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Oliver Buchannon
Mathew Growden

Mathew Growden (aka Growdy) is a dot-com refugee with over 30 years of digital experience in consumer e-commerce (Indigo Books, SHOP.CA), telco (WIND Mobile), media and automotive (Google). For nearly a decade he worked in the Google Canada Automotive Team, collaborating with OEMs, Auto Groups and Dealers to make the best possible use of research, insights, digital media and digital tools to sell more cars. Now working as an independent consultant, Mathew continues his work to help the automotive industry elevate their digital experiences. Frequently called upon as a keynote speaker at several industry events (Western Canada Dealer Summit, ACE, CADEX, etc), Mathew relishes the opportunity to share his unique perspective on the automotive industry and innovation.

Newsletter

Just Add Pizza

Feb 1, 2026

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14 min read

Just Add Pizza

439-OH-OH-OH-OH Pizza Nova

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

China Gets More Electric

Jan 25, 2026

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14 min read

China Gets More Electric

China’s mostly coal-based thermal power generation fell in 2025 for the first time in a decade

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Partying Like It’s 2024

Jan 18, 2026

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15 min read

Partying Like It’s 2024

Carney signed a deal to allow Chinese EVs into Canada. And the news is kinda a nothing-burger.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Consumer Electronics (Auto) Show - 2026 Edition

Jan 11, 2026

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12 min read

Consumer Electronics (Auto) Show - 2026 Edition

Robots, chips, and steering wheels, oh my!

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Growdy’s Predictions For 2026

Jan 4, 2026

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15 min read

Growdy’s Predictions For 2026

I still don't have a crystal ball, but here are my predictions for 2026.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Thank You (2025 Edition)

Dec 28, 2025

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3 min read

Thank You (2025 Edition)

Another full year of newsletter writing

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Leeroy Jenkins

Dec 21, 2025

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16 min read

Leeroy Jenkins

American automakers want to boost profits by selling high-margin gas guzzlers today, all while not falling behind on EV technology. It will be difficult to do both.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Autonomy: A Long Road For Short Trips

Dec 14, 2025

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16 min read

Autonomy: A Long Road For Short Trips

Self-driving cars are having a bit of a moment in 2025.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

The Galapagos Effect

Dec 7, 2025

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14 min read

The Galapagos Effect

The Donald's plan to roll back federal fuel-economy rules will turn the US into an ICE island.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Not The Final Frontier

Nov 30, 2025

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15 min read

Not The Final Frontier

Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

You Don’t Know What It’s Like

Nov 23, 2025

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14 min read

You Don’t Know What It’s Like

I wish the automotive industry well in its future war against Amazon.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Electric Bikes Might Be More Important Than Electric Vehicles

Nov 16, 2025

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14 min read

Electric Bikes Might Be More Important Than Electric Vehicles

E-bikes present a better, cheaper alternative to car ownership for many Canadians

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

The One Trillion Dollar Man

Nov 9, 2025

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16 min read

The One Trillion Dollar Man

Elon can afford to buy himself a lot of swords

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

I, For One, Welcome Our New Robot Overlords

Nov 2, 2025

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15 min read

I, For One, Welcome Our New Robot Overlords

A lot of money is being dumped into humanoid robot development. And it is unclear when those investments will pay off.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

"America’s Jobs And Growth Are At Stake"

Oct 26, 2025

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14 min read

"America’s Jobs And Growth Are At Stake"

Ronald Reagan was right!

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Fix It Again Tony

Oct 19, 2025

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12 min read

Fix It Again Tony

Stellantis plans to shift production from Canada to the US.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

A Coal-ed Feeling In Your Bones

Oct 12, 2025

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13 min read

A Coal-ed Feeling In Your Bones

The US is expanding coal production and the rest of the world is leaving it behind.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Fastest Cadillac Ever

Oct 5, 2025

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14 min read

Fastest Cadillac Ever

When you can hit 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, my inner teenager does a mental happy dance.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Jaguar Learns That Everything Is Computer

Sep 28, 2025

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13 min read

Jaguar Learns That Everything Is Computer

Maybe The Donald got that one right. (You know what they say about broken clocks.)

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Hyundai On ICE

Sep 21, 2025

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14 min read

Hyundai On ICE

"Operation Low Voltage"

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Assault And Battery

Sep 14, 2025

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14 min read

Assault And Battery

The different realities of battery electric vehicles in different parts of the world are practically an assault on the senses.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

That’s Trillion With A “T”

Sep 7, 2025

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14 min read

That’s Trillion With A “T”

Elon, put your katana back down on your coffee table and go to work.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Aluminum Foiled

Aug 31, 2025

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14 min read

Aluminum Foiled

The Donald is doubly punishing the working class he claimed he was going to protect.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Newsletter

Is America Ready To Love Small Trucks?

Aug 24, 2025

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13 min read

Is America Ready To Love Small Trucks?

Truck sales keep getting bigger while truck sizes get both bigger and smaller.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden

Podcast

Podcast S2 E2 - Lorraine Sommerfeld

Aug 23, 2025

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1 min read

Podcast S2 E2 - Lorraine Sommerfeld

Acclaimed author and award-winning journalist Lorraine Sommerfeld agreed to chat with me.

Mathew Growden
Mathew Growden
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The Change Optimist

A round-up of (mostly automotive) news that’s worth having an opinion about, delivered weekly.