All ASOTU Articles

The Ariel Hipercar

The Ariel Hipercar

Someday — Owners of the Hipercar get a speeding ticket in the mail once a month that just says “You know why!” on the envelope.

California’s Labor Day Heat Wave

California’s Labor Day Heat Wave

Clock’s ticking, California. You’ve only got 4,504 days until January first, 2035.

5th Annual Smail 500

5th Annual Smail 500

Learning is fun — 20 tons is roughly equal to a full city/school bus, a large car transport trailer, 13k bricks, or the swivel doors of the great pyramid of Giza.

Digging In To Battery Material Challenges

Digging In To Battery Material Challenges

Putting US EV production in high gear will change everything up and down the supply chain.

Investments To Know

Investments To Know

TL: DR — Bosch is getting into hydrogen power, Toyota is catching up to battery power, and scientists are working on replacing both with ceramic power. Fun times!

GM Releases Adorable Chinese Convertible

GM Releases Adorable Chinese Convertible

Another source put the prices about $10k higher, but they all agree this little fella is not coming to the US. However, some of the money GM makes in this vast market segment will. 💰

NBC Considers Losing An Hour

NBC Considers Losing An Hour

Nobody worry. Jimmy Fallon and his lip syncing celebrities are safe

EV Makers Add Stocks

EV Makers Add Stocks

Selling new stocks is a friendly way to raise funds. Not bake sale friendly, but more friendly than some other options.

Ford’s Mystery Truck

Ford’s Mystery Truck

Ask the experts — What should the new Ford be called? Here are some of our answers. Hit reply and let us know yours! “Heavy Electric Navigation Riding, Y’all. Or H.E.N.R.Y” -Nathan@asotu.com “The Slay” -Charity@asotu.com “The BRADford” -Isaac@asotu.com (guess what his middle name is)

Tesla Goes To Court In Louisiana

Tesla Goes To Court In Louisiana

Could this change things at the state and national levels? Sure, with time. Does it change the day-to-day dealer mission of providing the best customer experience? Not so much.

Playstation Goes To Court

Playstation Goes To Court

Ripping somebody off while they try to play video games is like kicking down the door at their therapy session and playing bagpipes. Cold as ice. Also, Honda, duly noted.

More EV News

More EV News

TL;DR — EVs are in position to match or improve upon performance expectations, introduce whole new normals for in-car software, and become the workhorse tech of the current era. Reasons to wait until later on EV readiness are getting few and far between.

Honda’s New Battery Factory

Honda’s New Battery Factory

Nobody can tell consumers who to buy from, but they can give them a massive tax break…and that is kinda the same thing.

Auto Loans Are Up

Auto Loans Are Up

Some of the articles covering this are written like people are choosing between taking on loan debt or spending their vacation fund. They aren’t. Dealers can be understanding partners, whereas others may miss the human story here.

Water Trains, Car Brains, and Battery Gains

Water Trains, Car Brains, and Battery Gains

TL:DR — Hydrogen trains in Germany, Apple software in cars, and a spare battery in EVs.

Audi To Join Formula 1

Audi To Join Formula 1

So wait, Audi was just gonna let everybody switch to EVs before telling us they have 100% sustainable fuel?

Mustang Mach-E

Mustang Mach-E

Weird, the price of building this EV went up by almost the same amount as the tax incentive to buy one. Coincidences are fun!

Inflation Reduction Act and Used EVs

Inflation Reduction Act and Used EVs

These conversations are so meaningful. The world is shifting under the customer's feet, and they are inundated with interpretations and information every day. Making your store and team a reliable place to have real questions answered about the next 1, 5, or 10 years will keep the value the retail automotive industry has always offered fresh in their minds.

Washington Follows California’s Lead

Washington Follows California’s Lead

Banning gas-powered cars five years after most companies are switching to electric cars is a really unoffensive way to put your foot down about something.

Automotive Pop Quiz

Automotive Pop Quiz

TL:DR — Honda cut, Ford hesitates on, and Mercedes starts production.

Dealers and Dogs

Dealers and Dogs

Unlicensed Medical Advice — Petting a dog for just 5 minutes a day will add 7 years to your natural life.

FTC And You

FTC And You

Comments are still open until the 12th, and ASOTU is working to be sure the retail automotive community's voice is heard. Leave your comment now.

Weird Flex, But Ok Pt.2

Weird Flex, But Ok Pt.2

TL;DR — Mini made a Pokemon EV, Hyundai is hiding something (poorly?), and Rivian says people don’t want cheap options.

Xpeng Shares Drop

Xpeng Shares Drop

Push Back Proverb — It’s not about how many times your shares fall. It’s about how much money you have to cover your losses until they come back up.

New Vehicle Prices Have Record August

New Vehicle Prices Have Record August

Role Play Opportunity — “Hello, my name is Mr. Customer, and I want to know why the car I want costs so many dollars?”