{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":" March 18, 2026 | NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang says AV tech is 'solved'; Nissan's last laugh","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/march-18-2026-nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-says-av-tech-is-solved-nissan-s-last-laugh","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2447022/episodes/18869846-march-18-2026-nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-says-av-tech-is-solved-nissan-s-last-laugh.mp3","description":"NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang says autonomous driving tech is a “solved problem” and will become a multi-trillion dollar business. Gas prices have jumped 27 percent since the Iran conflict began and used electric vehicle dealers in some markets are suddenly swamped. Plus, Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel discusses his column arguing Nissan gets the last laugh in its failed Honda merger."},"annotations":[{"startTime":7.2,"endTime":13.3,"type":"brand","title":"NVIDIA","url":"/glossary/nvidia","quote":"Today on the show, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang says he's convinced self-driving tech is already a solved problem.","canonicalId":"brand:nvidia","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"NVIDIA is a technology company known for its graphics processing units (GPUs) and its advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"NVIDIA is a tech company that makes computer chips and software, including technology that helps cars drive themselves."}},{"startTime":7.2,"endTime":13.3,"type":"term","title":"self-driving tech","url":"/glossary/self-driving-tech","quote":"Today on the show, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang says he's convinced self-driving tech is already a solved problem.","canonicalId":"term:self-driving-tech","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Self-driving technology refers to systems that enable a vehicle to operate without human input, using sensors, cameras, and AI to navigate roads safely.","simplifiedExplanation":"Self-driving tech means cars that can drive themselves without a person controlling them."}},{"startTime":15.3,"endTime":21.0,"type":"term","title":"used EV dealers","url":"/glossary/used-ev-dealers","quote":"Gas prices spike, and used EV dealers in some markets are suddenly swamped.","canonicalId":"term:used-ev-dealers","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Used EV dealers specialize in selling pre-owned electric vehicles, which are becoming more popular as gas prices rise and EV adoption increases.","simplifiedExplanation":"Used EV dealers sell electric cars that other people have owned before."}},{"startTime":27.6,"endTime":41.8,"type":"brand","title":"Nissan","url":"/glossary/nissan","quote":"automotive news Asia editor Hans Grimel says Nissan may have dodged a bullet with its failed merger last year with Honda. Nissan has a new CEO that did make the hard decisions, is putting Nissan through a kind of a tough love revival plan.","canonicalId":"brand:nissan","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Nissan is a major Japanese automaker known for a wide range of vehicles, including electric cars like the Leaf, and for its global presence in the automotive market.","simplifiedExplanation":"Nissan is a big car company from Japan that makes many kinds of cars, including electric ones."}},{"startTime":27.64,"endTime":33.52,"type":"car","title":"Bristol Bullet","url":"/cars/bristol/bullet","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Bristol%2C_1946_showing_bomb_damage_on_bottom_right_of_image.png","quote":"... editor Hans Grimel says Nissan may have dodged a bullet with its failed  merger last year with Honda.","canonicalId":"car:bristol:bullet","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Bristol Bullet is a limited-production British sports car known for its classic design and powerful V8 engine. It represents Bristol Cars' dedication to handcrafted luxury and performance, making it a notable example of exclusive British automotive craftsmanship. The Bullet is often discussed for its rarity and the brand's unique approach to combining vintage aesthetics with modern engineering.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Bristol Bullet is a special sports car made in Britain. It has a strong engine and looks like old-fashioned race cars. It is made in small numbers, so not many people have one.","imageAttribution":"Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":33.5,"endTime":44.1,"type":"brand","title":"Honda","url":"/glossary/honda","quote":"automotive news Asia editor Hans Grimel says Nissan may have dodged a bullet with its failed merger last year with Honda. Nissan has a new CEO that did make the hard decisions, is putting Nissan through a kind of a tough love revival plan. Then meanwhile, Honda has kind of gone its own separate way.","canonicalId":"brand:honda","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Honda is a Japanese automaker known for reliable cars, motorcycles, and its own developments in hybrid and electric vehicle technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"Honda is a car company from Japan that makes cars and motorcycles."}},{"startTime":52.3,"endTime":58.7,"type":"term","title":"gasoline prices","url":"/glossary/gasoline-prices","quote":"Gasoline prices have jumped 27% in the US since the Iran conflict began, and it's starting to change the global car market.","canonicalId":"term:gasoline-prices","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Gasoline prices refer to the cost per gallon or liter of fuel used by internal combustion engine vehicles, which can significantly impact car buying trends and market demand.","simplifiedExplanation":"Gasoline prices are how much it costs to fill up a car with fuel, and when prices go up, people may think about buying different kinds of cars."}},{"startTime":66.3,"endTime":74.2,"type":"term","title":"EV searches","url":"/glossary/ev-searches","quote":"In Germany, EV related web traffic is up 40%. Here in the US, not so much. CarGuru says EV searches have barely budged.","canonicalId":"term:ev-searches","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"EV searches refer to online searches for electric vehicles, which can indicate consumer interest and market trends in electric car adoption.","simplifiedExplanation":"EV searches mean people looking online for electric cars to buy."}},{"startTime":87.2,"endTime":91.8,"type":"term","title":"canceled EVs","url":"/glossary/canceled-evs","quote":"Meanwhile, the list of canceled EVs continues to grow. Volvo is dropping its compact EX30 electric crossover in the US, and it's not because the car was bad.","canonicalId":"term:canceled-evs","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Canceled EVs refers to electric vehicle models that manufacturers have decided not to produce or release, often due to market conditions or strategic shifts.","simplifiedExplanation":"Canceled EVs are electric cars that companies planned to make but then stopped before selling them."}},{"startTime":91.8,"endTime":99.5,"type":"car","title":"Volvo EX30 electric crossover","url":"/cars/volvo/ex30","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Volvo_EX30_1X7A1945.jpg","quote":"Volvo is dropping its compact EX30 electric crossover in the US, and it's not because the car was bad. One dealer told Automotive News the EX30 came out, quote, pretty bulletproof.","canonicalId":"car:volvo:ex30","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volvo EX30 electric crossover is a compact electric SUV from Volvo, designed to offer a smaller, urban-friendly electric vehicle option.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volvo EX30 is a small electric SUV made by Volvo, a Swedish car company.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":112.2,"endTime":117.6,"type":"term","title":"import tariffs","url":"/glossary/import-tariffs","quote":"The culprits, import tariffs, the loss of federal EV tax credits, and a market that's just not ready for compact electric vehicles at the price of Volvo needed to charge.","canonicalId":"term:import-tariffs","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Import tariffs are taxes imposed on goods brought into a country. In the automotive context, tariffs can increase the cost of imported vehicles, affecting pricing and sales.","simplifiedExplanation":"Import tariffs are extra taxes you pay when cars are brought into a country from somewhere else. This can make cars more expensive."}},{"startTime":266.7,"endTime":275.3,"type":"term","title":"ray tracing","url":"/glossary/ray-tracing","quote":"Eight years ago when I announced RTS ray tracing, everybody who did. Everybody said ray tracing, full bar.","canonicalId":"term:ray-tracing","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Ray tracing is a computer graphics technique that simulates the way light interacts with objects to create highly realistic images. NVIDIA pioneered real-time ray tracing (RTS) technology for gaming and simulations.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ray tracing is a way computers make pictures look very real by showing how light bounces off things, like in video games or movies."}},{"startTime":301.2,"endTime":304.1,"type":"concept","title":"autonomous vehicles","url":"/glossary/autonomous-vehicles","quote":"10 years ago, I started to work on autonomous vehicles.","canonicalId":"concept:autonomous-vehicles","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Autonomous vehicles are cars equipped with technology that allows them to drive themselves without human input. This involves sensors, AI, and complex software to navigate roads safely.","simplifiedExplanation":"Autonomous vehicles are cars that can drive on their own without a driver controlling them. They use computers and cameras to see and decide where to go."}},{"startTime":327.1,"endTime":332.0,"type":"term","title":"simulation system","url":"/glossary/simulation-system","quote":"\"There's the training system, the synthetic data generation and simulation system, the automobile systems and the AV system.\"","canonicalId":"term:simulation-system","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A simulation system creates virtual environments to test and train autonomous vehicle software safely and efficiently without needing to drive physical cars in all scenarios.","simplifiedExplanation":"A simulation system is like a video game that helps test self-driving cars in different situations without using real cars."}},{"startTime":327.1,"endTime":332.0,"type":"term","title":"training system","url":"/glossary/training-system","quote":"\"There's the training system, the synthetic data generation and simulation system, the automobile systems and the AV system.\"","canonicalId":"term:training-system","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A training system refers to the computing infrastructure and software used to teach autonomous vehicle AI models by processing large amounts of data to improve their driving capabilities.","simplifiedExplanation":"A training system is the computer setup that helps teach self-driving cars how to understand and react to the road."}},{"startTime":357.3,"endTime":362.5,"type":"term","title":"autonomous driving (AD)","url":"/glossary/autonomous-driving-ad","quote":"\"...every single autonomous vehicle company in the world who's working in AD of any kind trucks, vans, cars, robot taxi...\"","canonicalId":"term:autonomous-driving-ad","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Autonomous driving (AD) refers to the technology and systems that enable vehicles to drive themselves with little or no human input, ranging from driver assistance to full self-driving capabilities.","simplifiedExplanation":"Autonomous driving means cars can drive themselves without a person controlling them, using special technology."}},{"startTime":430.3,"endTime":437.4,"type":"concept","title":"multi trillion dollar business","url":"/glossary/multi-trillion-dollar-business","quote":"Pick your favorite number for dollars per mile. It is a multi trillion dollar business.","canonicalId":"concept:multi-trillion-dollar-business","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The phrase 'multi trillion dollar business' highlights the enormous economic potential of autonomous driving and related technologies, indicating that this sector could generate trillions of dollars in revenue annually.","simplifiedExplanation":"This means the business can make a huge amount of money, even more than a trillion dollars, which is a really big number."}},{"startTime":603.9,"endTime":646.2,"type":"concept","title":"merger","url":"/glossary/merger","quote":"there was a big surprise announcement that all of a sudden, Nissan and Honda were going to have a merger, not just a cooperation which they had been working on before, cooperating on projects here and there, but actually have a full-on merger, and they were going to be merging, combining their companies, and kind of a quasi merger of equals this year, 2026... maybe even bring in Mitsubishi to join into a three-way tie-up that would have created the world's number three auto group at the time","canonicalId":"concept:merger","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A merger in the automotive industry refers to two or more companies combining their operations to form a single entity. This can lead to shared resources, technology, and market presence, often aiming to improve competitiveness and efficiency.","simplifiedExplanation":"A merger is when two car companies join together to become one bigger company. This helps them share ideas and make better cars."}},{"startTime":640.2,"endTime":646.2,"type":"brand","title":"Mitsubishi","url":"/glossary/mitsubishi","quote":"and then maybe even bring in Mitsubishi to join into a three-way tie-up that would have created the world's number three auto group at the time","canonicalId":"brand:mitsubishi","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Mitsubishi is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for SUVs, electric vehicles, and its history in rally racing. It was considered as a potential partner in a three-way merger with Nissan and Honda.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mitsubishi is a Japanese car company that makes SUVs and electric cars and was thought about joining Nissan and Honda in a big company merger."}},{"startTime":671.4,"endTime":679.6,"type":"term","title":"balance sheet","url":"/glossary/balance-sheet","quote":"they looked under the hood at Nissan, saw that Nissan was really struggling with a lot of problems. This was under former Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida, and they were struggling with losses with a bad balance sheet","canonicalId":"term:balance-sheet","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A balance sheet is a financial statement that summarizes a company's assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time. A bad balance sheet indicates financial difficulties such as high debt or losses.","simplifiedExplanation":"A balance sheet is like a report card for a company that shows what it owns and owes. If it's bad, it means the company is having money problems."}},{"startTime":756.0,"endTime":759.7,"type":"concept","title":"EV trend","url":"/glossary/ev-trend","quote":"It's been a victim of kind of an over ambition, or over optimism in the EV trend,","canonicalId":"concept:ev-trend","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The EV trend refers to the growing shift in the automotive industry towards electric vehicles (EVs) as a response to environmental concerns and regulatory changes. This trend affects company strategies, investments, and product development.","simplifiedExplanation":"The EV trend means more and more car companies are making electric cars instead of gas cars. This is because electric cars are better for the environment."}},{"startTime":763.2,"endTime":765.8,"type":"concept","title":"loss of incentives","url":"/glossary/loss-of-incentives","quote":"because of the loss of incentives, and now it's Honda that's in the world of hurt,","canonicalId":"concept:loss-of-incentives","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Loss of incentives refers to the reduction or removal of government subsidies or tax credits that encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles. This can impact sales and profitability for automakers heavily invested in EVs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Loss of incentives means the government is giving less money or help to people who buy electric cars. This can make electric cars more expensive and harder to sell."}},{"startTime":789.4,"endTime":793.94,"type":"car","title":"Honda Prologue","url":"/cars/honda/prologue","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/2024_Honda_Prologue.jpg","quote":"Honda recently cancelling three EV models, and then it looks like the prologue is also going to end after this run.","canonicalId":"car:honda:prologue","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Honda Prologue is an upcoming electric SUV from Honda, representing the brand's push into the EV market. It is part of Honda's strategy to transition away from internal combustion engines towards electric vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Honda Prologue is a new electric SUV that Honda is making. It shows Honda is trying to make more electric cars instead of gas-powered ones.","imageAttribution":"Wlb5V (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":818.0,"endTime":828.0,"type":"concept","title":"Phasing out internal combustion by 2040","url":"/glossary/phasing-out-internal-combustion-by-2040","quote":"it was the only Japanese automaker that fully committed to phasing out internal combustion by 2040.","canonicalId":"concept:phasing-out-internal-combustion-by-2040","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Phasing out internal combustion means gradually stopping the production and sale of vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel engines. Honda's commitment to end internal combustion vehicle production by 2040 is a significant shift towards fully electric or alternative powertrain vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Honda plans to stop making cars that run on gas or diesel by the year 2040 and only make electric or other types of cars."}},{"startTime":1024.3,"endTime":1028.2,"type":"term","title":"right sizing","url":"/glossary/right-sizing","quote":"Well, he's doing a good job in terms of cutting the costs, in terms of right sizing the company, as they say it. He's really slashing the global production footprint,","canonicalId":"term:right-sizing","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Right sizing is the process of adjusting a company's size and resources to better match its current business needs, often involving workforce reductions or facility closures to improve efficiency.","simplifiedExplanation":"Right sizing means a company changes how big it is by having fewer workers or closing some places, so it fits better with how much work it has."}},{"startTime":1028.2,"endTime":1031.5,"type":"term","title":"global production footprint","url":"/glossary/global-production-footprint","quote":"He's really slashing the global production footprint, bringing the costs in line with its capacity, basically. So that is a must do.","canonicalId":"term:global-production-footprint","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Global production footprint refers to the number and location of a company's manufacturing facilities worldwide. Reducing this footprint means closing or consolidating plants to cut costs.","simplifiedExplanation":"Global production footprint means all the factories a company has around the world. Cutting it means closing some factories to save money."}},{"startTime":1232.3,"endTime":1237.66,"type":"concept","title":"economy of scale","url":"/glossary/economy-of-scale","quote":"to brand management, to technology management, and realizing the true benefits of that kind of economy of scale","canonicalId":"concept:economy-of-scale","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Economy of scale refers to the cost advantages that companies gain when production becomes efficient, as costs can be spread over a larger number of goods or services.","simplifiedExplanation":"Economy of scale means making things cheaper by making a lot of them at once, so the cost for each one goes down."}},{"startTime":1271.4,"endTime":1276.8,"type":"concept","title":"autonomous driving company","url":"/glossary/autonomous-driving-company","quote":"It could be an AI company, it could be an autonomous driving company, it could be a chip making company,","canonicalId":"concept:autonomous-driving-company","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An autonomous driving company specializes in developing technology that enables vehicles to drive themselves without human intervention, using sensors, software, and AI.","simplifiedExplanation":"An autonomous driving company makes cars that can drive on their own using computers and cameras, so you don't have to steer or brake."}},{"startTime":1271.4,"endTime":1276.8,"type":"concept","title":"AI company","url":"/glossary/ai-company","quote":"It could be an AI company, it could be an autonomous driving company, it could be a chip making company,","canonicalId":"concept:ai-company","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An AI company develops artificial intelligence technologies that can be applied in various fields, including automotive, to improve vehicle systems like driver assistance and autonomous driving.","simplifiedExplanation":"An AI company makes smart computer programs that help cars think and make decisions, like helping them drive safely."}},{"startTime":1334.46,"endTime":1338.66,"type":"car","title":"Hyundai Palisade","url":"/cars/hyundai/palisade","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Hyundai_Palisade_IMG_7301.jpg","quote":"and saved 4,200 bucks on a new Hyundai Palisade, all without stepping foot in a showroom until pickup.","canonicalId":"car:hyundai:palisade","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Hyundai Palisade is a midsize SUV produced by Hyundai, known for its spacious interior, family-friendly features, and value-oriented pricing. It competes in the popular SUV market segment with a focus on comfort and technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Hyundai Palisade is a big SUV that can carry families and their stuff comfortably. It has lots of space and nice features, making it a popular choice for people who want a reliable and roomy vehicle.","imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Automotive News","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/march-18-2026-nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-says-av-tech-is-solved-nissan-s-last-laugh/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}