Way-Mo Autonomy in San Fran, Ford Software Profits, Women Spending The Big Bucks

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We’re warming up those weekend engines as we fly into Friday talking about a big opportunity for autonomy in California. We also talk about Ford’s plans to profit from pro software as well as the big boom in women’s spending over the Summer. 

Show Notes with links:

• The California Public Utilities Commission approved GM's Autonomous Vehicle company, Cruise and Waymo can now add cars and charge for rides at any time in San Francisco. This decision paves the way for broader autonomous vehicle operations throughout California and potentially other markets, despite ongoing concerns from residents and city officials about safety and readiness.
  • Despite many advancements, safety concerns persist. San Francisco agencies reported nearly 600 unexpected stops for driverless vehicles and around 50 instances of interference with first responders.
  • Activists in San Francisco have recently disrupted Waymo and Cruise vehicles by placing traffic cones on them to block sensors.
  • Waymo announced plans to start charging for rider-only trips in San Francisco soon, while Cruise's response is still awaited. Both companies have apps with waiting lists for potential riders.
• According to a top executive, Ford plans to integrate enhanced software into its Ford Pro commercial vehicle business, aiming to increase revenues by $4,000-$5,000 per vehicle in the future.
  • Navin Kumar, CFO of Ford Pro, highlighted that the company will boost revenue through software- and data-driven fleet services, safety/security services, partial vehicle autonomy, and insurance.
  • At a recent J.P. Morgan investor conference, Kumar mentioned that Ford's capability to profit from these services will be amplified mid-decade with the launch of next-gen electric commercial vehicles featuring a new digital "intelligence" platform.
  • By 2026, Ford Pro aims to double the percentage of connected vehicles to around 60% and triple the percentage of vehicles with paid software to approximately 36%.
• In a show of brutal-pink retail force, women this summer propelled major commercial successes, including the "Barbie" movie, Beyoncé's "Renaissance Tour," and Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour." Their collective spending, dubbed the "women's multiplier effect," showcased the significant economic influence of female consumers in the U.S. economy.
  • The "women's multiplier effect" saw groups of women attending events multiple times, amplifying overall consumption and purchases.
  • Over 80% of ticket buyers for Swift and Beyoncé purchased more than two tickets, and 27% of "Barbie" movie ticket orders were for three or more adult tickets.
  • Despite the significant spending, the motivation for many women was not just entertainment but a sense of solidarity and empowerment.

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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