All ASOTU Articles

Expanding, Baby Steps, and Minivans

Expanding, Baby Steps, and Minivans

VinFast has high hopes about its US expansion. Toyota has high hopes 2022 production cuts were a fluke. Volvo has high hopes that parents in China like minivans.

Virginia Gov Blocks Ford Battery Plant

Virginia Gov Blocks Ford Battery Plant

As you may expect, comments about the decision range from anger over the lost jobs, support of holding China at arm’s length, and some theorizing the governor is protecting some other Chinese interest he personally benefits from. The internet is a loud and wild place.

Like New

Like New

“Y’all know what would go good with giving back? Some giving back…” -The Klamath team, we assume

Europe’s Supply Chain Recovery

Europe’s Supply Chain Recovery

Sometimes data helps us predict the future, and sometimes it shows us how very unpredictable the future is gonna be…

Renault and Nissan

Renault and Nissan

Honestly, being mentioned at all by Shakira is pretty dope. It is like if we could get Willie Nelson to rhyme “Without ASOTU” with “I feel blue” in a country song.

Buying and Bandits

Buying and Bandits

OEMs: “Dealers need to invest in charging stations to offer an alternative to private companies.” Dealers: “What part of this $1M is the budget for a security guard?”

Predictions To Consider

Predictions To Consider

At the end of 2023, we are going to give our own grades to Cox Automotive and Automotive Ventures then send the winner a t-shirt. Who wants to design it?

Making Movies, Keeping Up, and Starting The Price Cut Cascade

Making Movies, Keeping Up, and Starting The Price Cut Cascade

TL: DR - Tesla staged a self-driving video they tried to pass as real back in 2016, their price cuts are working, and it is likely other EV makers will follow in what has been referred to as a “price cut war.” We know it as “business as normal when OEMs have inventory to move.”

Chevy’s E-Ray

Chevy’s E-Ray

It’s the perfect Corvette to loan a teenage driver… just siphon out the gas first.

Ford And VW Drift Apart

Ford And VW Drift Apart

Breaks-ups are never easy. To get your mind off it try taking up a new hobby, watching your favorite movies, reinventing your electric vehicle platform from scratch, increasing your aggression in the biggest auto market in the world, or call your mom.

IADA Challenges Direct-To-Consumer Ruling

IADA Challenges Direct-To-Consumer Ruling

Sometimes it seems like a disagreement stems from interpretations of a law… this one just seems to stem from a judge outright ignoring a law. Judges can’t do that, right? We thought it was illegal.

Memes, Games, and Flip Phones

Memes, Games, and Flip Phones

TL:DR - A classic meme star is also really good at football. The game Chris has completed more times than any other game is getting a remake. Flip phones are making a humble comeback?

Toyota: Retro, Hopeful, and Low Maintenance

Toyota: Retro, Hopeful, and Low Maintenance

Toyota is deepening its relationship with two important markets - zero-emission vehicles and nostalgia.

Wyoming Banning EVs?

Wyoming Banning EVs?

Some sources call it an answer to California-style ICE bans, while others say it is a symbolic political gesture aimed at the White House. What do you think?

Back to Basics PT.2 With All Things Used Cars

Back to Basics PT.2 With All Things Used Cars

The note we cannot share is the energy in these conversations. There is a community of experienced and intelligent people investing in the success of people who, by other industry standards, would be considered competitors to be defeated. It's good times; we hope you join if you have not already.

Crypto and Mining

Crypto and Mining

TL; DR - Bitcoin isn’t dead (or even dying, apparently), a well-loved video game is getting remade, and Europe is investing in shovels.

Tesla’s Price Cuts and Lincoln’s EV Dealers

Tesla’s Price Cuts and Lincoln’s EV Dealers

Tesla is looking for more buyers, and Lincoln is updating dealerships to sell EVs at some unnamed point in the future.

Carvana, The Used Market, and Consumer Tips

Carvana, The Used Market, and Consumer Tips

We aren't here to share consumer buying advice as much as a reverse engineer it...

Dolan Auto Group Trail Stewardship

Dolan Auto Group Trail Stewardship

They say when you have a little extra, you should build a longer table. Dolan seems to be applying the same principle to their spotlight. 😆

Work Truck Solutions Top 5 Trends for 2023

Work Truck Solutions Top 5 Trends for 2023

What’s Affecting The Commercial Vehicle Industry?

Daniel Govaer: Trust, Opportunity, and Materialization

Daniel Govaer: Trust, Opportunity, and Materialization

Trust, Opportunity, and Materialization

Walmart and Salesforce Go Local

Walmart and Salesforce Go Local

You either die a Walmart competitor or live long enough to see yourself pay them for services. 🦇🕺

Hyundai, Suzuki, and Lucid

Hyundai, Suzuki, and Lucid

TL: DR - Hyundai’s Hydrogen car is depreciating rapidly in CA. Suzuki will bring an EV to market by 2025. Lucid exceeded their lowered production target in 2022.

Rounding Up Free Trade

Rounding Up Free Trade

Either more cars will qualify for tax credits as a result of this, OR the same number of cars will qualify but be cheaper/easier to make since more of the bits and pieces can be outsourced.

TommyCar’s No Shave November

TommyCar’s No Shave November

It is a topic close to our heart too, Carla! What a fantastic way to turn a trend into greater awareness and fun for the associate! Truly a cut above, friends!