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AUTOMOTIVE
The Dealer Take
There were no shortage of strong feelings and opinions expressed regarding the purchase of ADESA by Carvana in the All Things Used Cars Clubhouse room last Friday. From Patrick Abad encouraging that market shifts like this help everyone get better, to Brian Benstock exhorting dealers to pay attention to the trends facing Europe right now, the conversation did not disappoint. You can find our recap here.
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AUTOMOTIVE
Tesla Production Approved in Germany
Tesla's push to boost output and sales received a shot in the arm last week when Germany approved production at the new plant outside Berlin. Environmental groups have expressed concerns about the plant's impact, but impact tests are still pending.
The Berlin gigafactory has begun construction under pre-approval permits. It will start production of the Model Y and eventually have the capacity to make 500,000 vehicles and 50 gigawatt-hours of battery a year, outpacing established European automakers in both regards.
Telling it like it is - We’re developing a nagging suspicion SpaceX is all part of a plan to put a Tesla factory on the moon.
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AUTOMOTIVE
GM Loses Bid to Skip Recall
GM will recall over 700,000 small SUVs in the US despite a petition to avoid doing so. The recall regards headlights on GMC Terrain SUVs from 2010 to 2017 due to brightness reaching three times the legal maximum.
Seems fine to us. The company's bid to avoid the recall included documents showing the headlights meet industry standards and GM's record that only one customer complained about the headlights due to them shining up into trees.
Telling it like it is - “No, GM, you can’t just buy everybody some quote ‘real top-shelf sunglasses’ end quote.”
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CLUBHOUSE
No Clubhouse Rooms this Week
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TECH
Ukrainian Crisis Further Constricts Chip Supply
Ukraine supplies about 50% of the world's neon gas which is critical for producing semiconductor chips. Chip shortages have affected the auto industry's supply chain from new car production to used car availability as chip prices rise and customers hold on to their cars longer.
The Impact. As in the 2014 invasion of Crimea, prices of such rare and essential gases may increase exponentially. With chip manufacturers already projecting the shortage to persist well into 2023, this new development may push a return to normal supply chain operations further back than anticipated.
Telling it like it is - Y'all didn't seriously think we could make it through a week without new challenges from these chips, did you?
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TOGETHER WITH AUTOLEADSTAR
Finding $100 In The Pants You Washed
Losing cash is the worst. In the days of Apple Pay, it’s easier than ever. We just aren’t as used to carrying it around as in times past.
On the contrary, finding the cash you thought you lost is the BEST!
Here’s a wake up call: You’re probably losing more leads and sales than you realize. That’s why the crazy-innovative team at AutoLeadStar, developed ‘nurture.’ It seamlessly connects with your CRM and turns those dead leads you forgot about and reawakens them into active shoppers and sales.
It’s like having a freakishly dedicated laundry professional go through every single pocket to find that cash you thought was lost forever. ASOTU subscribers get 50% off their first month…just for being the ‘cool kids.’ |
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CRYPTO
Shake Shack is Giving Away Bitcoin if You Use Cash App
In a trial reward program running until mid-March, burger shop Shake Shack gives 15% of the customer purchase price back to them in the form of bitcoin. The reward only applies to customers using Cash App or the Cash App Debit Card to pay.
Hello Fellow Kids. Some see the program as a step toward more mainstream crypto and NFT technology adoption. According to executives, the program seeks to attract younger customers and test the business's potential for broader crypto adoption.
Telling it like it is - Them: Wow, where did you get all this crypto? Us, finishing our 9th milkshake of the day: uh, business savvy?
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WHAT THE KIDS ARE INTO
Epic Games Buys Bandcamp
Epic Games, creator of the massively popular Fortnite and Unreal Engine, have purchased indie music platform Bandcamp. Artists use Bandcamp similarly to social media. It also offers advanced built-in sales options such as "naming your price" and selling merch along with music, making the platform is an essential tool for under-discovered folks.
Why does Epic want it? The move gives Epic a stronger ability to incorporate music into the metaverse and its products. But to the frustration of some artists, very little has been shared about what comes next.
Telling it like it is - ASOTU Mixtape is about to drop “1V1 me IRL VOL: 1”
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QUICK HITS
- Last one out is rotten egg! Nike pulling out of Russia
- LA has lifted its indoor mask mandate, opinions are mixed
- Kroger takes meat “Beyond”
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