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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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Ford CEO Jim Farley warns against Chinese automaker imports. Lucid appoints Silvio Napoli as CEO to lead turnaround efforts. Plus, dealers offer insights from Automotive News’ 2026 top 150 dealership groups rankings, including how groups are growing sales without adding stores.
Nissan is launching the next Rogue as hybrid-only late this year as it plays catch-up in a market dominated by Toyota and Honda. New steel and aluminum tariff math could cost automakers more. Plus, Kristin Poland of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Highway Safety discusses the board’s investigation into fatal crashes involving the Ford BlueCruise.
Russell Wager, Kia’s vice president of marketing, discusses the brand’s newly announced EV3 compact electric SUV coming to the U.S., the redesigned Seltos with hybrid powertrain and how Kia’s multi-powertrain strategy is helping the brand navigate changing consumer preferences.
Automotive News reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez join Kellen Walker to discuss whether Buick’s planned new sedan could mean a broader comeback for the segment in the U.S. Plus, Kia enters the pickup market targeting 90,000 annual sales, new-vehicle inventories drop sharply to 2.98 million, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation calls for a federal gas tax repeal.
A look at the trends and changes in Automotive News’ upcoming 2026 top 150 dealership groups rankings. Volkswagen halts ID4 production in Chattanooga as EV demand slows. Plus, Tesla is reportedly developing a smaller, cheaper electric SUV for production in Shanghai.
Genesis Motor North America COO Ted Mengiste talks about the brand’s new Magma performance trim and growth strategy. Kia CEO Ho Sung Song announces the brand will launch midsize pickups by 2030, targeting 90,000 annual sales. Plus, Hyundai Motor reroutes ships around Africa to avoid the Strait of Hormuz as CEO Jose Muñoz declares “globalization is over.”
Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas, discusses the brand’s turnaround strategy and future direction. U.S. automakers accuse the European Union of blocking large pickup imports, potentially violating last year’s trade deal. Plus, Buick plans a new sedan for North America.
Automotive News Deputy Editor Lindsay VanHulle speaks with Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker about the brand’s new Boulder concept and its push into body-on-frame vehicles. Gasoline prices have hit $4.14 a gallon, making the economic case for EVs stronger. Plus, Volkswagen praises Rivian’s tech but gets vague when you ask when drivers will be able to use it in VW’s cars.
John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, argues that the time has come to get rid of the federal gasoline tax. Three Democratic senators urge President Donald Trump to keep Chinese automakers out of the U.S. market ahead of his May summit with President Xi Jinping. Plus, Jeep’s streamlined Grand Wagoneer strategy pays off with a sixfold sales increase.
Automotive News’ staff reporters Larry Vellequette and Jack Walsworth discuss first-quarter sales results. A California ruling that could determine the future of the Scout brand. Plus, a recap of the New York International Auto Show.
Sarah Milovich, general counsel and vice president of compliance at Carleton Inc., talks about the compliance risks auto lenders are facing when they use artificial intelligence. Stellantis is in talks to produce Leapmotor Chinese EVs at its idled Canadian plant. Plus, more on Mercedes’ $4 billion investment into its Alabama facility.
Doug Bolduc, managing editor of Automotive News Europe, talks about the crisis racking the European auto industry and what it might mean for American automakers and dealers. Plus, many automakers see a drop in first-quarter sales.
Mercedes-Benz invests $4 billion into its Alabama plant. Molly Boigon talks about how crises have battered the auto industry. Plus, a federal judge rules that a California lawsuit against Scout Motors’ direct sales may proceed.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, talks gas prices and consumer behavior. General Motors idles 1,300 workers at Factory Zero, its electric vehicle plant in Detroit. And Infiniti scales back its U.S. growth targets for the fiscal year.
Dennis Fritsch, Aumovio’s vice president of safety and motion, discusses dry brake technology and how it could impact vehicle engineering. Audi is phasing out its five-star engine in Europe by 2027. Plus, what dealers can learn from China’s rapid expansion in Mexico.
CarEdge CEO Zach Shefska discusses how his company’s AI agents are bypassing traditional vehicle listing sites to connect car buyers directly with dealerships. Shefska explains how the technology works, why he believes listings sites are outdated, and what the future holds for automotive retail.
Automotive News reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez join Kellen Walker to discuss Sony Honda Mobility’s cancellation of its Afeela electric vehicles, Ford CEO Jim Farley’s $27 million compensation despite record recalls, Stellantis ticketing employees who drive competitor vehicles and what to expect at next week’s New York auto show.
WrenchWay President Jay Goninen discusses the company’s Voice of the Technician survey results and what technicians are looking for in a dealership. Hyundai pledges to increase U.S. production by 2030. Plus, what dealers need to know about the wave of used electric vehicles hitting the market.
Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel discusses Sony Honda Mobility’s decision to cancel its Afeela EVs. U.S. auto sales are heading for a rough first quarter. Plus, Stellantis workers face parking tickets for driving the wrong brand.
Mark Templin, Toyota Motor North America COO, talks about how the automaker is navigating rising tariff costs and global unrest. Sony and Honda cancel their Afeela electric vehicles. Plus, what dealers need to know about how workers’ social media posts could violate FTC advertising rules.
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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.