The Automotive Troublemaker

Today we bring you up to speed from a wild start to 2022 as we talk about what the trends in the markets, proposed FTC rules, and what one Dealer is doing to serve the community mean for you.

On this beautiful Summer Day we’re talking about the birthday of the iPhone and it’s impact on society. We also cover JD Power’s Initial Quality survey and how things aren’t trending in the right direction, as well as new report from the American Psychiatric Association showing that a large portion of the adult population are too stressed to do normal things and what we can do about it.

We’re celebrating our 200th Episode of the Automotive Troublemaker by….bringing you essential news and insights of course :). Today we talk about Ford keeping their off lease EVs, summarizing the Super Bowl of NFTs, and studying the first 90 days of a new hire.

It’s full speed ahead this Monday as we hit the ground running on some lingering items from last week and take a fresh look at what’s happening with Automotive, retail, consumer demand, and preview what’s in store this week as we move toward closing out June with massive momentum.

Paul and Kyle wrap up VADA with a conversation with Mike Stanton and Liza Borches talking all things Franchise Retail Automotive.

We are winding down our time at the VADA convention and have been enamored by the energy and conversations here. Less than 2 weeks from now tickets for ASOTU CON will go on sale, but for now: the news. GM and Ford are racing to the top to take over Tesla, July 4th weekend looks like it will be a record for car travel, and Amazon has implemented their first full autonomous robot to hold down the warehouse floor.

We are still enjoying the beautiful landscape of the hills of Ashville at the VADA Convention. Today we catch you up on some conversations that happened at the convention yesterday, a robot charging station, gas tax initiatives, and a reality check on getting VR closer to reality.

As the Virginia Auto Dealers Association annual meeting kicks off in Asheville, NC, we’re talking about who Dealers are focusing on in their efforts to move forward. We also cover continually rising new car pricing, as well as how to get creative with the business you already have.

Happy Friday! Today we’re covering the Automotive News Congress in Washington yesterday, we review some of the many class act LinkedIn posts from former Tesla employees, and talk about why some Sonos customers just keep having speakers show up at their front do

A mix of seriousness and fun on today’s show as we talk about the current and future rate increases from the Fed, Facebook putting on some summer shorts, printing parts in parts to increase service speed, and an amazing little scooter.

This Wednesday we’re surveying the consumer landscape starting with the standings in the EV Truck race. We also talk about retail spending shifts, Coinbase’s about face with its staff, and finally, streaming for a sport that actually makes sense from a consumer’s standpoint.

It’s Troublemaker Tuesday and we’ve got a full plate of trouble to talk about from the markets that just can’t seem to stay out of the headlines, to a joint letter from automakers to congress. We’re also talking about the potentially real arrival of Amazon drone delivery almost a decade later.

We’ve got a special episode today as we talk about the rapidly shifting wholesale market. We also have the honor of being the first to announce the big move of ASOTU Investor and long time dealer, Brian Kramer as he is named EVP Cars.com to be Head of used car acquisition platform AccuTrade. Hang on everyone, we’re comin’ in hot on a Monday.

Friday is shaping up to be a full day as we talk about yesterday’s trip, and specifically, two young lot attendants. We also talk about Porsche’s new partnership with new startup incubator, Up.Labs, Saturn’s ‘crazy’ idea from 20 years ago, and EV standards being shaped by the US.

We’re in the City of Brotherly Love this Thursday and are talking about ASOTU CON plans, the EU going all in on EV by 2035, the financial sense of an electric lifestyle, and Brad Pitt driving Formula 1

Welcome to Wednesday as we’re talking about Lucids partnership with Bank of America to offer seamless financing, Manheim reporting a rise in wholesale prices, Taco bell’s new concept store that could set the standard for drive thru, and Ford’s surprise Lightning accessory.

There was lots of excitement for Apple fans yesterday around the WWDC22 event and broader implications for the future of flexibility for in-vehicle UIs. We’re giving you a summary of both. We also cover Ford’s contribution to a middle school summer camp in the Tampa Bay area, and also talk about summer gas prices and consumer driving habits.

We’re making some big trouble on a Monday morning as we talk through Volvo’s partnership with the creator of the popular game Fortnite, Epic Games. We also have special guest, Brain Pasch on the show to talk about his direct approach to questioning Ford CEO, Jim Farley’s direct approach to selling EVs.

This Friday is a blend of volatility and stability as we talk about the latest auto Intel report, EV pricing taking a big step forward by taking a big step backward, and which billionaires make the most impact.

The key word for this Thursday’s show is ‘transition’. From Ford CEO, Jim Farley’s recent talk, to a massive leadership move for Meta, to Used Car indicators; we are moving from one thing to the next. To us, this smells a lot like opportunity.

We’re coming off of a day in the dirt as we spend the day in and out of a dozen showrooms. So today, we’re talking about showroom flow, EV charging stations lagging behind expected demand, and the international labor shortage coming to our shores.

Summer is here for many, but shortages are persisting. Today we talk through some of the reasoning. We also talk about the legendary Delorean that is about to spread its EV (gull)wings.

Memorial Day weekend has unofficially begun. We are joined this morning by Matt Lasher with the West Herr Group to talk a bit about marketing and OEM programs. Time to gear up for a huge close and the kickoff to the summer selling season. Get out your grillware and fire up the burners!

It’s Thursday, folks! As we round the corner this week we’re talking about takeaways from Brian Pasch’s DMSC conference in Napa, the strength of Dealer associations and NADA showing up, and the real possibility of a battery that lasts 100 years.

Today we cover the breakout horse in the drone package delivery race, talk about they simple ‘why’ behind the recently discovered GM consumer hack, and discuss some 3rd party online transaction options. We’ll also try our best to make fun of ourselves. 

It’s a brand-spanking-new Tuesday to make some trouble as we take a look across Auto Retail, marketing, and all retail this morning. From big moves in Europe that give us warning, to the consumer mindset regarding social media ad platforms, we’re leaning in with Auto Dealers so that we can all lean-into our teams and communities today.

This Monday, we’re walking with our heads up, and eyes scanning the horizon as we summarize Paul’s recent trip to the Web3 conference, VeeCon. We also talk about Mercedes getting creative with its charitable giving (and why we think you should too). Finally, we look at Amazon’s newest last-mile delivery testing.

With Paul on the ground at VeeCon, we hear from him and invite Brian Kramer to the show. We are talking cars with ghosts (seemingly), a new podcast to listen to, and how markets are impacting dealers.

Today’s flyover is a target-rich environment with a wide swath of news. In order to keep it under 12 hours, we’re talking about Tesla getting kicked from the ESG index (we’ll explain), why signals are not looking good for subprime borrowers, and the new priorities in return-to-work as evidenced by Adidas.

Working through a Wednesday of movement and stalling as we talk about the Fed’s position and posture toward inflation. We also talk about Carvana’s license suspension in Illinois, and Cadillac’s move into the younger demographic.

Tuesday’s are for Troublemakers as we talk about the revealing of a new Tesla hack with broader implications, Home Depot is seeing fewer customers but higher revenue, and the great Dealer consolidation marches on.

There is a lot to talk about this Monday as we survey the retail landscape across fast food, fitness, Auto OEM’s, and publicly traded auto retail including Vroom’s rightsizing and CarGurus new end to end offering for Dealers.

It’s a retail consumer facing kind of day as we talk about some major shifts of recent norms. We dive into crypto’s current fallout as well as Disney’s ad-supported strategy for a completely DTC version of ESPN. We also celebrate the resilience of Ukrainian workers who are supplying vital harnesses to the Automotive Industry. 

We’re back in our respective Nashville and Syracuse saddles today as we give a flyover of the on-the-ground reaction of the Retail Auto Industry to the Carvana layoffs as well as Toyota’s decline in profitability due to raw material costs. Speaking of ‘flying over’, we talk about one company working to bring flying cars to the masses.

Digital Dealer may be wrapping up today, but the automotive industry has a full head of steam. For those that are iPod historians, we have a sad truth hitting the airwaves today. From things leaving to things coming back, we know that change is always in the air in the current market.

We are brimming with pride after seeing so many incredible people from across automotive yesterday. This industry really is incredible, and being in person with so many of the brightest minds confirms it over and over. We are live at Digital Dealer Tampa and talking through the Ford share sell off, F1 Miami for the weekend, and the reality of Crypto matching stocks staring at everyone.

We’re giving our quick takes and must see sessions on the first day of Digital Dealer in Tampa, Florida.

Only one weekend away from Digital Dealer and our ASOTU Family Reunion:Remix event! We are resting up to be ready to see all of our friends again. Today we take a journey around humanizing your approach in business. 

Today we’re making finance fun as we talk about yesterday’s interest rate hike, the NFT that broke the blockchain, more Dealers accepting crypto and how you can make sense of it all whatever your position in the Dealership is.

We can’t believe we didn’t work in a May the 4th be with you story as we’re talking about the consumer mindset today. Despite inflation and record-low OEM production, consumers are planning a big summer according to indicators, and we think Retail Auto should have something to do with making it happen!

Today we are talking about identifying the things we both can and can’t control as we talk about EV credits ending for Toyota, a growing number of retirees getting back into the workforce due to rising costs, and Facebook calling it quits on its podcast platform just one year after launch.

It’s a sparkling-fresh new month as May rolls in with lots of optimism and opportunities. Today we talk about the shifting landscape at the front of the pack in Retail Auto as big players have been making big moves. We also talk about this months Auto Intel Report by Steve Greenfield as well as update you a a crypto move we reported on regarding Nike months ago. 

Today we cover some high level topics like earnings from Sonic Automotive and Amazon, all the way to ground-level action like the meteoric rise of catalytic converter theft. We also give you a few reasons to go into your day with a smile on your face, and the car biz in your heart.

Retail Automotive is an intrinsically ‘human’ business. That’s why today isn’t about metal and money, but about the human elements of creativity, popularity and parenthood (kind of). For us, that all translates into a much better business if you’re paying attention to the right things. 

Today we talk about the very first Ford Lighting rolling off the production line, the largest retirement plan holder allowing investments in Bitcoin, and we’re talking about Pontiac’s final days. 

Just 24 months ago, today’s episode would seem like crazy-talk, but instead, it’s real talk as we dive into Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter, Texas’ turning up the heat on used car retailer Vroom, and Meta is opening a real-world store to hoc the metaverse. And it’s only Tuesday, Troublemakers. 

It’s a beautiful Monday to make some trouble as we give our quick takes from the recently released Annual NADA Franchise report. We also talk about what Toyota and Nissan are up to in the metaverse as well as the impending closing of Carvana’s acquisition of Adessa and what that might mean for the popularity of the country's second largest auction house. 

Every time we get to tell the story of ASOTU, it brings so much energy to what we are doing today. Looking back, pressing forward, and living in the moment all allow us to keep the vision alive for you and for this industry! Disruption, business ebb and flow, and new trends are all a part of the show this morning, so buckle up and ride with us!

Today we dig into an array of earnings reports from public auto groups, automakers, and retailers. Namely, Lithia, Carvana, and Tesla. We also talk about consumer behaviors driving Netflix’s slide as well as Lincoln’s understanding of merging hospitality best practices with the automotive experience.

It’s National Cold Brew Day and we’re going to need the caffeine as we talk about the F150 launch schedule surprise, consumer demand showing up in force at the New York Auto Show and one Dealer’s positive deployment of MSRP.

On today’s show we preview our upcoming live event in Tampa on May 9th, The ASOTU Family Reunion : Remix. We also talk about Apples likely NFL deal, how BMW plans on retaking its luxury segment title, and could this be the end of masked flights?

Monday doesn’t disappoint with fresh ideas and challenges to kick off the new week. Today we’re talking about the future of MSRP and the Dealer’s role in new car sales, Honda making moves in the CPO space, and consumer indicators in air travel are a sign of the times regarding employment. It’s a good day to make some trouble. 

This Monday Morning we’re making TROUBLE by calibrating the Consumer Experience dial with real-world, real-time evidence. To quote the heroine Dorothy,“We aren’t in Kansas anymore.” We talk about a Rochester Chipotle rep, new rules for baseball, an Academy Award first, and a word from some friends at JD Power about how we should be treating the indicators we’ve been using.

Thursday is electric as we cover the much anticipated launch of the Ford Lightning Pickup and Honda’s bold ambitions to launch 30 EVs by 2030. We also talk about Elon’s “best and final” offer to buy Twitter. All of it. 

This Wednesday we dig into the Carmax Q4 shareholder report…and there is a lot to unpack. We also ask some real questions about EV rollouts and talk through how to prepare to respond. Everything is in a state of motion and we’re going to do what we can to ensure the ASOTU community is a step ahead. 

We got a few recommendations for our newest podcast idea and are hunting for more! Today we talk about the future of flying vehicles, the influence of a ‘car guy,’ and Toyota recognizing the need for balanced inventory strategies. Did we mention we hit 10k podcast downloads yesterday!?!?

Welcome to the first week of what we are dubbing “events season.” Ok, maybe someone else called it that first. However, we can’t wait to see you soon at one or multiple of them. We also are doing some R&D on a new show and would love your help to curate the name of it. Launching into Monday like djsmokeysmoke (Jonathan Smoke) on a Spotify playlist!

We’re troublemaking our way into Friday with stories orbiting the Retail Automotive ecosystem. Starting with an easier way to use crypto for regular purchases, moving on to the opening of the GigaFactory in Austin, TX, and rounding the corner to talk about Wal Mart’s new wage for high-demand truck drivers. Guess what, if you are in Retail Automotive (or retail in general) these stories apply to YOU.

We’re talking tech from across the spectrum today from finance, to websites, to autonomy. From Miami’s new crypto-symbolism, to a secret Dealer website project revealed, as well as a new play by Toyota regarding autonomous vehicles…we ain’t in Kansas anymore, Toto. 

Today we take a look at the latest Top 150 Dealer List published by Automotive News as well as Honda and GM’s Announced Partnership to develop affordable EV technology. We also dig into the top 5 Gen Z brands and talk about why we think they are at the top. We’ll also try to answer the question; “Which is more important; high quality creative or volume content:”

Tuesdays are for Troublemakers. This Tuesday is no exception as we talk about the implications of a car-guy being the largest shareholder in Twitter. We also dive into Steve Greefields April Auto Intel Report and talk about the breaking news of Amazon’s entry into the satellite ISP space (pun intended).

Welcome to Monday, Troublemakers! Today we talk about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Grammy Appearance last night, a potential light at the end of the LIFO tunnel thanks to a Michigan Congressman, and a potential new seat atop the Automotive News Top 150 list. So grab some coffee and your sales reports, because it’s a good morning to make some TROUBLE.

Today’s episode cover some shocking news from the Negative test results for David Long, A New Automotive-inspired crypto currency, and harvesting human energy to replace internal combustion.

Today’s show title may or may not include the summaries of our three main topics as song titles from the Troublemaker Swagger Playlist on Spotify. We’re talking about Toyota outpacing February production projections, Tesla’s plan to secure nickel supplies, and business students skipping Wall St for crypto. 

Wellllcome to Wednesday. Today we’re talking about what happens to brand loyalty when supplies are tight. Hint: It doesn’t go up. We also cover the most recent sales numbers for Q1 and some changes in the NFL that fans and teams are looking forward to

It’s a good (maybe great) day to make some trouble this fine Tuesday morning as we talk about moves to make the US more chip-friendly, the former Disney CEO who is betting big on metaverse swag (can you make us a flat-brim hat?), and the anonymous twitter account allegedly run by a dealership operator that is Trouble-with-a-capital-T.

This Monday Morning we’re making TROUBLE by calibrating the Consumer Experience dial with real-world, real-time evidence. To quote the heroine Dorothy,“We aren’t in Kansas anymore.” We talk about a Rochester Chipotle rep, new rules for baseball, an Academy Award first, and a word from some friends at JD Power about how we should be treating the indicators we’ve been using.

On this beautiful Friday Morning we’re leaning into the human element as we talk about how your teams are using social media (and how you can too), Russian Auto Plants potentially being seized, and the teenage talent you’re likely overlooking. We also get into the gains and losses of remote work culture.

Today we talk about the potential effects of all the pent up demand that may be building and what that may mean for the next year or so. We also talk about a community pushing back against a Tesla grand opening party. We’ll also take a look at the extreme remote work happening among Meta Execs.

It’s a great day to make some trouble as we cover some stories from the retail front door all the way across the world to wiring harness production in the Ukraine. From turning a showroom into a zoo, to consumers creating their own way to track dealership markups, all the way to Ukraine workers boosting wiring harness production, we’ve got trouble brewing…in good ways.

Today we ask the question, “With the dealership selling frenzy that happened in 2021, is it possible for 2022 to beat it?” We also talk about the Giga-opening in Berlin and what it means for the EV race in Europe, as well as the closing of this years SXSW festival and whether or not it will ever return to its former glory.

This Monday we are waking up to a world where you can buy and sell a real life vehicle in the metaverse. Our very own Brian Kramer lets the team who executed the first transaction and we’re going to get into it. We also talk about some new EV price hikes as well as offer a little education on Banking and Defi…it’s not as boring or irrelevant as you might think.

We wake up on a Friday morning expecting that our good friend Brian Kramer is poised and ready to complete a vehicle transaction in the metaverse! Tons to talk about around the world of news, including some resilient workers in the Ukraine keeping automotive rolling.

On this St. Patrick’s Day there are plenty of folks feeling both lucky and unlucky. Today we talk about the big ASOTU announcement at NADA, the first Retail Auto transaction in the Metaverse, big banking enters the sandbox, and ask the question “Are consumers reaching their limits with inflation?”.

Today we are full of motion. Big surprise. We get into how new car supply is keeping the lifeline active; how Starbucks and Volvo are partnering to beta test a new charging network concept, and other macro trends sure to affect our micro lives.

In our first studio podcast in a week, the reunion is real as we try (and fail) to cover everything there is to cover. We give it a solid swing as we talk through everything from oil prices to manufacturing, to Apple and the NFL. We also recount some underreported NADA stories and check in on Kyle’s new baby girl.

Saying that today's episode is an anomaly would be an understatement. Paul is delayed in an airport, Kyle's wife just had a baby, and did we mention we're coming off a 100+ hour week at NADA?

Last night, the ASOTU Crew got a little crazy at the NADA Welcome Party at Allegiant Stadium. The show goes on today and the show floor is about to open! Kyle Mountsier is joined by Ben Hadley to take a tour around the news coming from around automotive today. Anyone ready for a ride in a time machine?

All we hear is Archie Eversole circa 2002 about to drop the “We Ready” beat this morning. The podcast gets an Auto Genius takeover and we get a bit nerdy about Crypto and Friction before a full day of events in Vegas.

Even as the 2022 NADA Show fires up, the world keeps turning (believe it or not). We’re covering GM’s response to the impending nickel shortage, Apple’s new hardware and content announcements, and Nashville SC shows sponsors some Bitcoin latitude.

Wheels up and ready for tomorrow! Today we break down why the NADA Show is important to the Retail Automotive Industry. We’ll talk about the main events, nuances, and conversations within the conversations. We also talk about the first drop in Used Car prices since last August.

This is the time when leaders lead. The news is riddled with talks of conflict, oil prices, and chip shortages. We talk through what it looks like to lead a team when this is what they are experiencing outside of your walls. Also, we are gearing up for NADA Show and hope you join us by following the livestream schedule at ASOTUnada.com.

We’re leaning in on EV news this Friday as we cover a wide range of drama, reversals, announcements, and anticipations from Rivian, Tesla, Polestar, Honda, and…Sony???

Lots of movement in the retail sector today with Amazon bailing on its brick and mortar execution. We also dive a little deeper into Ford’s decision to split ICE and EV business units. Also, a new tech fund which is funded by Dealers.

Automotive is as fast paced as ever! With new acquisitions, dealers navigating tricky sales pipelines, opportunities across media, and foreign relations all factors, keeping your head up is of utmost importance. We are in rapid fire mode today and that is only half of the excitement we have headed into NADA Show!

Today we make a concerted effort to bring some of our Automotive Colleagues along in their education of the history of the Auto Industry. How can we know how far we’ve come if we don’t know where we came from? We also tell some positive Dealer stories as well as issue a customer experience warning.

Fired up on a Monday as we’re talking about Paul's trip to Waco, TX and the lessons learned from the Magnolia brand experience as and how it applies to the Automotive Industry culture? Also, we are almost to the one week countdown of NADA kickoff.

We. Have. Thoughts. When Carvana jumps into the dealer space by taking control of one of the largest auction houses in the country, there is no doubt dealers will be pulling out their microscopes on the platform. We also welcome Patrick Abad to the podcast and are talking about how he leans into community and culture at his store.

We have been wondering for a day or so how Charmin did and how many people turned themselves into poop-mojis. With that, we are constantly reminded of the juxtaposition between social trends and political turmoil. Today we welcome back Michael Cirillo to the pod!

We are only 3 weeks away from the largest conference in franchise retail automotive. The ASOTU is gearing up to ride a pirate ship up to the front door and have a ton of fun. Make sure you follow us across social media as we will work to be your eyes/ears on the street if you can’t make it!

We are hoping to contribute to the fact that everywhere you look today, someone will be reminding you it is Twosday, 2/2/22 for the last time in 200 years. With Paul on a plane to TX, Kyle is joined by Michael Cirillo, host of The Dealer Playbook podcast and CEO at FlexDealer.

We’re welcoming in the most Presidential of Holidays with original insights from Friday’s All Things Used Cars room where some of the most innovative minds on the pre-owned market. We’re also talking about GM’s new insurance product, and Kanye West at it again, breaking what we thought were the norms.

It’s been an amazing week of troublemaking with you all so far! Today we lean a bit more in OEM news, but not at the expense of how it connects with culture. From Consumer Reports to Reddit to Meta, everything is on the table for a great Friday discussion.

Today we learn a lesson or two from a record-breaking Swedish speedskater. We also talk about new privacy initiatives from Google and how they might affect advertising efforts, as well as why a Georgia Auto Dealer has a showroom packed with small business owners.

Today we dig into some ASOTU generated insights on everything from service lane tactics from yesterday’s Minority Motors Clubhouse room to an analysis of Google search traffic as a result of Super Bowl EV commercials. We also look at some encouraging trends from the hospitality and entertainment industries and what they could mean for Retail Automotive Dealers.

Ok really, we want more people in this community, sharing the thoughts and perspectives of industry leading dealers and partners. So we are counting on you to share the podcast and the Daily Push Back email. From EVs to LIFO, we are digging into the automotive industry at a data nerd level today.

We sent a surprise link as the show was starting to a few of our esteemed contributors and troublemakers. To our delight, Bob Lanham, David Long, Brian Kramer, and Tim Cox all showed up for a wild 100th episode!

When you get the chance to chat with Alex Vetter, you do…no matter what! On reports of the CARS purchase of Accu-trade, we knew we had to get Alex’s perspective, and he did not disappoint. The Super Bowl is coming, and whether it be cheering for the Bengals or the commercials, we are ready!

Enjoy and lean into the work, into the process, not the goal. This week we have been obsessed with the work and hope you are too. The energy beginning to build around NADA is palpable, but the ground game of Automotive is rapidly changing daily.

Today we’re covering the usual wide-shot spanning from Crypto-crime to a rather large Hyundai recall. We also cover one OEM’s plan to keep incentives low as inventory ramps back up.