Automotive State of The Union

Episode #1393: AI call recording lands in court, Brian Benstock questions whether 84-month loans are costing dealers lifelong customers, and World Cup visitors discover America's unexpected attractions—from Walmart and Buc-ee's to Waffle House and ranc...

Episode #1392: At the halfway point of 2026, Brian Benstock joins us to unpack the biggest challenges—and biggest opportunities—in retail automotive. From navigating uncertainty and scaling dealership operations to building a culture of trust, it's a c...

Episode #1391: China is becoming the global R&D hub for legacy automakers, Ken Garff shows how a 70-store dealer group is laying the data foundation for AI, and a new workforce report reveals why predictable schedules, strong culture, and generational ...

Episode #1390: Today we’re looking at dealer sentiment as operators brace for tighter profits but keep buying ambitions alive. We also unpack the rise of 84-month loans and negative equity concerns, before checking in on Slate’s ultra-cheap EV truck th...

Episode #1389: Professional athletes are investing in dealerships instead of just endorsing them, Tesla crushed delivery expectations but investors still weren't impressed, and EV batteries are lasting longer than many expected. Show Notes with links: ...

Episode #1388: Happy Fourth of July! Paul, Kyle, and Chris celebrate America's 250th birthday with homemade sound effects and wonder what the founding fathers would think of podcasts, Zoom meetings, and buying a car in 2026. In this episode: The USMNT'...

Episode #1387: Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures joins Paul and Kyle for a midyear check-in on his 2026 predictions and the four big stories shaping the year: affordability, Chinese pressure on legacy automakers, tariffs creeping into MSRPs, and ...

Episode #1386: Today we’re talking about Honda’s CR-V grabbing the top sales spot while rivals battle supply issues. We also cover Nissan’s push to shed its rental-car reputation and rebuild retail momentum, plus Toyota’s latest bet on mobility as it t...

Episode #1385: Today we’re talking about Hyundai, Kia, and Honda riding a hybrid-fueled June sales surge, Honda moving closer to a critical Nissan partnership, and dealerships turning service bays into transparent, tech-forward customer showpieces. Hyu...

Episode #1384:Today we’re talking about rising used-car prices led by hybrids and EVs, EV Auto becoming the first used EV dealer on Amazon Autos, and Bain’s forecast that the future auto market may be smaller, older, and a whole lot more competitive. Ac...

Episode #1383: Today we’re talking about Wayve’s push to become the AI driving partner for legacy automakers, Texas closing in on California as the top new-vehicle retail market, and Prime Day shoppers clicking “buy now” with a little more caution than...

Donate to Enzo's surgery: https://www.gofundme.com/f/enzo-be-whole-5yearold-fighting-for-his-voice-his-life ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/enzo-be-whole-5yearold-fighting-for-his-voice-his-life ) Sometimes the biggest stories have nothing to do with cars...

Episode #1381: The U.S. tightens the screws on Chinese-connected vehicles by shutting Polestar out of the market, CarGurus raises the stakes on transparent pricing for dealers, and Americans are spending more than ever to fire up the grill this Fourth ...

Episode #1380: Today we're talking about Amazon's Zoox gearing up for robotaxi production, an Indiana dealer crowdsourcing wholesale transparency with a new arbitration platform, and why Starbucks is investing in frontline leadership instead of just ad...

Episode #1379: Tesla hangs onto its American-made crown while EVs lose ground to hybrids. Slate Auto doubles down on its affordable truck gamble. And California's new domestic violence protection rules could unexpectedly put the brakes on vehicle sales...

Episode #1378: How the AI boom is creating a memory chip shortage that’s driving up costs for automakers, Carvana and Jimmie Johnson investing in future technicians and engineers, and why consumers are using AI search more than ever, even as their trus...

Episode #1377: How much should dealers trust an EV battery score? Why is Kia paying lessees up to $9,900 to keep their EVs? And are AI-generated customer testimonials the next evolution of marketing—or the end of authenticity? Today’s show is brought t...

Episode 1376: Today, Chris and Nathan join Paul to talk about the Luther Automotive Group has set up its community involvement page and all the amazing things they're doing.

Episode #1375: Shawn Fain kicks off his reelection campaign as UAW leadership tensions heat up, industry leaders debate who really owns pricing in today's complex retail ecosystem, and startup Valar Atomics reaches a major nuclear milestone. Today’s sho...

Episode #1374: The Fed pumps the brakes on rate cuts, but dealers say demand is still rolling. We also look at why affordable used inventory remains the hottest commodity on the lot, and why consumers are trusting Capri-Sun more than AI. Show Notes wit...

Episode #1373: Today we explore Carvana’s attempt to make car shopping fun again, dig into a used-car market where affordable inventory remains frustratingly scarce, and follow a World Cup broadcast team that discovered the fastest route to New Jersey ...

Episode #1372: Paul’s in DC today for the CBT News Auto Leadership Summit on Fair Pricing and Compliance, and we’re talking about how much the industry has (or hasn’t) shifted since the FTC put 97 dealers on notice. Plus, when an AI chatbot overquotes ...

Episode #1371: Used RAV4 Hybrids are somehow appreciating instead of depreciating, Lithia & Driveway continues its climb up the Fortune 500 rankings, and Rita Case earns Humanitarian of the Year honors. Today’s show is brought to you by our friends at ...

Episode 1370: Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle and gets a rousing introduction, but then talk about a $1M donation from a dealer group. The Gettel Family Foundation is investing $1 million ( https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gettel-family-foundation-commi...

Episode #1369: Toyota continues to dominate shopper demand while affordable inventory gets harder to find, EV insurance costs are finally moving closer to gas-powered vehicles, and Jeep launches a delightfully absurd promotion that could put 100 George...