DEALERS

TommyCar’s No Shave November

Who doesn't love a good beard? It keeps your face warm in the winter, makes it look cool in the summer, and helps the world know your level of "play around" so they can anticipate their level of "find out."

TommyCar Auto Group partnered with the Hampshire County Sheriff to put their beards to the best of use in November. By participating in No Shave November, the team at TommyCar collected more than $8,500 for the Dana-Farber Cancer institute!

The group's Carla Cosenzi shared that in addition to being a fun way to support a worthy cause, her first-hand experience with the effects of cancer brings organizations like Dana-Farber close to the team's heart.

Telling it like it is - It is a topic close to our heart too, Carla! What a fantastic way to turn a trend into greater awareness and fun for the associate! Truly a cut above, friends!

AUTOMOTIVE

Rounding Up Free Trade

A dispute panel ruled yesterday in favor of Canada and Mexico's challenge against the US interpretation of the auto rules in the new North American trade pact. Feel free to read that sentence again. We sure had to.

Essentially, Canada and Mexico filed a complaint because the United States-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, which came into effect in 2020, says 75% of vehicle components must originate in North America. They, and the US, did not see eye to eye on how to calculate that number.

Rounded up. The US says only the content of the entire vehicle should be rounded up, while Canada and Mexico say if 75% of the engine is North American-made, they should be allowed to round it up to 100%.

A particular debate, but now that it is resolved, component makers north and south of the US border will benefit.

Telling it like it is - Either more cars will qualify for tax credits as a result of this, OR the same number of cars will qualify but be cheaper/easier to make since more of the bits and pieces can be outsourced.

TOGETHER WITH ASOTU EDGE x ACTIVENGAGE

Talking To People About Talking To Robots

Join Activengage and ASOTU for a dynamic webinar on automation, human connection, and how they interact in the automotive industry!

Discover the power and cost of automation.
Hear about human connection's essential role in enhancing conversions vs. bot-style-only services.
Hear from experts about the opportunities and pitfalls of AI like ChatGPT.

AUTOMOTIVE

Hyundai, Suzuki, and Lucid

💰📉💧

Hyundai's Nexo Fuel-Cell Crossover depreciates by about $2 an hour. Since hitting the California market in 2018, many NEXOs have made their way into used-car listings at dramatically depreciated prices. A primary factor in the accelerated depreciation is California's almost total lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

✨🚗🎭

Suzuki has revealed its first EV concept to the world. The company's 110 years of experience are mostly associated with ATVs and dirtbikes, but they are still operating production plants worldwide and will look to release EVs for sale in 2025.

📈✂️✌️

Lucid made MORE vehicles in 2022 than projected. The company lowered its annual goal twice over 2022, from 20K to between 6,000 and 7,000 but ended the year with 7,180 total manufactured. The company announced back in November it said it had 34K reservations in addition to a 100K vehicle deal with the Saudi Arabian government.

TL: DR - Hyundai’s Hydrogen car is depreciating rapidly in CA. Suzuki will bring an EV to market by 2025. Lucid exceeded their lowered production target in 2022.

MARKETS

Walmart and Salesforce Go Local

Walmart and Salesforce are partnering to provide a GoLocal service to retail clients.

What does that mean? Good question. Basically, companies who use Salesforce will gain access to Walmart's delivery and store pickup network.

Walmart drivers will pick up goods at stores and provide same-day delivery through the Salesforce E-Commerce platform.

Telling it like it is - You either die a Walmart competitor or live long enough to see yourself pay them for services. 🦇🕺