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Automotive State of the Union

With Paul J Daly — the flagship industry show.

The daily pulse of retail automotive, formerly The Automotive Troublemaker.

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Episodes

The full library.

50 episodes · Updated 1 hour ago

  • EP 139811 minJul 16, 2026

    TikTok For Recruiting, Hyundai Robot Coworkers, The Mall Comeback

    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 for more than just stores. Show Notes with links: TikTok has moved beyond dealership experimentation and into the mainstream marketing mix. Dealers are using the platform to reach younger shoppers, showcase inventory, promote service offers and recruit technicians. TikTok launched Automotive Ads in 2025, matching users with relevant vehi…

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  • EP 139712 minJul 15, 2026

    Ford on the Factory Floor, EVs Staying Young, and Siri Finally Smart

    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 links: Ford's quality turnaround may have less to do with recalls and more to do with management. CEO Jim Farley says one of the most important tools he's brought from Toyota is the "Gemba" walk: getting leaders out of conference rooms and onto the factory floor to solve problems alongside frontline employees. A Gemba, meaning "the actual pl…

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  • EP 139613 minJul 14, 2026

    CA Brings Back EV Rebates, Japan Standardizes Parts, Dealer Buy Store Where He Started

    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 dealership group. Show Notes with links: California is putting its own money, plus apparently some OEMs’, behind EV adoption. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $270 million rebate program aimed at first-time buyers, reviving state incentives as federal support retreats and EV sales growth continues to cool. First-time buyers can receive $3,500 t…

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  • EP 139514 minJul 13, 2026

    Websites Win Service, CarMax Gives Back, Europe Pumps the Brakes

    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 software decide just how fast your car can go. Dealership websites are winning the service scheduling race, according to Pied Piper’s latest study. Online requests scored 10 points higher than phone calls, showing that smoother digital processes can reduce friction, protect customer loyalty, and keep fixed ops revenue from leaking to independent…

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  • EP 13949 minJul 11, 2026

    Is July the 'Saturday' of the Year?

    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 alongside Sports Star 94.1 FM. Boerne Champion High School FFA Chapter took home the top prize, earning $50,000 to support student programs and activities. The Children's Bereavement Center received $10,000 after submitting the bracket that finished furthest from perfect—missing by an impressive 59 points. It's a fun reminder that in auto…

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  • EP 139314 minJul 10, 2026

    AI Call Lawsuit, Benstock on 84 Month Loans, US Winning World Cup Visitors

    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 ranch dressing. Show Notes with links: A federal judge has dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing AutoNation of using AI to record, transcribe, and analyze customer phone calls without consent. The ruling wasn't about whether the technology is legal—it came down to jurisdiction. The lawsuit claimed AutoNation's call platform, power…

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  • EP 139217 minJul 9, 2026

    Brian Benstock’s Mid-Year Check In: Busy, Lousy, but Always Great

    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 candid conversation packed with practical insights for dealers. Brian Benstock is one of the most respected voices in automotive retail. He's the Vice President and General Manager of Paragon Honda and Paragon Acura in Queens, New York, a longtime dealer principal, and a regular contributor on the future of automotive retail, customer expe…

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  • EP 139112 minJul 8, 2026

    Made in China, Built on Data, Powered by Happy Teams

    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 differences matter more than ever for employee retention. Show Notes with links: For decades, Detroit exported engineering to China. Now the flow is reversing. GM, Volkswagen, and Renault are increasingly turning to Chinese R&D teams, not just to build cars, but to develop the technology that could power their next global vehicles. GM's…

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  • EP 139013 minJul 7, 2026

    Dealers Squeeze, Loans Stretch, Slate Stays Stateside

    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 that Canada won’t be getting anytime soon. Show Notes with links: Nearly six months into 2026, dealers are feeling pressure from lower margins, higher costs, and softer consumer confidence. Still, Presidio’s latest survey shows long-term confidence remains, especially around acquisitions, valuations, and the brands dealers believe can weather…

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  • EP 138913 minJul 6, 2026

    Athletes Buy Stores, Tesla Beats Expectations, EV Batteries Defy Expectations

    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: The playbook for athlete involvement in retail auto is getting a major upgrade. Instead of just appearing in commercials, more professional athletes are becoming dealership owners, using hometown credibility and competitive drive to help grow their stores. Former Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser is investing in Orel Hershiser Chevrolet in Chino,…

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  • 12 minJul 4, 2026

    What Would The Founding Fathers Think of Retail Auto?

    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's perfectly timed run, and the England rematch that almost landed on the Fourth Dealerships closing on a Fourth of July Saturday (and the gentleman's agreement that'll never happen) Chris is mid-deal on a new Subaru Outback and reports live from the buying experience Why the back-and-forth sales manager desking model kills trust with cust…

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  • 17 minJul 3, 2026

    Steve Greenfield's Midyear Check-In: Affordability, Tariffs, and AI

    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 AI everywhere. In this episode: New car prices push into the $53-54K range as the K-shaped recovery makes new cars an affluent buyer's game Why pressure on OEMs overseas trickles down to US dealers through shrinking front-end gross Steve's five-year prediction: dealers stop logging into systems entirely, and the seven-open-tabs workflow di…

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  • 10 minJul 2, 2026

    CR-V Tops F-150, Nissan Rebuilds, Toyota Takes Flight

    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 takes to the skies with Joby Aviation. Honda’s CR-V pulled off a midyear plot twist, jumping past the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Toyota RAV4 to become America’s best-selling light vehicle in the first half of 2026. Strong hybrid demand, rival inventory issues, and smart lease retention put Honda in rare air. CR-V sales reached 226,11…

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  • 12 minJul 1, 2026

    Three Imports Up, Honda & Nissan Get Cozy, Service Design Sizzle

    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. Hyundai, Kia, and Honda rolled into June with dealer-friendly momentum: hybrids hot, crossovers moving, and core models carrying the load. Even as affordability keeps pressure on the broader market, the right powertrain mix is still pulling shoppers in. Hyundai sales rose 11% to 77,555, while Kia climbed 10% to 70,507, giving both brands June U…

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  • 13 minJun 30, 2026

    Used Prices Pop, EV Auto on Amazon, Bain Sees Rough Waters Ahead

    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. According the the Carfax July Car Index,  prices are on the rise as the first half of 2026 brought meaningful price increases across nearly every used segment, with hybrids and EVs leading the charge as fuel price uncertainty pushes shoppers toward efficiency. Used vehicle prices rose 1.3% in June, adding roughly $350 after a sharper 3% jump…

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  • 12 minJun 29, 2026

    Wayve Mimics Tesla, Texas Takes The Wheel, Prime Day Retreat

    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 last year. Show Notes with links: Texas is closing in on California’s long-held lead in new-vehicle retail sales, and that shift could reshape where automakers look for cues on product, pricing, and consumer behavior. California’s share of U.S. retail light-vehicle sales has slipped from 12.5% in 2019 to 11.4% today, while Texas has cli…

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  • EP 138211 minJun 27, 2026

    We Rally The Auto Industry To Help 5 Year Old Enzo

    Donate to Enzo's surgery: 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—they're about the people behind this industry. Today we're sharing one about dealer Jason Cestaro and his five-year-old son, Enzo, whose courage has inspired everyone around him as his family races toward life-changing surgeries. Enzo has overcome incredible medical challenges since birth, including spending his first nine hours of life in surgery and more than two months in the NICU. Today, he's a joyful, soccer-loving fiv…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page
  • EP 138211 minJun 27, 2026

    We Rally The Auto Industry To Help 5 Year Old Enzo

    Donate to Enzo's surgery: 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—they're about the people behind this industry. Today we're sharing one about dealer Jason Cestaro and his five-year-old son, Enzo, whose courage has inspired everyone around him as his family races toward life-changing surgeries. Enzo has overcome incredible medical challenges since birth, including spending his first nine hours of life in surgery and more than two months in the NICU. Today, he's a joyful, soccer-loving fiv…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page
  • EP 138111 minJun 26, 2026

    Polestar Ordered To Stop Selling, CarGurus Transparency, Cookout Costs Climb

    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 of July. Show Notes with links: The U.S. is drawing an even harder line on Chinese-connected vehicles. Polestar says it will be forced to stop selling new vehicles in America starting with the 2027 model year after the government denied its approval under the Connected Vehicles Rule. Despite being headquartered in Sweden, Polestar's majority…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page
  • EP 138111 minJun 26, 2026

    Polestar Ordered To Stop Selling, CarGurus Transparency, Cookout Costs Climb

    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 of July. Show Notes with links: The U.S. is drawing an even harder line on Chinese-connected vehicles. Polestar says it will be forced to stop selling new vehicles in America starting with the 2027 model year after the government denied its approval under the Connected Vehicles Rule. Despite being headquartered in Sweden, Polestar's majority…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page

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