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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.
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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.

Show Notes with links:

• Scout Motors is doubling down on a factory-run service network as it preps for a 2027 U.S. launch, betting that premium, reliable service will become a differentiator in the direct-to-consumer EV space.
  • Scout will open 25 brand-owned rooftops at launch, both “Studios,” where customers shop and interact with a sales adviser, and “Workshops,” where service is performed. 57 rooftops are planned in Year 2.
  • The brand plans 15% more annual service labor capacity than projected need to stay ahead of demand and reduce wait times.
  • Scout aims to staff 1,400 service bays with roughly 900 technicians within five years, backed by VW Group resources but operating independently.
  • “The way we describe our retail operations is a digital-first experience built on a service-first infrastructure.” — Cody Thacker, VP Commercial Operations, Scout
• Carvana’s comeback is officially Wall Street-certified as the online used-car disruptor joins the S&P 500, marking a stunning rebound from near-bankruptcy to an $87B valuation that now eclipses Ford and GM.
  • Shares have surged more than 8,000% since 2022 and nearly doubled in 2025 as demand rebounded and cost discipline kicked in.
  • Carvana now trades at 57× forward earnings, massively outpacing Detroit’s single-digit multiples.
  • The company sold a record 155,941 units in Q3, driving 55% revenue growth and fueling analyst confidence in potential volume leadership over CarMax by 2026.
  • Index inclusion on Dec. 22 is expected to trigger significant buying from funds tracking the S&P.

Waymo’s once overly-courteous robotaxis are getting a software personality shift in San Francisco—assertive, human-like driving that’s raising eyebrows, improving flow, and occasionally bending rules.

• • Riders report more aggressive lane changes, quicker merges, and tighter gaps—closer to how real-world urban drivers operate.
  • The shift follows complaints that overly passive AVs caused congestion, got stuck behind obstacles, and struggled downtown.
  • Recent incidents include an illegal U-turn, a lane-change with no signal, and even a tragic neighborhood cat strike—fueling debate over “too human” behavior.
  • Waymo says more assertiveness is required to scale in busy cities, with updates teaching AVs to make “common-sense decisions” when laws conflict.

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Episode #1212: Today we welcome our good friend Ed Roberts onto the show, to catch up on his new role and how he’s approaching the challenges of 2026.

Show Notes with links:

A major leadership shift is underway at Bozard Ford Lincoln, designed to fuel its future growth and operational alignment.

• • Ed Roberts steps into the expanded role of COO and General Manager.
  • Jeff King transitions to CEO after 15 years as GM, focusing on strategic growth.
  • Ed has 13 years of leadership experience at Bozard, including a tenure as Fixed Ops Director.

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 and texting (SMS) follow-up for sales, service, and reception. Learn more at https://www.mia.inc/

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/