Automotive News Daily Drive

Automotive News

Daily Drive is a daily podcast series hosted by Kellen Walker. We speak with industry experts, insiders and Automotive News reporters about events and trends impacting and reshaping the automotive industry. Automotive News is the leading source of news, data and understanding for the auto industry's decision-makers. Learn more at autonews.com.

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20 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes20

Newest first

Aug. 1, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Ford & Stellantis Q2 earnings; Japan earthquake impact
Automotive News reporters Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette break down Ford and Stellantis’ second-quarter earnings and what they reveal about where Detroit automakers stand heading into the second half of 2026. Plus, fallout from the Japan earthquake keeps spreading production disruption far beyond the original quake zone.
Yesterday · 22 min
July 31, 2026 | Toyota disruptions spread after quake; F&I fraud up 3x since 2018
Japan’s earthquake fallout keeps spreading far beyond the quake zone. Audi reveals its largest vehicle ever, the Q9, targeting American families and dealers hungry for a product boost. Plus, TransUnion’s Satyan Merchant breaks down a new report showing auto finance fraud has nearly tripled since 2018.
Friday · 21 min
July 30, 2026 | Stellantis back in black; top supplier execs on navigating uncertainty
Stellantis swings back to profit in the second quarter. Nissan is trying to build cars at China speed. Plus, four North American supplier executives share how they’re planning through an industry defined by tariffs, electric vehicle retreats and geopolitical disruption.
Thursday · 20 min
July 29, 2026 | Ford posts $1.3B Q2 loss; Frank Peña on buying his first dealerships
Ford posts a $1.3 billion second-quarter net loss on charges tied to scrapped electric vehicle programs but raises its full-year guidance. The earthquake damage in Japan keeps growing for automakers. Plus, Frank Peña, who spent 30 years running stores for others before closing on three New Mexico dealerships of his own, talks about the road to ownership.
Wednesday · 19 min
July 28, 2026 | Top suppliers list reveals global shifts; Japan earthquake rattles auto production
Automotive News reporter John Irwin walks through the biggest trends in this year’s top suppliers list, from the rise of Chinese suppliers to a North American supply chain just trying to get through 2025. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake disrupts Toyota and Nissan production in Japan. Plus, NHTSA moves to overhaul car door rules after deadly Tesla incidents.
Tuesday · 21 min
July 27, 2026 | Honda eyes Accord hatchback to fight Subaru; why are used EV prices rising?
Honda is eyeing a lifted Accord hatchback to take on the Subaru Outback, potentially launching in 2029. America’s Car-Mart warns it may not survive without new financing. And Andrew Garberson of Recurrent explains why used electric vehicle prices keep climbing even as off-lease supply surges.
Monday · 18 min
July 26, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Ford and Geely partner in Spain to build electrified vehicles
Ford and Chinese automaker Geely have formed a joint venture to produce new electrified vehicles from both brands at Ford’s factory in Valencia, Spain.
July 26 · 7 min
July 25, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Honda is considering a new North American factory; GM raises its guidance for a second time this year
Honda has its sights set on a new North American factory. President Donald Trump has ordered 50 percent tariffs on some Canadian goods. Plus, General Motors is raising its guidance for the second time this year after profits jumped in the second quarter. Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.
July 25 · 23 min
July 24, 2026 | Lexus leads in winter NADA Dealer Attitude survey; Volkswagen slashes 2026 revenue forecast
Lexus ranked highest among dealers in the National Automobile Dealers Association’s winter Dealer Attitude Survey. Volkswagen has cut back on its 2026 revenue forecast as U.S. tariffs and competition with China tighten the operating margin, and Porsche’s new production boss has big decisions to make around the future of electric vehicle production. Plus, Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas from Subaru join the show to talk about maintaining a loyalty loop with customers and incorporating artificial intelligence in the service department.
July 24 · 22 min
July 23, 2026 | Lexus reveals EV plans for iconic models; Nissan dealership strikes back at a bad customer review
Lexus unveils the future of electrification in its product plans, balancing a slower approach to electric vehicles along with the return of an iconic nameplate. A Nissan dealership’s general manager faces backlash for retaliating against a negative review, and two dealership groups are combating fraud allegations from the COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program. Plus, a social media expert explains why dealerships should ditch inventory-dump TikTok videos and embrace the influencer era.
July 23 · 19 min
July 22, 2026 | Toyota stays the course with EVs and hybrids; Penske Automotive Group may go private
Toyota doubles down on its multipath electrification strategy with new electric vehicles and next-generation hybrids. Penske Corp. and Mitsui make a $3.8 billion bid to take Penske Automotive Group private. And American Honda reshuffles its top sales leadership. Plus, an automotive mentor who’s using the power of social media to help dealerships sell more vehicles and connect with today’s car buyers.
July 22 · 18 min
July 21, 2026 | GM raises guidance as Q2 profits soar; negative equity worries F&I managers
General Motors raised its guidance for the second time this year as North American profits jumped 43 percent from a year ago, even though net income has fallen in the second quarter with more electric vehicle write-downs. Finance and insurance managers are concerned about the number of customers with negative equity, and Canada’s counter tariffs are costing the U.S. $5 billion in vehicle exports. Plus, Automotive News Reporter Mark Hollmer discusses how dealers are adding TikTok to their arsenal of social media marketing.
July 21 · 19 min
July 20, 2026 | UAW President Shawn Fain faces federal investigation; Honda eyes expansion
The Department of Justice is investigating UAW President Shawn Fain for alleged favoritism toward his fiancée, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe is considering an eighth North American plant, and General Motors is trying to differentiate their new Chevrolet and GMC designs. Plus, McKinsey analysts discuss the firm’s 2026 mobility survey and the steady rise of electric vehicle adoption.
July 20 · 21 min
July 18, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Koji Sato wants parts standardization; UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the DOJ
Toyota's Koji Sato wants parts standardization among Japanese automakers to combat China. UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the Department of Justice. Plus, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume outlines up to 50,000 job cuts to hit savings goals. Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.
July 18 · 28 min
July 17, 2026 | Subaru’s Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas talk service department challenges; Honda discontinues electric Prologue
Subaru’s Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas talk service department challenges. Honda will discontinue the electric Prologue next year. Foxconn postpones the U.S. release of a midsize EV crossover due to tariffs. Plus, tough competition in China derailed Volvo’s sales in the first half of the year.
July 17 · 18 min
July 16, 2026 | Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison on driver-monitoring cameras; Tesla becomes No. 6 China exporter
Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison talks about the benefits of driver-monitoring cameras. The Chinese auto market is fast and furious, with around 650 new or refreshed cars in the first half of the year. Tesla is now China’s No. 6 exporter. Plus, Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 light-duty pickup is getting a sweeping makeover.
July 16 · 15 min
July 15th, 2026 | Infiniti’s Eric Ledieu on the QX65; USMCA talks resume week of July 20
Infiniti’s Eric Ledieu talks about the launch of the QX65. Top officials from the U.S. and Mexico will meet in Mexico City next week to likely discuss automotive rules of origin and tariff rates. General Motors is betting on a diverse lineup for the next five years. Plus, Volvo weighs a return to midsize vehicles with a pair of electric vehicles.
July 15 · 20 min
July 14, 2026 | Peter Sigal talks Volkswagen’s tough decisions; EV range anxiety decreases
Peter Sigal, news editor of Automotive News Europe, talks about Volkswagen’s tough decisions in order to regain profitability. Electric vehicle range anxiety decreased due to bigger batteries, but affordability remains a concern for buyers. Plus, Toyota’s Koji Sato looks to standardize commodity components among Japan’s seven automakers.
July 14 · 18 min
July 13th, 2026 | GM Energy’s Aseem Kapur talks bidirectional charging; Auto industry confidence index
Aseem Kapur, chief revenue officer of General Motors, talks the future of bidirectional charging and the country’s unprecedented demand on the grid. Automotive industry confidence is strong despite tariff and affordability concerns. Plus, Stellantis’ global shipments grew in the second quarter.
July 13 · 17 min
July 11, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Texas-sized plant investment; market resilient so far in 2026
Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez break down Toyota’s $3.6 billion San Antonio expansion and what it signals for U.S. manufacturing strategy. Plus, the auto market has held up better than expected through the first half, but headwinds are building.
July 11 · 25 min

Automotive News Daily Drive

Aug. 1, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Ford & Stellantis Q2 earnings; Japan earthquake impact

July 31, 2026 | Toyota disruptions spread after quake; F&I fraud up 3x since 2018

July 30, 2026 | Stellantis back in black; top supplier execs on navigating uncertainty

July 29, 2026 | Ford posts $1.3B Q2 loss; Frank Peña on buying his first dealerships

July 28, 2026 | Top suppliers list reveals global shifts; Japan earthquake rattles auto production

July 27, 2026 | Honda eyes Accord hatchback to fight Subaru; why are used EV prices rising?

July 26, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Ford and Geely partner in Spain to build electrified vehicles

July 25, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Honda is considering a new North American factory; GM raises its guidance for a second time this year

July 24, 2026 | Lexus leads in winter NADA Dealer Attitude survey; Volkswagen slashes 2026 revenue forecast

July 23, 2026 | Lexus reveals EV plans for iconic models; Nissan dealership strikes back at a bad customer review

July 22, 2026 | Toyota stays the course with EVs and hybrids; Penske Automotive Group may go private

July 21, 2026 | GM raises guidance as Q2 profits soar; negative equity worries F&I managers

July 20, 2026 | UAW President Shawn Fain faces federal investigation; Honda eyes expansion

July 18, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Koji Sato wants parts standardization; UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the DOJ

July 17, 2026 | Subaru’s Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas talk service department challenges; Honda discontinues electric Prologue

July 16, 2026 | Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison on driver-monitoring cameras; Tesla becomes No. 6 China exporter

July 15th, 2026 | Infiniti’s Eric Ledieu on the QX65; USMCA talks resume week of July 20

July 14, 2026 | Peter Sigal talks Volkswagen’s tough decisions; EV range anxiety decreases

July 13th, 2026 | GM Energy’s Aseem Kapur talks bidirectional charging; Auto industry confidence index

July 11, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Texas-sized plant investment; market resilient so far in 2026