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During the DC Auto Show, Paul and Kyle hosted a podcast stage at Public Policy Day, and interviewed policy makers and industry experts.

In this episode, Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier sit down with John O’Donnell, President and CEO of the Washington Area New Car Dealer Association (WANADA), to discuss how public policy is shaping the future of the automotive industry.

John shares insights from Public Policy Day 2025, where industry leaders, policymakers, and media come together to discuss legislation, EV adoption, and consumer choice. He explains why the shift in U.S. policy under the new administration is focusing more on letting the market decide vehicle preferences rather than pushing aggressive mandates.

The conversation also touches on the resurgence of car culture—why younger generations are once again personalizing and loving their vehicles. John shares behind-the-scenes details on the Washington Auto Show, from cutting-edge tech displays to live vehicle art and Star Wars-themed activations.

Plus, he dives into why past predictions of declining car ownership and rideshare dominance never came true. If you're passionate about the intersection of policy, culture, and the future of automotive retail, this episode is a must-listen!

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro

1:34 What is Public Policy Day, and why does it matter?

2:58 How disconnected policymakers can be from real-world auto retail

4:48 Shift in U.S. policy: Moving from EV mandates to consumer choice

6:31 The Washington Auto Show: A showcase for innovation and culture

7:34 Car culture is making a comeback among younger generations

9:17 Why past predictions of rideshare dominance and declining car ownership were wrong

10:13 Looking ahead: The future of auto retail and policy discussions

Thanks to Ascent Dealer Services for making our Public Policy Day coverage happen!

https://www.ascentdealerservices.com/

John O'Donnell is the President/CEO of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-donnell-a5350413/

https://wanada.org/

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