Chevy’s first NFT flops, People controlling the Fed with their minds, Tesla’s pothole tech

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Now that the holiday is over, we can really start off the second half of the year as we launch ASOTU tickets! We also talk about Chevy’s first NFT of a Corvette Z06, how the Fed is paying a lot of attention to how you are thinking about inflation, and Tesla’s new pothole adjusting tech that will hopefully make all of our rides a lot smoother.

• Consumer’s inflation psychology is affecting the Fed’s decision making process
  • Main premise: people’s expectations of future inflation directly drive their decisions today, leading to more inflation. Landlords demand higher prices today, workers ask for higher wages.
  • Officials didn’t react initially to inflation last year because of belief and rhetoric that it was due to temporary situations therefore the general public didn’t react. 
    • When inflation is low, people don’t pay attention, when its high, the opposite
• History lesson: 30 year mortgage rate hit 18.45% in late 1981 SO did CD returns
• Take away: Being a great and efficient operator is inflation proof
• Zero bids on Chevy’s very first NFT, even though it came with a free Z06
  • The NFT, which depicts a lime green Corvette Z06 blasting through a cyberpunk landscape, was created by artist Nick Sullo, who goes by xsullo online. The upcoming auction pairs Sullo’s NFT with a custom-painted 2023 Corvette Z06 color-matched to the art.
  • Vin is in Binary
  • Vehicle is the only one made with option code RFT and in color “Minted Green”
  • Originally held from June 20-24 then relaunched for 24 hours stating some bidders “missed” the bidding window
  • Trevor Thompkins, a spokesperson for Chevy, shrugged off the disappointment in a statement to Corvette Blogger. “Our first step into Web3 has been educational, and we will continue to explore ways to leverage technology to benefit our customers,” Thompkins said.
  • At least GM took the Q2 sales win back from Toyota selling 47k more vehicles ;)
  • Take Away: NFT’s only have value if the bidding community understands both the items AND the technology. And did we mention brand yet?
• Tesla is finding a way around those pesky potholes
  • In a new 2022.20 software update, the automaker writes in the release notes about a new feature of the “Tesla Adaptive Suspension” system:
    • “Tesla Adaptive Suspension will now adjust ride height for an upcoming rough road section. This adjustment may occur at various locations, subject to availability, as the vehicle downloads rough road map data generated by Tesla vehicles.”
  • Primary focus is not potholes, but rather how to adjust suspension dynamically
  • Take Away: Competitive knowledge is no longer just about bluetooth availability. Make sure your team and customers know horizon tech comparisons to inventory you have.

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