{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"March 28, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Afeela’s demise, Farley's $27M pay, parking lot drama at Stellantis","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/march-28-2026-weekend-drive-afeela-s-demise-farley-s-27m-pay-parking-lot-drama-at-stellantis","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2447022/episodes/18919514-march-28-2026-weekend-drive-afeela-s-demise-farley-s-27m-pay-parking-lot-drama-at-stellantis.mp3","description":"Automotive News reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez join Kellen Walker to discuss Sony Honda Mobility’s cancellation of its Afeela electric vehicles, Ford CEO Jim Farley’s $27 million compensation despite record recalls, Stellantis ticketing employees who drive competitor vehicles and what to expect at next week’s New York auto show."},"annotations":[{"startTime":38.3,"endTime":43.8,"type":"company","title":"Experian Automotive","url":"/glossary/experian-automotive","quote":"Experian Automotive gives dealerships accurate actionable data insights into their prospects and customers so you can reach the right consumer with the right message at exactly the right moment.","canonicalId":"company:experian-automotive","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Experian Automotive is a data and analytics provider used by dealerships to understand customers and prospects. In this context, they’re positioning their data as a way to improve targeting and timing of marketing messages.","simplifiedExplanation":"Experian Automotive provides dealership data tools. The goal is to help dealers figure out who to contact and when, so marketing is more effective."}},{"startTime":72.3,"endTime":117.3,"type":"company","title":"Sony Honda mobility","url":"/glossary/sony-honda-mobility","quote":"We'll talk about Sony Honda mobility pulling the plug on its Affila EVs... Sony Honda mobility canceled its Affila electric vehicles this week just months before the first model was supposed to reach customers in California.","canonicalId":"company:sony-honda-mobility","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Sony Honda mobility is a joint venture focused on developing and selling electric vehicles. In this segment, the company is described as canceling its Affila EV plans, which is a major signal for how quickly EV programs can change.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":72.3,"endTime":76.8,"type":"concept","title":"pulling the plug","url":"/glossary/pulling-the-plug","quote":"We'll talk about Sony Honda mobility pulling the plug on its Affila EVs, Ford CEO Jim Farley's $27 million compensation package...","canonicalId":"concept:pulling-the-plug","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Pulling the plug” is industry shorthand for canceling a business plan or product program entirely. 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When the segment cites Ford CEO Jim Farley’s $27 million package, it’s highlighting executive pay as a major business story.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":85.7,"endTime":119.4,"type":"concept","title":"New York Auto Show","url":"/glossary/new-york-auto-show","quote":"...and we'll preview next week's New York Auto Show. Joining me as always to talk about these topics...","canonicalId":"concept:new-york-auto-show","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"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."}},{"startTime":130.0,"endTime":133.1,"type":"concept","title":"bottom line","url":"/glossary/bottom-line","quote":"I think it's just the reality, hit them square in the bottom line. They realized that they had an uphill fight","canonicalId":"concept:bottom-line","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Bottom line” refers to profitability—how much money a company makes after costs. The speaker uses it to explain that the decision was driven by financial performance rather than optimism about the product.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Bottom line” means the company’s profit or loss. The speaker is saying the numbers weren’t working out."}},{"startTime":141.0,"endTime":146.8,"type":"concept","title":"direct sale","url":"/glossary/direct-sale","quote":"They realized that they had an uphill fight because the Affila, the way that they were gonna do a direct sale, it was going to infuriate their dealers, much like Volkswagen has actively done with Scout.","canonicalId":"concept:direct-sale","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"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."}},{"startTime":198.2,"endTime":241.4,"type":"concept","title":"EVs","url":"/glossary/ev","quote":"from EVs earlier this month... particularly this one, where you're combining an automaker with a technology company... in terms of the software that is increasingly being added to these new EVs...","canonicalId":"concept:ev","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"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."}},{"startTime":202.2,"endTime":257.1,"type":"concept","title":"joint ventures","url":"/glossary/joint-ventures","quote":"Mike, what does this say about the viability of those kinds of joint ventures, especially when one partner changes course?... I'm not sure that it failed because of the JV specifically...","canonicalId":"concept:joint-ventures","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"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."}},{"startTime":283.5,"endTime":329.4,"type":"brand","title":"Ford","url":"/glossary/ford","quote":"So Mike Ford CEO, Jim Farley's total compensation rose to $27 million last year in part because the company exceeded quality targets. But Ford also set a record for recalls in 2025.","canonicalId":"brand:ford","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Ford is a major global automaker, and its corporate decisions—like how it sets executive pay and how it manages recalls—can directly reflect broader industry pressures. In this segment, Ford is central because the discussion connects quality targets, compensation, and recall volume.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":305.9,"endTime":316.5,"type":"concept","title":"bonus structure","url":"/glossary/bonus-structure","quote":"but according to Ford's bonus structure, now executive compensation involves a number of factors. There's the base pay, there's stock awards and bonuses.","canonicalId":"concept:bonus-structure","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"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."}},{"startTime":321.9,"endTime":329.4,"type":"term","title":"stock options","url":"/glossary/stock-options","quote":"His stock options sort of fluctuate year to year based on when things vest and if he buys more stock, sells it off, et cetera.","canonicalId":"term:stock-options","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"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."}},{"startTime":329.9,"endTime":370.8,"type":"concept","title":"bonus pay","url":"/glossary/bonus-pay","quote":"But this year, the story is the bonus pay. [332.7s] His bonus pay jumped like 255%","canonicalId":"concept:bonus-pay","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Bonus pay is performance-based compensation tied to company or individual targets. Here, the discussion focuses on how Ford’s bonus structure can produce large percentage jumps when quality goals are met.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":395.0,"endTime":396.2,"type":"concept","title":"recalls","url":"/glossary/recall","quote":"They're already leading the league, so to speak, [395.0s] in recalls again.","canonicalId":"concept:recall","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A recall is when a manufacturer asks owners to bring vehicles in for repairs because of a safety or compliance issue. Even if a company is “leading” on quality in some areas, ongoing recalls indicate there are still problems being found and fixed.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":421.1,"endTime":427.0,"type":"car","title":"Ford F-150","url":"/cars/ford/f-150","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/2022_Ford_F-150_Lightning_Rear.jpg","quote":"February 26th, 4.3 million vehicles recalled because of a software error. It was 2021 to 2026 model your F-150s.","canonicalId":"car:ford:f-150","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Ford F-150 is Ford’s best-selling full-size pickup truck. In this segment, it’s specifically called out as being affected by a large recall tied to a software error across certain model years.","simplifiedExplanation":"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.","imageAttribution":"UltraTech66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":429.06,"endTime":430.94,"type":"car","title":"Ford Expedition","url":"/cars/ford/expedition","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Ford_Expedition_%28Mk_III%29_Washington_DC_Metro_Area%2C_USA.jpg","quote":"It was 2022 to 2026 F-250s,  navigators, expeditions, Mavericks, et cetera.  A little earlier this mon...","canonicalId":"car:ford:expedition","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Ford Expedition is a full-size three-row SUV built for family hauling, towing, and long-distance comfort. It often comes up in discussions alongside other large trucks and SUVs because it targets similar buyers who need space and capability. In a news roundup, it’s the kind of vehicle people mention when talking about the broader lineup of large, practical vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"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.","imageAttribution":"OWS Photography (CC BY 4.0)"}},{"startTime":721.7,"endTime":730.3,"type":"concept","title":"IQS","url":"/glossary/iqs","quote":"is the problem with IQS is that the older your model lineup is, the better you do on IQS because you've worked all the kinks out, right?","canonicalId":"concept:iqs","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"IQS is the acronym for J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study. The key point here is that IQS tends to favor automakers with older, more proven model lineups because common issues are worked out over time.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":875.4,"endTime":878.1,"type":"concept","title":"ROI","url":"/glossary/roi","quote":"Our measurement solutions connect your marketing efforts directly to verified vehicle sales, allowing you to measure real ROI, not just impressions and clicks.","canonicalId":"concept:roi","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"ROI stands for “return on investment.” In this context, it means measuring how much money (or value) a marketing campaign generates compared to what it costs.","simplifiedExplanation":"ROI means “return on investment.” It’s a way to judge whether a marketing campaign is actually worth the money spent."}},{"startTime":974.9,"endTime":1027.34,"type":"company","title":"Stellantis","url":"/glossary/stellantis","quote":"But I am. Yeah, I'll leave that to Larry. But, and in these workers' defense, hilariously, where security has ticketed older vehicles that used to be owned by Stellantis, and no longer currently are...","canonicalId":"company:stellantis","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Stellantis is a major global automaker formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group. In this segment, the discussion is about how Stellantis employees and parking/security enforcement are being affected by rules and ticketing.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":1006.2,"endTime":1010.1,"type":"company","title":"GM","url":"/glossary/gm","quote":"Larry, GM and Ford aren't enforcing these rules right now. 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Here it’s brought up to show the CEO had good taste in cars, even if they weren’t Ford."}},{"startTime":1144.0,"endTime":1145.0,"type":"term","title":"beater","url":"/glossary/beater","quote":"Maybe they have an old beater that's not a Chrysler or Stalantis product,","canonicalId":"term:beater","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"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."}},{"startTime":1160.3,"endTime":1166.1,"type":"concept","title":"New York International Auto Show press days","url":"/glossary/new-york-international-auto-show-press-days","quote":"[1157.9s] All right, guys, let's look ahead to next week. [1160.3s] The New York International Auto Show press days kick off Wednesday. [1162.5s] kick off Wednesday. [1164.0s] Larry, you and I will be there at the Javits Center.","canonicalId":"concept:new-york-international-auto-show-press-days","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Press days are the early, media-focused portion of an auto show when automakers invite journalists to see vehicles before the show opens to the public. Coverage often includes first looks, interviews, and sometimes official reveal announcements.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":1164.0,"endTime":1166.1,"type":"concept","title":"Javits Center","url":"/glossary/javits-center","quote":"[1162.5s] kick off Wednesday. [1164.0s] Larry, you and I will be there at the Javits Center. [1166.1s] What are you expecting to see?","canonicalId":"concept:javits-center","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Javits Center is the convention center in New York City where many major events and trade shows are held, including auto show press activities. Its location and venue setup influence how automakers stage reveals and media access.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Javits Center is a big convention building in New York City. The auto show uses it for the event space and media access."}},{"startTime":1185.8,"endTime":1189.6,"type":"concept","title":"under embargo","url":"/glossary/under-embargo","quote":"[1182.2s] The Hyundai Group is showing some vehicles [1184.3s] and we don't know what they are. [1185.8s] They've not shared them under embargo [1189.6s] as most automakers have done.","canonicalId":"concept:under-embargo","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“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."}},{"startTime":1224.4,"endTime":1228.1,"type":"concept","title":"auto shows have become shopping events","url":"/glossary/auto-shows-have-become-shopping-events","quote":"for really what auto shows have become, which is shopping events, which is what they were beforehand.","canonicalId":"concept:auto-shows-have-become-shopping-events","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This describes how many modern auto shows function less like pure exhibitions and more like consumer-facing shopping events. 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In the auto industry, EVs are a major focus because of emissions regulations and rapid improvements in battery and charging technology.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}},{"startTime":1325.5,"endTime":1333.5,"type":"concept","title":"hybrid technologies","url":"/glossary/hybrid-technologies","quote":"Basically, all OEMs are very interested in hybrid technologies. The question is which one is finding the one who's bringing it first into application...","canonicalId":"concept:hybrid-technologies","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Hybrid technologies” refers to powertrains that combine an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor and battery. Automakers are pursuing hybrids because they can reduce fuel use and emissions while fitting into existing fueling and driving habits.","simplifiedExplanation":"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."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Automotive News","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/march-28-2026-weekend-drive-afeela-s-demise-farley-s-27m-pay-parking-lot-drama-at-stellantis/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}