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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. dealerships.

Show Notes with links:

• Asbury Automotive is gearing up for a major leadership handoff this May as longtime CEO David Hult moves into the Executive Chairman role and COO Dan Clara steps into the top seat. The move caps a disciplined succession plan following years of rapid growth.
  • Hult, 60, says the transition comes at “the right time” as Asbury continues strong momentum from record acquisitions and profit expansion.
  • Under Hult, Asbury tripled earnings and shareholder value while nearly tripling annual new-vehicle volume.
  • Clara joined Asbury as a client adviser at a BMW store in 2002 and rose through the ranks, most recently becoming COO in February.
  • Leadership praised Clara’s operational chops, strategic mindset, and success integrating large-scale acquisitions.
  • “His drive, strategic mindset, and strong dedication to our values make him the logical choice to serve as Asbury’s next CEO,” Hult said.
• Ford is teaming up with Renault to develop small EVs tailored for Europe as competition from Chinese automakers accelerates. The partnership gives Ford a more cost-competitive path forward after years of shrinking share and restructuring in the region.
  • Renault will build two Ford-designed small EVs in France, with the first arriving in 2028.
  • Ford’s U.S. “skunk works” EV platform is too large and expensive for Europe’s compact segments.
  • Ford’s European share has fallen to 3.3%, down from 7.2% in 2015, despite multiple restructuring rounds and job cuts.
  • ““We know we’re in a fight for our lives in our industry, and no better example than here in Europe,” CEO Jim Farley told reporters.
• After the President floated the idea of bringing Japan’s tiny kei cars to the U.S. to address vehicle affordability, experts quickly noted the steep sales and production hurdles. While automakers say they’re always exploring lower-cost options, kei cars would require a level of demand the U.S. has never shown.
  • In a Truth Social post, Trump said he had "just approved TINY CARS to be built in America," calling them "inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!!" and urged manufacturers, "START BUILDING THEM NOW!"
  • Microcars peaked at just 114,000 U.S. sales in 2014—far below the volume needed to make kei-car production viable today.
  • Analysts say an automaker would need around 200,000 annual sales to justify investment, even under ideal conditions.
  • “When we had a chance to buy smaller cars in the past, most of us chose not to purchase them,” said Stephanie Brinley of S&P Global Mobility.
• Thank you to today’s sponsor, Mia. Capture more revenue, protect CSI, and never miss a call or connection again with 24/7 phone coverage an

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