Automotive State of The Union

Episode #1408: Toyota assesses earthquake impacts in Japan, Ford jumps back into military vehicle development, and a new McKinsey study reveals affordability is squeezing buyers while technology—not brand loyalty—is increasingly driving purchase decisi...

Episode #1407: Dealership buy-sell activity surges even as profits normalize, GM proves subscriptions are becoming a serious profit center, and Waymo's robotaxis discover that finding a legal parking spot might be harder than driving themselves there. ...

Episode 1406: Chris Reeves joins on this Saturday episode to talk about his chicken adventures and then share how regional Western New York Dealers have been working together to donate a van every year to a worthy non-profit.

Episode #1405: Tesla posts record deliveries while doubling down on AI, Ford embraces Apple to make affordable EVs more compelling, and a coalition of industry giants launches a nationwide effort to solve the technician shortage Show Notes with links: ...

Episode #1404: The nation's No. 2 auto retailer looks to go private in a $3.8 billion deal, a viral TikTok perpetuates the stigma that dealers are the problem and Ford teams up with Carhartt, Google, and BlackRock to invest in the next generation of sk...

Episode #1403: GM raises guidance as North American profits jump 43%, despite ongoing EV-related charges. Independent repair shops struggle to keep pace with increasingly complex vehicles. Plus, South Korea’s Hyundai department store is betting that di...

Episode #1402: Polestar dealers demand answers as the EV brand abandons the U.S., Stellantis recruits new leaders to revive Jeep and Ram, and back-to-school shoppers prove convenience is the new value as families spend more but shop smarter. Show Notes...

Episode #1401: The UAW's federal monitor may be sticking around longer, Amazon's Zoox recalls every robotaxi after one drove into a smoke-filled fire scene, and author Dave Eggers makes the case for protecting your authentic voice in the age of AI. Sho...

Episode 1400: Chris Reeves joins Kyle to break down NADA's $3M donation to the American Cancer Society, why it matters, and how the auto industry continues to make an impact beyond the showroom. NADA is putting the industry's commitment to community ( ...

Episode #1399: During their time at the ATAE Summer Conference, Paul and Kyle sit down with Zach Doran, President of the Ohio Auto Dealers Association to talk about how dealers need to amplify the impact they’re making in the community. Show Notes with...

Episode #1398: Today we're talking about TikTok's evolution into a serious dealership marketing and recruiting tool, Hyundai doubling down on humanoid robots with Boston Dynamics, and why America's malls are quietly making a comeback as shoppers look f...

Episode #1397: Ford leans on Toyota's Gemba management philosophy to improve quality, China's EVs are being upgraded like smartphones, and Apple's smartest Siri yet hints at a future where AI—not apps—becomes the new user interface. Show Notes with lin...

Episode #1396: California revives EV rebates after the federal tax credit disappears, Toyota leads an effort to standardize parts across Japan's auto industry, and Missouri dealer Eric Gentry returns to where his career began as he launches his own dea...

Episode #1395: Today we’re looking at why dealership websites are outperforming phone calls in service scheduling, celebrating CarMax’s recognition for community impact, and heading across the Atlantic, where regulators may soon let satellites and soft...

Episode 1394: Chris Reeves joins for a conversation about pronunciation and days of the week, plus a look at a unique bracket challenge.Ancira Auto Group turned March Madness into a win for the community with its “Bracket for a Cause” Charity Challenge...

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...

Episode #1368: Inventory remains tight as hybrids continue to outpace every other powertrain. GM doubles down on energy storage and vehicle-to-grid technology as electricity demand surges. Plus, the largest World Cup ever kicks off across North America...

Episode #1367: Chinese automakers maintain a stealth presence in America while expanding globally, PepsiCo puts fully driverless delivery trucks to work on public roads, and Anthropic releases its most powerful AI yet—with enough safeguards to keep it ...

Episode #1366: Texas is rapidly overtaking California as the center of automotive influence, Rivian is betting drivers will talk to their vehicles instead of pushing buttons, and Apple is taking another swing at making Siri the AI assistant it always p...

Episode #1365: Trump weighs in on right-to-repair after meeting with auto industry leaders, Ford invests heavily in solving its technician shortage, and how back to school shopping is already happening. Show Notes with links: A surprising right-to-repa...

Today, Chris joins Paul and Kyle to talk about donating blood plasma in college, but then how 30 dealerships in Michigan, led by Midland Ford, have come together to help address the critical blood shortage.

Episode #1363: A fresh look at thousands of FTC dealership complaints reveals where consumers are still finding friction. Tesla expands its Austin robotaxi footprint as autonomous ride-hailing scales up. And Buc-ee's reminds us that in Texas, even the ...

Episode #1362: Today we look at what customer reviews can reveal before regulators come knocking, why hybrids are suddenly the hottest vehicles on the lot, and how Ram’s AI-generated merch accidentally turned a Toyota Tacoma into a Ram truck—while misc...

Episode #1361: The FTC names 97 dealers in a warning over advertising practices, new data shows EV truck owners are surprisingly disloyal to legacy brands, and Anthropic files for an IPO after rocketing past OpenAI in valuation. Show Notes with links: ...

Episode #1360: Today we're throwing it back to ASOTU CON and revisiting a few of the quotes that had the biggest impact on the room. Show Notes with links: We might be biased, but we think ASOTU CON featured some of the best keynotes in the industry, a...

Episode #1359: Mitsubishi is jumping back into the pickup market with help from Nissan, a supplier strike threatens GM’s truck production at a critical moment, and the internet-famous F-250 robins have finally left the nest, clearing the way for one ve...