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It’s a Wednesday that feels like a Monday but not really as we shake off the 4th and head into the second half of the year with bells on! Today we talk about consumer challenges getting their cars fixed, the coming surplus of EV’s, as well as the biggest gas station on the planet that just opened in Tennessee.
Show Notes with links:
- Fixing your car is taking way longer these days, and it's mostly due to a big problem: there just aren't enough car parts or mechanics to go around. Older cars on the road longer and more advanced technology in new cars have repair orders longer and more complicated than ever.
- The average auto repair took over 17 days to complete last year, up around 65% from 2019’s avg of 10.3 hours.
- The tech shortage is real with only 48,000 people graduating from tech-training programs each year in the U.S., compared to a need for 258,000 new automotive technicians.
- Ronnie Clendenin, an auto-repair shop owner in Arkansas, is dealing with doubled workload due to parts which translates into longer wait times and increased repair costs, leading to the difficult situation of turning away regular customers.
- Automakers, like Ford and GM, are investing in tech-training programs and scholarship funds to tackle the issue and Dealerships continue to invest millions in facilities and equipment that make their stores the service department of choice for techs
- There has been some buzz around the stock level of EV’s as Jeremy Robb, Senior Director of Economic and Industry Insights, said during a Cox mid-year review, "I've termed it the 'field of dreams' moment for new electric vehicle stock and supply." Even though EV sales have increased this year, the rise in inventory has been even greater. He added, "It's still uncertain what will happen with all this extra stock," but it might overcome some significant challenges.
- New car inventory is around a 54 days' supply, whereas for EVs, it's nearly double at 92.2 days, up 343% from last year.
- Prices of new electric vehicles have dropped in recent months. Based on data from Cox, a new electric vehicle that would have cost an average of $65,560 in last year's second quarter, now costs around $55,436.
- In a testament to American gas consumption just in time for the most American holiday, the world's largest gas station, a 74,000 square foot Buc-ee's, recently opened in Tennessee just in time for the 4th.
- The new location is the size of a small Wal-Mart and has 120 gas pumps, a barbecue restaurant, and hundreds of product options
- Semis not allowed
- A row of Tesla chargers in the back
- Employees are notorious for their friendliness and are also the best paid in the industry and beyond
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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