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Episode #1166: Tesla’s new “affordable” EVs aren’t quite the bargain they seem, Ford’s return-to-office mandate sparks employee backlash, and Mattel teams up with OpenAI’s Sora 2 to reimagine how toys come to life.

Show Notes with links:

• Tesla’s newest “Standard” versions of the Model 3 and Model Y were meant to bring affordability back to the brand — but the math tells another story. Despite cutting prices, the value gap is slim and the features list is slimmer.
  • The Model 3 starts at $36,990 and the Model Y at $39,990, both roughly $5,000 cheaper than premium trims.
  • The missing features? Autosteer, rear seat heating, power mirrors, LED lightbar, and even a proper glass roof — now covered with a liner.
  • Tesla removed $6,000–$8,000 worth of equipment, yet financed rates make monthly payments just $78 less than the higher-trim versions.
  • When the $7,500 U.S. EV tax credit was still active, Tesla’s premium trims actually cost less than these new “affordable” models — a Model Y Long Range, for example, effectively came in around $37,500 after incentives, versus $39,990 now with no credit.
  • Analysts warn the cars may cannibalize existing sales without attracting new buyers under $30k.
  • “It’s basically a pricing lever, not a product catalyst,” said Shay Boloor of Futurum Equities, calling Tesla’s move more smoke than spark.

• Ford’s big push to bring employees back four days a week isn’t going smoothly. After new attendance rules took effect in September, some workers say they were threatened with termination—even while following the policy.
  • Ford ordered most white-collar staff to return four days a week starting Sept. 1, citing collaboration and growth goals.
  • Automated emails warned some workers they could be fired for low badge-ins, even those meeting approved hybrid schedules.
  • HR leaders admitted the system “caught up people doing the right things” and said future messaging would be revised.
  • Employees cite burnout, overcrowded offices, and frustration over rigid schedules that make cross-time-zone work harder.

• Mattel is teaming up with OpenAI to test Sora 2, the latest AI video-generation tool that turns sketches into lifelike product visuals — and could reinvent how toys are designed and pitched.
  • The partnership lets Mattel designers transform early sketches into video concepts in minutes using OpenAI’s API.
  • CEO Sam Altman said the goal is to “bring product ideas to life more quickly.”
  • The collaboration marks one of the first real-world tests of Sora 2 since OpenAI’s Developer Day showcase.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:03 ASOTU Edge Webinar TODAY
2:14 Tesla Debuts "Standard" Model 3 and Model Y
7:40 Ford Struggles with Return-To-Office Mandate
10:58 Ma

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.

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Episode #1165: Today we’re talking about dealerships hitting the 100-year mark and how they’re still family-run, Lincoln Electric’s new portable EV charger that brings dead batteries back to life, and ChatGPT’s new integrations that let it control apps like Spotify, Zillow, and Canva right inside the chat.

• Reaching 100 years in business is rare. Reaching it in the dealership world—while staying family-owned—is exceptional. Automotive News featured five centenarian stores that prove that legacy and adaptability can thrive together.
  • Huffines Auto Dealerships (TX) marks 101 years and four generations, founded on “a love of people.”
  • Kings Ford (OH) has been selling Fords since 1915, with the Ring family training staff to “listen before selling.”
  • McClinton Chevrolet (WV) began in 1919; now fourth-gen dealer Ginny Bowden calls it “an honor and a privilege” to continue her family’s legacy.
  • Porter Automotive Group (DE) celebrates 100 years of resilience, with five generations carrying the torch into the digital age while staying proudly independent amid consolidation.
  • Theodore Robins Ford (CA), born from a bold move in 1923, still sells Fords “as long as they’ve been making them.”
  • “If you care about people, put the customers and the employees at the forefront of your mission, it can work out.” — Sam Huffines
    • And even though they weren’t featured in this article, we have to shout out the team at Carter Myers Automotive, who started selling cars out of their hardware store in 1902 and helped us coin the phrase, Love People More Than You Love Cars
• The folks famous for fusing steel are now saving EVs from roadside shame. Welding company Lincoln Electric’s new Velion 50kW DC Fast Charger is a portable “box of salvation” that can jolt a dead EV back to life — no outlet required.
  • The Velion delivers 50kW of DC power directly into the battery, bypassing the inverter for quick, real-world charging.
  • It’s built for tow companies, utility fleets, and roadside crews who want to bring charge instead of tow hooks.
• OpenAI just gave ChatGPT a serious upgrade: it can now control other apps like Spotify, Zillow, and Canva without leaving the chat.
  • The new integrations let users search for homes on Zillow, create marketing designs in Canva, or generate playlists in Spotify, all through simple prompts.
  • Tools like Figma and Coursera can help visualize data or recommend learning content directly within the chat.
  • Travel platforms Expedia and Booking.com can now handle trip planning, complete with live pricing and maps.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:03 Announcements: MoreThanCars.com and ASOTU Edge Webinar tomorrow!
2:10 These 6 Dealerships Are Over 100 Year Old
5:54 Lincoln Electric Releases Mobile EV Charger
8:35 ChatGPT

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.

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JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

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Episode #1164: Today we’re talking America’s EV charging boom just as electric sales cool, previewing Tesla’s October tease for a cheaper Model Y, and diving headfirst into Sora 2.

Show Notes with links:

• Just as EV sales start to sputter, America’s charging network is finally finding its rhythm. After years of false starts and government delays, billions in private investment and public funding have sparked a nationwide buildout—making it easier than ever to find a fast charger, even if fewer drivers need one.
  • EV sales are projected to drop 25% next quarter after the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit.
  • The number of U.S. fast-charging ports has jumped 80% in two years to more than 60,000.
  • Private companies and retailers like Walmart have poured over $9.5 billion into new charging sites since late 2023.
  • “Charging deserts” are slowly disappearing, but reliability issues and software hiccups still frustrate some EV owners.
  • “The charging industry is really maturing at a time when the rest of the EV industry is in this period of uncertainty,” said Nick Nigro, founder of Atlas Public Policy.

• Tesla is teasing an October 7 reveal, sparking investor excitement about what could be its long-awaited affordable EV. With slowing sales, an aging lineup, and the loss of federal tax credits, the Elon Musk-led automaker is hoping a lower-cost Model Y can recharge its momentum—and Wall Street’s faith.
  • Tesla released a nine-second teaser video on X showing illuminated headlights and the date “10/7.”
  • The new vehicle is expected to be a lower-cost Model Y, roughly 20% cheaper to produce than the refreshed version.
  • Tesla plans to scale production to 250,000 units annually in the U.S. by 2026.
  • Analysts project deliveries could hit 1.85 million vehicles next year, with the new model driving growth.
  • “Tesla has to prove it can stay exciting without the tax credit boost—and this new model may be its best shot,” one analyst said.

• OpenAI’s new app Sora 2 has exploded to the top of the App Store, blurring the line between creation and chaos. Part TikTok, part AI video generator, and part deepfake machine, it’s turning anyone with a phone into a filmmaker — and sending media pros into existential meltdown.
  • Sora 2 is being called “ChatGPT for creativity,” letting users star in AI-generated short videos.
  • The app quickly hit #1 in the U.S. App Store and follows Meta’s competing “Vibes” AI video feed.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
0:45 Congrats to Nashville SC on winning the US Open Cup
1:49 Upcoming ASOTU Edge Webinar with Uber for Business
3:04 US Fast Charger Number Grows to 60K
6:11 Tesla Teases October 7 Reveal
9:22 Sora 2 Climbs To #1 On the

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/

JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/