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Daily Drive is a daily podcast series hosted by Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters and 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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In the second and final part of Automotive News’ interview with three-time NACSAR champion Joey Logano, he talks more about his ownership stake in with Huntersville Ford and whether he plans to be in the auto retail business for the long haul.
Automotive News’ Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette discuss the week’s biggest stories from the NADA Show in Las Vegas, including China making waves at the show and J.D. Power’s forecast for dealer profits in 2026. Plus, the UAW and Volkswagen reach a tentative agreement in Chattanooga.
Cox Automotive President Steve Rowley joins Daily Drive from the NADA Show 2026 to talk about how the AI revolution is transforming dealerships. Toyota CFO Kenta Kon will become CEO effective April 1, just three years after the last major leadership change. Plus, LG Energy Solution buys out Stellantis’ stake in NextStar.
Automotive News Retail Tech Reporter Mark Hollmer talks about how dealerships are starting to use AI avatars in their customer service. The UAW and Volkswagen have reached a tentative agreement covering the Chattanooga plant nearly two years after workers voted to join the union. Plus, VW of America aims for a 10 percent sales increase amid tensions with dealers.
Three-time NASCAR champion Joey Logano discusses his partnership with Huntersville Ford and why he’s getting into automotive retail. J.D. Power expects U.S. dealer profits to drop 12 percent this year to $25.4 billion. Plus, China is top-of-mind at the 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas.
Hyundai and Kia post record January sales driven by hybrids and crossovers. Consumer Reports crowns nine hybrids in its top 10 vehicle rankings. Plus, Chrysler Brand CEO Chris Feuell talks about the minivan comeback, the refreshed Pacifica and why Chrysler is pivoting away from going all-electric.
Automotive News Retail Reporter Paige Hodder discusses the 2026 Dealer Outlook Survey and how dealers are navigating economic uncertainty heading into this week’s NADA Show in Las Vegas. Bosch pushes back profit targets after a painful 2025. Plus, Stellantis ends remote work flexibility with a return-to-office mandate.
In the second and final part of Automotive News Tech Reporter Molly Boigon’s interview with Stephanie Manning, Chief Government Affairs Officer for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, they discuss the roadblocks to implementing impairment prevention technology, why automakers and regulators are stuck in a circular dependency, and MADD’s commitment to a federal mandate despite industry hesitation.
Automotive News' Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Tesla ending Model S and Model X production for Optimus robots, Hyundai axing the Santa Cruz after one generation, and what to expect at next week's NADA Show in Las Vegas—from dealer sentiment trends to the biggest issues facing retailers in 2026.
Elon Musk is weighing a potential SpaceX-Tesla merger ahead of a planned public offering that could raise $50 billion. Minivans roar back with 20 percent U.S. sales growth as consumers trade down from pricier SUVs. Plus, Cox Automotive’s Jessica Stafford discusses why car buyer satisfaction hit a record 76 percent — driven by digital tools, connected buying processes and omni-channel experiences.
Tesla is ending production of its Model S and Model X to make room for a humanoid robot factory as the company shifts from being a carmaker to a “physical-AI provider.” Hyundai axes the Santa Cruz pickup after just one generation. Plus, Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel explains the eight reasons Japanese kei cars are “doomed to flop” in the U.S. despite President Donald Trump’s push to bring them here.
MADD’s Stephanie Manning explains why she thinks impairment prevention technology is “the next seatbelt.” General Motors is cutting the third shift at its Oshawa Assembly Plant, laying off about 700 workers as tariffs reshape North American production. Plus, Ford dealer council chair Steve Blasing discusses the strategy to keep Escape customers in the fold.
Ancor CEO Jose Flores explains why data management is the overlooked key to the software-defined vehicle era and why companies are “bleeding profit, trust and time” by treating data as back-office compliance. President Donald Trump raises tariffs on South Korean vehicles to 25 percent, putting Hyundai and Kia at a disadvantage against Japanese rivals. Plus, General Motors widened its fourth-quarter loss to $3.3 billion after electric vehicle charges but raised 2026 guidance.
President Donald Trump threatens Canada with 100 percent tariffs over its new trade deal with China that includes electric vehicles. Volkswagen pumps the brakes on a U.S. Audi factory unless tariffs drop. Plus, Amazon Web Services’ Ozgur Tohumcu explains how artificial intelligence is compressing vehicle development timelines and why software-defined vehicles will extend vehicle lifespans.
Lincoln President Joaquin Nuño-Whelan talks about the brand’s plan to grow sales in 2026 despite losing the Corsair crossover, future product direction and navigating tariff uncertainty.
Automotive News’ Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss President Donald Trump’s whiplash on European tariffs, the latest Auto Industry Confidence Index results showing diverging sentiment, Lincoln’s plan to grow sales despite shrinking its lineup to three nameplates and more.
Tesla finally launches robotaxi rides without safety monitors in Austin, years after Elon Musk’s predictions. VW renames the ID4. Plus, Automotive News’ John Huetter explains why cash buyers still present opportunities for finance and insurance products despite lower profits.
GM shifts production of its Buick compact crossover out of China and into the U.S. starting in 2028. Cash buyers are costing dealers serious money in F&I. Plus, Karma Automotive CEO Marques McCammon discusses the company’s complete product reinvention, ending its 11-year-old Revero nameplate and launching an entirely new lineup in 2026.
Hyundai’s market value surges, overtaking General Motors to become the world’s fourth-most valuable automaker. Dealer confidence slips in the fourth quarter as consumer affordability challenges intensify. Plus, Teradar CEO Matt Carey explains how the company’s pioneering sensor technology combines the best of radar and lidar at a fraction of the cost.
President Donald Trump announces new tariffs on eight European nations unless Denmark sells Greenland to the U.S. Mazda delays its first dedicated EV to 2029. Plus, EY’s George Lenyo said software-defined vehicles have “crossed the tipping point” in 2026.
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Even a 100 year home should be able to charge an EV for the daily commute. If you manage to charge more than your daily commute, you can have your EV topped up every morning (after a few days of getting to that 80-90%
Why chargers with cables? A solution was needed now, not in 2025 or 2030. And Blockbuster? Better comparison is RJ45. Nobody has "Blockbuster" at home, but they do have an RJ45 connector on their modem. Sure, everybody mostly uses WiFi now, but you can fall back on a cable connector, if the wireless solution has an issue.
The intro wasn't clean (small cut outs, stop-starts), but at least the interview was.
@06:20 Did I hear "foam shortages" correctly?
22:00 Nice spewing of FUD there. The rolling blackouts were mostly from the high winds as a fire prevention method. For Joe Average the idea of TCO is a mystery. It is possible to recycle 95% of a battery right now. If you take Tesla as an example and Average Joe's yearly distance, the worst battery pack will be at 75% (replacement) range after ~25 years range. Then those are still home battery grade, so still 30 years of life. The industry has 50 years to prepare for the recycling spike of 2070.