Dec. 19, 2025 | Incoming NADA chair talks 2026 priorities; USMCA talks set for January
About this episode
Rob Cochrane, the incoming chair of NADA, shares his vision for 2026, emphasizing the need for a long-term strategic approach in the rapidly changing auto industry. Key discussions include the upcoming USMCA trade talks, UAW leadership drama, and CarMax's financial struggles. Cochrane highlights the importance of enhancing customer experience and leveraging artificial intelligence while addressing regulatory challenges. The episode also touches on vehicle affordability and the impact of tariffs on the market, providing insights into the current state and future direction of the automotive landscape.
Incoming National Automobile Dealers Association chair Rob Cochran discusses his priorities for 2026. U.S.-Canada trade talks are set to begin in January with high stakes for automakers. Plus, deleted texts reveal an alleged conspiracy against UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock.
CarMax
"And CarMax is in crisis mode."
CarMax is a big company that sells used cars. They have lots of stores across the U.S., and they try to make buying a car simple by setting a fixed price for each vehicle.
CarMax is a large used‑car retailer in the United States, known for its no‑haggle pricing and nationwide network of dealerships.
autonomous driving technology
"General Motors is ramping its autonomous driving technology, targeting a 2028 launch for its eyes off driving system."
This is the technology that lets a car drive by itself, using cameras and computers to see where it should go.
Autonomous driving technology refers to systems that allow a vehicle to navigate and control itself with minimal or no human input, using sensors, software, and AI.
General Motors
"General Motors is ramping its autonomous driving technology, targeting a 2028 launch for its eyes off driving system."
General Motors is a big car company that makes many different cars and trucks. They have brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac.
General Motors (GM) is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The company produces a wide range of vehicles under brands such as Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.
eyes off driving system
"General Motors is ramping its autonomous driving technology, targeting a 2028 launch for its eyes off driving system."
It means the car can drive itself for a bit, so you don't have to keep your hands on the wheel or feet on the pedals.
An "eyes off" driving system is a type of autonomous technology that allows drivers to disengage from the steering wheel and pedals for short periods, typically in low‑traffic or highway scenarios.
Cruise
"They talk about how the automaker is rolling its former cruise robotaxi unit into its super cruise team and its ambitions for self-driving tech."
Cruise is a company that works on making cars drive themselves, especially for rides like Uber or Lyft.
Cruise is a subsidiary of General Motors that focuses on developing autonomous vehicle technology, particularly self-driving cars for ride‑hailing services.
robotaxi unit
"They talk about how the automaker is rolling its former cruise robotaxi unit into its super cruise team and its ambitions for self-driving tech."
It's a car that drives itself and can pick up passengers like Uber or Lyft, but without a human driver.
A robotaxi unit is a self‑driving vehicle designed for ride‑hailing services, combining autonomous technology with the convenience of a taxi or rideshare platform.
embedded AI modeling
"Cruise is bringing their expertise and just raw horsepower in embedded AI modeling."
It means the car has smart computer programs built into it that help it see and decide what to do while driving.
Embedded AI modeling refers to the use of artificial intelligence algorithms that run directly on a vehicle's hardware, enabling real‑time decision making for tasks like perception and control.
Ford F-150 Lightning
"including the EU's emissions reversal and Ford's decision to dump the F-150 Lightning. The EV buyer and the Ford F-150 buyer Van Diagram is really kind of like two circles."
The F‑150 Lightning is a fully electric pickup truck made by Ford. It can drive about 300 miles on one charge and has two electric motors for power.
The Ford F‑150 Lightning is an all‑electric version of the popular F‑150 pickup truck, featuring a dual‑motor setup and a large battery pack that delivers up to 300 miles of range. It represents Ford’s push into the electric truck market.
F-150 buyer
"The EV buyer and the Ford F-150 buyer Van Diagram is really kind of like two circles."
An F‑150 buyer is someone who buys the regular Ford pickup truck that runs on gasoline. They usually want a strong, reliable truck for work or family use.
An F‑150 buyer is a consumer who purchases the traditional gasoline-powered Ford F‑150 pickup truck. Their priorities often include towing capacity, durability, and brand loyalty.
EV buyer
"The EV buyer and the Ford F-150 buyer Van Diagram is really kind of like two circles."
An EV buyer is someone who buys a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They usually want cheaper fuel and help the environment.
An EV buyer is a consumer who purchases an electric vehicle, often motivated by lower operating costs, environmental concerns, or access to incentives. Their buying patterns differ from traditional gasoline buyers.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.