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Dec. 11, 2025 | Ionna CEO Seth Cutler interview Part 2; automakers push to preserve USMCA

Dec. 11, 2025 | Ionna CEO Seth Cutler interview Part 2; automakers push to preserve USMCA

Automotive News Daily Drive Dec 11, 2025 25 min
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About this episode

Seth Cutler, CEO of Ionna, discusses the challenges and strategies in expanding EV charging networks amid fluctuating demand. He emphasizes the importance of reliability and accessibility in charging stations, especially as the market adjusts after the federal EV tax credit repeal. The conversation also touches on Nissan's ambitious plans to compete with Tesla in autonomous driving and the implications of potential changes to the USMCA trade agreement. Insights into the collaboration between automakers and Ionna highlight the industry's push for innovation and efficiency in EV infrastructure.

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Term

self-driving system

"Nissan seeks to undercut Tesla with its own self-driving system."

A self-driving system is a set of gadgets in a car that let it drive itself, like following roads and avoiding obstacles.

Brand

Nissan

"Nissan seeks to undercut Tesla with its own self-driving system."

Nissan is a big car company from Japan that makes many popular cars, including electric ones.

Concept

EV registrations

"EV registrations did better in October than analysts expected."

EV registrations are the number of electric cars that people officially register with the government, showing how many are being bought.

Brand

Tesla

"Nissan seeks to undercut Tesla with its own self-driving system."

Tesla is a U.S. company that makes electric cars and is known for its high-tech features.

Concept

USMCA trade agreement

"President Trump is signaling he may abandon the USMCA trade agreement in favor of separate deals with Mexico and Canada."

USMCA is a trade deal between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada that sets rules for buying and selling goods, including cars.

Concept

NAFTA

"The industry has optimized manufacturing around USMCA's three country framework since it replaced NAFTA."

NAFTA was a trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that helped cars be made across borders.

Concept

UAW

"There is one exception. The UAW wants major changes or US withdrawal demanding stronger job protections and labor standards."

UAW is a group that represents car workers, fighting for better jobs and pay.

Brand

Ford

"Ford registrations dropped 23% from October 2024,"

Ford makes cars, trucks, and SUVs, and now also sells electric vehicles like the Mustang Mach‑E.

Brand

Hyundai

"Hyundai slid 49%"

Hyundai makes cars, trucks, and electric vehicles like the Kona Electric.

Company

S&P Global Mobility Data

"According to S&P Global Mobility Data, the EV share of the light vehicle market fell to 6.9% in October from 7.6% a year earlier."

S&P Global Mobility Data collects and reports statistics on how many cars are sold in different markets.

Concept

EV share of light vehicle market

"the EV share of the light vehicle market fell to 6.9% in October from 7.6% a year earlier."

EV share tells you how many of the cars sold are electric compared to all other cars.

Concept

autonomous driving

"Nissan is making its boldest move yet to challenge Tesla in autonomous driving."

Autonomous driving means a car can drive itself or help you drive, depending on the level of automation.

Concept

AI-powered next-generation pro-pilot system

"Nissan expects the first vehicles with its AI‑powered next‑generation pro‑pilot system to initially arrive in Japan and North America."

The pro‑pilot system is a smart helper that can steer and control the car using AI, making driving easier.

Term

Blue Cruise

"That's different from, say, super cruise or blue cruise from GM and Ford, which are primarily used for highway driving."

It's Ford's version of a hands‑free driving feature for highways.

Term

Super Cruise

"That's different from, say, super cruise or blue cruise from GM and Ford, which are primarily used for highway driving."

It's a feature that lets you drive on the highway without touching the wheel for a while.

Term

FSD

"Like Tesla, like Tesla's FSD, Nissan's next-generation pro-pilot system will sort of do the whole thing."

It's Tesla's software that lets the car drive itself, like a robot.

Term

LiDAR

"So Nissan plans to use at least initially cameras and a vision-based system as opposed to LiDAR."

It's a fancy laser sensor that helps cars see around them by bouncing light off objects.

Term

cameras and a vision-based system

"So Nissan plans to use at least initially cameras and a vision-based system as opposed to LiDAR."

It means the car will rely on cameras to 'see' and understand what's around it, like a human driver.

Company

Wave

"But they're also essentially partnering with a British company called Wave."

Wave is a company from Britain that makes software to help cars drive themselves using AI.

Term

neural network

"Wave has developed this artificial intelligence sort of driving platform, which essentially taps into a neural network or basically a network of other cars that are also feeding information on how they are navigating day-to-day."

A neural network is a computer program that learns from examples, like how to recognize objects or drive a car.

Concept

hybrid vehicles

"For them coming up with a coherent plan for hybrid hybrids in the US is far more important."

Hybrids are cars that use both gasoline and electric power to run, helping save fuel and cut pollution.

Brand

BMW

"[599.0s] We wrote you all the time, we were two EV family, we have a Tesla, we have a BMW, we just took our Tesla in New York City, charging is really difficult in New York City."

BMW makes high-quality cars that are known for their performance and style. They also have electric models.

Brand

Rivian

"we announced plug-and-charge with Ford, we announced with Rivian plug-and-charge and integrations or head units about a month ago."

Rivian makes electric trucks and SUVs that are built for off‑road adventures. They’re a newer company compared to older car makers.

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