Episode #1316: AI hits showrooms, EV owners share real-world truths, and SaaS fights for relevance in the AI era.

A South Korean startup is pushing AI-powered showroom kiosks into U.S. dealerships, promising efficiency and cost savings. But despite growing AI adoption, experts say American buyers still want a human connection—especially when making one of life’s biggest purchases.
- Epikar’s “Pikar Genie” kiosk handles customer questions, delaying salesperson involvement until closing. The pitch: lower labor costs and a modern buying experience.
- Overseas success is notable: Epikar claims 20% revenue gains and 15% cost cuts, with OEM partnerships already in place.
- U.S. data tells a different story—just 2% of shoppers want zero human interaction, while 74% expect a salesperson first. Trust still drives the showroom.
- “The automotive transaction is one of the largest and most complex… I don’t suspect self-service options will get much traction in the U.S.,” said Steve Greenfield.

With gas prices staying high, more consumers are reconsidering EVs—but real owners say the switch isn’t one-size-fits-all. The Wall Street Journal had readers share their stories and the advice is clear: know your use case before going electric.
- Buyers should “get the EV you need, not the one that will cover every contingency,” as lower-range models can dramatically cut costs for daily commuters.
- Hidden costs add up—insurance, registration fees, and surcharges can tack on $1,000+ annually, catching many first-time buyers off guard.
- Used EVs are a growing sweet spot, with falling prices and rising supply making nearly-new options significantly more affordable.
- Home charging is a game changer. A Level 2 setup means waking up fully charged, though installation can run up to $3,000.
- “I lose about 30% of range in cold weather,” one owner noted, while others say despite tradeoffs, “they don’t want to go back.”

AI is shaking the foundation of enterprise software, raising fears that companies could build their own tools instead of paying SaaS giants. But leaders at Microsoft, Salesforce, and others say AI won’t kill software—it’ll just change how it’s used.
- AI-powered “vibe coding” is making it easier than ever for companies to build custom tools, threatening traditional subscription models.
- Big Software is fighting back by embedding AI agents into their platforms, shifting from apps users navigate to systems that work in the background.
- Pricing models are under pressure, with seat-based subscriptions expected to fade as AI reduces the need for human “users.”
- Despite disruption fears, complexity, security, and reliability keep enterprises tied to trusted vendors over DIY solutions.
- “Is software dead?… It’s different. It’s definitely not dead,” said OpenAI CE

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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