Automotive State of The Union

Shoot us a Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861938/open_sms] Episode #1141: Tesla drops a philosophy-heavy master plan that barely mentions EVs. Palmer Luckey becomes the first to fly the Jetson One eVTOL. And McKinsey pushes back on AI job fears with a boost in entry-level hiring. * Tesla’s “Master Plan Part IV [https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/09/06/teslas-new-master-plan-part-4-could-be-an-alarm-be/]” is here, and it might just be the most philosophical of the bunch. With barely a mention of actual cars, the company appears to be pivoting hard toward artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, and an ambitious goal they call “sustainable abundance.” * The document positions Tesla as a leader in building tools that "bring AI into the physical world." * The original "Master Plans" outlined clear goals: launch EVs, scale production, and push solar. Fewer than 200 words of Part IV reference Tesla's current or future products, with humanoid robot Optimus taking center stage. * The plan leans heavily into themes like "Growth is infinite" and "Innovation removes constraints" instead of product roadmaps. * Electric vehicles are only mentioned in the context of the past; the future is autonomy, labor automation, and AI computing. * Musk has said Tesla’s humanoid robots will account for “~80% of Tesla’s long-term value.” * Tech founder Palmer Luckey just became the first customer to take delivery of the Jetson One [https://www.businessinsider.com/palmer-luckey-jetson-one-electric-personal-flying-vehicle-aircraft-2025-9] — a personal electric aircraft that doesn't even require a pilot’s license. And yes, he took it for a spin. * The Oculus and Anduril founder lifted off in Carlsbad, CA after just 50 minutes of training. * Jetson One is a $128,000 single-seat eVTOL with 20-minute flight time and 63 mph top speed. * Luckey’s flight kicks off Jetson’s official global rollout; 2025 and 2026 models are already sold out. * Jetson’s CTO says their goal is to “move ground-based transportation up to the air.” * At a time when many fear AI will make junior roles obsolete, McKinsey is leaning in the opposite direction. The firm announced it plans to grow North American hiring [https://www.businessinsider.com/mckinsey-growing-entry-level-hires-ai-era-partner-says-2025-9] by 12% in 2026, with a focus on entry-level talent — especially those fluent in emerging tech. * McKinsey currently employs 5,000–7,000 non-partners in North America and could grow that number by up to 20% in five years. * North America chair Eric Kutcher values younger workers' fluency in tech: “The 20-year-old econ major… is way more in tune.” * Kutcher emphasized that while AI may improve efficiency, it frees up teams to pursue growth initiatives — not layoffs. * Many CEOs aren’t excited by cost-cutting; they’re eager to redirect resources toward new opportunities, he noted. * “What we will work on will still require the same level of intellect… doing the things that you can't do with machines,” said Kutcher. Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry. Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ [https://www.asotu.com/] JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/]

Shoot us a Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861938/open_sms] Episode #1140: Today we’re talking about Toyota’s big ethanol play in Fukushima and California lawmakers slamming the brakes on “Leno’s Law” for classic cars. Plus, Paul’s back with some unexpected retail takeaways from his vacation travels. Show Notes with links: * Toyota and a coalition of Japanese automakers are doing something symbolic and strategic — turning the former Fukushima no-go zone into a proving ground for next-gen biofuels [https://www.autonews.com/toyota/an-toyota-mazda-subaru-ethanol-biofuel-fukushima-earthquake-nuclear-0908/]. * A Toyota-led consortium is piloting ethanol biofuel production in Okuma, the town devastated by the 2011 nuclear disaster. * They’re cultivating high-cellulose sorghum, which outperforms corn in poor soil and doesn’t compete with food crops. * This is part of Japan’s “multipathway” strategy — pushing hybrids, synthetic fuels, and biofuels alongside EVs. * The group, which includes Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Eneos, opened a $33M plant in November to convert the sorghum to E10 fuel. * “We want this movement to spread beyond Japan to the world,” said Toyota CTO Hiroki Nakajima while touring the fields in a straw hat. * Jay Leno’s push to exempt classic car owners from smog checks [https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/california-kills-jay-leno-classic-car-smog-bill/] in California has officially stalled. Despite passing the Senate and Leno’s personal testimony, the bill was quietly killed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. * Senate Bill 712, dubbed “Leno’s Law,” would have exempted pre-1981 cars with historic plates from smog checks. * The Assembly’s Appropriations Committee killed the bill without explanation, alongside 70 others on its “suspense file.” * Leno argued classic car smog checks are outdated, expensive, and hard to perform with modern equipment. * Environmental groups and air quality regulators opposed the bill, citing cost and pollution concerns. * “Sadly, today California said ‘no’ to helping preserve these rolling pieces of history,” said sponsor Sen. Shannon Grove. Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry. Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ [https://www.asotu.com/] JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/]

Shoot us a Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861938/open_sms] The first weekend of September! Head Writer Chris Reeves joins Kyle Mountsier to discuss how the auto industry ramps up its community contributions in the fall towards the end of the year. We love hearing how dealers are giving back, and today we get to highlight how Gettel Automotive Group has donated $70,000 to support food banks in the communities we serve across Florida and Georgia. This contribution will help families in: 📍 Manatee County 📍 Sarasota County 📍 Hillsborough County 📍 Charlotte County 📍 Marion County 📍 Alachua County 📍 Cherokee County, GA Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry. Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ [https://www.asotu.com/] JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/]

Shoot us a Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861938/open_sms] Episode #1138: Mary Barra and her GM peers are selling big while Tesla bets even bigger on Elon. A new U.S.–Japan trade deal lowers tariffs and boosts investment in auto-related sectors. And Apple, OpenAI, and Walmart are teaming up to define what AI literacy looks like for the next generation of workers. * As Tesla courts Elon Musk with a potential $1 trillion payday, General Motors’ leadership is making moves of a very different kind. The spotlight is now on Mary Barra and what her stock sales might signal. * GM CEO Mary Barra sold over 40% of her holdings [https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2025/09/04/gm-ceo-mary-barra-sells-40-personal-stock/85969281007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116634p004450n11----c11----e002300v116634b0044xxd004465&gca-ft=141&gca-ds=sophi] in late August, unloading more than $21 million in a single day — part of nearly $58 million in sales over the past six months. * She’s not alone: Chief Accounting Officer Christopher Hatto and Executive VP Rory Harvey also sold sizable chunks of stock in recent months with no purchases to offset them. * Meanwhile, Tesla is dangling a $1 trillion comp plan [https://www.autonews.com/tesla/an-tesla-musk-trillion-0905/] to keep Elon Musk locked in, tied to targets like an $8.5 trillion valuation and robotaxi expansion. * Musk would see his Tesla stake climb back to 25% if the plan succeeds — a move he’s called essential to staying committed. * After months of back-and-forth, the U.S. has officially lowered tariffs [https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/an-trump-tariffs-japan-deal-signed-0905/] on Japanese auto imports, giving Japan’s automakers a long-awaited reprieve—and setting the stage for billions in investment. * President Trump signed an executive order implementing 15% tariffs on Japanese autos, down from 27.5%, effective within a week. * The order also prevents “stacked” tariffs on goods like beef and guarantees no levies on airplanes or parts. * Toyota, which projected a $10B profit hit from previous tariffs, praised the clarity of the deal. About 80% of Toyota vehicles sold in the U.S. are built in North America. * “Finally,” posted Japan’s chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, after ten U.S. trips to seal the deal. * While Apple eyes Google’s AI muscle to upgrade Siri, OpenAI is putting boots on the ground to make sure American workers—and businesses—aren’t left behind in the AI revolution. * Apple is testing [https://www.theverge.com/news/770712/apple-ai-search-tool-siri-google-gemini] Google’s Gemini model to power AI search summaries in a new Siri feature called “World Knowledge Answers.” * The upgraded Siri aims to challenge AI-powered search platforms by blending web results with summaries, visuals, and points of interest—possibly debuting in iOS 26.4 next spring. * Meanwhile, OpenAI is rolling out AI certifications [https://openai.com/index/expanding-economic-opportunity-with-ai/] and a new jobs platform in partnership with Walmart, John Deere, and others to certify 10 million Americans by 2030. * The goal? Help Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry. Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ [https://www.asotu.com/] JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/]

Shoot us a Text. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1861938/open_sms] Episode #1137: VinFast leans into a dealer-driven strategy while VW puts the brakes on ID.4 production despite rock-bottom lease pricing. Meanwhile, Porsche unveils a slick wireless charger for its next-gen Cayenne EV. Show Notes with links: * Despite reporting a larger Q2 loss, Vietnamese EV maker VinFast is still betting on a traditional dealership model [https://www.autonews.com/vinfast/an-vinfast-earnings-0904/] to accelerate growth and cut costs. The shift marks a major pivot from its direct-to-consumer roots. * Q2 net loss hit $812M, up 15% from Q1, as VinFast ramps global marketing and R&D. * Revenue rose 91.6% YoY to $663M, with vehicle deliveries jumping 172% to 35,837 units. * Founder Pham Nhat Vuong pledged $1.5B to support expansion and R&D as the company moves away from company-owned showrooms to a lighter, franchised dealership model. * “We stick to our goal this year and are flexible with our market approach amid (the) changing global situation,” said Chairperson Thuy Le. * Despite offering the most affordable EV lease in the U.S., Volkswagen is pausing ID.4 production [https://electrek.co/2025/09/02/volkswagen-halt-id-4-production-despite-massive-discounts/] in Chattanooga as consumer demand continues to drop. * Production will stop in late October, affecting 160 workers who will be furloughed with 80% pay and full benefits. * ID.4 sales dropped 65% in Q2, down to 1,992 units, compared to 5,665 in the same quarter last year. * Loss of federal EV tax credit and increased competition from Hyundai and GM have hurt demand. * Volkswagen has dropped lease pricing to $129/month, but discounts haven’t reversed the trend. * A company spokesperson called the pause a “market-driven decision” with no set restart date. * Forget cables—Porsche’s new wireless charging pad for the upcoming Cayenne EV brings smartphone-style convenience [https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a65969431/2026-porsche-cayenne-ev-wireless-charging-details/] to your driveway, with high-tech safety features and surprisingly strong performance. * The 11-kW wireless charger pad delivers overnight charging speeds, matching typical Level 2 plug-in options. * The system activates automatically when a compatible vehicle parks over the pad, eliminating the need to plug in. * Pad is air-cooled; vehicle-mounted plate is liquid-cooled and must be pre-wired at the factory. * Built-in radar pauses charging if it detects pets or metal objects, adding a layer of safety to home charging. * U.S. pricing is still pending, but the full system—including vehicle integration—is expected to cost around $9,500 based on European estimates. 0:00 Intro with Kyle Mountsier and Michael Cirillo 0:52 The ebbs and flows of mainstream news 1:54 Announcements 2:54 Vinfast Announces $812M Q2 Loss 5:46 VW To Pause US ID.4 Production 9:12 Porsche To Offer Wireless Charging Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry. Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ [https://www.asotu.com/] JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/]