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We’re making some big trouble on a Monday morning as we talk through Volvo’s partnership with the creator of the popular game Fortnite, Epic Games. We also have special guest, Brain Pasch on the show to talk about his direct approach to questioning Ford CEO, Jim Farley’s direct approach to selling EVs.

• Fortnite creator, Epic Games, partners with Volvo to unleash in car experience
  • (Side note)If you have kids that play the game, you know that Chap 3 Season 3 went down over the weekend in a giant mech battle
  • In a statement Thomas Stovicek, Volvo head of user experience, said that he hopes the partnership will: 
    • provide "richer layers of information" to the driver without the "additional distraction or stress"
    •  “About bringing astonishing game-quality graphics into our cars”
    • "provide entirely new functions and services" such as improved connectivity with other vehicles and the outside environment”
    • Will run on the Volvo ‘HMI’ (Human machine interface)
  • Take away: This is a a great example of importing the best thinking and tools from outside the industry
• An Open Letter to Jim Farley w/ Guest Brian Pasch
  • On Friday, June 3rd, Industry advocate and fellow troublemaker Brian Pasch released an open letter to Ford CEO, Jim Farley challenging several statements made in a recent talk and asking 10 follow up questions on behalf of franchised retail Auto Dealers
    • Is Ford changing their building standards and facility requirements today to minimize the investments dealers need to make for new facilities or facility upgrades?
    • Who is going to work out these deals and trade values on a national Ford EV sales portal when no technology platform can do it today?
    • In your consumer-direct model, where Ford sets an online trade-in value, who is purchasing the vehicle and where does it go?
    • Will Ford be selling certified pre-owned EV models direct to consumers on your national portal?
    • What is your risk tolerance when other OEMs have local dealer lots filled with ready-to-buy competing models and you start to lose market share? 
    • What happens when Ford models (and likely incentives) do not sell through national inventory that you pre-built or orders fail to meet your production goals?
    • Will local dealers have the ability to offer their own financing and F&I products, or will Ford control those offerings?
    • Are you willing to share what the PVR in your model looks like compared to what dealers are realizing today?
    • Could the complexity of trims and optional packages in the Ford EV lineup challenge consumers' ability to confidently configure, build, and purchase a vehicle online?
    • Which technology company has been chosen to design and build your national sales portal?

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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.

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