got a loan and is preparing for more layoffs, and Tesla eyes wireless charging.

June 26, 2023

Motor Morsels: Rivian and Opel
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Rivian and Opel

We love a good partnership and these are both top-notch. 👌

June 23, 2023

Mid-June Check-Up with Cox Auto
Automotive

Mid-June Check-Up with Cox Auto

Supply and demand are a little down, but the auto industry is still lookin’ strong. 💪

June 23, 2023

Considering Commercial BEV Fleets?
Automotive

Considering Commercial BEV Fleets?

Just like most things, trying something new can be difficult and scary, but careful consideration and planning will set you up for success.

June 22, 2023

Motor Morsels: Suzuki, Rivian, and Hyundai
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Suzuki, Rivian, and Hyundai

Suzuki's making flying cars, Rivian's adopting Tesla's chargers, and Hyundai e-SUVs are being investigated.

June 21, 2023

Improving Dealer Websites
Automotive

Improving Dealer Websites

What would you add to this list?

June 21, 2023

Motor Morsels: Tesla, Ford, Nissan, Stellantis
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Tesla, Ford, Nissan, Stellantis

Musk says robo-driving is still going to make or break Tesla. Ford says China is winning at EVs and it is better to take notes than deny it. Nissan Canada and FLO are not getting in on the charging standard just yet. Stellantis says it will release a $27K EV as an affordable option.

June 20, 2023

May Data Dips
Automotive

May Data Dips

We don’t have a degree in data science or finance, but we are friends with John Ellis which is pretty close.

June 20, 2023

Motor Morsels: Startup Surge, Fake Transmission, Hydro-Royce, and Demand and Demand
Automotive

Motor Morsels: Startup Surge, Fake Transmission, Hydro-Royce, and Demand and Demand

EV startups have unexplained up period, Automakers are still talking about putting fake sound and shifters in EVs, Rolls-Royce may ditch BEVs for Hydrogen, and Tesla upped the price of its charging standard.

June 19, 2023

New Florida Bill Blocks DTC Car Sales
Automotive

New Florida Bill Blocks DTC Car Sales

Where would OEMs be if all the dealers said, “ok, sure, go direct. Best wishes,” and bailed? We aren’t sure, but Central Florida in June seems like a good metaphor for it.

June 16, 2023

Motor Morsels: BenzGPT, Electric Bubble, Tossing Cash, UK’s Little Buddy
Automotive

Motor Morsels: BenzGPT, Electric Bubble, Tossing Cash, UK’s Little Buddy

TL; DR– Mercedes automates texting while driving, Porsche build an electric Bat-mo-bubble, Stellantis is spreading its battery investments out, and the UK has a new tiny EV with a tiny price.

June 16, 2023

Motor Morsels: High Point, 2000 hp, E-Beetle, and New Plant Who Dis?
Automotive

Motor Morsels: High Point, 2000 hp, E-Beetle, and New Plant Who Dis?

TL; DR – Toyota hits a high, Lotus gets hardcore, VW pinches pennies, and Ford goes to Germany.

June 15, 2023