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Episode #1186: Dealerships are investing big in mobile service as customer demand and capacity challenges make on-the-go repairs a serious growth opportunity. France launches the world’s first live EV-charging highway, while new data shows holiday shoppers are blending online convenience with a strong return to in-store experiences.

Show Notes with links:

• As consumers crave convenience and service bays become scarce, dealerships are rethinking what “fixed ops” means.
  • Bozard Ford-Lincoln’s Ed Roberts has shown what success looks like: 46 mobile units, 43 techs, and $10 million in annual revenue. “Everything you can do in a shop without a lift can be done in the field,” Roberts said.
  • The mobile repair segment grew 15% in 2024—nearly twice the growth of the overall “do-it-for-me” market—according to the Lang Aftermarket Report.
  • Industry analysts predict mobile service will soon be an OEM standard, driven by capacity shortages, customer demand, and the undeniable appeal of “winning driveways.”
  • Apple Tree Honda and Acura in North Carolina now run three Ford Transit vans daily, tackling maintenance and light repairs for customers who’d rather not come in.
  • Fixed Ops Director Richard Lupo built the program from the ground up, using Urban Science data to pinpoint customers they weren’t reaching—and consultants like Spiffy to scale operations efficiently.

• In a world first, France has flipped the switch on a stretch of highway that wirelessly charges EVs as they drive. The A10 motorway near Paris now delivers real-time power to vehicles in motion—potentially redefining how we think about range and charging altogether.
  • VINCI Autoroutes and Electreon embedded coils beneath 1.5 km of roadway for the “Charge as You Drive” project.
  • The inductive system hits peak power above 300 kW, verified by independent labs.
  • Vehicles including a truck, van, bus, and car are already charging while cruising in live traffic.
• Even in an age of scrolling and swiping, shoppers still want to see, touch, and feel the holidays. Two new studies—from NIQ and Quad/Harris Poll—show consumers are going omnichannel, but physical retail and print are far from dead.
  • 66% of shoppers plan to browse online, but 64% will visit stores—and nearly 3 in 4 say in-store shopping gets them into the holiday spirit.
  • 76% of Americans see visiting stores as a holiday ritual, and 66% say their favorite gifts came from unexpected in-store finds.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
0:52 Edge Webinar this Wednesday
1:25 Early Adopters Are Pushing Mobile Service Forward
2:43 Richard Lupo of Apple Tree Honda and Acura joins the show
9:39 France Launches

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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