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Welcome to Wednesday, ASOTUverse. Today we’re talking about GM tapping Apple after kicking them out. We also cover a rise in Toyota profits as they do what they said, as well as the hotel a company built only for their employees.
- What do you do when you cut Apple CarPlay from your future EV models and take some flack for it? You hire an Apple exec. GM has done just that by recruiting Mike Abbott, a key software executive from Apple. Abbott, has a strong record leading software projects at major tech companies such as Apple, Twitter, Palm and Microsoft, will join GM as chief software officer.
- He will play a central role developing GM's vehicle software and controls as GM ramps up its electric vehicle and autonomous driving efforts, Abbott's appointment underscores GM's commitment to enhance its software capabilities as the auto industry shifts towards electric and autonomous vehicles.
- When Toyota said they were getting more serious about EV sales, they weren't kidding. Earlier today, the company's new CEO, Koji Sato, announced a projected 10% rise in operating profit and a fivefold increase in EV sales, targeting 202,000 units worldwide this business year. This aggressive electrification push follows easing global chip shortages and indicates Toyota's strategic shift towards battery EVs.
- The announcement comes after operating profit for the fiscal fourth quarter through March increased by more than a third
- The refreshed plan to lean into EVs more aggressively was announced and installed just last month
- Supplies loosening also is playing a part as the company said "We expect an increase in (overall) sales volume in all regions and production volume of 10.1 million (vehicles), due to such factors as ... improvement in semiconductor supply," Toyota said in a statement. That would represent output growth of 11% versus the previous year
- American Airlines is upping the game on keeping their staff comfortable and focused while traveling and training with the opening of a beautiful, new hotel in Dallas that's just for them. The $250 million Skyview 6 hotel, located on the airline's corporate campus, was designed with input from employees and includes features based on feedback that prioritize comfort and community.
- The hotel has incorporated unique features like a large cork strip in each room for displaying training materials, magnetic black out curtains for those time zone sensitive legs, and a light in the bathroom that turns on automatically when employees walk in…this one is specifically due to quell that “what city am I in” feeling airline employees tend to get on long trips
- All rooms are single-occupancy, but there's a lounge on each floor for socializing, so employees can study together or take breaks without needing to go into anyone's room.
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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