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

Newest first

Dec 4, 2025 · 21 min
Dec. 4, 2025 | How dealers should shop for AI tools; Trump unveils relaxed CAFE standards
Yuri Demidko, chief information Officer at Fox Motors, outlines the steps dealers need to take before settling on new artificial intelligence tools for their stores. President Donald Trump unveils his plan to slash fuel economy rules. Plus, dealer sentiment sinks as the tariff rush fades and tax credits end.
Dec 3, 2025 · 18 min
Dec. 3, 2025 | Edmunds’ Jessica Caldwell on state of the market; Trump set to ease CAFE standards
Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at Edmunds, talks about the state of the industry heading into 2026 and how affordability issues have continued to shrink the new car market. Trump is poised to propose relaxed fuel economy standards. Plus, thousands of dealerships fall victim to a new data breach.
Dec 2, 2025 · 18 min
Dec. 2, 2025 | Hybrids surge in November; Helion President Erik Nachbahr
Toyota, Ford, Honda, Hyundai and Kia posted mixed November U.S. sales, with strong hybrid volume offset by an EV slump. JLR fires the design boss behind Jaguar’s polarizing rebrand. Plus, Helion Technologies President Erik Nachbahr explains why the cybersecurity tools dealerships relied on five years ago are becoming obsolete.
Dec 1, 2025 · 16 min
Dec. 1, 2025 | Stellantis hiring spree; ChargerHelp CEO Kameale Terry
Stellantis goes on a hiring spree at its North American headquarters. Pressure grows on Mercedes’ CEO as the company’s luxury strategy stalls. Plus, ChargerHelp CEO Kameale Terry explains why charging attempts still fail despite better uptime.
Nov 26, 2025 · 18 min
Nov. 26, 2025 | Kia America’s Eric Watson on 2026 optimism; Audi price hikes
Eric Watson, Kia America’s vice president of sales operations, joins the show to talk about the automaker’s affordability strategy and why he’s optimistic about 2026. Audi’s pared down U.S. compact crossover lineup comes with big price hikes. Plus, 2025 has been the year artificial intelligence has started making a big mark on both carmaking and sales.
Nov 25, 2025 · 23 min
Nov. 25, 2025 | Hyundai’s Randy Parker interview; GM misses CAMI deadline
Hyundai Motor America CEO Randy Parker joins the show to talk about the automaker’s fresh models and why it’s still optimistic about the future of its electric vehicles. GM misses Canada’s deadline for a plan on its shuttered BrightDrop plant. And industry executives pitch collaboration on supply chain mapping.
Nov 24, 2025 · 18 min
Nov. 24, 2025 | GM doubles down on gasoline engines; Calstart CEO Michael Berube
General Motors is investing $550 million dollars at two component plants to support expanded U.S. vehicle production in 2027. Mercedes plots a comeback to retake America’s luxury crown. Plus, Michael Berube, CEO of Calstart, talks about how the public sector should be helping educate consumers about EVs.
Nov 23, 2025 · 11 min
Nov. 23, 2025 | Bonus Episode: VW Microbus fire survivor; Amazon Web Services’ Stefano Marzani
Rachael Zaluzec, senior vice president of brand marketing and customer experience at Volkswagen of America, talks about the automaker’s restored microbus that survived the Palisades fire in January, which VW showed off at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Plus, the second and final part of an interview with Stefano Marzani of Amazon Web Services about connected vehicles’ dependence on strong cellular service and possible solutions.
Nov 22, 2025 · 19 min
Nov. 22, 2025 | Weekend Drive: LA Auto Show; Akio Toyoda goes full MAGA
Automotive News’ Jerry Hirsch and Larry P. Vellequette discuss the biggest news from the Los Angeles Auto Show, including Kia’s spotlight on the redesigned Telluride SUV. Plus, a look at Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda’s decision to don a red “Make America Great Again” hat and Trump-Vance T-shirt at a NASCAR showcase in Japan Nov. 16.
Nov 21, 2025 · 21 min
Nov. 21, 2025 | Ford suppliers go to court over canceled EVs; Cox Automotive’s Skylar Chadwick
A Tier 2 supplier is suing Nexteer over a canceled Ford EV program. China makes new demands to end the Nexperia chip crisis. Plus, Cox Automotive’s Skyler Chadwick talks about the findings from the company’s new Service Industry Study.
Nov 20, 2025 · 19 min
Nov. 20, 2025 | Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa exclusive interview; Gen Z F&I
Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa talks about the company’s turnaround plan and the slew of new products it will unleash on the market next year. A breakdown of what dealership finance and insurance managers need to know about selling products to Gen Z customers. Plus, another fire hits the damaged Novelis aluminum plant in New York.
Nov 19, 2025 · 23 min
Nov. 19, 2025 | Netherlands relinquishes control of Nexperia; Nissan weighs Rogue spinoff
The Netherlands suspends its takeover of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia. Nissan considers a Rogue spin-off for Infiniti. Plus, Stefano Marzani of Amazon Web Services digs into issues around connected vehicles and their reliance on cellular service to function as designed.
Nov 18, 2025 · 21 min
Nov. 18, 2025 | Kathleen Ligocki reflects on Barra’s rise at GM; Toyota pours $900 million into U.S. hybrid production
As part of Automotive News’ 100 year anniversary, former Ford Mexico CEO Kathleen Ligocki reflects on Mary Barra’s rise at General Motors and what it has meant for women in the industry. Toyota will spend almost a billion dollars to boost hybrid production across the U.S. Audi plans to build a Land Rover Defender rival for the American market.
Nov 17, 2025 · 14 min
Nov. 17, 2025 | Ford joins Amazon Autos for certified pre-owned sales; Cox Automotive’s Erin Keating
Ford joins Hyundai on Amazon Autos for certified pre-owned vehicle sales. Hyundai Motor is set to invest $86 billion in South Korea in the wake of the country’s trade deal with the U.S. Plus, Cox Automotive’s Erin Keating talks about the state of the EV market after the end of federal tax credits.
Nov 16, 2025 · 10 min
Nov. 16, 2025 | Bonus episode: Hollywood’s century-old love for cars; rare earths challenges
Jonathan Eisen, curator of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, talks about the 100-plus-year-old partnership between the automotive and film industries. Plus, Cullen Hendrix of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, discusses the U.S. government’s role in any attempt to create a domestic rare earths supply chain.
Nov 15, 2025 · 15 min
Nov. 15, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Toyota, Nissan bet big on North America
Automotive News’ Omari Gardner and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson talk about major moves by Japanese automakers this week to boost manufacturing and sales in the U.S. and Canada amid tariffs.
Nov 14, 2025 · 17 min
Nov. 14, 2025 | Can Mitsubishi plot a U.S. comeback?; lease calculation pitfalls
Mitsubishi seems confident it can turn around U.S. sales and jump into new segments. Volkswagen delays investments amid financial doubts. Plus, Tim Yalich of Carleton discusses the challenges dealerships face to quote accurate lease payments these days.
Nov 13, 2025 · 22 min
Nov. 13, 2025 | Nissan plans ‘full blast’ of new products; Peterson Institute’s Cullen Hendrix
Nissan is readying a slew of new products for next year as part of a plan to restart U.S. sales growth. Scout Motors chooses Charlotte for its headquarters. Plus, Cullen Hendrix of the Peterson Institute for International Economics talks about whether the U.S. can catch up to China on rare earth mining and processing.
Nov 12, 2025 · 25 min
Nov. 12, 2025 | Toyota’s $10 billion U.S. investment; KPMG’s Lenny LaRocca
Toyota announces another massive U.S. investment. Waymo hits the highways, pulling further ahead of Tesla in the robotaxi race. Plus, KPMG’s Lenny LaRocca joins the show to talk about ongoing turmoil in automotive supply chains and what’s ahead for EV investments. Link: Why does China dominate critical minerals for U.S. car industry? - Automotive News
Nov 11, 2025 · 23 min
Nov. 11, 2025 | Tesla loses two key execs; What Musk, Scaringe pay plans mean for industry
Tesla has lost two key vehicle program leaders this week. Dutch officials visit China to end disputes over Nexperia. Plus, Automotive News’ Laurence Iliff breaks down massive pay packages for both Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe.

Automotive News Daily Drive

Dec. 4, 2025 | How dealers should shop for AI tools; Trump unveils relaxed CAFE standards

Dec. 3, 2025 | Edmunds’ Jessica Caldwell on state of the market; Trump set to ease CAFE standards

Dec. 2, 2025 | Hybrids surge in November; Helion President Erik Nachbahr

Dec. 1, 2025 | Stellantis hiring spree; ChargerHelp CEO Kameale Terry

Nov. 26, 2025 | Kia America’s Eric Watson on 2026 optimism; Audi price hikes

Nov. 25, 2025 | Hyundai’s Randy Parker interview; GM misses CAMI deadline

Nov. 24, 2025 | GM doubles down on gasoline engines; Calstart CEO Michael Berube

Nov. 23, 2025 | Bonus Episode: VW Microbus fire survivor; Amazon Web Services’ Stefano Marzani

Nov. 22, 2025 | Weekend Drive: LA Auto Show; Akio Toyoda goes full MAGA

Nov. 21, 2025 | Ford suppliers go to court over canceled EVs; Cox Automotive’s Skylar Chadwick

Nov. 20, 2025 | Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa exclusive interview; Gen Z F&I

Nov. 19, 2025 | Netherlands relinquishes control of Nexperia; Nissan weighs Rogue spinoff

Nov. 18, 2025 | Kathleen Ligocki reflects on Barra’s rise at GM; Toyota pours $900 million into U.S. hybrid production

Nov. 17, 2025 | Ford joins Amazon Autos for certified pre-owned sales; Cox Automotive’s Erin Keating

Nov. 16, 2025 | Bonus episode: Hollywood’s century-old love for cars; rare earths challenges

Nov. 15, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Toyota, Nissan bet big on North America

Nov. 14, 2025 | Can Mitsubishi plot a U.S. comeback?; lease calculation pitfalls

Nov. 13, 2025 | Nissan plans ‘full blast’ of new products; Peterson Institute’s Cullen Hendrix

Nov. 12, 2025 | Toyota’s $10 billion U.S. investment; KPMG’s Lenny LaRocca

Nov. 11, 2025 | Tesla loses two key execs; What Musk, Scaringe pay plans mean for industry