Shoot us a Text. Episode #1104: EV service frustrations rise as electric sales grow, Honda steps into the insurance game, and Walmart unveils Sparky—its bold AI move to replace the search bar. Show Notes with links: Electric vehicle sales hit a new high in the first half of 2025, but the surge is putting pressure on service departments nationwide. According to CDK Global’s EV Ownership Study, more EVs are hitting the service lane — and owners are increasingly frustrated with the experience. Q2 E...
Jul 25, 2025•12 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1103: Today we’re talking about backlash against stop-start tech, Tesla’s rocky second quarter and robotaxi dreams, and Southwest’s historic shift to assigned seating. Show Notes with links: Stop-start engine systems, once praised for fuel savings, often slandered by consumers, are now catching flak from both the EPA and frustrated drivers—prompting new questions about their future. 62% of 2023 vehicles used stop-start to claim EPA efficiency credits around $30 per vehi...
Jul 24, 2025•12 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1102: Today, we're unpacking the Detroit 3's tariff turmoil with Japan, exploring how "Auction 2.0" is reshaping used-car sourcing, and tracking Delta's AI-driven pricing turbulence as Senators demand answers. The U.S. automakers GM, Ford, and Stellantis are pushing back against a new trade deal lowering Japanese auto tariffs to 15%, while tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports stay at 25%. The Detroit 3 warn this imbalance threatens U.S. auto jobs and industry. Matt B...
Jul 23, 2025•11 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1101: Today we talk about how AI is quietly reshaping the workforce under the guise of “restructuring.” GM reports a profit dip but revs up electrified truck updates to meet shifting demands. Finally, California launches an innovative apprenticeship program to tackle the auto tech shortage head-on. GM’s Q2 net income fell 35% , hit by $1.1 billion in tariffs, but the company holds firm on full-year profit goals. CEO Mary Barra highlights strategic moves to align with co...
Jul 22, 2025•10 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1100: Franchised dealerships saw a 22% profit surge in Q2, led by strong gains in import and domestic brands. Ford unveiled a high-tech electric Bronco, but it’s only for China. Meanwhile, Tesla opened its retro-style diner and drive-in in Hollywood, complete with Superchargers, rooftop views, and robot service. Franchised dealerships saw a big jump in net profits this quarter as customers rushed to buy before tariffs hit, according to the Q2 2025 Presidio-NCM Benchmark...
Jul 21, 2025•14 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1099: It’s Saturday, which means Chris Reeves is back in the studio with another story that brings all the feels. This time it’s about Speedway Subaru in Indianapolis. When a service advisor found out a longtime customer had lost everything in a house fire, including the dog that saved their life, he didn’t just offer sympathy. He took action. The team came together to donate a car and provide essentials to help the family rebuild. We talk about what it means to be orie...
Jul 19, 2025•11 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1098: Rivian is laying foundations in Georgia with a new East Coast HQ and massive EV factory. A brave deacon turns his F-150 into a life-saving shield, and gets rewarded. And OpenAI's latest ChatGPT upgrade puts real-world task management on autopilot. Rivian is plugging into Atlanta as it sets the stage for its next major manufacturing move . The EV maker is launching an East Coast HQ to support its second plant, with big plans to expand. The Atlanta office opens late...
Jul 18, 2025•12 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1097: In today’s episode, we dig into why the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and NADA are in disagreement on state franchise laws, Stellantis’ quiet hydrogen retreat, and why pop-up shops are punching above their weight in modern retail strategy. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has called on the DOJ to review state franchise laws , sparking a fierce response from NADA and highlighting long-standing tensions between OEMs and dealers. The Alliance argues some f...
Jul 17, 2025•12 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1096: We cover GM’s shift away from EVs at Orion, the end of a 112-year family legacy at Ohio’s oldest Ford dealership, and how new AI tools are challenging the finance industry’s most iconic software. General Motors is officially reversing course at its Orion Assembly plant , which had been idled since late 2023 for a planned conversion to electric vehicle production. Instead, the automaker now says the factory will build gas-powered versions of the Escalade, Silverado...
Jul 16, 2025•12 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1095: Volvo takes a $1.2B charge as EV costs and tariffs bite. Nissan shifts gears in Mississippi, shelving EV plans in favor of SUVs and pickups. And Ford steps up in Texas, donating $1.25M and deploying people and vehicles to aid flood victims. Nissan’s $500M investment to build five EVs in Canton has stalled amid political uncertainty and loss of U.S. tax credits. The automaker is eyeing SUVs and pickups to keep the lights on. With EV plans delayed, Nissan is pivotin...
Jul 15, 2025•14 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1094: Today we celebrate the industry's next generation with Automotive News’ 40 Under 40, explore why used EVs are the hottest deal on the lot, and dig into Tesla’s underwhelming Grok rollout. It’s time to recognize the rising stars shaping the future of the retail automotive business. Automotive News has released its 14th annual “Retail 40 Under 40” list , spotlighting the next generation of dealership leadership. This year’s honorees include GMs, dealer principals, C...
Jul 14, 2025•9 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1093: We know that everyone here is actually to listen to Chris Reeves on this Saturday morning. After a delightful segue about incense, smoke and fire drills in elementary school, we get into the story of St. Cloud Subaru. At Place of Hope shelter in St. Cloud, Minnesota, nearly 40 children had no place to play. Just a patch of grass across the street and a basketball court. St. Cloud Subaru noticed and jumped into action. After years of supporting the shelter through ...
Jul 12, 2025•13 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1092: We unpack how Rivian views legacy OEMs as “adversaries”, Elon’s plan to put Grok in your Tesla, and why your next Starbucks smiley face might be powered by pressure, not personality. Show Notes with links: Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe came out swinging against recent federal policy changes that gut EV incentives. But while the industry might stall, Rivian could gain room to thrive as legacy players backpedal. Scaringe called the rollback of EV tax credits and subsidie...
Jul 11, 2025•15 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1091: Today we’re covering how dealers are adapting to the end of EV tax credits, Tesla’s push to bring robotaxis to the Bay Area, and the TSA’s surprising move to let travelers keep their shoes on. Show Notes with links: With the federal EV tax credits ending September 30, dealers are shifting strategies to keep momentum in a market suddenly missing key incentives. Liza Borches of Carter Myers Automotive says, “We’re planning marketing campaigns to help [customers] tak...
Jul 10, 2025•14 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1090: Toyota leads with heart in Texas, Redwood supercharges old EV batteries for AI, and deepfake fraud hits a chilling milestone. Show Notes with links: Following catastrophic flooding, Toyota is stepping up big for its home state, pledging over $600,000 in aid to support the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and various on-the-ground recovery efforts. TMNA is joining forces with Toyota Financial Services, Gulf States Toyota, Southeast Toyota, and dealers nationwide. On t...
Jul 09, 2025•16 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1089: The federal EV tax credit countdown is officially on—and startups like Slate are feeling the pressure. Toyota’s new “K-flex” line is redefining manufacturing versatility in Georgetown, while Amazon kicks off a four-day Prime Day aimed at cautious consumers and stocked-up sellers. Show Notes with links: The countdown has started. EV tax credits vanish after September 30, 2025, slamming the brakes on what was once a key driver of electric vehicle adoption. Dealers a...
Jul 08, 2025•15 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1088: We’re kicking off the week with Elon Musk mixing politics and business, a brutal forecast for China’s crowded EV market, and one unforgettable funeral send-off in Detroit. Show Notes with links: Elon Musk’s creation of the “America” political party is fueling investor anxiety as Tesla faces a pivotal year marked by declining sales, shifting strategy, and mounting public scrutiny. Musk aims to influence key House and Senate races in 2026 via his new party, but anal...
Jul 07, 2025•12 min
Shoot us a Text. Happy July 4th! Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to celebrating the most amazing industry in the most amazing country in the world. Here's some fun facts about this July 4th: 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel 50+ miles from home between June 28 and July 6, marking a new record. 61.6 million will travel by car, making it the busiest Independence Day on the roads. 5.84 million air travelers are anticipated, with domestic airfare averaging $260 round trip—the low...
Jul 04, 2025•14 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1086: Today we unpack Q2’s early sales surge and late slip, celebrate CARFAX’s workplace wins, and wonder about Chuck E. Cheese’s nostalgic new venture for grown-ups. Show Notes with links: U.S. new-vehicle sales in Q2 were front-loaded, with consumers acting early to capitalize on incentives and avoid potential tariffs. The momentum faded by June, signaling possible headwinds ahead. Roughly 173,000 additional vehicles were sold in March and April, pushing the sales pac...
Jul 03, 2025•11 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1085: Today we’re diving into a high-stakes Senate budget bill that could end EV credits early, Hyundai’s record-breaking U.S. sales run, and Cloudflare’s bold move to make AI bots pay to crawl. Show Notes with links: The Senate passed a budget bill by a r azor-thin 51-50 vote , with VP JD Vance breaking the tie. The bill, which moves to the House next, packs major implications for automakers and dealers alike. As we covered yesterday, the current version would kill EV ...
Jul 02, 2025•16 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1084: Today we unpack the Senate’s plan to fast-track the end of EV tax credits, the global rush to secure rare earth magnet supply, and how small business owners are battling a new wave of AI-powered scams. Show Notes with links: Congress is fast-tracking the elimination of federal EV tax credits , creating waves across the auto retail and manufacturing sectors. A new Senate bill proposes ending both new and used EV credits by September 30, 2025. The Senate plan accele...
Jul 01, 2025•16 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1083: We’re talking tough trade talk from Trump, Jim Farley’s fiery pitch for industrial self-reliance, and the viral ChatGPT graduation moment that’s sparking serious debates—and wild experiments—in education. Show Notes with links: At the Aspen Ideas Festival, Ford CEO Jim Farley called for bold action to rebuild U.S. industrial strength , warning that the country’s economic security—and even its defense—depends on making essential products at home. Farley backs modes...
Jun 30, 2025•13 min
Shoot us a Text. Chris Reeves join Kyle this morning to recap the travel week that Kyle and Paul had, and then to share about how Liza Borches and the Carter Myers Automotive group brought in 12,805 lbs of food in their Cans and Cans Drive. 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 aut...
Jun 28, 2025•10 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1081: Today’s episode sounds the alarm on EV shipping risks after a $560M shipwreck, dives into the dealer-driven defense of EV tax credits with Alex Lawrence at the helm, and bids farewell to Microsoft’s iconic Blue Screen of Death. The June sinking of the Morning Midas cargo ship —loaded with Chinese EVs—has sparked serious concern across the shipping and auto industries. Estimated losses are pegged at $560 million, but the implications go far deeper. The ship was car...
Jun 27, 2025•12 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1080: Today we’re talking about winners - how Roger Penske was honored with the Automotive News Centennial Award, how 14 states have won back $5B in EV charging funs and how Meta and Anthropic both won copyright lawsuits. Show Notes with links: Auto and racing icon Roger Penske received the Automotive News Centennial Award , and shows no signs of slowing down despite being 88. He reflected on six decades of building a business empire by putting people first. He credits ...
Jun 26, 2025•13 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1079: Today we’re talking AI gone rogue under pressure, Hertz’s new damage detection tech that might cost renters big, and signs of normalcy returning to wholesale vehicle prices. Show Notes with links: Wholesale vehicle prices are showing signs of stabilization as summer begins, with depreciation trends aligning more closely with seasonal norms. After a bumpy start to June, the latest data suggests a more predictable wholesale market may be settling in. Wholesale price...
Jun 25, 2025•16 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1078: Today we’re talking stormy shareholder meetings at Nissan, the EV factory tours drawing crowds in China, and the Gen Z men getting caught outsourcing their work to AI. Show Notes with links: Nissan’s new CEO Ivan Espinosa faced intense scrutiny from investors at his first annual shareholders' meeting as he moves forward with a bold restructuring plan and ends Renault’s board influence. Espinosa replaces ousted CEO Makoto Uchida, part of a March leadership overhaul...
Jun 24, 2025•14 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1077: Today we’re talking about Stellantis’ cautious leadership shuffle, Tesla’s Robotaxi rollout with safety monitors in the passenger seat, and how AI is quietly shaping the way we talk—even if we don’t realize it. Antonio Filosa officially begins his tenure as Stellantis CEO, opting for continuity over disruption by retaining his North America role and promoting from within—a move that left investors wanting more. Filosa will remain based in Detroit and continue over...
Jun 23, 2025•13 min
Shoot us a Text. Today, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to talk about how sourcing stories is like sitting by a river with little sailboats going down it. Then they talk about how Shelly Hux from Herrin-Gear Automotive Group wrote in to share how she's been empowered to make a difference in her community and how more dealers can do that at their stories. Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealership...
Jun 21, 2025•9 min
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1075: Today we’re talking CarMax’s record-setting quarter, Congress clashing over EV tax credits, and Honda’s surprising success in rocket science. Yep, you read that right—Honda landed a rocket. Show Notes with links: CarMax's latest quarterly results are in—and they're cruising past analyst expectations with strong used vehicle sales, revenue growth, and record-breaking profit per unit. Q1 net income jumped 38% to $210.4 million, while revenue rose to $7.5 billion, up...
Jun 20, 2025•10 min
