ASOTU | More Than Cars

Search engine AI overviews are changing dealership marketing Drew Diehl of Stream Companies shared that AI overviews are just one area to think about. Customers aren't just going to Google anymore They're using -TikTok -ChatGPT -Reddit Want to make sure you're ready for 2025? Join Drew and Sarah West on Friday, December 6 at 2 PM EST for a 30-minute ASOTU Edge Webinar on Building Out Your 2025 Advertising Strategy. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e6-EcJM9 #advertising #marketing #dealership #automotiveindustry #webinar

Dealerships face an ongoing challenge: how to leverage data to transform service drive opportunities into scalable, consistent sales processes. For many, the path from intention to implementation is unclear—data may be abundant, but without the right strategies, it remains untapped potential. Success requires innovation and collaboration. On Wednesday, December 18 at 2PM EST, we'll hear how Shane O'Hanrahan, GM at Chapman BMW Chandler, transformed his dealership’s service drive into a thriving sales hub. With support of the data solutions of automotiveMastermind Inc. and Regional Group Manager Wendy Engelhardt, Shane built a process that turns service customers into loyal buyers while delivering exceptional ROI. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e6-EcJM9 Join us to hear Shane and Wendy share their journey, including: -The initial challenges Shane faced in creating a service-to-sales department and his vision for an "upgrade center." -How automotiveMastermind’s predictive analytics helped identify untapped opportunities in the service drive. -The role of tailored customer communication in pulling buyers into the market early. -The strategies that turned negative equity customers into success stories. -How their partnership created a scalable process that now generates 35-45 additional sales per month. -How a data driven culture can identify high value opportunities and engage with those customers on a one-to-one basis. #webinar #data #automotiveindustry #dealership #successstories

As we’re all still digesting the fun, excitement and food from yesterday, Black Friday kicks the holiday shopping season into full swing. Today, Zac Kinch, GM of Bob Rohrman Toyota in Lafayette, Indiana, co-hosts the show to share how he keeps his team engaged on holidays and how they’ve created unique marketing strategies to get customers in the door, starting with a $99 car deal.

Limited tickets. Unlimited opportunity. This isn’t a “see and be seen” event. It’s the first stop for the night—where the people you need to know gather before the party circuit kicks in. We’re gathering at The Sazerac House, where the walls breathe history, the drinks tell stories, and the connections last beyond the night. Join us, Upstart and Clarivoy at Sazerac House to launch your night with energy, connections, and cocktails. We're the go-to first stop before you dive into New Orleans’ nightlife. Expect good drinks, great company, and a chance to connect with industry leaders. Let’s set the stage for an unforgettable evening—starting here! If you’re serious about being part of automotive’s inner circle, here’s your chance. 5:30 PM, January 28. Make it your first stop. #nada #nadaparties #automotiveindustry #dealership

Warm up those appetites, folks. As we get ready to loosen our belts, the buy/sell market seems to be doing the same thing as the Trump era nears. We’re also talking about a gigantic but conditional loan from the government to Rivian, as well as cheaper turkeys for everyone this year. https://lnkd.in/eKZBZnyc The 2024 presidential election outcome is expected to rejuvenate dealership buy-sell activity, as regulatory rollbacks and economic optimism provide a favorable environment for acquisitions. -Dealers anticipate eased EV mandates and fuel economy standards, creating market stability. -Regulatory changes could improve dealership valuations, especially in California and CARB states. -Lower interest rates under Trump could simplify financing for buyers and boost car sales. -“It’s going to be the Roaring ’20s,” said Stuart McCallum of Withum. -“Trump is certainly bullish on business... I think the M&A market in the dealership world will follow suit,” said Mike Sims of Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions. https://lnkd.in/dxiHVR85 Rivian has locked in a $6.6 billion DOE loan to resume construction of its delayed Georgia factory, aiming to expand its EV production capacity and create jobs. -Rivian originally announced the $5 billion factory in 2021, aiming for 400,000 vehicles annually by 2024. -Faced with a cash crunch, construction paused, and plans shifted to build its R2 SUV in Illinois, saving $2.25 billion. -The Georgia factory, now slated for 2028, will employ 7,500 by 2030, supported by a $1.5 billion incentives package from Georgia. -The DOE loan aligns with federal efforts backing EV infrastructure, such as Ford’s $9.2 billion for battery plants. -"This federal support enables us to lay the groundwork for long-term growth," Rivian stated. https://lnkd.in/daatUptk Thanksgiving dinner costs have dropped slightly this year, but they remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. -The average dinner for 10 people costs $58.08, a 5% decrease from 2023 but still 19% above pre-pandemic prices. -Turkey prices fell 6% to $25.67 for a 16-pound bird, thanks to lower demand despite a smaller turkey flock due to the avian flu. -Other items like milk (-14%), peas (-8%), and celery (-6.4%) saw price drops, but stuffing (+8%) and cranberries (+12%) rose. -Regional price disparities exist, with the South offering the cheapest dinners at $56.81 and the West the highest at $67.81. Follow the Automotive Troublemaker podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e-DA5fTF Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eTr6WKb7

2 days to turkey! Today we’re talking about how Porsche is realigning its EV goals and planning on more ICE and hybrids. Plus, California preps its own EV tax credit that won’t apply to Teslas, and air travel has its most complaints since the pandemic. https://lnkd.in/ek3zuaW6 Porsche is pivoting its strategy to address declining BEV sales, planning new combustion-engine models to align with regional demand, while managing challenges in China and profit pressures. -Porsche’s BEV sales dropped to 7.3% of all sales through September, down from 12% in 2022. -China led the decline, with overall sales falling 29% amid tepid BEV adoption in the luxury market. -Porsche is aiming for a leaner China dealer network, anticipating long-term sales dips below peak levels. -Porsche’s Q3 operating profit margin dropped to 10.7%, down from 17% in Q2. The company has a goal of 20%. -CFO Lutz Meschke said ““We are currently looking at the possibility of the originally planned all-electric vehicles having a hybrid drive or a combustion engine… https://lnkd.in/epdw77aB California is bracing for a potential repeal of federal EV tax credits under the Trump administration, with Governor Newsom proposing a state-backed alternative to keep the electric vehicle momentum going. -Newsom is looking to revive California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which previously supported over 594,000 EVs with $1.49 billion in subsidies. -Tesla, which builds EVs in California, likely wouldn’t qualify for a proposed state tax credit as it stands. -Newsom’s office said in a statement, "The governor’s proposal for ZEV rebates… would be intended to foster market competition, innovation and to support new market entrants," https://lnkd.in/eqWStRMc As air travel hits record highs this Thanksgiving, passenger complaints about cramped seating, added fees, and poor service are raising questions about whether flying has become worse — and how to fix it. -Airlines are squeezing coach seating while expanding premium options; Delta sold 74% of first-class seats in cash this year. -Budget-style “unbundling” adds fees for basics like carry-ons, seat selection, or sitting next to family. -The U.S. Transportation Department received nearly 97,000 airline complaints in 2023, the highest since 2020. -Passenger rights awareness may have contributed to increased complaints, despite fewer cancellations (1.2% in 2023 vs. 2.3% in 2022). Follow the Automotive Troublemaker podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e-DA5fTF Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eTr6WKb7

Season 2 of More Than Cars is coming... 🎥 And it’s bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever. From behind-the-scenes moments to stories that redefine what it means to work in retail auto, we’re out here to prove this industry is about so much more than selling cars. 🌟 Get ready to laugh, cry, and rethink everything you know about dealerships. 👉 Stay tuned for Season 2, and binge-watch Season 1 now: https://lnkd.in/eZPVqMvU #MoreThanCars #Season2 #Automotive #DocuSeries #ComingSoon

Why fight for the same in-market customers when you can reach buyers before they even start shopping? 🤨 In a recent ASOTU Edge webinar featuring Cody Tomczyk, Senior Vice President at Force Marketing and Dane Tocco, Senior Director of Marketing at Lithia & Driveway unveil the revolutionary DRIVE platform, and reveal how shifting your focus to pre-market audiences can save you money, cut through the noise, and bring shoppers into your funnel before your competitors even know they’re looking. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ Spotting offline signals before online intent ✅ Starting the conversation earlier, cost-effectively ✅ Guiding buyers down the pipeline on your terms ➡️ Watch the the replay here: https://lnkd.in/eXMCANap #Automotive #Marketing #Webinar #CustomerJourney #DigitalRetailing

We’re rooting for a great end to the month as we enter Thanksgiving week. Today, we’re talking about how Hyundai and Amazon’s online retail platform could enter its next phase in January, how Wall Street investors are still bullish on auto loans and how this week signals a new level of danger for drivers. https://lnkd.in/ekXYjUgC Thank Dan Shine for having us on Fridays Daily Drive Podcast https://lnkd.in/epTBDxV2 Hyundai’s online retail platform with Amazon faced setbacks from the CDK cyberattack but is now on track for a January pilot phase launch. Despite technological and operational hurdles, dealers are increasingly optimistic about the program's potential. -Over 80% of Hyundai’s 841 dealers expressed interest in the platform, signaling strong support. -Hyundai addressed dealer concerns, ensuring sales remain tied to the dealership, not Amazon. -The CDK outage disrupted over half of Hyundai’s dealer network, delaying progress. -Other challenges include trade-in valuation and flexible financing options. -Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz said that “Customers want to go to the dealer to get the car themselves." https://lnkd.in/g5_zwNrS Investors are doubling down on auto loans, even as rising delinquencies signal financial stress for consumers. Wall Street remains bullish, betting on a strong economy to balance the risks. -Subprime auto bonds sales surged to $40B in 2023, up 17% from last year. -Investor demand is immense; some bond deals are oversubscribed by 20x. -Auto bond yields have tripled since 2021, with low-grade bonds offering 6%. -Delinquencies, now at 3.8%, are the highest since 2010, affecting low-income borrowers most. https://lnkd.in/eSxDhRs6 Thanksgiving week sees a sharp rise in distracted driving, making it one of the riskiest travel periods of the year. Peak travel times amplify those dangers with increased phone use and speeding. -Thanksgiving Day distraction rates soar 18% higher than a typical Thursday. -Speeding doubles during Thanksgiving week, contributing to additional crashes. -The Wednesday before Thanksgiving sees distraction up 7%, peaking on the holiday itself. -Distraction is highest from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, dropping during typical dinner hours. -“Early morning travel offers safer conditions,” highlights the report, urging caution. Follow the Automotive Troublemaker podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e-DA5fTF Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eTr6WKb7

Ever wish your car could talk to nearby bicyclists? 🚴♀️ Us neither, but now it can... apparently. 🤷 The FCC just dropped new rules for C-V2X tech, letting cars, roads, and even pedestrians exchange "Hey, watch out!" messages. Yes, your car might soon warn you about traffic jams before you're stuck in one. Or kindly suggest you slow down because a cyclist is around the corner. Ford’s all in—this could mean safer roads and fewer close calls. The FCC? They’re calling it a game-changer for wireless and transportation. But here’s the twist: This 5.9GHz spectrum sparked battles between the FCC and automakers for years. Now, it’s officially in play, with strict rules to keep the chatter productive. The question is—will this tech create harmony on the roads, or just make our cars snarkier than we are? #automotiveindustry #technology #dealership https://lnkd.in/gYRGmA2E