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Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier don’t just read headlines, they make the most important connections across car dealerships, general retail, tech, and culture. The goal? To help automotive leaders think clearer and move faster in a world that refuses to slow down.
Whether you’re running a rooftop, building a brand, or just trying to keep up with everything shifting in the business of selling cars, this is your regular stop for a shot of news, insight, and a little bit of chaos…always rooted in people-first thinking.
From the showroom to Silicon Valley.
From Wall Street to Main Street.
Paul and Kyle connect the dots, keep it real, and make it make sense.
Learn more at https://www.asotu.com
1207 Episodes
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Shoot us a Text. Episode #1207: Paul and Chris come to you on this Black Friday to talk about our favorite part of this season, how dealers are giving back. West Herr stepped up big this week, donating 1,400 turkeys and bags of Thanksgiving essentials to Rochester partner organizations as part of their 2025 Turkey Drive. The food was collected throughout the month by West Herr employees and customers.Six community partner organizations received the donations during an event outside the Roche...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1206: Happy Thanksgiving from the More Than Cars Crew! Today, we're talking about our Thanksgiving plans and what we're thankful for this year. Most of all, we're thankful for you, everyone who is living out the More Than Cars mindset on a daily basis. You are an inspiration to the rest of the industry! Let us know what you're thankful for by sending us an email at crew@asotu.com Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Un...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1205: We break down how automakers are strengthening supply chains, why Stellantis is pushing out in-car ads, and what’s driving up the overall cost of Thanksgiving this year. Show Notes with links: After five years of nonstop crises—from pandemics to tariffs to literal factory fires—automakers and suppliers are rethinking supply chain strategy with a focus on resilience, transparency, and deeper collaboration.GM, Stellantis, and suppliers say “resilience” now mean...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1204: Scout Motors accelerates toward 2027 as test mules and plant prep hit major milestones. Amazon’s push into vehicle retail gains real traction with new brands and first-time buyers. And Target rolls out a strict “10-4” greeting rule as retailers fight for customer connection. Show Notes with links: Scout Motors put the Traveler and Terra prototypes on display at the LA Auto Show while accelerating development back home as they aim for a 2026 launch. The test m...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1203: Autonomy expands its EV subscription fleet with new brands, Foxconn doubles down on becoming a global EV battery powerhouse, and the U.S. labor market enters a “Great Freeze” that’s keeping both hiring and firing on ice. Show Notes with links: EV subscription company Autonomy has secured $25 million to add more than 1,200 vehicles and broaden its lineup beyond Tesla.Autonomy operates a subscription-based model where customers choose an EV in the app, pay ...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1202: Day 2 from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show, and we host Amit Chandarana, CEO of Curbee to talk about how there are now 16 independent repair shops to every 1 franchise dealership.. Plus, Paul and Kyle get gifts to welcome them to their first West Coast activation. This episode is brought to you by our Automobility LA Press and Content Partner Curbee, the fastest growing mobile service technology platform for dealerships. Dealers may be facing a bitter r...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1201: Today, we’re coming at you from sunny Los Angeles, where we’ll be hosting interviews at Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show. We look ahead to all the conversations we’re going to be able to have, plus Kyle gives us a recap of the Modern Retailing Conference, and Cox Auto signals affordability is getting worse. This episode is brought to you by our Press and Content Partner Curbee, the fastest growing mobile service technology platform for dealerships. Show...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1200: Paul sits down with Brian Benstock for a focused conversation on how AI is reshaping dealership roles, why strong leadership matters in uncertain markets, and how competition, democracy, and global collaboration all influence the future of automotive. Brian reflects on developing people, adapting to changing conditions, and the responsibility leaders have to push their impact further. Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1199: Ford launches CPO sales on Amazon—but the dealer keeps the keys. Plus, Hyundai teases a high-riding electric concept for the off-road segment, and Netflix pivots to a massive experiential retail strategy. Show Notes with links: Ford is leveraging Amazon's massive consumer reach, partnering with the e-commerce giant to allow franchised dealers to sell their Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) inventory directly through the platform.The transaction flow is highly digiti...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1198: Audi taps Scout Motors to build its first U.S.-made SUV, the used-car market cools while EVs heat up, and Ford trades “The Glass House” for a high-tech headquarters built for its next century. Show Notes with links: Audi is shifting its U.S. strategy with plans for a large electric SUV designed specifically for American buyers—but instead of building a new plant, it’ll lean on Scout Motors’ upcoming South Carolina facility.The new SUV will use Scout’s body-on...
Shoot us a Text. On this Saturday episode, Paul and Chris highlight how NADA Academy students and staff collected over 13,000 new socks during their Socktober campaign to support shelters across Virginia and Washington, D.C., showing how future dealership leaders are already stepping up to meet real community needs and proving the power of consistent, ready-to-serve culture in the auto industry. Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1196: Today we’re talking about Mazda finally going all-in on EVs, Impel investing in the next wave of auto-tech innovation, and Chery’s viral stair-climb stunt that went downhill…literally. We’ll be at Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show next Thursday, November 20 hosting the LA Auto Show Sessions. Thanks to our friends at Cars Commerce and Curbee for making it possible. 25% off registration with code MoreThanCars. https://laautoshow.com/me Show Notes with links...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1195: Toyota doubles down on hybrids with a $14B battery bet. Waymo hits the freeway ahead of Tesla in the autonomy race. And OpenAI unveils a “warmer” GPT-5.1 with customizable personalities and smarter responses. We’ll be at Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show next Thursday, November 20 hosting the LA Auto Show Sessions. Thanks to our friends at Cars Commerce and Curbee for making it possible. 25% off registration with code MoreThanCars. https://laautoshow.com/me S...
Shoot us a Text. Episode #1194: Today we’re talking about the next generation of car buyers shaking up the F&I office, Jim Farley’s humbling EV teardown that’s reshaping Ford’s strategy, and BYD’s jaw-dropping megafactory in China that’s literally larger than San Francisco. Show Notes with links: Born digital and raised on instant access, Gen Z is reshaping how dealerships sell protection, financing, and paperwork. CDK’s 2025 F&I Shopper Study shows this generation demands tra...
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 warns that dealerships are quietly losing the long game in fixed ops. Despite the average age of a vehicle being 12.8 years, customer loyalty—especially among recent buyers—is slipping fast.Dealerships now see 12% fewer service visits than in 2...
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 the road in the brand’s latest ad. Show Notes with links: Ford is reportedly weighing the end of its all-electric F-150 Lightning as it reassesses its EV strategy amid steep losses and cooling demand. The move would mark a dramatic shift from...
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 vehicle sold, Phil Long honors veterans, military members, and their families—potentially raising up to $100,000 this year. “Less than 1% of Americans currently serve in the military, and about 6% of our nation’s population are veterans,” said...
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 Notes with links: CarMax shares plunged 24% Thursday after the used car giant issued a grim forecast and announced a surprise leadership shakeup. With profits slipping and competition heating up, the company is betting on new leadership to stabili...
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 program in over two decades—and it’s less showroom, more hotel lobby. The new "Signature 2.0" design rethinks the car-buying experience with a focus on comfort, visibility, and choice.The first build, a $12.5M Boulevard Ford in Delaware, cent...
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 links: Toyota posted a surprising 62% jump in second-quarter profit and raised its annual outlook, even as U.S. tariffs continue to take a multi-billion-dollar toll. The automaker’s resilience stems from its increasingly global revenue base and ...
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