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Episode #1322: The FTC wants dealers to report rule-breakers, Tesla turns Cybertrucks into grid assets with a simpler V2G play, and Apple announces a historic CEO transition

Show Notes with links:

The FTC is now asking dealers to help police each other on advertising. In a recent NAD webinar, regulators emphasized reporting bad actors and clarified key pricing rules, especially around doc fees and how total vehicle price must be presented.

• • The FTC is encouraging dealers to report competitors who violate ad rules, aiming to level the playing field.
  • Complaints can be submitted directly or through NADA, signaling a more collaborative enforcement approach.
  • Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection clarified that doc fees must be included in the advertised total price—not added later in the deal.
  • Total vehicle price must be displayed more prominently than MSRP in ads across all channels.
  • “[It’s important that] the consumer understands what it is that they’re going to be paying to get the car out the door,” said Christopher Mufarrige.

• The Cybertruck is officially now a grid asset. Tesla and PG&E just approved it for vehicle-to-grid use in California, and the bigger story isn’t just capability—it’s a simpler, cheaper path that could finally make energy-sharing scalable.
  • Unlike Ford and GM setups, Tesla uses an AC-based system—avoiding $6K–$10K DC charger installs.
  • Lower hardware complexity could remove a major barrier for homeowners to join grid programs.
  • Owners opt in to send energy back during peak demand—and get paid for it.
  • With 123 kWh onboard, each Cybertruck adds ~9x the storage of a typical home battery.
  • “Electric vehicles can do more than move people — they can help power homes,” said PG&E’s Jason Glickman.

• One of the most influential CEOs in modern business is stepping aside. Apple announced that Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman this fall, handing the CEO role to longtime insider John Ternus—marking the first major leadership shift since the Steve Jobs era.
  • John Ternus, Apple’s hardware engineering chief, will become CEO on September 1, 2026.
  • Cook will stay on as executive chairman, focusing in part on global policy and regulatory relationships.
  • The move caps a long-planned succession, not a sudden shakeup—Apple signaling stability.
  • Ternus brings a product-first background, having led hardware during Apple’s silicon and device expansion era.
  • “He is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future,” said Tim Cook.

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 #1321: Sedans eye a comeback as affordability bites, tax refunds rise but don’t fully convert to sales, and a $2K stripped Tesla proves EV durability in the wildest way possible.

Show Notes with links:

https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/automakers/an-general-motors-sedan-strategy-0419/#
After years of getting crowded out by crossovers, sedans are quietly making a return. Rising prices, shifting regulations, and a hunger for something different have automakers reconsidering the segment many left for dead.
Automakers like GM, Stellantis, and Infiniti are exploring new sedan entries, some targeting sub-$30K price points to win back budget-conscious buyers.
Sedans are gaining traction again, with Camry, Accord, and K5 posting double-digit sales increases while some crossovers lose share.
With average vehicle prices over $50K, sedans offer a more affordable alternative and fill an underserved gap in the market.
Design fatigue is real—executives say SUVs are getting “boring,” while sedans offer more room for style and brand differentiation.
“There’s opportunity for sedans to nibble into utility vehicles,” said S&P’s Stephanie Brinley.

https://news.dealershipguy.com/p/https-news-dealershipguy-com-p-first-tax-season-under-one-big-beautiful-bill-ends-refunds-up-11
The first tax season under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” brought bigger refunds—but not a clean win for dealers. Higher cash in pockets met higher costs at the pump and on loans, creating a mixed bag on showroom floors.
Average refunds jumped 11% to $3,462, with total payouts up 14.5%, boosted by new deductions, credits, and no tax on tips or overtime.
Dealers saw uneven results—some stores surged, others lagged—as gas prices topped $4 and interest rates stayed elevated.
Used market demand leaned toward “near-new” value buys, as shoppers stretched dollars against $50K new-vehicle pricing.
Subprime activity ticked up, but down payments shrank, signaling affordability pressure despite larger refunds.
“If the war ends…we could see a monster Q4 in ’26,” said Potamkin CEO Cole Potamkin.

https://electrek.co/2026/04/18/youtuber-buys-stripped-tesla-model-3-go-kart-2000-212-miles-range/
YouTuber, Remmy Evans, bought a completely stripped Tesla Model 3 for $2,000—and drove it like a go-kart. Somehow, the battery and motors didn’t get the memo.
The car had no body panels, windshield, or seatbelts—just the core EV components—and still showed 212 miles of range.
Despite 78 error codes and missing safety systems, it was driven on public roads, drifted, off-roaded, and even jumped.
Charging proved tricky, with hacked adapters and slow Level 2 charging due to software limitations.
Tesla’s software may eventually restrict functionality as it detects missing components, highlighting challenges for rebuilders.
The big takeaway: EV drivetrains are incredibly durable—even when everything else is gone.

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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There's nothing better than Saturday morning, especially because Kyle and Paul get to sit down with Chris Reeves and talk about some of the amazing things happening across their industry today. We talk about how retail automotive's largest auto group, Lithia, is still able to get hyper local with their service to the community.

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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/