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Episode #1187: GM trims its workforce and tech leadership as it reassesses priorities. Kia hits pause on its next U.S. EV launch amid regulatory roadblocks. And Walmart leans into nostalgia with a print catalog push designed to elevate its home game.

Show Notes with links:

General Motors made sweeping changes last week, laying off workers and restructuring leadership as it adjusted to shifting market signals. What began as a response to softening EV demand quickly expanded into a broader corporate shakeup.

• • GM eliminated 1,750 jobs, including 1,200 from Factory Zero in Detroit and hundreds more at paused battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee.
  • The company cited weaker EV sales and regulatory uncertainty as reasons for scaling back production.
  • Senior VP of Software David Richardson abruptly exited following an internal reorg just days after presenting at GM’s tech event.
  • His responsibilities were shifted under product leadership led by Tesla/Aurora alum Sterling Anderson.
  • CEO Mary Barra assumed oversight of cybersecurity and IT, signaling a more hands-on approach to GM’s tech transformation.

• Kia has officially delayed the U.S. release of its compact EV4 sedan, which was initially slated to arrive in early 2026.
  • The EV4, revealed at the New York Auto Show, was expected to start under $40K with up to 330 miles of range.
  • Kia confirmed the delay, citing “changing market conditions for EVs” as primary cause.
  • The expiration of the $7,500 EV tax credit and new import tariffs have reshaped the economics of launching foreign-built EVs in the U.S.
  • The EV4 was to be manufactured in South Korea and imported to the U.S.; that plan is now on hold indefinitely.
  • Kia’s EV lineup already includes the EV6, EV9, and Niro EV

• In an unexpected move, Walmart has revived the old-school print catalog to boost its home goods visibility. The retailer's latest campaign mixes nostalgia with strategy, aiming to reintroduce shoppers to a broader, more style-forward product lineup.
  • Walmart released a full-scale home catalog in August, targeting new, existing, and lapsed customers ahead of the holidays.
  • The catalog showcases furniture, decor, and appliances with QR codes linking to Walmart’s online store.
  • SVP Creighton Kiper described the catalog as a static creative tool to reposition Walmart as a destination for affordable, high-style home goods.
  • Despite rapid execution, early impressions and engagement exceeded expectations — though no follow-up editions have been confirmed.
  • “Most retailers recognize… you have to have a marketing mix across online and offline channels to really reach the consumer,” said Polly Wong, President of Belardi Wong.

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
1:03 Upcoming Edge Webinar Tomorrow!
1:39 GM Shakes Up Exe

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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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.

Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/

JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

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After a couple of weeks off due to international travel and a new baby, Chris, Paul and Kyle are back to talk about how car dealerships are caring for their community.

Today, they cover how the Rohrman Auto Group donated $77,500 to support multiple organizations across Indiana and Chicagoland dedicated to pediatric cancer research, treatment and support.

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.

Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/

JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/