Trump’s Middle Finger Overshadows Ford Visit, Smarter Recon Strategies, Gen Alpha Spends

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Episode #1243: We’re talking about a viral moment at Ford’s Dearborn plant, a smart strategy for turning old trade-ins into profit, and surprising insights into the real buying power of Gen Alpha.

Show Notes with links:

• President Donald Trump made a high-profile visit to Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant, touring the F-150 line with company leadership, previewing a patriotic new pickup, and filming a CBS interview on the factory floor.
  • Trump was guided by CEO Jim Farley and Executive Chair Bill Ford and saw an F-350 wrapped in an American flag; Ford plans to release it midyear for America’s 250th anniversary.
  • The plant was described by Farley as “the most important automotive plant in the United States.”
  • Trump praised Ford’s workforce and the sound of the assembly line.
  • The visit ended on a viral note when Trump flipped off a heckling worker during his exit.
  • A GoFundMe has been started for the employee which has raised over 25k from almost 1000 donors.

• Faced with affordability challenges and aging trade-ins, more dealers are implementing targeted reconditioning strategies to retail vehicles that would’ve gone to auction just a few years ago.
  • The approach includes dedicated checklists that focus on safety and mechanical soundness while allowing minor cosmetic flaws.
  • Holman adopted this method in June, leading to faster turnaround times and stronger profit margins.
  • Dealers like Premier Automotive and Ganley Automotive are also leaning into older, higher-mileage units to meet demand.
  • The goal is to invest intelligently—fix what matters, disclose the rest, and keep prices approachable.
  • “You have to intelligently dial in the reinvestment,” said Chris Morgan of Holman. “It’s not easy—but it works.”

• A new study shows that kids born after 2010 are already shaping nearly half of family spending decisions—despite most of them not even being old enough to drive.
  • Gen Alpha influences $255B in U.S. spending across food, fashion, and leisure.
  • Their buying influence is powered by peer and family input—not influencers or ads.
  • Visual appeal and style are top decision factors; sustainability ranks low at just 16%.
  • Many Gen Alpha kids are already earning money through informal or part-time jobs.
  • “Our findings show a generation skeptical of media messages and steadfast in their opinions,” said Teneo’s Gee Lefevre.

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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