June 5th, 2026 | PayNearMe's Steve Kramer on ‘abandoned carts’; VW Golf's U.S. future

Auto loan delinquencies are rising to pandemic-era levels, and PayNearMe's Steve Kramer argues that lenders are missing a critical opportunity: treating payment failures like e-commerce platforms do. Instead of letting borrowers drop off after a declined payment or abandoned checkout, lenders should proactively re-engage them with targeted reminders and alternative payment options—just like Amazon does with abandoned carts. Kramer reveals that simply sending a reminder email can boost payments by 7%, while offering a better payment method after a decline recovers 9% more payments. Even more powerful: allowing borrowers to invite family or friends to pay on their behalf—not only works in practice but also serves as a leading indicator of financial distress, giving lenders a chance to intervene before delinquency occurs. This shift from passive collection to active, empathetic engagement could transform auto loan servicing. The episode also covers major industry shifts: Canada's Unifor union is demanding no concessions in upcoming talks with the Detroit Three, Tesla continues to grow in China despite regulatory hurdles, and Volkswagen may bring back the Golf to the U.S. if tariffs drop to 15% or lower. With production moving to Mexico, the Golf’s return hinges on trade policy, not just demand.