Sizing Up the EV Storyline, International More Than Cars, Google Gotcha

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Today we have Michael Cirillo, host of The Dealer Playbook, joining the show in Paul’s absence. We are breaking down the questionable narrative in the EV slowdown, a dealer that is taking the More Than Cars mentality international, and a Google leak that is shocking the paid and organic media industry.

• Despite recent headlines about an "EV slowdown," the overall electric vehicle market is still growing. While sales numbers vary across brands, the industry's progress continues, with certain automakers experiencing significant growth.
  • Some brands show lower sales due to model gaps, not a market decline.
  • Automakers like Hyundai and Ford saw YOY EV sales growth from 56% to 86%.
  • Currently Hyundai, GM and Ford are all on pace to sell more than 100k EVs for the first time in a calendar year.
  • Analysts suggest that lower Tesla sales create opportunities for other EV makers.
  • Political polarization impacts EV adoption, with 63% citing China's dominance in the EV supply chain as a concern.
  • The EV market remains divided, with differing brand performance and consumer attitudes.
  • “We’re still seeing growth in demand, just not at the same pace for every brand,” said Stephanie Valdez-Streaty, director of industry insights at Cox Automotive.

• Vermont dealer Faith Mba is not only succeeding in the automotive business but also giving back to his homeland, Nigeria. His efforts have led to the creation of a new school, providing much-needed educational resources.
  • Faith Mba immigrated to the U.S. in 2004 and began his career in the car business soon after. He is currently constructing a 37,000-square-foot Toyota-Ford dealership in Westminster, Vermont.
  • Meanwhile, halfway across the world, Mba has built the six-classroom Mgbala Elementary School in eastern Nigeria, located in Mba's father's hometown, where Mba noticed 200 children studying in a dilapidated two-room school.
  • Managed remotely with the help of a local family member, Mba and his wife funded the project themselves after struggling to secure tax-deductible donations.
  • The new school includes a well for clean water, a significant upgrade from typical local schools which often lack basic amenities.
  • "I look at it as something to carry on [my father's] legacy," Mba told Automotive News. "I decided to build it for the children because they are the leaders of tomorrow."

• Google has confirmed the authenticity of 2,500 leaked internal documents revealing details about the data it collects and potentially uses in its search ranking algorithm, causing a stir in the SEO industry.
  • The leaked documents reveal that Google tracks data such as clicks and Chrome user activity, which the company previously stated do not influence search rankings. However, it's unclear if this data is used for training purposes or in the search algorithm itself.
  • The leak m

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