{"version":"1.1.0","producer":"fm.getcarcurious","layer":"official","episode":{"title":"5 Ways to Use AI to Grow Your Automotive Business in 2026 | Automotive Advantage EP040","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/5-ways-to-use-ai-to-grow-your-automotive-business-in-2026-automotive-advantage-ep040","audioUrl":"https://anchor.fm/s/106e02930/podcast/play/122847016/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-6-14%2F427975093-44100-2-fd4b607bbd3be.mp3","description":"Year one is in the books. In this one-year anniversary episode of Automotive Advantage, Jamie and Justin lay out five practical ways to use AI in your automotive business in 2026, share hard numbers on where the aftermarket actually stands at the halfway mark, and pull the marketing lessons hiding inside the World Cup.This is the business side of the automotive aftermarket. Real strategy for shop owners, builders, manufacturers, and marketers who want to grow. From using Claude to read contracts, spot revenue trends, manage Shopify catalogs, and audit Google Analytics, to the Midway Plus Wholesale Index showing the industry up 12.3% through the first half of 2026, this one is packed with things you can use Monday morning.5 ways to use AI in your automotive business1. Spot revenue and market trends in your own data2. Read contracts, flag your exposure, and prep pitches3. Lock in brand voice, tone, and style-guide compliance4. Connect Shopify + Google Analytics to run catalogs and reporting5. Write copy — press releases, emails, social — that doesn't sound like AIState of the aftermarket, first half of 2026 (Midway Plus Wholesale Index)- Wholesale revenue up 12.3% year-to-date vs. 2025- Wholesale order volume up 52% year-to-date- June-over-June sales up ~28%- 32% of all wholesale transactions happen after business hoursWhat the World Cup teaches the aftermarket about marketing$10.5B in global ad spend — and the brands that won didn't always have the biggest check. Nike, Gillette, Levi's, and the Dodge Demon on how constraints become campaigns.Plus: our first-ever sponsors — welcome Spec Coffee and Midway Plus — and a tribute to Brian Loundsbury, founder of Midway Plus.Chapters0:00 Cold Open: The Great AI \"Slop\" Debate0:41 One Year of Automotive Advantage1:58 Year One by the Numbers6:50 First-Ever Sponsors: Spec Coffee & Midway Plus10:19 Taking the Podcast Live (Cars at the Station, SEMA)13:02 State of the Industry: First Half of 202617:26 Midway Plus Wholesale Index + Tribute to Brian Lounsbury37:56 5 Ways to Use AI — #1 Trend Spotting41:22 #2 Reading Contracts & Pitches46:17 #3 Brand Voice, Tone & Style Guides50:47 #4 Connectors: Shopify & Google Analytics57:37 #5 Writing Copy That Doesn't Sound Like AI1:05:53 AI News: Ford Recalls 300+ Engineers1:07:39 Automotive News: EPA Pardons & 7-Year Car Loans1:10:22 World Cup Marketing Lessons for the Aftermarket1:18:42 Here's to Year TwoAutomotive Advantage is a business-first automotive podcast for owners, operators, builders, and marketers in the performance aftermarket. Grow your business and get smarter in about an hour.Subscribe for a new episode every week(ish).Hosted by Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting).#AutomotiveAftermarket #AutomotiveBusiness #PerformanceAftermarket #ShopOwner #AutomotiveMarketing #AutomotiveAdvantage #AITools #SmallBusinessGrowth\n"},"annotations":[{"id":492129,"startTime":271.1,"endTime":279.0,"type":"term","title":"completion rate","url":"/glossary/completion-rate","quote":"and this one is amazing to me, a 32.2% completion rate on Spotify.","canonicalId":"term:completion-rate","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Completion rate is the percentage of listeners who reach the end of an audio or video episode. In podcast analytics, a higher completion rate usually suggests the content is engaging enough to keep people listening.","simplifiedExplanation":"Completion rate means how many people actually finish what you posted. If it’s high, it usually means your episode held their attention.","sourceStartTime":271.1,"sourceEndTime":279.0}},{"id":492130,"startTime":307.4,"endTime":313.6,"type":"term","title":"long-form audio","url":"/glossary/long-form-audio","quote":"give me your thoughts on the big videos, the big long-form audio, and then cutting those down into social rails.","canonicalId":"term:long-form-audio","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Long-form audio refers to extended podcast-style episodes, typically with deeper discussion rather than short segments. It’s often contrasted with shorter clips that are easier to consume quickly on social media.","simplifiedExplanation":"Long-form audio is a longer podcast episode where people talk in depth. It’s usually contrasted with short clips made for social media.","sourceStartTime":307.4,"sourceEndTime":313.6}},{"id":492131,"startTime":311.8,"endTime":313.6,"type":"term","title":"social rails","url":"/glossary/social-rails","quote":"give me your thoughts on the big videos, the big long-form audio, and then cutting those down into social rails.","canonicalId":"term:social-rails","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Social rails is a marketing/creator term for the specific content formats and posting styles that perform on different social platforms. The idea is to repackage longer content into shorter, platform-friendly clips.","simplifiedExplanation":"Social rails means tailoring your content to fit how each social app expects videos to be. It’s basically repackaging long content into shorter posts that do better there.","sourceStartTime":311.8,"sourceEndTime":313.6}},{"id":492132,"startTime":331.4,"endTime":338.0,"type":"term","title":"opus clips","quote":"and then, on Spotify, we've had 16,560 plays and downloads... we still use that, and then I'll use one a day before eight o'clock in the morning,","canonicalId":"term:opus-clips","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Opus Clips is a tool/service used by creators to automatically cut long videos or podcasts into shorter social-media clips. It’s commonly used to speed up the “repurpose content” workflow.","simplifiedExplanation":"Opus Clips is software that helps you turn a long video or podcast into short clips for social media. It saves time when you want to post frequently.","sourceStartTime":331.4,"sourceEndTime":338.0}},{"id":492133,"startTime":338.0,"endTime":343.7,"type":"term","title":"Claude","url":"/glossary/claude","quote":"I get something up, I use Claude, I'll put the transcript in the Claude, it writes a pretty catchy copy, I put it out on Instagram,","canonicalId":"term:claude","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Claude is an AI assistant used to generate text, such as turning a transcript into catchy social-media copy. In this context, it’s being used as part of a content-creation workflow.","simplifiedExplanation":"Claude is an AI tool that can write text for you. Here, it’s used to turn a podcast transcript into a post caption.","sourceStartTime":338.0,"sourceEndTime":343.7}},{"id":492134,"startTime":343.7,"endTime":352.6,"type":"term","title":"LinkedIn","url":"/glossary/linkedin","quote":"I put it out on Instagram, and I've learned to not do it too often on LinkedIn,","canonicalId":"term:linkedin","priority":0.15,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"LinkedIn is a professional social network where posting frequency and content style can affect reach. The speaker claims LinkedIn “punishes” heavy posting and prefers experience- or learning-focused updates.","simplifiedExplanation":"LinkedIn is a social app for professional content. The speaker is saying it may not reward lots of frequent posts the way other platforms do.","sourceStartTime":343.7,"sourceEndTime":352.6}},{"id":492135,"startTime":376.7,"endTime":382.76,"type":"term","title":"shit talk suppressors","quote":"so some of what I would call just regular clips from you and me, most of them are a thousand views, they will go up to 15,000, if you like shit talk suppressors or something like that, people tend to like that.","canonicalId":"term:shit-talk-suppressors","priority":0.3,"confidence":0.45,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Suppressors” here likely refers to aftermarket exhaust noise-reduction devices, often discussed in enthusiast circles. The phrase “shit talk suppressors” suggests the creator is using controversial or opinionated content to drive engagement.","simplifiedExplanation":"Suppressors are devices that reduce noise. The host is saying people engage more when the clip is spicy or opinionated about them.","sourceStartTime":376.7,"sourceEndTime":382.76}},{"id":492136,"startTime":877.16,"endTime":882.9,"type":"car","title":"Lamborghini Urus","url":"/cars/lamborghini/urus","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Geneva_International_Motor_Show_2018%2C_Le_Grand-Saconnex_%281X7A0035%29.jpg","quote":"...so have kind of this anecdotal feedback. So, John Urus gave me his numbers for the first half of 2026 at...","canonicalId":"car:lamborghini:urus","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lamborghini Urus is a high-performance luxury SUV from Lamborghini, built to combine everyday practicality with supercar-style power and acceleration. It’s often discussed because it represents Lamborghini’s push into the SUV segment, and sales/ownership feedback can be a big part of how the model is evaluated. In a podcast, it may come up when talking about market performance and real-world impressions from owners or industry contacts.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lamborghini Urus is a luxury SUV made by Lamborghini. It’s designed to be comfortable for daily driving, but it’s also very fast. People talk about it because it’s a Lamborghini that you can use like a regular SUV, not just a low-slung sports car.","imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)","imageLicense":"CC BY-SA 4.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geneva_International_Motor_Show_2018,_Le_Grand-Saconnex_(1X7A0035).jpg","sourceStartTime":877.16,"sourceEndTime":882.9}},{"id":492137,"startTime":1753.94,"endTime":1759.3,"type":"term","title":"Midway Plus index","quote":"with the Midway Plus index. My company's not there. What do I do? It's funny.","canonicalId":"term:midway-plus-index","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.45,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The “Midway Plus index” sounds like a benchmark or scoring system used to compare automotive-related business performance across companies. If a company isn’t listed in the index, the host is asking how to interpret results and what to do instead.","simplifiedExplanation":"An “index” is a way to rank or compare businesses using the same rules. If your company isn’t included, you can’t directly compare yourself to the benchmark, so you need other ways to measure what’s happening.","sourceStartTime":1753.94,"sourceEndTime":1759.3}},{"id":492138,"startTime":1804.5,"endTime":1811.4,"type":"term","title":"market share","url":"/glossary/market-share","quote":"But people take market share, things change, the market shifts, brands get hot and then don't get hot.","canonicalId":"term:market-share","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Market share is the percentage of total sales in a market that a brand or business captures. The host uses it to explain why some companies can grow even when the overall market changes.","simplifiedExplanation":"Market share means how much of the total customer demand a brand gets. If a brand gains market share, it’s selling a bigger slice of the market than before.","sourceStartTime":1804.5,"sourceEndTime":1811.4}},{"id":492139,"startTime":1834.0,"endTime":1839.4,"type":"term","title":"online store","url":"/glossary/online-store","quote":"Okay, well then, you know, they might be calling, but you're missing the sale. So there are winners and losers.","canonicalId":"term:online-store","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An online store is e-commerce functionality that lets customers buy or complete key steps digitally instead of only calling. The host argues that lacking an online store can cause you to miss sales even if you’re “always busy” on the phone.","simplifiedExplanation":"An online store lets customers purchase or start buying right on your website. If you don’t offer that, some people won’t wait to call and will go elsewhere.","sourceStartTime":1834.0,"sourceEndTime":1839.4}},{"id":492140,"startTime":1897.7,"endTime":1901.7,"type":"term","title":"tool stack","url":"/glossary/tool-stack","quote":"particularly, you know, look at your tool stack, look at what you're doing, look at where these things are happening and adjust.","canonicalId":"term:tool-stack","priority":0.3,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “tool stack” is the set of software and platforms a business uses to run marketing, sales, and customer follow-up. The host suggests reviewing the tool stack when performance is lagging behind competitors.","simplifiedExplanation":"Your “tool stack” is the collection of apps and systems you use to do your work—like marketing and lead follow-up. If results are down, you may need to change which tools you’re using or how you use them.","sourceStartTime":1897.7,"sourceEndTime":1901.7}},{"id":492141,"startTime":2085.1,"endTime":2091.4,"type":"concept","title":"summer slows","url":"/glossary/summer-slows","quote":"they describe as\n[2085.1s] the summer slows, which is that low period that we talked about and that Brian mapped out for us,\n[2091.4s] but he said it should pick up in the fall","canonicalId":"concept:summer-slows","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Summer slows” refers to a seasonal dip in business activity—here, fewer calls and fewer turbo-kit installs during the summer months. The speaker contrasts that with a pickup in the fall, suggesting demand follows a predictable seasonal pattern.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Summer slows” means business tends to be slower in the summer. In this conversation, they’re saying fewer people are calling for turbo upgrades, and things pick up again later.","sourceStartTime":2085.1,"sourceEndTime":2091.4}},{"id":492142,"startTime":2097.0,"endTime":2103.5,"type":"car","title":"F-150","url":"/cars/ford/f-150","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/2021_Ford_F-150_%28fourteenth_generation%29_front_view_01.png","quote":"and a war with Iran that is scaring away people from dropping 10 or 15 grand on an F-150 twin\n[2103.5s] turbo kit","canonicalId":"car:ford:f150","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck that’s extremely popular with both everyday drivers and performance upfitters. In this segment, it’s mentioned as the kind of vehicle people spend money on for aftermarket performance parts like a turbo kit.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford F-150 is a very common full-size pickup truck. Here, they’re talking about people adding performance upgrades to it, like a turbo kit, which can cost a lot of money.","imageAttribution":"Gold Pony (CC BY 3.0)","imageLicense":"CC BY 3.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2021_Ford_F-150_(fourteenth_generation)_front_view_01.png","sourceStartTime":2097.0,"sourceEndTime":2103.5}},{"id":492143,"startTime":2114.8,"endTime":2170.5,"type":"term","title":"turbo kit","url":"/glossary/turbo-kit","quote":"I mean, I'm just thinking about turbo kits specifically here,\n[2114.8s] and John would know better, obviously he's been doing this a long time, but it feels like a turbo\n[2119.0s] kit is not something you just do in the middle of summer","canonicalId":"term:turbo-kit","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A turbo kit is an aftermarket package that adds a turbocharger and the supporting hardware to an engine. It’s more than just the turbo itself—installing one often requires matching supporting components (like fueling and intake/exhaust plumbing) to work safely and make the intended power.","simplifiedExplanation":"A turbo kit is a set of parts that adds a turbo to a car’s engine. It usually includes more than one piece, so the install can be a bigger job than simple upgrades.","sourceStartTime":2114.8,"sourceEndTime":2170.5}},{"id":492144,"startTime":2170.5,"endTime":2176.1,"type":"term","title":"fuel system","url":"/glossary/fuel-system","quote":"and also a turbo kit for the most part is\n[2170.5s] like you also need other things, fuel system, you know, so it's like maybe that's the thing you\n[2176.1s] order at the end","canonicalId":"term:fuel-system","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The fuel system is the set of components that delivers fuel from the tank to the engine (and meters it under different conditions). With a turbo kit, the engine may need more fuel than stock, so the fuel system often has to be upgraded or recalibrated to avoid running lean.","simplifiedExplanation":"The fuel system is how the car gets gasoline to the engine. If you add a turbo, the engine may need more fuel, so the fuel system may need changes too.","sourceStartTime":2170.5,"sourceEndTime":2176.1}},{"id":492145,"startTime":2195.2,"endTime":2203.0,"type":"term","title":"transmission","url":"/glossary/transmission","quote":"you get into it dude, you know, you never know what happens, right, you break something, you\n[2199.3s] don't have the right part, the transmission goes away, you know, like there's just, that's a big\n[2203.0s] tear up","canonicalId":"term:transmission","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The transmission is the drivetrain component that changes gear ratios to deliver engine power to the wheels. When you install a turbo kit and increase torque, the transmission may be stressed, and in some builds it can become a limiting factor or require additional parts/repairs.","simplifiedExplanation":"The transmission is what helps the car put power to the wheels in the right gear. If you add a turbo and make more torque, it can put extra strain on the transmission.","sourceStartTime":2195.2,"sourceEndTime":2203.0}},{"id":492146,"startTime":2359.6,"endTime":2364.1,"type":"term","title":"raw data","url":"/glossary/raw-data","quote":"feeding it a bunch of raw data that you have and then being like, what trends do you see?","canonicalId":"term:raw-data","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Raw data” means unprocessed information straight from its source (like time logs or project entries) rather than reports or summaries. 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Here, it’s being used as the system of record for projects so AI can analyze the project history.","simplifiedExplanation":"Notion is an app people use to keep organized notes and databases. In this case, they use it to log projects so they can later analyze the information.","sourceStartTime":2364.1,"sourceEndTime":2376.7}},{"id":492148,"startTime":2370.1,"endTime":2376.7,"type":"term","title":"database of all these projects","quote":"and then there's a database of all these projects, so I was using\nClaude the other day","canonicalId":"term:database-of-all-these-projects","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.6,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “database” is a structured collection of records that can be queried and analyzed. 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The hosts describe using AI to analyze internal workload data and also market trends.","sourceStartTime":2429.8,"sourceEndTime":2436.0}},{"id":492150,"startTime":2440.9,"endTime":2447.5,"type":"term","title":"supercharger","url":"/glossary/supercharger","quote":"there's trends for the market. So you can ask Claude, hey, tell me what the best supercharger\ncompanies are because I'm a manufacturer of superchargers and tell me what they're doing.","canonicalId":"term:supercharger","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A supercharger is a forced-induction device that uses a belt-driven compressor to push more air into an engine. More air generally enables more fuel to be burned, which can increase power output.","sourceStartTime":2440.9,"sourceEndTime":2447.5}},{"id":492151,"startTime":2466.6,"endTime":2471.1,"type":"topic","title":"vehicle trends","url":"/glossary/vehicle-trends","quote":"you can also look at vehicle trends,\nright, like what's, you know, our pickup sales up or down, those numbers are out there, the AI's\nwill go find those things.","canonicalId":"topic:vehicle-trends","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Vehicle trends” refers to changes in vehicle-related metrics over time, such as pickup sales moving up or down. 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So we were tagging HPX every day for a couple\nmonths. But yeah, I have used it for emails.","canonicalId":"term:hpx","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"HPX appears to be a platform or workflow the host uses for tagging and a “shopcar challenge.” The segment suggests it’s part of their content pipeline, and they use AI to ensure campaign details are included in press releases.","simplifiedExplanation":"HPX seems to be a tool or platform the host uses to organize content and campaigns. They mention tagging it and making sure the right challenge details show up in their written materials.","sourceStartTime":3507.4,"sourceEndTime":3542.1}},{"id":492155,"startTime":3513.5,"endTime":3538.0,"type":"term","title":"press release","url":"/glossary/press-release","quote":"I have written press releases entirely in Claude,\n[3524.1s] right? With a heavy prompt. I think I pride myself on how long the prompt is where I'm writing\nthe bulk of the press release.","canonicalId":"term:press-releases","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Press releases are formal announcements businesses send to media and stakeholders. Here, the host describes using Claude to draft them, including making sure specific event or campaign details are included.","simplifiedExplanation":"A press release is a written announcement a company sends out to news outlets. It explains what happened and why it matters, and in this segment the host says AI can help draft it.","sourceStartTime":3513.5,"sourceEndTime":3538.0}},{"id":492156,"startTime":3542.1,"endTime":3556.1,"type":"term","title":"AI agents","url":"/glossary/ai-agents","quote":"So it can be extremely powerful. I still think good human\nwriters have quite an advantage. 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So either way, AI is a great partner.","canonicalId":"term:tiktok","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"TikTok is a short-video social platform where marketing often depends on quick hooks and concise messaging. The host uses it as an example of how copy can be a single sentence fragment that grabs attention.","simplifiedExplanation":"TikTok is a social media app focused on short videos. The host is saying that on platforms like this, even one strong line of text can matter a lot.","sourceStartTime":3566.6,"sourceEndTime":3575.9}},{"id":492158,"startTime":3603.9,"endTime":3610.3,"type":"term","title":"analytics","url":"/glossary/analytics","quote":"But I don't have a lot of the\n[3610.3s] analytics to link to those things.","canonicalId":"term:analytics","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Analytics are measurements and insights that show how content performs, such as engagement or results. The host’s point is that AI can generate posts, but the missing piece is connecting them to analytics so you can improve future posts.","simplifiedExplanation":"Analytics are the numbers and insights that tell you how well something performed. Here, the host is saying AI is better when it can connect content to performance data.","sourceStartTime":3603.9,"sourceEndTime":3610.3}},{"id":492159,"startTime":3618.3,"endTime":3622.9,"type":"term","title":"Meta","url":"/glossary/meta","quote":"But then if you link it\n[3622.9s] to meta, it can then see, okay, this post did really well. This post did not well.","canonicalId":"term:meta","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Meta refers to Meta Platforms’ advertising and analytics ecosystem (commonly used for tracking how posts perform). In the segment, the host says linking AI-generated posts to Meta lets the system learn which content resonates.","simplifiedExplanation":"Meta is the company behind platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and it also provides ad/post performance tracking. The host is saying you can connect your content to those results so you know what worked.","sourceStartTime":3618.3,"sourceEndTime":3622.9}},{"id":492160,"startTime":3993.0,"endTime":3997.8,"type":"concept","title":"boundaries for what's going on","quote":"So in all the great things with AI, there's the caution flag of make sure you got boundaries for what's going on.","canonicalId":"concept:boundaries-for-what-s-going-on","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is the idea of putting limits on AI so it only operates within safe, validated conditions. For car building, that means AI shouldn’t be allowed to “guess” without human expertise, real-world data, and engineering constraints.","sourceStartTime":3993.0,"sourceEndTime":3997.8}},{"id":492161,"startTime":4019.1,"endTime":4030.0,"type":"term","title":"machine learning","url":"/glossary/machine-learning","quote":"And you're like, well, I'm an engineer. And I'm like, yeah, well, someone tried that before. And actually the thing is the heat from that thing will affect this one bolt over here... But the machine learning of the old guy who's been in the plant...","canonicalId":"term:machine-learning","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Machine learning is a way computers learn patterns from data instead of following fixed rules. In an automotive context, it’s what helps AI predict outcomes (like how heat affects nearby bolts) based on past cases from real manufacturing and testing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Machine learning means a computer learns from lots of examples. Instead of being programmed with every rule, it figures out patterns from data—like what usually happens when parts are built a certain way.","sourceStartTime":4019.1,"sourceEndTime":4030.0}},{"id":492162,"startTime":4029.1,"endTime":4035.0,"type":"term","title":"CNC machine","url":"/glossary/cnc-machine","quote":"who's seen 15 young people try this and break the CNC machine over and over again, you need that.","canonicalId":"term:cnc-machine","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A CNC machine is a computer-controlled tool used to precisely cut or shape metal and other materials. In manufacturing, it’s sensitive to setup, tooling, and heat effects—so experienced operators often know failure modes that an AI system might not predict without lots of case data.","simplifiedExplanation":"A CNC machine is a shop tool that uses a computer to make very precise cuts. 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If emissions rules get stricter, engineers may change these parts so the engine burns fuel more cleanly.","sourceStartTime":4072.0,"sourceEndTime":4079.4}},{"id":492166,"startTime":4087.1,"endTime":4101.0,"type":"person","title":"Corey Willis","url":"/glossary/corey-willis","quote":"The guy that is really the advocate and the mouthpiece for this is Corey Willis, who I don't think he was on the pardoned list...","canonicalId":"person:corey-willis","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Corey Willis is presented as an advocate and public voice connected to EPA-related emissions enforcement and policy. The episode frames him as someone sharing information with automotive stakeholders about how these actions affect car builders and enthusiasts.","simplifiedExplanation":"Corey Willis is mentioned as a person who speaks up about EPA emissions issues. The host suggests listeners follow what he’s sharing because it may affect how cars are regulated and built.","sourceStartTime":4087.1,"sourceEndTime":4101.0}},{"id":492167,"startTime":4136.0,"endTime":4142.3,"type":"term","title":"EPA certification pathway","url":"/glossary/epa-certification-pathway","quote":"Additionally, the Seema Garage looks like it's been awarded the ability to be an official kind of EPA certification pathway, [4142.3s] which is cool, because formally it was just the EPA.","canonicalId":"term:epa-certification-pathway","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) certification pathway is the formal route for getting emissions-related approvals in the U.S. It typically involves meeting specific regulatory requirements so a product or process can be legally sold or used. In this segment, the host says Seema Garage can be an official route for that certification, which implies more legitimacy for certain aftermarket activities.","simplifiedExplanation":"The EPA is the U.S. agency that sets rules for vehicle emissions. A certification pathway is the official process you have to follow to prove something meets those emissions rules. The host is saying an aftermarket shop can now help with that official approval process.","sourceStartTime":4136.0,"sourceEndTime":4142.3}},{"id":492168,"startTime":4159.9,"endTime":4170.2,"type":"topic","title":"seven-year loans","url":"/glossary/seven-year-loans","quote":"Jalopnik's story reads, almost a quarter of new car buyers got seven-year loans last quarter. [4170.2s] React to that. Yeah, bad.","canonicalId":"topic:seven-year-loans","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This refers to auto financing where the loan term is about seven years. Longer loan terms can increase total interest paid and encourage “rolling” the balance into a new car rather than paying the current one off. The hosts react negatively because it can keep you in debt across multiple vehicle purchases.","simplifiedExplanation":"A seven-year loan means you’re paying for the car over about seven years. That usually costs more overall because of interest, and it can make it easy to trade into the next car before you’re done paying. The hosts are basically saying that’s a bad deal for buyers.","sourceStartTime":4159.9,"sourceEndTime":4170.2}},{"id":492169,"startTime":4216.5,"endTime":4229.9,"type":"topic","title":"World Cup","url":"/glossary/world-cup","quote":"I actually asked Claude, like, hey, what can I learn? [4224.6s] What can I learn from the World Cup as a marketer, as a brander? Like what lessons?","canonicalId":"topic:world-cup","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The World Cup is an international soccer tournament that draws global attention and large audiences. The host is discussing it as a marketing and branding case study—what lessons marketers can take from the event’s reach and engagement. This is more about business takeaways than car-specific content.","simplifiedExplanation":"The World Cup is a huge international soccer tournament. It gets a lot of viewers and attention worldwide. The host is using it as an example of how big events can teach marketers how to think about branding and engagement.","sourceStartTime":4216.5,"sourceEndTime":4229.9}},{"id":492170,"startTime":4469.8,"endTime":4497.4,"type":"car","title":"Dodge Demon","url":"/cars/dodge/demon","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/1971_Dodge_Dart_Demon_%2813459607435%29.jpg","quote":"The other one I would think about is the Dodge Demon, [4475.6s] when it ran nines and didn't have a roll cage at NHRA. That's not legal at the time. [4481.8s] So, there was a NHRA letter that went to Dodge…","canonicalId":"car:dodge:demon","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Dodge Demon is a high-performance drag-racing muscle car known for extreme acceleration and drag-strip-focused hardware. In this segment, the host connects its early NHRA eligibility/tech rules to a real-world controversy: it was reportedly run in “nines” without a required roll cage, leading to NHRA action that kicked it out of competition.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Dodge Demon is a super-quick drag-race version of a Dodge muscle car. The story here is that it was running very fast, but it didn’t meet NHRA safety rules at the time—so the NHRA told Dodge it couldn’t race it anymore until it was compliant.","imageAttribution":"Sicnag (CC BY 2.0)","imageLicense":"CC BY 2.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1971_Dodge_Dart_Demon_(13459607435).jpg","sourceStartTime":4469.8,"sourceEndTime":4497.4}},{"id":492171,"startTime":4475.6,"endTime":4486.7,"type":"term","title":"roll cage","url":"/glossary/roll-cage","quote":"The other one I would think about is the Dodge Demon, [4475.6s] when it ran nines and didn't have a roll cage at NHRA. That's not legal at the time.","canonicalId":"term:roll-cage","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A roll cage is a reinforced metal safety structure inside the cabin designed to protect occupants during a crash or rollover. Drag-racing sanctioning bodies like the NHRA often require specific roll-cage setups for certain classes and performance levels.","simplifiedExplanation":"A roll cage is a metal safety frame inside the car. It helps protect the driver if the car flips or crashes hard, and racing rules may require one for faster cars.","sourceStartTime":4475.6,"sourceEndTime":4486.7}},{"id":492172,"startTime":4475.6,"endTime":4492.7,"type":"term","title":"NHRA","url":"/glossary/nhra","quote":"The other one I would think about is the Dodge Demon, [4475.6s] when it ran nines and didn't have a roll cage at NHRA. That's not legal at the time.","canonicalId":"term:nhra","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"NHRA stands for the National Hot Rod Association, the major U.S. sanctioning body for drag racing. 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In marketing measurement, it’s often tracked as a percentage of respondents who can recall the brand, and it’s used to judge how effective campaigns are during major events.","sourceStartTime":4553.5,"sourceEndTime":4577.7}},{"id":492174,"startTime":4592.0,"endTime":4602.0,"type":"term","title":"cylinder heads","url":"/glossary/cylinder-heads","quote":"did you shoot your product on the soccer field? Did you put your cylinder heads with some soccer balls?","canonicalId":"term:cylinder-heads","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Cylinder heads are the engine components that sit on top of the cylinders and house critical parts like the combustion chambers and valve gear. They’re mentioned here as a playful prop idea for themed automotive photos.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cylinder heads are parts of an engine that sit on top of the cylinders. They help control how fuel and air burn and how valves open and close.","sourceStartTime":4592.0,"sourceEndTime":4602.0}},{"id":492175,"startTime":4599.4,"endTime":4602.0,"type":"term","title":"running boards","url":"/glossary/running-boards","quote":"Did you try to grab some attention for your running boards using the hype that is in America right now?","canonicalId":"term:running-boards","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Running boards are exterior side steps mounted along the rocker panels to help people get in and out of a vehicle. The segment treats them as a product that could be photographed in a sports-themed way to attract attention.","simplifiedExplanation":"Running boards are the side steps on some vehicles. They make it easier to climb into the car, and here they’re used as an example of a product you could market creatively.","sourceStartTime":4599.4,"sourceEndTime":4602.0}},{"id":492176,"startTime":4618.9,"endTime":4621.0,"type":"topic","title":"Major League Soccer","url":"/glossary/major-league-soccer","quote":"Yeah. Jeremy Cliff, who does most of the photo work in North America for Audi, has done a series with them around MLS because Audi sponsors the Major League Soccer.","canonicalId":"topic:major-league-soccer","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The segment uses MLS as a marketing platform where Audi creates themed photo content tied to the league.","simplifiedExplanation":"Major League Soccer is the main pro soccer league in the U.S. and Canada. The host is saying Audi uses it as a way to get attention with fun, soccer-themed marketing.","sourceStartTime":4618.9,"sourceEndTime":4621.0}},{"id":492177,"startTime":4676.8,"endTime":4686.0,"type":"concept","title":"brand activation","url":"/glossary/brand-activation","quote":"Like, how are you activating around that? What kind of cool, fun thing could you do around that that would make your brand stand out whether you're there or not?","canonicalId":"concept:brand-activation","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Brand activation is marketing that turns a cultural moment or event into specific actions—content, promotions, or experiences—that make people notice the brand. The segment frames it as how a shop or brand can leverage big sports events (even if they don’t care about them directly).","simplifiedExplanation":"Brand activation means using a big event or trend in a concrete way to get attention. It’s not just “posting”—it’s doing something that connects your brand to what people are already talking about.","sourceStartTime":4676.8,"sourceEndTime":4686.0}},{"id":492178,"startTime":4691.0,"endTime":4704.0,"type":"term","title":"algorithms","url":"/glossary/algorithms","quote":"because I think some of the algorithms, you know, you tag a soccer or a USA and it might drag it along.","canonicalId":"term:algorithms","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Algorithms are automated systems (often in social platforms) that decide what content to show based on signals like tags and engagement. The host suggests that tagging soccer-related topics can cause the content to be surfaced to more people than expected.","simplifiedExplanation":"Algorithms are the rules apps use to decide what posts to show you. The host is saying that if you tag the right sports topics, your content may get recommended to more viewers.","sourceStartTime":4691.0,"sourceEndTime":4704.0}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"The Automotive Advantage","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/5-ways-to-use-ai-to-grow-your-automotive-business-in-2026-automotive-advantage-ep040/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}],"alignmentMode":"scalar","fallbackOffset":0.0}