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

March 3 · 22 min
March 3, 2026 | Iran conflict: What the auto industry needs to know
The conflict with Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening oil supplies and raising recession fears. AlixPartners’ Dan Hearsch and Hart Energy’s Darren Barbee break down what the auto industry needs to know right now — from oil and gas price impacts to supply chain risks. Plus, Asian automakers post higher February sales despite a weak market.
March 2 · 18 min
March 2, 2026 | Honda revives reverse-import strategy; Lei Xing says Chinese EV threat ‘overblown’
Honda will export U.S.-built models to Japan for the first time in nearly four decades, reviving a reverse-import strategy amid streamlined rules and trade-balance pressures. European auto suppliers face a “polycrisis” with 350,000 jobs at risk. Plus, analyst Lei Xing argues the threat to legacy automakers from Chinese electric vehicle makers is overblown.
February 28 · 31 min
Feb. 28, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Stellantis profit-sharing woes, Nissan’s Pathfinder gamble
Automotive News’ Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Stellantis UAW workers losing profit-sharing checks while General Motors and Ford Motor Co. workers see payouts drop. They also weigh in on Nissan’s dual Pathfinder strategy, Hyundai’s midsize pickup ambitions, and Ford’s decision to charge $495 for a frunk on the Mustang Mach-E.
February 27 · 20 min
Feb. 27, 2026 | Software woes persist; BMW’s humanoid robot expansion
Software problems continue to plague automakers as J.D. Power finds infotainment remains the least reliable vehicle component. BMW’s humanoid robots move past the pilot stage. Plus, Widewail’s Cuyler Owens talks about dealership service communication trends.
February 26 · 21 min
Feb. 26, 2026 | No profit sharing for Stellantis UAW workers; Will companies get tariff refunds?
Stellantis UAW workers won’t receive profit-sharing checks for the first time since 2011 after the automaker posted losses in North America. Lear scores historic Super Duty seating win from Forvia. Plus, attorney Chauncey Mayfield of Honigman explains what comes next for companies hoping to get refunds for tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court has now deemed illegal.
February 25 · 21 min
Feb. 25, 2026 | Nissan's dual Pathfinder bet; Why Chinese automakers face a U.S. brick wall
Nissan plans to sell two distinct Pathfinders starting mid-2029, mirroring Toyota’s utility vehicle strategy. Nissan, Stellantis and Mercedes invest in UK self-driving startup Wayve. Plus, Automotive News’ Molly Boigon explains the massive regulatory obstacles facing Chinese automakers trying to enter the U.S. market.
February 24 · 25 min
Feb. 24, 2026 | What you need to know about latest tariff chaos; Canada's trade warning
Automotive News’ John Irwin explains everything you need to know about the latest tariff and trade developments and what they mean for the auto industry. Experts say Canada’s auto industry must remain aligned with North America, not China. Plus, Lucid cuts 12 percent of its workforce as it works to improve margins.
February 23 · 13 min
Feb. 23, 2026 | Auto industry gets reprieve from new tariffs; AlixPartners' Dan Hearsch
President Donald Trump issues new 15 percent global tariff but exempts vehicles and auto parts. Stellantis prepares to report its first annual loss driven by €22 billion ($25.9 billon) in write-downs. Plus, AlixPartners’ Dan Hearsch explains why the auto industry ranks as the world’s most disrupted sector.
February 22 · 6 min
Bonus Episode: Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan on profitability plans and ROI transparency
In the second half of his interview with Automotive News Retail Tech Reporter Mark Hollmer, Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan discusses the company’s path to profitability in 2026, why Tekion isn’t rushing to go public and how the company delivered 3,000 new features last year while building artificial intelligence tools with transparent return-on-investment dashboards for dealers.
February 21 · 31 min
Feb. 21, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Will auto companies get tariff refunds after SCOTUS ruling?
Automotive News’ Larry P. Vellequette and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson discuss the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down many of Trump’s tariffs, steep price increases on Canadian and Japanese vehicles, VW workers ratifying their first UAW contract, and the looming threat of humanoid robots to auto manufacturing jobs.
February 20 · 22 min
Feb. 20, 2026 | SCOTUS strikes down Trump tariffs; understanding IRS negative equity decision
Automotive News reporter John Irwin discusses the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down many Trump tariffs as unconstitutional, and what happens next for the billions paid by the auto industry. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga ratify their first UAW contract in a landslide. Plus, a look at why the IRS is excluding negative equity from the new auto loan interest deduction and whether that could change.
February 19 · 22 min
Feb. 19, 2026 | Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan on AI security; Auto execs anxious about job security
Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan discusses the company’s growth to 3,000 rooftops and why he says artificial intelligence security is becoming more critical than ever. Auto executives report more job security anxiety than any other industry as disruption reaches record levels. Plus, General Motors bets leaner inventories will help it weather the next downturn.
February 18 · 18 min
Feb. 18, 2026 | Reynolds & Reynolds CEO Chris Walsh; Automakers bet on humanoid robots
Chris Walsh, president and acting CEO of Reynolds and Reynolds, discusses the company’s record year at NADA and how artificial intelligence is evolving. General manager invests in Oshawa upgrades while cutting capacity. Plus, Automotive News’ Laurence Iliff explains why automakers have an edge when it comes to manufacturing humanoid robots.
February 17 · 15 min
Feb. 17, 2026 | Jesse Jackson's auto legacy; Elektrobit CEO Maria Anhalt
A look at civil rights leader Jesse Jackson’s impact on the auto industry, his advocacy for minority-owned dealerships and suppliers, and his push to preserve Detroit jobs during the financial crisis. Ford CEO Jim Farley reportedly discussed U.S.-China carmaking joint ventures with Trump officials. Plus, Maria Anhalt, CEO of Elektrobit, discusses how software-defined vehicles will change ownership cycles.
February 15 · 5 min
Feb. 15, 2026 | Bonus Episode: MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens on bridge uncertainty
MichAuto Executive Director Glenn Stevens discusses the real-world impact of President Donald Trump’s threat to delay the Gordie Howe Bridge and what it means for cross-border investments.
February 14 · 25 min
Feb. 14, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Gordie Howe Bridge dispute; Larry flies a Joby air taxi
Automotive News’ Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette discuss President Donald Trump’s threat to block the Gordie Howe Bridge opening and what it reveals about trade policy. Plus, Larry takes us inside Joby Aviation’s flight simulator and explains how Toyota is helping the air taxi startup prepare for commercial operations.
February 13 · 20 min
Feb. 13, 2026 | Trump EPA tosses emissions rules; How agentic AI transforms dealerships
Automotive News reporter Molly Boigon talks about what the Trump EPA’s repeal of the basis for all federal emissions rules means for the industry and what happens next. Electric vehicle registrations fall for the first time in a decade. Plus, Marianne Johnson, Cox Automotive chief product officer, and David Richardson, vice president of AgentCore at Amazon Web Services, discuss how agentic artificial intelligence is transforming dealership operations beyond basic automation.
February 12 · 21 min
Feb. 12, 2026 | Windsor mayor reacts to Trump’s bridge threat; Nissan exits factories ahead of schedule
Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, discusses President Donald Trump’s threat to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Nissan exits all seven factories targeted for closure and runs ahead of schedule on job cuts. Plus, Ford CEO Jim Farley is joining McDonald’s board of directors.
February 11 · 20 min
Feb. 11, 2026 | CDK CEO Brian MacDonald interview; Ford posts $11B Q4 loss
CDK Global CEO Brian MacDonald discusses how the company is moving beyond basic artificial intelligence applications to deliver data-driven insights for dealers. Ford posts its worst quarterly loss since 2008, driven by EV write-downs and tariff costs. Plus, Honda names a new leader for its critical U.S. operations.
February 10 · 15 min
Feb. 10, 2026 | Lance Woelfer on Honda's fresh lineup strategy; Trump threatens Gordie Howe Bridge
Lance Woelfer, vice president of automobile sales for American Honda, discusses how the company plans to grow in a contracting market with its refreshed lineup and flexible EV Hub production. Plus, President Donald Trump threatens to block the opening of the critical Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.

Automotive News Daily Drive

March 3, 2026 | Iran conflict: What the auto industry needs to know

March 2, 2026 | Honda revives reverse-import strategy; Lei Xing says Chinese EV threat ‘overblown’

Feb. 28, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Stellantis profit-sharing woes, Nissan’s Pathfinder gamble

Feb. 27, 2026 | Software woes persist; BMW’s humanoid robot expansion

Feb. 26, 2026 | No profit sharing for Stellantis UAW workers; Will companies get tariff refunds?

Feb. 25, 2026 | Nissan's dual Pathfinder bet; Why Chinese automakers face a U.S. brick wall

Feb. 24, 2026 | What you need to know about latest tariff chaos; Canada's trade warning

Feb. 23, 2026 | Auto industry gets reprieve from new tariffs; AlixPartners' Dan Hearsch

Bonus Episode: Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan on profitability plans and ROI transparency

Feb. 21, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Will auto companies get tariff refunds after SCOTUS ruling?

Feb. 20, 2026 | SCOTUS strikes down Trump tariffs; understanding IRS negative equity decision

Feb. 19, 2026 | Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan on AI security; Auto execs anxious about job security

Feb. 18, 2026 | Reynolds & Reynolds CEO Chris Walsh; Automakers bet on humanoid robots

Feb. 17, 2026 | Jesse Jackson's auto legacy; Elektrobit CEO Maria Anhalt

Feb. 15, 2026 | Bonus Episode: MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens on bridge uncertainty

Feb. 14, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Gordie Howe Bridge dispute; Larry flies a Joby air taxi

Feb. 13, 2026 | Trump EPA tosses emissions rules; How agentic AI transforms dealerships

Feb. 12, 2026 | Windsor mayor reacts to Trump’s bridge threat; Nissan exits factories ahead of schedule

Feb. 11, 2026 | CDK CEO Brian MacDonald interview; Ford posts $11B Q4 loss

Feb. 10, 2026 | Lance Woelfer on Honda's fresh lineup strategy; Trump threatens Gordie Howe Bridge