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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 50 min ago

  • 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
  • EP 138011 minJun 25, 2026

    Zoox Reveals Next-Gen Robotaxi, Dealer Solves Auction Arbitration, Coffeehouse Coaches

    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 adding more labor. Show Notes with links: Amazon-owned Zoox is moving from prototype to production, unveiling a redesigned robotaxi built for scale. The company says riders could start seeing the purpose-built autonomous vehicle in service later this year. Zoox plans to ramp production to 100 robotaxis per week at its Hayward, California f…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page
  • EP 138011 minJun 25, 2026

    Zoox Reveals Next-Gen Robotaxi, Dealer Solves Auction Arbitration, Coffeehouse Coaches

    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 adding more labor. Show Notes with links: Amazon-owned Zoox is moving from prototype to production, unveiling a redesigned robotaxi built for scale. The company says riders could start seeing the purpose-built autonomous vehicle in service later this year. Zoox plans to ramp production to 100 robotaxis per week at its Hayward, California f…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page
  • EP 137911 minJun 24, 2026

    Most American-Made Cars, Slate Debuts Under $25K, CA To Halt Car Sales?

    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 across the state's massive auto market. Show Notes with links: Tesla has once again claimed the top spot in Cars.com's American-Made Index, marking six straight years at the top. But digging into the list reveals that American-made doesn’t necessarily mean American nameplates. The 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index was led by Tesla's Model 3…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page
  • EP 137911 minJun 24, 2026

    Most American-Made Cars, Slate Debuts Under $25K, CA To Halt Car Sales?

    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 across the state's massive auto market. Show Notes with links: Tesla has once again claimed the top spot in Cars.com's American-Made Index, marking six straight years at the top. But digging into the list reveals that American-made doesn’t necessarily mean American nameplates. The 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index was led by Tesla's Model 3…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page
  • EP 137812 minJun 23, 2026

    AI Takes Car Chips, Carvana and Jimmie Johnson Invest In Techs, AI Product Search Increase

    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 trust in it starts to fade. Show Notes with links: As automakers push toward software-defined vehicles, they're colliding with a new competitor: Big Tech. The same memory chips powering AI are now essential in modern vehicles, and tech companies are buying them at almost any price. DRAM memory prices jumped roughly 450% between September 2025 a…

    AppleSpotifyYouTubeEpisode page

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