Drivetime

In part 2 of our EV Summit special, we hit the ground running with a stellar lineup of guests from across the electric vehicle ecosystem.From OEMs to infrastructure innovators, we delve into the future of electrification, accessibility, and the innovations transforming the EV landscape. This week’s guests are: Adam Wood - Managing Director at Renault UK Michael Goulden - Co-Founder of Kerbo Charge Harry Bott – Director of MediaHawk Lauren Pamma - Head of Energy & Infrastructure Finance at Aldermore Bank Ian Plummer - Commercial Director at AutoTrader This is another insight-rich episode with every guest adding their unique perspective to the conversation. Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jackie Barker sits down with Olly Harrison, COO of Green IP, to discuss how cloud technology, AI, and analytics are transforming telephony in the automotive industry.From sentiment scoring to showroom Wi-Fi tracking, this conversation dives deep into how dealerships can unlock hidden value in their phone systems and create seamless, connected customer experiences.Talking points include: The transformational impact of cloud-based telephony The benefits of integrating your DMS with telephony AI-powered sentiment analysis Showroom behaviour tracking Using call analytics to identify missed calls and calculate revenue lossAnd much more.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re hitting the road this week to bring you the first of four bonus editions of Drivetime, recorded live at the 2025 EV summit in Oxford, UK.Jacqui grabbed 15 minutes with many of the guest speakers at the event – and what a lineup it was!From charging infrastructure to consumer insight, this episode is packed with sharp perspectives from some of the most influential voices in the EV space.Guests included:- Steve Catlin – Managing Director at Vauxhall- Jade Edwards - Head of Insight at ZapMap- Kate Jeffreys - Head of Partnerships at OVO- Ginny Buckley - Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com- Sara Sloman - Chief Strategy Officer at Paythru-Naomi Nye - Head of Sales Drax Electric VehiclesDrivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world ofautomotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s gear change time as Jacqui Barker reconnects with Dominique Kleeman and Jacob Sullivan from TekCor4 for a practical, myth-busting episode.  This time, the focus shifts from strategy to action, offering retailers and OEMs hands-on advice on how to make the most of their data, embrace AI, and build confidence in tech adoption. They discuss: Why tracking the origin and transformation of your data matters, and how to do it. How providers can better support retailers in understanding what they’re buying and how it works. Why AI isn’t just for engineers – business users can now build powerful tools with ease. Real-world AI wins: From CRM reporting to building websites in minutes Predictions on how AI will reshape customer experiences, technician workflows, and dealership operations. Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast helping you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Drivetime, Jacqui Barker is joined by Dominique Kleeman (Chief Revenue Officer) and Jacob Sullivan (Chief Product & Technology Officer) from TekCor4.  Together, they explore how data, AI, and machine learning are transforming the automotive aftersales landscape, helping dealerships and OEMs drive customer loyalty, optimise workshop operations, and prepare for the future of connected vehicles. Topics include:  How legacy data is being restructured to deliver predictive insights. Using service regimes, invoice data, and connected car metrics to keep workshops full and customers loyal. Challenges in the UK Market: Fragmented tech stacks, outdated KPIs, and the need for better data integration. Empowering retailers and technicians with tech that supports—not replaces—human expertise. The role of AI in simplifying decision-making, optimising service plans, and adapting to EV mandates and market shifts. This is a great conversation, packed with insight throughout.  Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast, helping you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this lighter, fast-paced Gear Change edition, Jacqui Barker reconnects with Andy Barratt to unpack the rapid transformation of the Middle East automotive market. From the explosion of Chinese OEMs to the urgent need for CRM innovation and strategic thinking, Andy shares practical tips and personal reflections. The episode also explores how tech, data, and customer experience are reshaping the industry, and ends with a fun dive into Andy’s dream road trip and playlist picks. The conversation covers:The Middle East’s shift from brand loyalty to customer empowermentHow dealers can build future-proof ecosystems and leverage CRMThe power of connected vehicle data and predictive servicingWhy consumers are buying technology and convenience, not just carsThe role of WhatsApp, social media, and mobile-first experiencesPlaylist picks: David Gray, Josh Groban, and Harry Styles  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Middle East-focused episode, Jacqui Barker sits down with Andy Barratt, former Chair of Ford UK and now a leading voice in Middle Eastern automotive trends. Andy shares his unique journey from finance apprentice to CEO at Ford, as well as his current work across the Middle East, offering insights from his LinkedIn newsletter, Middle East Auto Insight. The conversation explores the rapid evolution of the region’s automotive landscape, the rise of Chinese OEMs, the importance of strategic thinking, and the critical role of data and digital transformation. Key topics include:The Middle East’s automotive boom and regional differencesStrategic challenges for retailers and distributors in the regionThe importance of CRM, data, and digital tools in modern auto retailEV adoption trends and infrastructure challengesCommercial vehicle innovation and last-mile deliveryThe role of social media and TikTok in car salesTalent gaps and the need for fresh thinking in the Middle East auto sectorDrivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keyloop’s Senior Product Director, Jon Clay, returns for this week’s Gear Change episode.He and Jacqui discuss: Why you don’t need to be an expert to understand dataThe importance of collecting data correctlyHow differentiating your data comes from the use case you’ve identifiedWhy John can’t live without Claude And, as always, we ask Jon to share the soundtrack to his dream roadtrip. Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast dedicated to helping you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Jacqui sits down with Jon Clay, the Senior Product Director at Keyloop. With a rich background in automotive, including FinTech and insurance, Jon shares his insights on how technology is transforming the industry from the inside out.Topics Covered: Jon’s journey from FinTech to automotive, and the transformational impact of financial technology on the sectorThe ongoing challenge of making vehicle emission figures clearer and more accessible for consumersLessons from the automotive insurance industry, including the need for exceptionally accurate data (think five sigma accuracy!)How Jon and the team at Keyloop are connecting systems to deliver a seamless, unified experience for retailers and customersAn introduction to Keyloop’s Operate domain—what it is, and how it empowers automotive retailersWhy standardisation is crucial for scaling quickly and reducing software development costsThe evolution from Software-as-a-Service to agent-to-agent automation, and what this means for exponential industry growthA first look at Vega, Keyloop’s new AI-powered business intelligence solution Tune in to hear Jon’s unique perspective on the future of automotive technology, and how Keyloop is driving innovation across the industry. Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast dedicated to helping you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Smith returns for this week’s Gear Change episode of Drivetime. Jane is the Field Chief Data & AI Officer for EMEA at ThoughtSpot – the world’s leading agentic analytics platform. In just 13 minutes, she shares practical insights you can put to work today, including:Why you don’t need a specialist team to access your dataThe one data point most dealerships overlook (and shouldn’t)Simple steps to start unlocking value from your data nowHow Keyloop and ThoughtSpot are partnering to power auto retailer intelligencePreparing for the agentic AI futureTwo free resources to level up your AI educationDrivetime is the global auto tech podcast helping you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Drivetime, we’re joined by Jane Smith, Field Chief Data & AI Officer for EMEA at ThoughtSpot, the world’s leading agentic analytics platform. Jane brings her expertise to unpack how AI is transforming the way organisations connect with and act on their data.In this episode, we explore:How the role of Data & AI leaders has evolved in recent yearsThe power of conversational analytics for unlocking insightsHow data analytics played a surprising role in keeping Taylor Swift concerts safeHow ThoughtSpot uses “tokenised search” to boost data accuracyThe benefits of integrating world data into your systemsThree things every retailer should prioritise in their AI strategyDrivetime is the global auto tech podcast helping you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time for a gear change as we’re joined once again by Max Cavazzini, the EMEA Lead for Automotive and Manufacturing at Amazon Web Services (AWS).In this light conversation, we touch on:Why you shouldn’t be afraid to share your dataThe power of having your data in one placeMaking sure you collect the right data at the right momentAutonomous driving will make life easierPlus, we get to know a bit about Max’s personal life, including his love of his pizza over and, as always, his dream road trip.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max Cavazzini, EMEA Lead for Automotive and Manufacturing at Amazon Web Services (AWS), joins us in the studio to unpack the realities of digital transformation.Since joining AWS in 2018, Max has led the Industry Specialists and Solutions team, helping customers invent and innovate at scale in the cloud.We cover:How AWS began – and why it’s more than just servers in the skyThe real benefits of AWS-hosted solutionsWhy customers are “beautifully dissatisfied”How to work backwards from the customer to the technologyThe art of seeing through your customers’ eyesWhy you should focus on long, durable needsHow agentic AI is transforming customer experienceUsing AI to eliminate low-value, repetitive work…and much more.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast helping you navigate the fast-changing world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this gear change episode of Drivetime, we catch up with Nick King, Insight Director at Autotrader, returns to bust myths and talk pricing strategy.Nick shares why getting the price right is critical for minimising margin loss, and how AutoTrader helps retailers do just that.Plus, we get a glimpse of his more personal side, including: - His love of indie music - His dream road trip - The piece of tech he can’t live withoutGear Change episodes are short bonus clips from our main interviews, giving you a chance to get to know our guests on a more personal level.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Drivetime, we’re joined by self-confessed petrolhead Nick King, Insight Director at Autotrader, the UK’s largest online automotive marketplace.From the future of electric vehicles to the lessons hidden in mystery shops, Nick shares a wealth of insight drawn from decades in the industry and AutoTrader’s vast pool of data.We cover:· Making EV adoption feel easy (and why that matters)· The lasting ripple effect of the pandemic on used car sales· Why the best technology always feels “obvious” in hindsight· What mystery shops reveal about today’s retail experience· The debate: how much detail should go into your vehicle listings?· How Autotrader is optimising ads for AI-driven search· The power of reframing the EV conversation for customers …and plenty more along the way.Tune in for practical takeaways and forward-thinking ideas from one of the best in the business.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast that helps you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Gray returns to Drivetime for this week’s gear change episode, and he’s joined by Kortical co-founder of Barbara “Babs” Johnson.  This future-focused episode covers: How Andy persuaded Babs to join Kortical (being her brother definitely helped!) The best action you can take to stop AI stealing your job How to use AI in a meaningful way The future of agentic AI and robotics How AI will automate the final 20% of tasks to unlock revenue gains And just for fun, we swap dream road trip stories and the ultimate driving playlists. Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Andy Gray, CEO and co-founder of Kortical, joins us for a conversation that unpacks the complex world of AI into something practical, relatable, and entertaining. Andy shares his journey from designing games out of boredom in school (after swerving Irish class) to building high-frequency algorithmic trading systems designed to outpace the competition. Along the way, a curious mind, a coding book in C++, and a chance encounter at a game design conference helped shape his path toward founding Kortical – all before AI was even a buzzword. We cover: The difference between AI and Machine Learning Why many AI projects fail—and how to avoid it The untapped potential in automotive data How to model intuitive actions into measurable, optimised processes Why exposing existing data (like customer touchpoints before conversion) can transform business performance And much more...  This episode is a goldmine for anyone trying to bridge the gap between cutting-edge tech and real-world application, especially in automotive retail. Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get to know Johan Sundstrand, the man behind Phyron, in this week’s instalment of Drivetime. The episode covers Johan’s thoughts on the idea that “the car is the star”, the importance of visibility in an AI-powered future, and Johan’s love of boy bands.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Drivetime Podcast, we’re joined by Johan Sundstrand, co-founder and CEO of Phyron – the global leader in AI-powered video automation for automotive.Johan shares his journey from running Sweden’s largest golf shop at 19 to building cutting-edge technology that’s transforming how cars are marketed online.We dive into how AI-generated video content is helping retailers and OEMs tell better stories, create emotional connections, and increase engagement — all at scale, across every channel.Topics covered:Understanding the community you are servingThe role of AI in creating consistent, scalable contentHow to grab attention and drive conversion in a distracted worldWhat makes content ‘emotionally intelligent’This episode is packed with insight, personality, and big ideas about the future of automotive communications.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast designed to help you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacqui is joined once again by Oana Beattie, VP of AI and Data at Kyndryl. In this episode, Oana challenges a common myth about AI, shares three practical ways to start creating value, no matter where you are in your AI journey, and reveals how AI has even made her a better friend.Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast helping you navigate the fast-moving world of automotive innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.