Automotive News Daily Drive

<p>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.</p>

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.

11-23
11:33

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.

11-22
19:29

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.

11-21
21:19

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.

11-20
19:01

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.

11-19
23:57

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.

11-18
21:42

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.

11-17
14:48

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.

11-16
10:27

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.

11-15
15:42

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.

11-14
17:06

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.

11-13
22:45

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

11-12
25:33

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.

11-11
23:09

Nov. 10, 2025 | Nexperia chip supply flowing again; Upstream Security’s Jennifer Tisdale

China is easing its export restrictions on Nexperia chips, a move that is already relieving pressure on global automakers hit by recent shortages. Rivian gives CEO RJ Scaringe a Musk-style pay package. Plus, Upstream Security’s Jennifer Tisdale talks about whether the auto industry is ready for the next vehicle hack.

11-10
16:51

Nov. 9, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Slate not interested in self-driving; Gen Z loves auto shows

Automotive News’ Laurence Iliff talks about why Slate has no interest in getting especially high-tech or jumping into the self-driving race with fellow electric vehicle startups such as Tesla or Rivian. Plus, Clarify Group President Darren Slind talks about the company’s latest auto show survey and some surprising results.

11-09
12:17

Nov. 8, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Ford’s Signature 2.0 program

Automotive News Staff Reporters Michael Martinez and Molly Boigon talk about the week’s biggest news stories, including Ford’s Signature 2.0 program and more.

11-08
11:38

Nov. 7, 2025 | Tesla to enter a new growth phase; Apple Tree Honda’s Fixed Ops Director Richard Lupo

Tesla enters a new growth phase with the approval of Elon Musk’s new pay package. Meanwhile, some Nexperia chip deliveries resume. Honda’s bet on EVs backfire. Plus, Apple Tree Automotive Fixed Ops Director Richard Lupo joins the show to tell us how his service department is meeting customers in their home driveways with mobile service.

11-07
18:13

Nov. 6, 2025 | CarMax’s CEO fired amid financial weakness; S&P Global Mobility’s Stephanie Brinley on hybrid vehicle tech

CarMax ousts longtime CEO Bill Nash in a surprise leadership shake-up aimed at strengthening sales and cutting costs. Meanwhile, Nissan continues its global restructuring, confirming plans to end production at its joint factory with Mercedes-Benz in Mexico. Plus, S&P Global Mobility’s Stephanie Brinley joins the show to discuss how hybrids are reaching hitting a sweet spot with consumers looking for both performance and efficiency.

11-06
17:11

Nov. 5, 2025 | Supreme Court justices question Trump tariffs; Slate Auto repair strategy

The Michigan Department of State suspends the license of a well-known dealership, alleging it sold used loaners as new. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump’s sweeping tariffs and whether the president was lawful in his decisions. Plus, our own Laurence Iliff joins the show to talk about Slate Auto and how it plans to simplify its services.

11-05
17:59

Nov. 4, 2025 | Surviving AI at the dealership; F&I Sentinel’s Stephen McDaniel

Waymo brings its autonomous ride-hailing service to Detroit as the company expands testing in cold-weather markets. Meanwhile, dealership employees brace for the rise of artificial intelligence as automation reshapes jobs across the industry. Plus, our own John Huetter sits down with Stephen McDaniel, CEO of F&I Sentinel.

11-04
20:54

Antonio Reed

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05-29 Reply

Chris Abele

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%

02-17 Reply

Chris Abele

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.

11-05 Reply

Chris Abele

The intro wasn't clean (small cut outs, stop-starts), but at least the interview was.

05-03 Reply

Chris Abele

@06:20 Did I hear "foam shortages" correctly?

03-20 Reply

01-09

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