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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1,022 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes1022

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Dec 24, 2025 · 14 min
Dec. 24, 2025 | Automaker Year-In-Review: Nissan's year of turbulence
Daily Drive's year-end series continues with a deep dive into Nissan's challenging 2025. Automotive News Atlanta Bureau Chief Urvaksh Karkaria and Toyota reporter Larry P. Vellequette examine the long list of struggles that plagued the Japanese automaker this year, plus its recent decision to overhaul its controversial dealer stair-step incentive program.
Dec 23, 2025 · 14 min
Dec. 23, 2025 | Automaker Year-In-Review: GM's steady hand and VW's rocky road
Daily Drive’s year-end series continues with a look at how General Motors and Volkswagen Group navigated 2025. GM reporter Lindsay VanHulle examines how the automaker posted solid numbers while adapting to the changing EV landscape. VW reporter Jack Walsworth breaks down Volkswagen’s struggles and successes in a year of contrasts.
Dec 22, 2025 · 19 min
Dec. 22, 2025 | Automaker Year-In Review: Stellantis and Ford’s tumultuous 2025
Daily Drive’s year-end series kicks off with a deep dive into how the Detroit automakers navigated 2025. In this first installment, the Automotive News Automaker team breaks down the biggest stories of the year. Today’s focus: Stellantis and Ford’s challenging 2025, with insights from the reporters who covered them closest.
Dec 21, 2025 · 11 min
Dec. 21, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Gestamp's Riberas on the supplier financing crisis
Gestamp Executive Chairman Francisco Riberas explains why he thinks the century-old model for financing new vehicle programs is breaking down and what needs to replace it. Plus, more from NADA's incoming chair Rob Cochran on dealer expectations for 2025.
Dec 20, 2025 · 28 min
Dec. 20, 2025 | Weekend Drive: EU's EV retreat; Ford's $20 billion gas pivot
Automotive News’ Molly Boigon and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson discuss the European Commission’s expected reversal of its 2035 combustion engine ban and Ford’s drastic scaling back of electric vehicle plans. Plus, Molly discusses her column on the auto industry’s policy whiplash, and Greg talks about Ford’s Canadian Super Duty plans amid tariff uncertainty.
Dec 19, 2025 · 19 min
Dec. 19, 2025 | Incoming NADA chair talks 2026 priorities; USMCA talks set for January
Incoming National Automobile Dealers Association chair Rob Cochran discusses his priorities for 2026. U.S.-Canada trade talks are set to begin in January with high stakes for automakers. Plus, deleted texts reveal an alleged conspiracy against UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock.
Dec 18, 2025 · 24 min
Dec. 18, 2025 | Steven Rattner on 2009 auto bailout: "Everybody had to take pain"
Steven Rattner, who led the Obama administration’s auto rescue, reflects 16 years later on General Motors and Chrysler’s bankruptcies and addresses whether he’d do anything differently today. Plus, why Europe’s EV future remains intact despite this week’s combustion ban reversal— and what Ford dealers fear as the Escape goes away.
Dec 17, 2025 · 17 min
Dec. 17, 2025 | Impact of EU ICE ban reversal; Tesla sales at risk in California
The EU’s reversal on its combustion engine ban will reshape where automakers invest billions and which vehicles they prioritize globally. Automotive News Europe’s Peter Sigal details how this policy shift creates winners and losers for companies operating in both Europe and the U.S. Plus, California could suspend Tesla sales, and Scout Motors wins direct-sales rights in Colorado.
Dec 16, 2025 · 21 min
Dec. 16, 2025 | New tool tracks distressed suppliers; Rivian CEO talks China, R2 launch
Reporter John Irwin talks about the new Automotive News Supplier Distress Tracker, which finds that auto suppliers have cut more than 60,000 jobs across North America and Europe in 2025. Ford is discontinuing the F-150 Lightning after less than four years. Plus, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe discusses threats from China and the launch of the electric vehicle maker’s first mass-market vehicle in 2026.
Dec 15, 2025 · 20 min
Dec. 15, 2025 | Trump’s CAFE retreat likely to cost consumers; Nissan overhauls stair-steps
Automotive News’ Molly Boigon explains why relaxed emissions standards are likely to cost consumers more than they would save. Nissan revamps its stair-step bonuses after a dealer uproar. Plus, JLR says it did not, in fact, fire its controversial design chief.
Dec 14, 2025 · 11 min
Dec. 14, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson’s vision for cars of the future
Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson talks about the automaker’s powertrain strategy moving forward, its relationship with parent company Geely and more.
Dec 13, 2025 · 21 min
Dec. 13, 2025 | Weekend Drive: USMCA drama; EVs do better than expected in October
Automotive News reporters Molly Boigon and Richard Truett discuss some of the biggest news stories in the auto industry from the past week, including President Donald Trump’s threat to dismantle USMCA and EV registrations doing better than expected in October after the repeal of federal tax credits.
Dec 12, 2025 · 21 min
Dec. 12, 2025 | Ford, SK On end joint battery venture; doing mobile service right
South Korean battery maker SK On is ending its joint venture with Ford. Mexico plans tariffs as high as 50 percent on Chinese cars. Plus, Jeremy Stephens of Bozard Ford joins the show to talk about how mobile service has helped serve his customers and boost the company’s bottom line.
Dec 11, 2025 · 25 min
Dec. 11, 2025 | Ionna CEO Seth Cutler interview Part 2; automakers push to preserve USMCA
In this second and final part of Automotive News’ interview with Seth Cutler, the Ionna CEO discusses softening electric vehicle demand after the loss of the federal tax credit and why the company is opting not to develop its own charging app. Automakers push to preserve USMCA as President Donald Trump floats bilateral deals. Plus, EV registrations do better in October than analysts expected.
Dec 10, 2025 · 23 min
Dec. 10, 2025 | Ionna CEO Seth Cutler interview Part 1; affordable cars selling fast
Seth Cutler, CEO of the Ionna charging network, talks about the eight automakers trying to beat Tesla at its own game. U.S. inventory dips with affordable cars flying off dealer lots. Plus, VinFast’s U.S. expansion collapses.
Dec 9, 2025 · 20 min
Dec. 9, 2025 | Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson interview; Nissan eyes hybrid hub in U.S.
Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson says 2026 will be a comeback year for the automaker. Nissan considers making hybrid powertrains in Tennessee to make the Rogue tariff-proof. Plus, Asbury Automotive’s CEO is stepping down.
Dec 8, 2025 · 19 min
Dec. 8, 2025 | Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe interview; six EU leaders call to stop ICE ban
In the first part of an exclusive interview with Automotive News, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the auto industry is on the verge of a self-driving revolution. Six countries call on the European Union to abandon its 2035 combustion engine ban. Plus, Canadian auto retailers have poured millions into electric vehicle infrastructure upgrades, but many say there’s been no return on investment.
Dec 7, 2025 · 12 min
Dec. 7, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Steps dealers should take before picking AI vendors
Part Two of Automotive News Retail Reporter Mark Hollmer’s interview with Yuriy Demidko, chief information Officer at Fox Motors, outlining the steps dealers need to take when selecting a vendor for artificial intelligence tools.
Dec 6, 2025 · 21 min
Dec. 6, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Is Trump’s CAFE rollback moot?
Auto industry leaders joined President Donald Trump at the White House to announce proposed rollbacks of Biden-era fuel economy standards. Automotive News’ Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez talk about that and other news from the past week, including Toyota’s leap back into supercars.
Dec 5, 2025 · 21 min
Dec. 5, 2025 | Trump wants kei cars in U.S.; how to set up dealership mobile service
President Donald Trump wants Asian kei cars to be built and sold in the U.S. Toyota leaps back into supercars. Plus, service and parts consultant Vernon Davis talks about his new book about how to implement mobile service at a dealership.

Automotive News Daily Drive

Dec. 24, 2025 | Automaker Year-In-Review: Nissan's year of turbulence

Dec. 23, 2025 | Automaker Year-In-Review: GM's steady hand and VW's rocky road

Dec. 22, 2025 | Automaker Year-In Review: Stellantis and Ford’s tumultuous 2025

Dec. 21, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Gestamp's Riberas on the supplier financing crisis

Dec. 20, 2025 | Weekend Drive: EU's EV retreat; Ford's $20 billion gas pivot

Dec. 19, 2025 | Incoming NADA chair talks 2026 priorities; USMCA talks set for January

Dec. 18, 2025 | Steven Rattner on 2009 auto bailout: "Everybody had to take pain"

Dec. 17, 2025 | Impact of EU ICE ban reversal; Tesla sales at risk in California

Dec. 16, 2025 | New tool tracks distressed suppliers; Rivian CEO talks China, R2 launch

Dec. 15, 2025 | Trump’s CAFE retreat likely to cost consumers; Nissan overhauls stair-steps

Dec. 14, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson’s vision for cars of the future

Dec. 13, 2025 | Weekend Drive: USMCA drama; EVs do better than expected in October

Dec. 12, 2025 | Ford, SK On end joint battery venture; doing mobile service right

Dec. 11, 2025 | Ionna CEO Seth Cutler interview Part 2; automakers push to preserve USMCA

Dec. 10, 2025 | Ionna CEO Seth Cutler interview Part 1; affordable cars selling fast

Dec. 9, 2025 | Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson interview; Nissan eyes hybrid hub in U.S.

Dec. 8, 2025 | Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe interview; six EU leaders call to stop ICE ban

Dec. 7, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Steps dealers should take before picking AI vendors

Dec. 6, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Is Trump’s CAFE rollback moot?

Dec. 5, 2025 | Trump wants kei cars in U.S.; how to set up dealership mobile service