March 28, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Afeela’s demise, Farley's $27M pay, parking lot drama at Stellantis

Experian Automotive provides dealership data tools. The goal is to help dealers figure out who to contact and when, so marketing is more effective.

Sony Honda mobility is a company that was working on an electric car project together. They decided to stop the Affila EVs before the cars even reached customers.

“Pulling the plug” just means they decided to stop the project completely. In this case, it’s about canceling an EV plan.

A compensation package is the total amount of money and benefits a CEO gets. Here, the show is pointing out that Ford’s CEO Jim Farley received a very large pay package.

The New York Auto Show is a major North American event where automakers reveal new vehicles, concepts, and technology. The segment says they’ll preview next week’s show, which typically means upcoming product announcements and media coverage.

“Bottom line” means the company’s profit or loss. The speaker is saying the numbers weren’t working out.

A direct sale model means the automaker sells the vehicle straight to customers rather than through the traditional dealer network. The tradeoff is control over pricing and customer experience, but it can anger dealers who rely on selling those cars.

EVs (electric vehicles) are the focus of the discussion, including how automakers invest in them and how software and technology increasingly define modern EVs. The segment frames EV profitability and execution risk as a key factor behind why some efforts struggle.

The speakers debate the viability of joint ventures (JVs) in the auto industry, especially when one partner changes direction. The argument is that JV outcomes may reflect partner strategy and EV market difficulty rather than the JV structure itself.

Ford is one of the big car companies. Here, they’re being discussed because their quality goals and recall numbers are part of the story.

A bonus structure is the specific formula or set of rules that determines when and how much executives earn as performance pay. It can include multiple factors, such as quality metrics, financial performance, and stock-related outcomes.

Stock options give an executive the right to buy company shares at a set price later. Their value can change depending on the stock price and when the options vest, which is why compensation can fluctuate year to year.

Bonus pay is extra money you get if you hit certain performance goals. The segment explains how the bonus can jump a lot when targets are achieved.

A recall is when the company says, “We need to fix something on these cars.” It usually happens when there’s a safety issue or a defect that needs repair.

The Ford F-150 is a popular Ford pickup truck. Here, the host is saying some F-150 model years were recalled because of a software problem.

The Ford Expedition is a large SUV with three rows of seats, meant for carrying people and gear. It’s designed for road trips and everyday family use. It may be mentioned in the news because it’s part of Ford’s big-vehicle lineup.

IQS is a J.D. Power score for how many problems show up in new cars early on. The idea in the discussion is that older cars often score better because the bugs have already been fixed.

ROI means “return on investment.” It’s a way to judge whether a marketing campaign is actually worth the money spent.

Stellantis is a big car company that makes brands like Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Peugeot. Here, they’re being discussed in the context of workplace parking rules and employee issues.

GM is a major car company (General Motors). The speaker is comparing how GM is handling these workplace rules versus what Stellantis is doing.

Aston Martin is a British luxury sports-car brand. The segment uses it as an example of the high-end vehicles Mulally saw in the executive garage, reinforcing the theme of brand pride and internal culture.

Volvo is a car brand from Sweden. Here it’s brought up to show the CEO had good taste in cars, even if they weren’t Ford.

A “beater” is a cheap, older, often cosmetically rough vehicle that someone keeps running because it’s affordable. The segment contrasts it with newer cars and implies some workers may only be able to drive older, non-brand-specific vehicles.

Press days are the early part of an auto show where reporters get to see cars first. It’s when you’ll usually hear about new models and big updates.

The Javits Center is a big convention building in New York City. The auto show uses it for the event space and media access.

“Under embargo” means automakers restrict when journalists can publish details about a vehicle. Media outlets agree to hold the information until a specific date/time, which helps coordinate launch messaging.

They’re saying today’s auto shows are often more like places to shop and buy cars than just look at them. Instead of only showing new designs, they’re set up to help dealers sell vehicles.

A manual transmission is the “stick shift” where you use a clutch and choose gears yourself. They’re basically saying it would be even more appealing if the car had a manual.

Electric vehicles are cars that run on electricity stored in a battery. Instead of burning gas, they use an electric motor to move the car.

Hybrid cars use two kinds of power—gas and electricity. They’re designed to be more efficient than a regular gas car, without requiring you to rely only on charging.