Stellantis’ Big Game Plans, Redefining “SUV”, Just Use Your Phone

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We’re poolside in a Texas hotel for this Tuesday morning as we talk about the Treasury Department changing the definition of an SUV, Super Bowl ads from OEMs and how to cut down on those pesky Zoom calls.

The US Treasury is reversing a previous stance and changing its definition of "SUV." 

• The adjustment will make more EVs fall under the SUV category. 
• Electric SUVs retailed at, or below, $80K are eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits, whereas smaller vehicles cap at $55K.
• GM also thanked the Treasury and hailed the changes: “The alignment on classification will provide the needed clarity to consumers and dealers, as well as regulators and manufacturers.”
  
  Stellantis confirmed that the company will be running two Superbowl ads this year after taking last year off which will include a 60 second ad in the second quarter for Jeep as well as a 60 second ad in the fourth quarter for Ram
• Ads this year cost $7M for each 30 seconds
• Other confirmed auto advertisers are GM and Kia running a 30 second spot each
• Last year there were ads by GM, KIA, Toyota, BMW, Nissan, and Polestar

According to one phone trainer, sometimes the Zoom call should probably just be a phone call.

• “In a videoconference, on some level you’re always performing. But when you’re just talking on the phone, you can stretch your back, doodle, take a brisk walk, or simply gaze out the window—providing a boost to your mental or physical health.”
• Cites many people are keeping chats in text or email longer than they need to
• Then Covid-19 got everyone addicted to video conferencing tools such as Zoom, and Slack grew into a vital forum for workplace chatter—leaving the good ol’ curly-corded handset to gather dust.
• A survey conducted before the pandemic found that four in five younger Americans had to mentally prepare themselves before making a call.

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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