Automotive State of The Union

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1193: Today, we’re covering a spike in EV inventory, why dealerships are losing service customers, and how Gen Z’s complex spending habits could reshape the retail landscape. Show Notes with links: A new Cox Automotive study w...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1192: Ford faces a jolt of EV reality as the F-150 Lightning may lose its spark. Meanwhile, SEMA goes full throttle with hydrogen, hybrids, and horsepower. And Progressive’s “Flo” gets a digital copilot as AI helps animals hit...

Shoot us a Text. On this Saturday episode, Chris Reeves joins Paul and Kyle to talk about how Phil Long Dealerships continues its proud military tradition with a November-long giveback campaign benefiting Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. With every ...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1190: Today we cover CarMax’s executive shakeup amid disappointing guidance, Tesla shareholders’ approval of Elon Musk’s massive pay package, and how Scout Motors is seeing overwhelming demand for extended-range EVs. Show Note...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1189: Ford unveils its hospitality-first Signature 2.0 dealership design, Holman jumps into the robotics game, and Walmart goes full throttle with back-to-back Black Friday deals. Ford is rolling out its first dealership image...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1188: Today we’re talking Toyota’s global muscle amid U.S. tariffs, Waymo’s bold autonomous rollout into new cities, and why your store’s holiday playlist might be just early enough to keep shoppers smiling. Show Notes with li...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1187: GM trims its workforce and tech leadership as it reassesses priorities. Kia hits pause on its next U.S. EV launch amid regulatory roadblocks. And Walmart leans into nostalgia with a print catalog push designed to elevate...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1186: Dealerships are investing big in mobile service as customer demand and capacity challenges make on-the-go repairs a serious growth opportunity. France launches the world’s first live EV-charging highway, while new data s...

Shoot us a Text. After a couple of weeks off due to international travel and a new baby, Chris, Paul and Kyle are back to talk about how car dealerships are caring for their community. Today, they cover how the Rohrman Auto Group donated $77,500 to sup...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1184: Today we cover Toyota’s response to potential chip shortages, new research showing improved employee satisfaction at dealerships, and what Gen Z travelers want most from their hotel stays. Show Notes with links: Toyota C...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1183: Today we’re talking about the billion-dollar blaze disrupting Ford’s aluminum supply chain, Tekion’s confident response to new DMS rival Pinewood. AI, and why the retail world’s record CEO shuffle says more about skill se...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1182: Today we’re talking about Slate Auto’s bold move to use independent repair shops instead of dealers, China pulling back EV subsidies to let the market decide, and PayPal teaming up with OpenAI to turn ChatGPT into a next...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1181: Today we’re talking about an EV market hitting the brakes post–tax credit, why most electric drivers are just fine charging at home, and Amazon’s billion-dollar bet on future jobs—while cutting tens of thousands of its o...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1180: Fresh off a global adventure, Paul and Kyle return with stories from Kazakhstan, a look at why destination fees are climbing faster than car prices, and how Rivian and GM are tightening up their EV operations as the mark...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1179: We close out Q4 Strategy Week with Ryan Rohrman, CEO of the Rohrman Auto Group. He breaks down how cleaner data, connected systems, and smarter marketing decisions can save you money, sharpen your efficiency, and help yo...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1178: We dive into Q4 service strategy with Joe Castelino, VP of Fixed Ops at American Motors Group. From holiday PTO and campus ebb-and-flow to tech-enabled check-ins and bay visibility, Joe shows how disciplined processes an...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1177: Q4 Strategy Week rolls on with EV operator-extraordinaire Andy Guelcher. We dig into life after federal credits, the coming surge of affordable used EVs, New York’s eye-popping BrightDrop incentives, and why dealers must...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1176: Day two of Q4 Strategy Week brings social media powerhouse Russell Richardson — aka Russ Flips Whips — to talk about how dealers can turn content into car deals. He shares real-world results, easy-to-start strategies, an...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1175: It’s Q4 Strategy Week on The Automotive State of the Union! Paul and Kyle sit down with Patrick Abad of Beaver Toyota and Mazda to talk about leading your team through the holidays — when emotions run high, sales run hot...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1174: Gov. Newsom vetoes a dealer doc fee hike, Tesla unleashes “Mad Max” mode amid mounting scrutiny, and Home Depot opens free training lanes to fuel America’s next generation of skilled pros. Show Notes with links: Californ...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1173: Scott Painter steers TrueCar back to private ownership, CarGurus says buyers are going older to stay on budget, and freelancers navigate the double-edged sword of AI—faster work, smaller paychecks, and a whole lot of “go...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1172: Stellantis bets big on American production with its largest investment ever, NADA makes history with a new vice chair, and three Nissan dealers take the scenic route to prove the CVT isn’t the punchline anymore. Show Not...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1171: Ford scrambles after a supplier fire halts SUV production, Rivian doubles down on AI instead of Apple CarPlay, and young people rediscover the joy of “hanging up”... literally Ford is pausing production for several key v...

Shoot us a Text. Episode #1170: California’s new CARS Act sets tough transparency rules for dealers, a new report exposes EV charging’s reliability gap, and Elon Musk’s xAI looks to raise $20 billion—with Nvidia both selling the chips and buying in. Sh...

Shoot us a Text. 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 lo...