Senate Blocks CA EV Rules, Reputation Rankings, AI Video With Sound

Automotive State of The Union

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Episode #1051: We’re diving into the Senate’s move to block California’s gas car ban, Google’s new video AI that adds audio, and which brands — including top automakers — gained or lost consumer trust in the 2025 Axios/Harris reputation rankings.

Show Notes with links:

• In a dramatic legislative twist, the U.S. Senate voted to block California’s plan to ban gas-powered vehicles by 2035, undercutting a key Biden-era environmental policy and dealing a blow to a major state-led push for zero-emission standards.
  • The Senate vote was 51-44 to rescind the EPA waiver allowing California stricter emissions rules.
  • 11 states following California's policy would be impacted, including NY and WA.
  • Auto dealers and manufacturers lobbied hard for the repeal, citing feasibility concerns.
  • The move defies Senate precedent and a legal ruling from the parliamentarian.
  • “You can be against the ACC II EV mandates (we were) and believe that transportation is trending toward a range of electrified products like battery electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids (it is). That’s what balance looks like. And balance is not only good for consumers, but essential for the U.S. auto industry to remain healthy and globally competitive,” said John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

• Axios and The Harris Poll just dropped their annual brand reputation rankings, and the message from consumers is loud and clear: keep prices fair, quality high, and don’t exploit inflation. Brands that did well stuck to those basics.
  • Nearly half of all corporate reputations declined this year, driven by frustration over high prices and perceived drops in quality.
  • 77% of Americans say companies are charging more for lower quality; 63% have stopped buying from a brand due to high costs, and 54% over declining product standards.
  • The biggest winners? Companies focused on delivering consistent value.
  • Top 10 most reputable brands: Trader Joe's, Patagonia, Microsoft, Toyota Motor Corporation, Costco, Samsung, Arizona Beverage Company, Nvidia, UPS, Apple
  • Automotive brands on the list: Toyota (#4, up 8), Honda (#13, down 6), General Motors (#44, down 4), Hyundai (#51, no change), Volkswagen (#53, up 16), Ford (#60, down 5), Tesla (#95, down 32 in the largest move of any company on the list).

• At its I/O 2025 developer conference, Google unveiled Veo 3 — the latest version of its AI video generator, now with the ability to create synchronized sound. That includes background noise, effects, and even simple dialogue to match the video it produces.
  • The new model builds on Veo 2 with better visuals and now audio that aligns automatically with what’s on screen.
  • Google says it’s the first step away from “silent” AI-generated video — a space that’s getting crowded with startups and big names like OpenAI and Alibab

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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