AUTOMOTIVE
Tesla Goes To Court In Louisiana
Tesla has filed a suit against the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, several LA Motor Vehicle Commission members, some dealerships in the state, and a partridge in a pear tree.
That's a lot of defendants, Elon. The EV maker says the 2017 ban on direct-to-consumer sales violates state and federal antitrust laws and infringes on its constitutional rights, namely interstate commerce.
Aren't there already precedents for this? While many dealer protection laws have been in place since the 1950s, Tesla has been testing the fence and settled a similar suit in Michigan that allowed the company to service cars in the state through a subsidiary.
Telling it like it is — Could this change things at the state and national levels? Sure, with time. Does it change the day-to-day dealer mission of providing the best customer experience? Not so much.
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AUTOMOTIVE
Ford’s Mystery Truck
Encouraged by the F-150 Lightning's engagement, Ford has a new EV truck in the works. The mystery truck will likely go on sale in 2025.
All new. While many of Ford's EVs have repurposed the name of a past model, Jim Farley says the new EV will be an original nameplate, not a redesign.
Ask the experts — What should the new Ford be called? Here are some of our answers. Hit reply and let us know yours!
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TOGETHER WITH ACTIVENGAGE
Conversations That Count
Bots OUT! Humans IN!
You know, because humans prefer humans when it comes to conversations.
ActivEngage provides software leveraged by always-connected engagement experts (those humans again) so you can support consumers at every step of their experience with your dealership. Ditch chat, bring on ENGAGEing (see what we did there 😜) conversations!
Contact ActivEngage and start strategizing, collaborating, and growing your conversations today! Of course, If you'd like the VIP treatment, look out for ActivEngage reps at ASOTU CON!
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AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE
- The Automotive Troublemaker Podcast
- Auto Collabs
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AUTOMOTIVE
EV Makers Add Stocks
The price of doing business is going up. Without the market share of a legacy OEMbacking them up, EV startups need money to increase production amid higher prices to grab a piece of the market healthy enough to sustain themselves.
💰🔋Nikola plans to sell $400M in new stock at market prices. The electric heavy truck producer will ramp up its Tre electric semi truck production and acquire battery-pack supplier Romeo Power with the resulting funds.
💸📈Lucid's ambitions are a bit bigger. The company will issue up to $8B in new stocks over 3 years. The shelf registration allows the company to issue stock as needed, which Lucid says will not be right away.
Telling it like it is — Selling new stocks is a friendly way to raise funds. Not bake sale friendly, but more friendly than some other options.
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CULTURE
NBC Considers Losing An Hour
NBC is looking to raise funds the old fashion way - by not spending them. The broadcast company says they may cut back from 3 to 2 hours of prime time programming.
Less is more? This time less may just be less. As the company spends more on streaming content, live sports, and reaching new customers, giving the 10-11pm hours back to affiliates could be a valuable move.
If decided, the change is not expected before fall 2023.
Telling it like it is — Nobody worry. Jimmy Fallon and his lip syncing celebrities are safe.
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QUICK HITS
- Canada’s exceptional wheat harvest to off-set global shortage.
- Tech designed to convert waves into electricity nears production.
- Google Docs gets an upgrade that makes emojis easier to use! 🙋
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