Automotive State of the Union

Episode #1312: Lawmakers push to block Chinese EVs, TruVideo trains the next-gen tech to sell service with video, and stop-start tech may be on its way out as drivers—and regulators—hit the brakes.

Today, we've got a special interview with Bill Knight of Bill Knight Automotive, about how he's built a culture of giving back to the community, and particularly the special event they've hosted with their local Discovery Center to bring in junker cars that kids and their dads can take apart.

Episode #1310: The market squeeze is real as affordability reshapes buying behavior across the board.

Episode #1309: The market cools after a hot start to 2025, the New York Auto Show brings fresh product and EV momentum into focus, and NASA launches humans back toward the moon for the first time in over 50 years.

Episode #1308: Live from the New York Auto Forum (brought to you by our friends at Force Marketing), we unpack the real conversations shaping the industry, and why sometimes a chat in a hallway is more impactful than anything said on stage (did someone say ASOTU CON?) Show Notes with links: Paul and Kyle break down the real conversations shaping Q2—EV transitions, AI, global competition—and why the most important moments aren’t on stage.

Episode #1307: Today we’re at the NY Auto Forum (thanks to our friends at Force Marketing) for a day of interviews and content with some of the industry’s finest.

Episode #1306: A surge of off-lease EVs could bring billions in losses and create new opportunities for dealers.

Today, Head Writer Chris Reeves brings a story from our good friends at Carter Myers Automotive of how they do a weekly "Touch-A-Truck" event with the goal of showing kids that retail auto is an industry worth fighting to join.

Episode #1304: The FTC gave NADA clarity on their recent warning letters, GM has significantly cut down on their technician shortage and Gen Alpha is flexing their spending power.

Episode #1303: China’s price war is crushing dealers while a quirky Stellantis policy highlights a very different retail reality here at home.

Episode #1302: BYD sprints into Canada with big retail plans amid tight EV quotas, Sony and Honda hit pause on Afeela as EV reality sets in, and FedEx jumps into the same-day delivery fight as Amazon raises the bar yet again.

Episode #1301: GM hits the road with eyes-off autonomy testing, used EV demand rises as gas prices climb, and Zoox pushes into new markets while chasing Waymo in the robotaxi race.

Episode #1300: EV bargains are stacking up as gas prices climb, GM patents a daisy-chain charger that could end the wait-time headache, and the NRF says retail is growing in 2026 but the spending power is concentrated at the top.

Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to talk about the monthly and weekly events that MileOne holds for their communities with car seat distributions and teen driver courses.

Episode #1298: The Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella joins Paul and Kyle to discuss his automotive news op-ed that lays out the case for a recent Washington state piece of legislation that could pave the way for Chinese automakers to bypass the U.S.

Episode #1297: The EV world is getting hit from all sides — punishing fee proposals, $50 billion in industry write-downs, and a bold $1.25 billion Uber-Rivian robotaxi bet.

Episode #1296: GM and LG retool for energy storage as EV demand cools, VinFast restarts its North Carolina factory with a fraction of the jobs promised, and Nvidia adds four major automakers to its autonomous driving platform.

Episode #1295: Automotive trade associations nationwide are rallying dealers around FTC advertising compliance and we're joined by Ted Smith of FLADA.

Episode #1294: The FTC puts 97 dealership groups on notice over deceptive advertising, a former car salesman is making $200K a month helping car buyers negotiate deals, and BYD is quietly building a path into North America The Federal Trade Commission is sending warning letters to 97 dealership groups over advertising practices the agency says may violate federal law.

Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle talk about how the Mitchell Automotive Group supported the Christian Mission Center ‘Stock the Pantry’ by offering free oil changes on Wednesday to anyone who brought in a bag of food donations.

Episode #1292: Today we unpack Honda’s massive $15.7B EV write-down and pivot back to hybrids, Rivian’s make-or-break R2 SUV aimed at the mainstream market, and Ford CEO Jim Farley’s vow to keep the manual Mustang alive Show Notes with links: Honda is taking a massive $15.7 billion writedown as it cancels several EV programs and pivots back toward hybrids, underscoring just how quickly the EV demand outlook has shifted.

Episode #1291: An activist investor pushes CarMax to overhaul its digital game, Carvana accelerates same-day delivery into Los Angeles, and Lucid rolls out CarPlay and Android Auto updates while resetting its software strategy.

Episode #1290: Guest host Jamie Butters joins as we cover New-vehicle inventory hits 3 million units but slower sales are aging the lot.

Episode #1289: GM revives the Bolt—but only briefly—as EV strategy shifts again.

Episode #1288: Buy-sell activity ramps up as more dealerships and franchises change hands in Q4.

Today, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to share how DARCARS Automotive Group donated $230,000 to Montgomery County Public Schools to eliminate two years of outstanding student meal debt for hundreds of families — one of the largest single acts of dealer philanthropy in the region this school year.

Episode #1286: Scout Motors discovers that American truck buyers want a generator backup with their electrons, Flexcar bets big on Atlanta's appetite for flexible wheels, and UPS makes the largest buyout offer in company history as it braces for life after Amazon.

Episode #1285: Today we unpack record negative equity making deals harder to pencil, service and parts lanes regaining momentum as dealers look for profit stability, and a surprising $56B productivity hit caused by generational friction and AI adoption inside modern sales teams.

Episode #1284: Today we’re looking at Carvana quietly buying franchised dealerships, GM reshaping used-car sales around CarBravo, and Google’s newest AI image model.

Episode #1283: Oil markets are on edge as global conflict pressures fuel prices and supply chains.

Episode #1282: Honda leads the nation in fuel economy, destination charges quietly climb to $1,600 per vehicle, and a new Gallup report shows staffing shortages may be holding back customer experience across retail.

On this final day of February, Paul, Chris and Nathan sit down to talk about The Truth About Car Dealers season 2, why you should attend ASOTU Con, and how the Greater New York Automobile Dealer's Association donated thousands of coats to New York's Annual Coat Drive.

Episode #1280: Steve Greenfield is back as guest host as Hyundai takes aim at Tesla in the humanoid robot race, Ford pushes dealers toward same-day service with factory-backed AI support, and Burger King launches an always-listening “AI manager”.

Episode #1279: Today we break down CarEdge’s new Dealer Transparency Index shaking up pricing accountability, GM’s MobileService+ reboot with lower-cost gas crossovers, and a fresh bump in consumer confidence that could signal steadier showroom traffic ahead.

Episode #1278: We’ve got Steve Greenfield joining the show today as a dealership-born AI platform lands a full cash exit and gears up for U.S.

Episode #1277: The Supreme Court narrows emergency tariffs—but most auto duties remain, reshaping pricing and payments.

Episode #1276: The 2026 dealer census shows fewer franchise points but stronger per-store sales.

Today on the show, Chris Reeves joins Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier (with a brief appearance by Producer Nathan Southwick).

Episode #1274: Today we unpack Carvana’s push toward 3 million annual sales and what ADESA means for scale, a new study showing used EVs winning on long-term ownership math in a firm wholesale market, and Google’s Gemini 3.1 Pro raising the stakes in the accelerating AI arms race.

Episode #1273: GM is staying lean to outmaneuver the next sales slowdown.

Episode #1272: Uber drops $100M to power up its autonomous future., Tesla’s first Cybercab rolls off the line with no wheel and no pedals — but is FSD ready?

Episode #1271: January sales slid as winter storms and shrinking EV credits cooled demand.

Episode #1270: Ford floats ideas to counter China’s EV push, Detroit rethinks sedans as affordability pressures rise and Amazon proves even tech giants can’t crack physical retail that easily.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Episode #1268: Today we cover Lithia’s reluctance to sell Chinese brands in the U.S., Stellantis quietly bringing diesel back to Europe as EV demand cools, and how companies like Canva and Meta are now testing job candidates on how well they use AI instead of banning it.

Episode #1267: CarMax taps a hospitality CEO to sharpen its digital edge, Toyota makes a disciplined move into three-row EVs with the Highlander name, and AI-generated resumes are creating new hiring headaches for retailers and operators.

Episode #1266: Ford posts its biggest earnings miss in years but bets big on a 2026 rebound.

Episode #1265: Today we cover Carvana doubling down on franchised dealerships, the solid-state battery arms race heating up as automakers target 2027 launches, and how 7-Eleven is using AI to cut frontline hiring from weeks to days—saving millions of hours while keeping humans in the loop.

Episode #1264: As the NADA Show wraps, we zoom out on what actually mattered, from a shift in how dealers are thinking about AI, to deeper vendor partnerships, to how dealers are thinking about Chinese vehicles Show Notes with links:  As the dust settles from another packed NADA Show, some of the most meaningful takeaways weren’t about flashy announcements, but mindset.

As we wrap up the NADA show this morning, we are energized.

We're at the North Hall of the NADA Show today, getting ready for another amazing day.

We've been on the show floor all day, and so this afternoon, we stopped by our friends at Cars Commerce to catch up with the one and only Brian Kramer.

The More Than Cars team is on the ground ready to run hard during the NADA Show.

Episode #1259: As the automotive world heads to Las Vegas, Paul sits down with outgoing NADA Chairman Tom Castriota for a candid conversation on a whirlwind year of leadership.

On this Saturday before NADA, Chris and Nathan join Kyle to talk about a recent car crash where a dealership jumped into action.

Episode #1257: Chinese automakers are taking real share in Europe, AI at NADA is growing up fast, and U.S.

Episode #1256: Tesla IS phasing out its legacy models X  and S to make room for humanoid robots.

Episode #1255: Waymo gains ground on rideshare rivals as Tesla undercuts them all.

Episode #1254: GM takes a multibillion-dollar EV hit but says 2026 looks brighter, white-hat hackers cash in by cracking EV chargers and infotainment systems, and the airline industry gets its annual report card General Motors closed 2025 with a wider quarterly loss after taking billions in EV and China-related charges.

Episode #1253: Today we’re digging into why fixed ops is carrying the dealership profit load, how dealer-focused AI just landed serious funding, and why Ford teaming up with Carhartt is about a lot more than merch.

These three dealers used to work together, and now they are teaming up to make a real difference.

Episode #1251: Today’s show comes to you from Washington, DC as Public Policy Day wraps and the auto industry’s biggest themes take center stage.

Episode #1250: Colorado dealers filed suit on VW-backed Scout’s direct-sales license, insurers face political heat as profits soar and affordability cracks, and Lemonade rolls out Tesla Full Self-Driving-based insurance, hinting at a future where driving software sets the rate.

Episode #1249: We dig into why affordability—not EV tech—is the real sales bottleneck heading into 2026, how agentic shopping is reshaping the idea of ‘merit’ across retail, and why Jeff Daniels’ new stage play about a struggling dealership is hitting close to home for the auto industry.

Episode #1248: Dealer confidence takes a hit as affordability pressures and tighter margins creep into Q4, even as fixed ops and F&I try to hold the line.

Episode #1247: Canada slashes EV tariffs in a controversial China deal, OpenAI kicks off its ad-supported ChatGPT Go plan, and Recurrent CEO Scott Case calls out the real EV story: a booming used market dealers can’t afford to miss.

Today, Head Writer Chris Reeves joins the show to share how the Super Chevy Dealers of Baton Rouge and Our Lady of the Lake came together to honor Vietnam veteran and former police officer Michael King with a new 2026 Chevy Equinox RS—proof that when a community shows up, the impact goes far beyond the driveway.

Episode #1245: Honda unveils a brand-wide logo reboot, Tesla brings its massive Texas lithium refinery online, and U.S.

Episode #1244: Today we're talking about Tesla's FSD flip to subscription-only, the continued softening of auto credit conditions, and a loyalty report that says your customers are expecting way more.

Episode #1243: We’re talking about a viral moment at Ford’s Dearborn plant, a smart strategy for turning old trade-ins into profit, and surprising insights into the real buying power of Gen Alpha.

Episode #1242: Today we have a very special edition of The Automotive State of the Union .

Episode #1241: CarMax leans on price cuts and marketing to spark sales, Toyota takes its iconic Hilux electric in Europe, and Walmart keeps scaling drone delivery as demand grows.

Today, Paul Kyle, and Chris Reeves are together again after a bunch of guest hosts and holiday episodes.

Episode #1239:  Ford earns top honors as America’s most iconic company, Stellantis drops every PHEV from its 2026 lineup, and McKinsey’s CEO reminds us there are still a few things humans do better than AI.

Episode #1238:  Ford is promising eyes-off driving by 2028.

Episode #1237: Today we’re talking about BMW and Mercedes battling it out at CES with next-gen AI, a surprising sedan surge in the used market, and how ChatGPT is causing headaches for doctors and lawyers alike.

Episode #1236: We’re continuing our coverage of CES with headlines on Hyundai’s humanoid robot plans and Sony Honda’s SUV twist on the Afeela.

Episode #1235: Welcome to the first news show of the new year!

Episode #1234: Kicking off 2026, Paul and Kyle welcome Damon Lester for a deeply personal conversation about burnout, mental health, and leadership in retail auto.

Have insights into how 2025 went or how 2026 is shaping up?

Episode #1231: We close the year with the smartest auto industry analyst in the game.

Episode #1231: Paul sits down with Cars Commerce’s Brian Kramer to break down how 2025 is ending and what dealers should expect in Q1 2026.

Episode #1230: Paul and Kyle sit down with CMA’s Liza Borches to talk people, culture, and leadership.

On this last Saturday of the year, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to discuss Christmas, New Year's Resolutions and how they've seen themselves change over the last year, and their plans to see continued growth and success in 2026.

Episode #1228: The day after Christmas, Kyle flies solo with Brian Benstock to talk 2026 strategy.

Episode #1227: It's Christmas Eve and Paul and Kyle are in holiday mode.

Episode #1226: We’re talking rising auto prices and longer-term debt in the U.S., Kazakhstan’s record-setting manufacturing momentum, and Simon Sinek’s take on why Gen Z might be the most rational workforce yet.

Episode #1225: Cars Commerce’s Alex breaks down why the future isn’t car vending machines, Waymo robotaxis freeze during a San Francisco power outage, and Gen Z embraces the holiday experiences.

What does real leadership look like when it’s time to let go?

Episode #1223: Cars Commerce lines up its next CEO as a new chapter begins for dealer tech.

Episode #1222: Today we break down Cox Automotive’s 2026 forecast and why fragmentation is becoming the industry’s defining theme.

Episode #1221: Today we break down GM’s post-Cruise autonomy reboot, why used EVs are quietly outperforming new ones as buyers regain confidence, and how a soaring SpaceX valuation has pushed Elon Musk’s wealth past $650 billion.

Episode #1220: Ford slams the brakes on big EV bets and kills the Lightning, pivoting to hybrids and EREVs.

Episode #1219: Carvana adds another CDJR store as its retail expansion heats up.

Episode #1218: Kyle Mountsier and Chris Reeves jump into the middle of December to talk about the all-team in-person meeting that More Than Cars had this past week.

Episode #1217: Ionna ramps up charging despite slumping EV demand, VW rethinks its electric strategy with range extenders, and a Waymo ride turns into a delivery room as a newborn arrives before first responders.

Episode #1216: Today we dig into the tightening-but-shifting new-car inventory landscape, explore Nissan’s bold attempt to rediscover its “North Star”, and watch Target leapfrog competitors by baking full-on AI shopping directly into ChatGPT.

Episode #1215: Today we break down why monthly payments keep climbing despite improving fundamentals, VinFast’s shrinking U.S.

Episode #1214: Asbury sets the stage for its next leadership chapter, Ford teams with Renault to regain momentum in Europe, and the President’s kei-car wish sparks a reality check on what it would take to bring microcars to U.S.

Episode #1213: Today we’re talking Scout’s aggressive service-first launch strategy, Carvana’s stunning rise past Detroit’s giants as it joins the S&P 500, and Waymo’s shift from polite AV to confidently assertive city driver.