{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"May 1, 2026 | The week’s top stories and Boston Consulting’s Eric Jesse on powertrains","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/may-1-2026-the-week-s-top-stories-and-boston-consulting-s-eric-jesse-on-powertrains","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2467728/episodes/19104089-may-1-2026-the-week-s-top-stories-and-boston-consulting-s-eric-jesse-on-powertrains.mp3","description":"Used EVs lose value; GM invests in Canada; Stellantis suggests regulatory change. Plus, Boston Consulting Group’s Eric Jesse discusses how automakers can find “white space” to win in different powertrain segments."},"annotations":[{"startTime":0.0,"endTime":0.0,"type":"concept","title":"powertrains","url":"/glossary/powertrains","quote":"Published: 2026-05-01T04:00:00Z | The week’s top stories and Boston Consulting’s Eric Jesse on powertrains","canonicalId":"concept:powertrains","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.6,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Powertrains are the complete set of components that generate and deliver propulsion, such as engines, electric motors, transmissions, and related control systems. The episode’s theme focuses on how powertrain choices affect automakers’ growth and profitability during electrification.","simplifiedExplanation":"A powertrain is everything that makes the car move—like the engine or electric motor and the parts that connect them to the wheels. The discussion is about how changing to electric power affects car companies’ business plans."}},{"startTime":0.0,"endTime":11.9,"type":"company","title":"TD Auto Finance","url":"/glossary/td-auto-finance","quote":"At TD Auto Finance, we're reimagining the vehicle shopping and buying experience. Contact our dedicated support teams today at 1-855-TD-Auto-1 to find out more about our flexible financing options that will help you meet your customer's auto financing needs.","canonicalId":"company:td-auto-finance","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"TD Auto Finance is a financing provider tied to TD (Toronto-Dominion) that offers loans and other financial products for vehicle purchases. In the ad portion, they’re positioning themselves as improving the vehicle shopping and buying experience.","simplifiedExplanation":"TD Auto Finance is a company that helps people pay for cars over time. In this segment, they’re advertising financing options for car buyers."}},{"startTime":85.0,"endTime":90.8,"type":"term","title":"battery life","url":"/glossary/battery-life","quote":"Poor marketing, along with consumer concerns about battery life and weak demand overall, hurt the value of used EVs. But momentum is shifting, rising gas prices, new incentives and growing consumer familiarity are boosting demand.","canonicalId":"term:battery-life","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Battery life refers to how long an EV’s battery can deliver usable performance before it degrades significantly. Because EV batteries are expensive and degradation affects range, buyers’ concerns about battery life can directly impact used EV prices.","simplifiedExplanation":"Battery life is how long the EV battery stays healthy enough to provide good driving range. If people worry the battery won’t last, they’re less willing to pay high prices for used EVs."}},{"startTime":96.6,"endTime":102.7,"type":"concept","title":"resale value gap","url":"/glossary/resale-value-gap","quote":"Poor marketing, along with consumer concerns about battery life and weak demand overall, hurt the value of used EVs. But momentum is shifting, rising gas prices, new incentives and growing consumer familiarity are boosting demand. Analysts expect the resale value gap to shrink to less than 5% by 2030.","canonicalId":"concept:resale-value-gap","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The resale value gap is the difference in how much value a vehicle retains after it’s used, compared with another category (here, EVs versus gas/hybrids). A shrinking gap means used EVs are expected to hold their value closer to non-EVs over time.","simplifiedExplanation":"Resale value gap just means how much more (or less) one type of car is worth after you’ve owned it for a few years. Here, it’s about EVs losing value faster than gas and hybrids."}},{"startTime":102.7,"endTime":120.4,"type":"car","title":"V8 engines","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/%22_13_-_ITALY_-_V8_italian_engine_7700_cc_for_industrial_works_03_-_Made_in_Italy.jpg","quote":"On the manufacturing front, General Motors is doubling down on V8 power in Canada. The automaker will invest $691 million in its St. Catherine's Ontario propulsion plant to build the next-generation V8 engines for full-size pickups and SUVs.","canonicalId":"car:general motors:v8","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A V8 engine is an internal-combustion engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. In this segment, General Motors is investing to build next-generation V8 engines for full-size pickups and SUVs in Canada.","simplifiedExplanation":"A V8 is a type of gas engine with eight cylinders. This story says General Motors is spending money to build new V8 engines for big trucks and SUVs.","imageAttribution":"Pava (CC BY-SA 3.0 it)"}},{"startTime":102.7,"endTime":114.1,"type":"company","title":"General Motors","url":"/glossary/general-motors","quote":"On the manufacturing front, General Motors is doubling down on V8 power in Canada. The automaker will invest $691 million in its St. Catherine's Ontario propulsion plant to build the next-generation V8 engines for full-size pickups and SUVs.","canonicalId":"company:general-motors","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"General Motors (GM) is the automaker making the investment described here. The segment says GM is expanding production capacity in Canada for next-generation V8 engines.","simplifiedExplanation":"General Motors is the car company behind this investment. They’re increasing production in Canada for new V8 engines."}},{"startTime":107.6,"endTime":114.1,"type":"part","title":"propulsion plant","url":"/glossary/propulsion-plant","quote":"The automaker will invest $691 million in its St. Catherine's Ontario propulsion plant to build the next-generation V8 engines for full-size pickups and SUVs. The move comes amid tariff uncertainty but reinforces the plant's long-term role, with new equipment already arriving.","canonicalId":"part:propulsion-plant","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A propulsion plant is a manufacturing facility focused on producing powertrain components—here, engines for vehicles. The segment specifically mentions GM’s St. Catherine’s Ontario propulsion plant building next-generation V8 engines.","simplifiedExplanation":"A propulsion plant is a factory that makes the parts that help a vehicle move, like engines. In this case, it’s where GM is building new V8 engines."}},{"startTime":120.4,"endTime":126.8,"type":"concept","title":"tariff uncertainty","url":"/glossary/tariff-uncertainty","quote":"The move comes amid tariff uncertainty but reinforces the plant's long-term role, with new equipment already arriving. St. Catherine's will be one of three sites producing the engines, alongside U.S. plants in Flint, Michigan and Tanawanda, New York.","canonicalId":"concept:tariff-uncertainty","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Tariff uncertainty refers to uncertainty about import/export taxes that can change the cost of moving parts and vehicles across borders. The segment ties this uncertainty to GM’s investment decision while still emphasizing long-term production plans."}},{"startTime":138.0,"endTime":142.75,"type":"company","title":"Stellantis","url":"/glossary/stellantis","quote":"Finally, in retail news, pressure is mounting on Ottawa to broaden Canada's vehicle safety standards. Stellantis says aligning with European rules","canonicalId":"company:stellantis","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Stellantis is an automaker that, in this segment, is mentioned in connection with aligning with European vehicle rules. The discussion frames it as part of pressure on Ottawa to broaden Canada’s vehicle safety standards.","simplifiedExplanation":"Stellantis is a car company. Here, they’re mentioned as supporting or pushing alignment with European vehicle rules, which connects to Canada’s safety standards."}},{"startTime":153.2,"endTime":164.5,"type":"company","title":"Transport Canada","url":"/glossary/transport-canada","quote":"But industry groups say momentum is building. Transport Canada has made no commitments and any change would likely require new legislation.","canonicalId":"company:transport-canada","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Transport Canada is the Canadian federal government department responsible for transportation policy and regulation. In the transcript, it’s referenced as having made no commitments regarding changes that could affect vehicle import rules and compliance with standards.","simplifiedExplanation":"Transport Canada is the Canadian government agency that sets transportation rules and policies. In this discussion, it’s mentioned because it may influence whether importing vehicles becomes easier or harder."}},{"startTime":169.8,"endTime":176.1,"type":"company","title":"Boston Consulting Group","url":"/glossary/boston-consulting-group","quote":"Coming up, we hear from Boston Consulting Group Managing Director, Eric Jesse. At TD Auto Finance, we pride ourselves on being remarkably human...","canonicalId":"company:boston-consulting-group","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm that advises businesses on strategy and operations. In this episode, BCG’s Eric Jesse discusses a report about automakers’ growth and profitability during the shift to electrified vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Boston Consulting Group is a consulting company that helps businesses with strategy—like how to plan and make decisions. Here, one of their leaders talks about a report on how car companies can grow and profit as cars become more electric."}},{"startTime":259.1,"endTime":270.0,"type":"concept","title":"electrification transition","url":"/glossary/electrification-transition","quote":"Eric Jesse, thanks for joining us today. ... So you're a co-author on a new report that looks at growth and profitability opportunities for automakers as the industry's electrification transition continues to unfold.","canonicalId":"concept:electrification-transition","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The electrification transition is the industry-wide shift from internal-combustion vehicles toward electric powertrains (battery-electric and, in some cases, plug-in hybrids). It affects automakers’ product plans, supply chains, and profitability as they invest in new technologies and manufacturing.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is the auto industry moving away from gas engines and toward electric drivetrains. Companies have to change what they build and how they make money while they invest in new electric technology."}},{"startTime":277.1,"endTime":284.2,"type":"concept","title":"OEM","url":"/glossary/oem","quote":"Yeah, so a lot of our clients have been struggling to figure out how to position their portfolios to make money. And this is both the OEM site but also the suppliers that work with them.","canonicalId":"concept:oem","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer”—the company that builds the vehicles (and often designs major systems) rather than supplying parts to other brands. In the transcript, OEMs and suppliers are both described as needing help positioning their portfolios to profit during electrification.","simplifiedExplanation":"OEM means the company that makes the cars in the first place. The episode also talks about suppliers—companies that provide parts—because both groups are trying to figure out how to make money during the shift to electric vehicles."}},{"startTime":345.6,"endTime":351.9,"type":"concept","title":"ICE","url":"/glossary/internal-combustion-engine","quote":"As you leave and transition from ICE, the portfolio where they're really well rooted, they're way down the learning curve, the whole kind of machine is built around that, to a new world that is very much going to be electric vehicles at some point.","canonicalId":"concept:ice","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"ICE stands for internal combustion engine, the traditional gasoline or diesel engine used in most cars. The transcript contrasts ICE-based portfolios with a future where vehicles are electric.","simplifiedExplanation":"ICE is the usual gas or diesel engine in most cars today. The discussion is about what happens when companies move away from that toward electric cars."}},{"startTime":351.9,"endTime":376.5,"type":"concept","title":"profit pools","url":"/glossary/profit-pools","quote":"And so you're actually transitioning profit pools. And so how you set up against those are really important...","canonicalId":"concept:profit-pools","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Profit pools are the parts of the automotive value chain where companies can earn the most money. The transcript argues electrification can shift where those profits come from, meaning strategies that worked for ICE may not work in an EV world.","simplifiedExplanation":"Profit pools are the areas of the business where companies make the most money. The idea here is that when cars go electric, the money-making areas can change too."}},{"startTime":376.5,"endTime":381.8,"type":"concept","title":"billion dollar investment","url":"/glossary/billion-dollar-investment","quote":"if you think about the fact that a powertrain is easily a billion dollar investment if you think of the whole platform...","canonicalId":"concept:billion-dollar-investment","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The transcript highlights that developing a powertrain and related platform can require extremely large capital budgets—on the order of a billion dollars. It’s used to underscore how consequential powertrain decisions are during electrification.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re saying that building the technology for a car’s power system can cost a huge amount of money. The point is that these decisions are very expensive and high-stakes."}},{"startTime":403.9,"endTime":410.3,"type":"concept","title":"white space opportunities","url":"/glossary/white-space-opportunities","quote":"But the bigger key really is exploring those white space opportunities where there are fewer competitors.","canonicalId":"concept:white-space-opportunities","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"White space opportunities are market niches with less competition where a company can grow or earn better margins. The speaker frames this as a strategy for profitability rather than simply chasing the biggest or fastest-growing segments."}},{"startTime":420.0,"endTime":433.2,"type":"concept","title":"EV company, a pure EV startup","url":"/glossary/ev-company-a-pure-ev-startup","quote":"the thing to appreciate is that like a EV company, a pure EV startup is making one bet, right? And they have no IP that they can rely on to make money in any other way.","canonicalId":"concept:ev-company-a-pure-ev-startup","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A pure EV startup is a company that focuses only on electric vehicles rather than having other revenue sources tied to traditional powertrains. The segment uses this to explain why such firms can face high risk if their single strategy doesn’t work.","simplifiedExplanation":"A pure EV startup is a company that bets everything on making electric cars. If that plan fails, there may be no backup business to keep it afloat."}},{"startTime":427.1,"endTime":433.2,"type":"concept","title":"IP","quote":"And they have no IP that they can rely on to make money in any other way. 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The discussion contrasts the development cost and competitive barriers for EV “upstarts” versus traditional OEMs leveraging existing platforms and IP.","simplifiedExplanation":"An EV is a car that runs mainly on electricity from a battery, not a gas engine. The point here is that building an EV business from scratch can be expensive."}},{"startTime":470.8,"endTime":475.5,"type":"term","title":"internal combustion engine","url":"/glossary/internal-combustion-engine","quote":"...Like you're talking about an internal combustion engine, you're talking about electrifying parts of that internal combustion engine in the case of hybrids.","canonicalId":"term:internal-combustion-engine","priority":0.85,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An internal combustion engine (ICE) is an engine that burns fuel inside the engine to create power. 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It can switch between them or use them together to improve efficiency."}},{"startTime":494.3,"endTime":499.5,"type":"concept","title":"platform","url":"/glossary/platform","quote":"...if you can reuse that platform there. And so because you have that lower hurdle...","canonicalId":"concept:platform","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A platform is a shared vehicle architecture—common engineering and structural components used across multiple models. The transcript argues that reusing a platform can reduce the “first time investment” needed to enter or expand into different vehicle segments.","simplifiedExplanation":"A platform is the underlying “base” of a car that multiple models can share. If you reuse it, you don’t have to redesign everything from scratch, which saves money."}},{"startTime":510.3,"endTime":516.4,"type":"concept","title":"refreshers","url":"/glossary/refreshers","quote":"Like the refreshers are changing the technology investments to continue participating are slowing.","canonicalId":"concept:refreshers","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A refresher (often called a mid-cycle refresh) is an update to an existing vehicle model—typically involving styling changes, feature upgrades, and sometimes powertrain or software improvements. The transcript says these refresh cycles are changing technology investment timing, which affects competitiveness.","simplifiedExplanation":"A refresher is when an automaker updates an existing car partway through its life—like a face-lift plus new features. It can change how quickly they invest in new technology."}},{"startTime":538.6,"endTime":543.4,"type":"concept","title":"upfront capital investment","url":"/glossary/upfront-capital-investment","quote":"...those faster growing segments, you know, they're going to require more upfront capital investment, you know, maybe more incentives...","canonicalId":"concept:upfront-capital-investment","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Upfront capital investment refers to the large amount of money companies must spend early—before products generate revenue. 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The idea is that more competition can lead to more of these offers."}},{"startTime":580.4,"endTime":586.6,"type":"concept","title":"break even","url":"/glossary/break-even","quote":"Or to hit like a hurdle that breaks even. So 100,000 units a year and a segment is break even ish. And then above that, you start to make more and more margin.","canonicalId":"concept:break-even","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Break even” is the point where a business’s total costs are matched by its total revenue. In auto strategy, it’s often discussed as a sales volume target (units per year) needed before profits start to appear.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Break even” means you sell enough to cover all your costs, so you’re not losing money anymore. 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If you gain even a little share, you might sell enough cars to make money."}},{"startTime":598.1,"endTime":607.9,"type":"concept","title":"midsize SUV","url":"/glossary/mid-size-suv","quote":"However, if we think of like a midsize SUV, you're probably competing as 40 or 50 players.","canonicalId":"concept:midsize-suv","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A midsize SUV is a sport-utility vehicle class positioned between compact SUVs and full-size SUVs. The episode uses it as an example of a highly competitive segment where many automakers are vying for sales.","simplifiedExplanation":"A midsize SUV is a family-sized SUV that’s bigger than a compact but not as large as a full-size. The point here is that many brands compete in that size category."}},{"startTime":614.1,"endTime":623.1,"type":"concept","title":"sedans are shrinking","url":"/glossary/sedans-are-shrinking","quote":"There are also segments that are smaller, right? Like sedans are shrinking, for example. But the number of players is like dramatically reducing while there's still quite a meaningful amount of volume there.","canonicalId":"concept:sedans-are-shrinking","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Sedans are shrinking” refers to the market trend where fewer buyers choose sedans over other body styles like SUVs and crossovers. The hosts connect this to changing competition and volume within that segment.","simplifiedExplanation":"This means fewer people are buying sedans compared to other types of cars. When demand drops, the number of brands competing can change too."}},{"startTime":662.5,"endTime":667.8,"type":"concept","title":"scenario planning","url":"/glossary/scenario-planning","quote":"And you gave a couple of examples, I think, in thinking about how to walk through this sort of scenario planning. 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The discussion is about how this truck category has fewer players and is harder for new entrants to break into."}},{"startTime":725.6,"endTime":731.3,"type":"concept","title":"chassis","url":"/glossary/chassis","quote":"...or you have the chassis, right, like you could look at this segment and say...","canonicalId":"concept:chassis","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The chassis is the car’s structural foundation—everything that supports the body and connects key systems like suspension and steering. In strategy discussions, “chassis vs powertrain” often separates vehicle platform engineering from propulsion engineering.","simplifiedExplanation":"The chassis is the car’s main frame and structure. It’s what holds everything together and supports the suspension and steering."}},{"startTime":774.5,"endTime":781.7,"type":"concept","title":"full EV tipping point","url":"/glossary/full-ev-tipping-point","quote":"...two kind of possible options. The idea of, you know, a full EV tipping point [781.7s] coming quickly...","canonicalId":"concept:full-ev-tipping-point","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An EV tipping point is the moment when electric vehicles become the default choice for most buyers—driven by factors like cost, charging access, and consumer confidence. “Full EV tipping point coming quickly” implies a faster shift away from internal-combustion vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"The tipping point is when EVs stop being a niche and start becoming the normal choice. 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People don't like change...","canonicalId":"concept:consumer-adoption","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Consumer adoption is how quickly buyers switch to a new technology or product—in this case, EVs. The transcript contrasts “fast conversion” with a slower path due to habits, perceived risk, and the need for supporting infrastructure.","simplifiedExplanation":"Consumer adoption is how quickly people start buying and using a new kind of car. If it’s slow, it usually means people aren’t convinced yet or the supporting stuff isn’t ready."}},{"startTime":832.4,"endTime":838.7,"type":"concept","title":"infrastructure investments","url":"/glossary/infrastructure-investments","quote":"...there's a whole bunch of infrastructure investments that need to occur. [838.7s] And so it goes slower.","canonicalId":"concept:infrastructure-investments","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Infrastructure investments are spending to build or expand the systems needed for a technology to work at scale—here, things like charging networks and related grid upgrades. The transcript argues that without these, EV adoption can’t accelerate as quickly."}},{"startTime":838.7,"endTime":850.3,"type":"concept","title":"credits have gone off","quote":"...we've seen it go from, hey, we're going full [843.9s] speed towards EVs to the credits have gone off and it went the opposite direction...","canonicalId":"concept:credits-have-gone-off","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Credits” likely refers to government incentives tied to EVs or emissions—such as credits that can improve automaker economics. When those credits change or end, the transcript suggests EV momentum can reverse.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is talking about government incentives that can make EVs cheaper or more attractive. If those incentives change, automakers may slow down or shift strategy."}},{"startTime":856.0,"endTime":862.5,"type":"concept","title":"fuel sensitive","url":"/glossary/fuel-sensitive","quote":"...a slower kind of adoption [862.5s] where people do become more fuel sensitive right over time. And so that leans more towards a world","canonicalId":"concept:fuel-sensitive","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Fuel sensitive” describes consumers whose buying decisions respond strongly to fuel costs—meaning they pay close attention to how expensive it is to drive. In the scenario, that sensitivity supports hybrids/EVs when fuel prices change."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Automotive News Canada","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/may-1-2026-the-week-s-top-stories-and-boston-consulting-s-eric-jesse-on-powertrains/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}