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Today, writer Chris Reeves joins Kyle to talk Fresno Acura’s annual #PinkAcura campaign is back for its 12th year, turning a bright pink car into a traveling symbol of hope.

• Each fall, the Pink Acura visits schools, fundraisers, and local events — inviting people to sign the car in honor of loved ones touched by breast cancer.
• The signatures, memories, and messages become a moving tribute from the Fresno community.
• When the tour ends, Fresno Acura donates to Community Medical Center’s Radin Breast Care Center, funding early detection and treatment technology.
• The proudly female- and family-owned dealership uses the campaign to raise awareness — and remind everyone to schedule that check-up.
• “Every mark matters,” the team says — and after 12 years, this dealership’s impact proves it.

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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Episode #1168: Today we’re covering how top dealerships are building stronger workplace cultures, why subprime auto delinquencies are rising, and how Ferrari’s first EV aims to keep its signature sound authentic.

• The Automotive News 2025 Best Dealerships To Work For study reveals what separates top employers from the rest — and it’s more about people than paychecks.
  • Winning dealerships excelled in communication, transparency, and trust — 88% of employees said they’re “kept aware of the dealership’s financial status” vs. just 65% at nonwinners.
  • They lead with fairness: 92% of employees at top stores felt “paid fairly,” and were satisfied with their benefits, compared to 71% elsewhere.
  • Flexible work options are gaining traction, with 48% of Best Dealerships offering four-day workweeks and 79% offering flexible hours.
  • Health and wellness programs were a hallmark — 70% offered fitness reimbursements, and 75% trained managers to spot stress and burnout.
  • “You build trust through being transparent,” said Tim Bergstrom, CEO of Bergstrom Automotive
  • The top dealership to work for in 2025 is Capitol Nissan Salem of the Capitol Auto Group, but we have some friends on the list including Mohawk Honda, 6 from the Rohrman Auto Group, 2 from the Matthews Auto Group and nearly 40 from Bergstrom Automotive

• The U.S. auto market is showing signs of financial strain as more buyers fall behind on car payments. Rising prices, higher interest rates, and stagnant wages are hitting lower-income consumers hardest.
  • Nearly 14% of new-car buyers now have credit scores below 650 — the highest share since 2016, according to J.D. Power.
  • More than 6% of subprime auto loans are 60 or more days delinquent, a record high, Fitch Ratings reports.
  • Roughly 1.7 million vehicles were repossessed last year — the most since 2009.
  • Lender Tricolor Holdings filed for bankruptcy, underscoring the strain on borrowers with limited credit access.

• Ferrari’s first EV, the Elettrica, won’t fake the sound of a V8 — it’s creating a new, authentic electric soundtrack. The brand’s engineers designed a system that amplifies real motor vibrations to create a natural, emotionally engaging tone.
  • Ferrari rejected synthetic engine noise and instead amplifies genuine drivetrain frequencies through a sensor on the rear axle.
  • The sound activates only when the driver calls for torque, offering “dialogue between driver and car.”
  • The system, developed in-house, works like an electric guitar — converting real vibrations into an audible, performance-linked tone.
  • Ferrari hasn’t yet revealed the sound to the public, though early testers reportedly praised it.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:35 New Auto Collabs Episode with Michael Kraut of Exp

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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Episode #1167: GM kills its creative EV tax credit plan while Ford plays coy, the Chevy Bolt returns faster and cheaper than ever, and three Nissan dealers take their high-mileage heroes on a 1,500-mile proving ground through the American West.

• General Motors has scrapped a short-lived plan that would have allowed dealers to keep offering a $7,500 federal EV lease credit after the subsidy expired on September 30. The move follows political pushback and dealer uncertainty around compliance.
  • GM’s plan involved having GM Financial buy EVs from dealer inventory, claim the federal credit, and pass the savings into leases through the end of 2024.
  • GM had already begun funding incentives on about 20,000 EVs, with 5% down payments made on those vehicles prior to September 30.
  • The program was meant to help dealers avoid being stuck with higher-priced EVs post-credit, but Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), a former dealer, objected to the move, calling it an overreach beyond the law’s expiration. GM ended the plan shortly after.
  • Ford rolled out a similar workaround ahead of the credit’s expiration but has declined to confirm whether it plans to continue offering the lease incentives.

• At a “Bolt Block Party” at Universal Studios Hollywood, GM has officially reintroduced the Chevy Bolt, its beloved affordable EV.
  • The new Bolt gains GM’s Ultium 65kWh LFP battery for faster charging, improved range, and bidirectional home power support.
  • Charging now jumps to 150kW (10–80% in 26 minutes) — triple the previous speed — with 255 miles of range and Tesla’s NACS port for Supercharger access.
  • The interior gets a bigger screen, refreshed materials and GM’s SuperCruise driver assist with lane-changing “route following.”
  • Pricing starts at just under $29K, making it the cheapest announced EV in the U.S., with production starting in early 2026.
  • The only controversy? No more Apple CarPlay or Android Auto — GM is betting on its new in-house infotainment instead.

• Three Nissan dealers traded in their desks for desert dust, road-tripping 1,500 miles across the American West in three used Nissans — all over 100K miles and under $10K — to prove the brand’s reliability and shake up customer perceptions.
  • The “Tour Detour” YouTube series follows the group’s off-road trek through salt flats, canyons, dunes, and mountain passes in two Muranos and a Juke.
  • Dealers Tim Pohanka, Chris Lenckosz, and Jason Cole financed and drove the cars themselves, documenting every gritty mile.
  • The goal: to challenge Nissan’s reputation around “continuously variable transmissions” durability and show that even high-mileage models can take a beating.
  • “We bought the cars ourselves and pushed them through the toughest roads in the West,” said Pohanka. “We wanted them to earn our trust — and our custome

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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Episode #1166: Tesla’s new “affordable” EVs aren’t quite the bargain they seem, Ford’s return-to-office mandate sparks employee backlash, and Mattel teams up with OpenAI’s Sora 2 to reimagine how toys come to life.

Show Notes with links:

• Tesla’s newest “Standard” versions of the Model 3 and Model Y were meant to bring affordability back to the brand — but the math tells another story. Despite cutting prices, the value gap is slim and the features list is slimmer.
  • The Model 3 starts at $36,990 and the Model Y at $39,990, both roughly $5,000 cheaper than premium trims.
  • The missing features? Autosteer, rear seat heating, power mirrors, LED lightbar, and even a proper glass roof — now covered with a liner.
  • Tesla removed $6,000–$8,000 worth of equipment, yet financed rates make monthly payments just $78 less than the higher-trim versions.
  • When the $7,500 U.S. EV tax credit was still active, Tesla’s premium trims actually cost less than these new “affordable” models — a Model Y Long Range, for example, effectively came in around $37,500 after incentives, versus $39,990 now with no credit.
  • Analysts warn the cars may cannibalize existing sales without attracting new buyers under $30k.
  • “It’s basically a pricing lever, not a product catalyst,” said Shay Boloor of Futurum Equities, calling Tesla’s move more smoke than spark.

• Ford’s big push to bring employees back four days a week isn’t going smoothly. After new attendance rules took effect in September, some workers say they were threatened with termination—even while following the policy.
  • Ford ordered most white-collar staff to return four days a week starting Sept. 1, citing collaboration and growth goals.
  • Automated emails warned some workers they could be fired for low badge-ins, even those meeting approved hybrid schedules.
  • HR leaders admitted the system “caught up people doing the right things” and said future messaging would be revised.
  • Employees cite burnout, overcrowded offices, and frustration over rigid schedules that make cross-time-zone work harder.

• Mattel is teaming up with OpenAI to test Sora 2, the latest AI video-generation tool that turns sketches into lifelike product visuals — and could reinvent how toys are designed and pitched.
  • The partnership lets Mattel designers transform early sketches into video concepts in minutes using OpenAI’s API.
  • CEO Sam Altman said the goal is to “bring product ideas to life more quickly.”
  • The collaboration marks one of the first real-world tests of Sora 2 since OpenAI’s Developer Day showcase.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:03 ASOTU Edge Webinar TODAY
2:14 Tesla Debuts "Standard" Model 3 and Model Y
7:40 Ford Struggles with Return-To-Office Mandate
10:58 Ma

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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Episode #1165: Today we’re talking about dealerships hitting the 100-year mark and how they’re still family-run, Lincoln Electric’s new portable EV charger that brings dead batteries back to life, and ChatGPT’s new integrations that let it control apps like Spotify, Zillow, and Canva right inside the chat.

• Reaching 100 years in business is rare. Reaching it in the dealership world—while staying family-owned—is exceptional. Automotive News featured five centenarian stores that prove that legacy and adaptability can thrive together.
  • Huffines Auto Dealerships (TX) marks 101 years and four generations, founded on “a love of people.”
  • Kings Ford (OH) has been selling Fords since 1915, with the Ring family training staff to “listen before selling.”
  • McClinton Chevrolet (WV) began in 1919; now fourth-gen dealer Ginny Bowden calls it “an honor and a privilege” to continue her family’s legacy.
  • Porter Automotive Group (DE) celebrates 100 years of resilience, with five generations carrying the torch into the digital age while staying proudly independent amid consolidation.
  • Theodore Robins Ford (CA), born from a bold move in 1923, still sells Fords “as long as they’ve been making them.”
  • “If you care about people, put the customers and the employees at the forefront of your mission, it can work out.” — Sam Huffines
    • And even though they weren’t featured in this article, we have to shout out the team at Carter Myers Automotive, who started selling cars out of their hardware store in 1902 and helped us coin the phrase, Love People More Than You Love Cars
• The folks famous for fusing steel are now saving EVs from roadside shame. Welding company Lincoln Electric’s new Velion 50kW DC Fast Charger is a portable “box of salvation” that can jolt a dead EV back to life — no outlet required.
  • The Velion delivers 50kW of DC power directly into the battery, bypassing the inverter for quick, real-world charging.
  • It’s built for tow companies, utility fleets, and roadside crews who want to bring charge instead of tow hooks.
• OpenAI just gave ChatGPT a serious upgrade: it can now control other apps like Spotify, Zillow, and Canva without leaving the chat.
  • The new integrations let users search for homes on Zillow, create marketing designs in Canva, or generate playlists in Spotify, all through simple prompts.
  • Tools like Figma and Coursera can help visualize data or recommend learning content directly within the chat.
  • Travel platforms Expedia and Booking.com can now handle trip planning, complete with live pricing and maps.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:03 Announcements: MoreThanCars.com and ASOTU Edge Webinar tomorrow!
2:10 These 6 Dealerships Are Over 100 Year Old
5:54 Lincoln Electric Releases Mobile EV Charger
8:35 ChatGPT

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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Episode #1164: Today we’re talking America’s EV charging boom just as electric sales cool, previewing Tesla’s October tease for a cheaper Model Y, and diving headfirst into Sora 2.

Show Notes with links:

• Just as EV sales start to sputter, America’s charging network is finally finding its rhythm. After years of false starts and government delays, billions in private investment and public funding have sparked a nationwide buildout—making it easier than ever to find a fast charger, even if fewer drivers need one.
  • EV sales are projected to drop 25% next quarter after the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit.
  • The number of U.S. fast-charging ports has jumped 80% in two years to more than 60,000.
  • Private companies and retailers like Walmart have poured over $9.5 billion into new charging sites since late 2023.
  • “Charging deserts” are slowly disappearing, but reliability issues and software hiccups still frustrate some EV owners.
  • “The charging industry is really maturing at a time when the rest of the EV industry is in this period of uncertainty,” said Nick Nigro, founder of Atlas Public Policy.

• Tesla is teasing an October 7 reveal, sparking investor excitement about what could be its long-awaited affordable EV. With slowing sales, an aging lineup, and the loss of federal tax credits, the Elon Musk-led automaker is hoping a lower-cost Model Y can recharge its momentum—and Wall Street’s faith.
  • Tesla released a nine-second teaser video on X showing illuminated headlights and the date “10/7.”
  • The new vehicle is expected to be a lower-cost Model Y, roughly 20% cheaper to produce than the refreshed version.
  • Tesla plans to scale production to 250,000 units annually in the U.S. by 2026.
  • Analysts project deliveries could hit 1.85 million vehicles next year, with the new model driving growth.
  • “Tesla has to prove it can stay exciting without the tax credit boost—and this new model may be its best shot,” one analyst said.

• OpenAI’s new app Sora 2 has exploded to the top of the App Store, blurring the line between creation and chaos. Part TikTok, part AI video generator, and part deepfake machine, it’s turning anyone with a phone into a filmmaker — and sending media pros into existential meltdown.
  • Sora 2 is being called “ChatGPT for creativity,” letting users star in AI-generated short videos.
  • The app quickly hit #1 in the U.S. App Store and follows Meta’s competing “Vibes” AI video feed.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
0:45 Congrats to Nashville SC on winning the US Open Cup
1:49 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with Uber for Business
3:04 US Fast Charger Number Grows to 60K
6:11 Tesla Teases October 7 Reveal
9:22 Sora 2 Climbs To #1 On the

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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Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to share how the Jeff Wyler Auto Group gave away a car to a homeless veteran.

The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family rolled out the red carpet for 34-year-old veteran Theron Bell, surprising him with a brand-new 2023 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X Edition. Bell, who served in Afghanistan from 2011–2012 and lives with PTSD, had no reliable transportation before Friday.

Chosen from five candidates, Bell was stunned: “I feel like I’m in Hollywood. I feel like I’m dreaming. Like it’s The Price Is Right.”

The Frontier came loaded — lifted wheels, roof racks, even a tent kit — plus three years of paid maintenance, one year of insurance, and a full year of fuel. The gift was co-sponsored by Kentucky Wounded Heroes, continuing a Wyler tradition that began two years ago when another veteran received a Toyota 4Runner.

Bell’s message back to veterans: “Never give up. If you don’t quit, you’ll make it.”

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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Episode #1162: Tesla posts a surprise Q3 sales record, $1,000 car payments are becoming the new normal, Meta plans to use AI chats to make ad targeting more personal than ever.

Show Notes with links:

• Tesla delivered a surprise Q3 record after a rocky first half of the year, beating Wall Street expectations with nearly half a million EVs sold. But with the federal EV tax credit now gone, the question is whether momentum can carry into Q4 and beyond.
  • Tesla delivered 497,099 vehicles, topping estimates of 456,000 and reversing two quarters of declines.
  • Model 3 and Y deliveries rose 9%, while other models dropped 30%.
  • Tesla’s energy business hit a record, nearly doubling storage deployments to 12.5 GWh.
  • Rivian also posted a 32% bump, delivering 13,201 EVs in Q3.

• What used to be unthinkable is now routine: the $1,000-a-month car payment. Nearly one in six new-car buyers are signing up for four-figure notes, a trend driven by rising prices, interest rates, and longer terms — reshaping affordability conversations across the showroom floor.
  • In 2015, only 2.4% of buyers paid $1,000+; that number hit 16.6% in July
  • SUVs (53%) and pickups (37%) dominate these deals; 5% of all $1,000+ buyers drove off in an F-150.
  • Buyers today face average loans near $42K at 6.8% interest, compared to $28K at 3.9% a decade ago.
  • Longer terms now stretch over 68 months on average, nearly a year longer than 2015.
  • “There are some that are very shocked by the payment,” said Cody Anderson, GSM at Freedom Ford. “Their payment thought process is five years ago compared to now.”

• Meta is about to supercharge its ad business by tapping into conversations people have with its AI chatbot. Starting December 16, chats with Meta AI will help determine not just what ads users see, but what content fills their feeds across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
  • Meta AI chats will feed new ad-targeting signals, similar to posts, likes, and connections.
  • Example: Talk about hiking → expect more hiking ads and related content.
  • The company stresses sensitive topics (politics, religion, health, etc.) won’t be used for targeting.
  • Meta earned $46.5B in ad revenue last quarter, up 21% YoY.
  • “Interactions with AIs will be another signal we use to improve people’s experience,” Meta said.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:35 The huge news out of More Than Cars
2:48 Tesla Sets Delivery Record
5:35 Nearly 17% of Car Payments are $1000
8:45 Meta Will Use AI Searches To Target Ads To Users

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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