Pushbacks and Paperwork
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The ASOTU Daily Pushback email is a one-stop digest of the day's big automotive, economic, and cultural news aimed at keeping our community equipped with knowledge, connected to the industry, and encouraged to keep on moving the needle forward on remaining the best method for meeting consumer mobility needs.?
As we cover the stories, we keep our finger on the pulse of retail auto by asking our readers their thoughts, opinions, or predictions regarding today's news and its impact on tomorrow.?
RECAP WEEKS: DEC 18th - DEC 29th
Some big stories:?
---Polls---
Friday, December 29th, we asked what your view on hybrid sales strategies combining direct-to-consumer and dealership models is.
Dealership Dominance is the largest piece of the pie, with 29% of respondents saying the dealership will remain the primary way vehicles get to drivers. 25% of people see direct sales becoming more and more common even if dealerships remain the main game. While 21% think there is room in the conversation for some collaboration and harmony between the two options.?
It seems safe to say equipping dealers to sell vehicles online beginning-to-end is a great answer for Automakers. But the QUESTION seems to be, "Are there any profits we can send back to Detroit (Sorry Big 3, just an example) in the meantime?"?
Thursday, December 28th, we turned our attention back to inventory and asked what you envision as the future of inventory balance in your dealership.
The top answer, with 33% of the vote, was that inventory would be aligned with automaker visions and directives, while in a close 2nd, 27% of you said dealers should have total freedom to pick and choose their inventory.?
Collaboration is usually the best bet, but why have local dealers with local knowledge of the local market if you aren't going to consider it??
Thursday, December 21st, we talked about the news from the NHTSA kicking around the idea of a 52M vehicle recall over airbag inflators. We asked what you think the next best step is.
The most common answer at 28% was that the talking isn't done and more negotiation is needed. But every answer got a good deal of action:
No consumers get upset when a recall happens and is later determined unneeded. A LOT of folks get upset when a recall is pushed back, and somebody gets hurt in the waiting—tough call for sure.?
Wednesday, December 20th, we looked at Kia Canada's strategic delivery delay and asked what you thought.
31% of you said it was a Strategic Necessity, with. another 19% answering that the tactic would be a short-term pain for a long-term gain. However, with 27% and 15% saying it was a dealer dilemma and a customer disadvantage, respectively, the community seems torn on the whole plan.?
On the one hand, we doubt the paperwork agreed to get the vehicle to the customer ASAP. On the other, do we really need paperwork to tell us how to treat consumers like we want to be treated??
Tuesday, December 19th, we talked about self-driving vehicles again. This time, ask what role you see them filling in the future of American mobility.?
The votes were perfectly split between dominating cargo and delivery services and replacing traditional taxis and ride-sharing services. It seems like many applications for robotics; we'd rather them fill the role of paid workers than propel us into a weird new world of sci-fi fancy.?
I just want a robot that mows my lawn, cleans my dishes, and teaches me to kickbox. Please stop building robots that can crash into me (unless it is with kickboxing gloves on, I mean).?
Monday, December 18th, we asked about the 2030 plans with an eye on Volvo's commitment to going all-electric while other automakers are slowing down a bit. We asked you if this was a good idea.?
It was a nice spread for the available answers, with a simple "yes" only taking 15% of the vote. The others:?
It seems you can never tell customers what they want; you can only say goodbye to the ones who don't want what you got.?
---Thanks for reading!---
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