May 28th, 2026 | APMA’s Flavio Volpe talks Gordie Howe Bridge delay; motor oil shortage imminent
About this episode
Ethanol and oil supply take center stage as the hosts weigh claims about E-15 and a looming synthetic motor oil shortage. The guest explains why Group 3 base oil supply is “completely cut off,” what “stop gap” Group 2 substitutes could mean for fuel economy, and how dealerships may ration specific viscosity grades. The conversation then pivots to the Gordie Howe Bridge delay—its financing, the Detroit–Windsor logistics impact, and how a free-flowing eight-lane bridge could improve just-in-time delivery.
Flavio Volpe of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association talks about what the Gordie Howe Bridge means for the auto industry. Honda is leaning hard into hybrids to hold onto its double-digit share. Plus, a motor oil shortage is imminent and could last until at least mid-2027.
Honda Crv
"...rketing around four key nameplates, Civic Accord, CRV, and Prelude. Wolfer says the company remains on ..."
The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV, which means it’s a taller, more versatile car than a sedan. It’s designed for everyday use like commuting and carrying people or cargo. The podcast mentions it because it’s one of Honda’s important, well-known models.
The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV built for everyday practicality, with a focus on space, comfort, and versatility. When the podcast references Honda’s marketing around key nameplates, the CR-V’s inclusion shows it’s a major part of Honda’s strategy in the SUV market. It’s often discussed because it’s a high-demand model that influences how the brand is perceived in mainstream family transportation.
Honda Civic
"...ng targeted marketing around four key nameplates, Civic Accord, CRV, and Prelude. Wolfer says the company..."
The Honda Civic is a small, everyday car made for commuting and errands. It’s popular because it’s usually efficient and easy to live with. The podcast mentions it because it’s one of Honda’s major, well-known models.
The Honda Civic is a compact car known for being practical, efficient, and widely sold in many markets. In a podcast about Honda’s marketing and product strategy, it’s one of the key nameplates mentioned alongside other Honda models, which highlights its importance to the brand’s lineup and sales focus. It may come up because it represents Honda’s mainstream, high-volume segment.
Honda Accord
"...geted marketing around four key nameplates, Civic Accord, CRV, and Prelude. Wolfer says the company remain..."
The Honda Accord is a larger car than a small commuter model, meant for everyday driving with more space. It’s commonly chosen by people who want a comfortable sedan. The podcast brings it up because it’s one of Honda’s key, recognizable cars.
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan that’s been a long-running part of Honda’s lineup, typically positioned for comfort and family-friendly usability. When a podcast discusses Honda’s marketing around major nameplates, the Accord’s inclusion signals it’s a core model in the brand’s strategy. It’s often discussed because it helps define Honda’s presence in the mainstream sedan category.
Honda Prelude
"...round four key nameplates, Civic Accord, CRV, and Prelude. Wolfer says the company remains on track for 4% ..."
The Honda Prelude is a Honda coupe that’s meant to feel more sporty than a typical daily sedan. It’s the kind of car people associate with driving enjoyment. The podcast mentions it because it’s one of Honda’s notable model names.
The Honda Prelude is a sports-oriented coupe that’s historically been associated with a more performance-focused side of Honda’s lineup. In the context of a discussion about Honda’s key nameplates, its mention suggests the brand is treating the Prelude as an important model identity, even if it’s not as high-volume as the Civic or Accord. It may be discussed because it represents Honda’s enthusiast-oriented heritage.
E-15
"The US EPA temporarily allowed nationwide E-15 sales in March after Middle East tensions [129.9s] spiked fuel prices. That sparked viral warnings about engine damage and poor fuel economy."
E-15 is regular gasoline mixed with 15% ethanol (a fuel made from plants). Because it’s a different mix than standard gas, it can change how an engine burns fuel and how well it runs.
E-15 is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. Ethanol changes fuel properties—like octane and energy content—so it can affect how engines combust the fuel and how efficiently they run.
octane rating
"And while ethanol has lower energy density, its higher octane rating can improve engine combustion [150.3s] efficiency. And the synthetic motor oil shortage could last more than a year."
Octane rating is basically how resistant the fuel is to “knocking” in the engine. If the fuel resists knocking better, the engine can burn it more smoothly—sometimes helping efficiency.
Octane rating is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to knocking (uncontrolled combustion) inside an engine. A higher octane fuel can allow more favorable combustion conditions, which may improve efficiency in engines calibrated for it.
energy density
"And while ethanol has lower energy density, its higher octane rating can improve engine combustion [150.3s] efficiency. And the synthetic motor oil shortage could last more than a year."
Energy density means how much “usable energy” is packed into a certain amount of fuel. If ethanol has less energy per gallon than gasoline, you can end up using more fuel to go the same distance.
Energy density is how much energy a fuel contains for a given volume. Ethanol’s energy density is lower than gasoline, so you may need more volume to produce the same energy—often affecting fuel economy even if octane is higher.
synthetic motor oil
"And the synthetic motor oil shortage could last more than a year. [155.8s] That's according to the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association."
Synthetic motor oil is a higher-tech type of engine oil designed to protect the engine better, especially in hot or cold conditions. Here, the concern is that there may not be enough of it for routine service.
Synthetic motor oil is engineered to provide consistent lubrication across a wide range of temperatures and operating conditions. In this segment, the key issue is supply: the show discusses a shortage that could disrupt dealership service schedules.
Group 3 base oil
"It says the US will run out of Group 3 base oil, the key ingredient for synthetic motor oil [167.1s] as soon as next month."
Group 3 base oil is the raw “ingredient” oil companies use to manufacture synthetic engine oil. If there isn’t enough of it, synthetic oil production can slow down or stop.
Group 3 base oil is a category of refined oil used as the main starting material for making many synthetic motor oils. If the US runs out of Group 3 base oil, it can directly limit how much synthetic oil manufacturers can produce.
Strait of Hormuz
"The cause, the ongoing US war with Iran, has blocked imports through the [173.8s] Strait of Hormuz. Cutting off nearly half of US supply, the association doesn't expect"
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow shipping route where a lot of the world’s oil passes through. If shipments get blocked, it can cause fuel and oil supply problems downstream.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major chokepoint for global oil and fuel shipments. When imports are blocked there, it can reduce supply to countries like the US, which can ripple into shortages of refined products and oil ingredients.
0W20
"Some of the dealerships like you mentioned Nissan and Toyota [223.5s] are already kind of, especially Nissan is saying if you got X amount a year ago of a certain, [229.9s] you know, 0W8 or 0W20, you're going to get half as much as you got last year or 70% of what you"
0W20 is an engine oil type that’s meant to stay fluid when it’s cold and still protect the engine when it’s hot. The number helps describe how thick it is during normal driving.
0W20 is a common engine-oil viscosity grade. “0W” means it’s designed to flow well when it’s cold, and “20” refers to its viscosity at engine operating temperature—important for lubrication and fuel economy targets.
0W8
"Some of the dealerships like you mentioned Nissan and Toyota [223.5s] are already kind of, especially Nissan is saying if you got X amount a year ago of a certain, [229.9s] you know, 0W8 or 0W20, you're going to get half as much as you got last year or 70% of what you"
0W8 is a label for how thick the oil is and how it behaves in cold weather. The right viscosity matters for engine protection, especially when it’s cold.
0W8 is an engine-oil viscosity grade, where “0W” indicates cold-weather flow performance and the number indicates thickness at operating temperature. Oil viscosity grades matter because engines and warranties are often calibrated for specific oil behavior.
warranty
"Factory recommends you use this Toyota synthetic blend [249.9s] and we don't have it or we're not going to have it. Maybe we're enough of it. Okay, [253.5s] you're okay to use something that's a little bit off-brand for one time use on this vehicle. [261.3s] We're not going to void a warranty and that kind of thing."
Here, “warranty” means the manufacturer’s coverage for repairs. The point is that using an approved substitute oil temporarily shouldn’t cancel that coverage.
In this context, “warranty” refers to the manufacturer’s promise to cover certain repairs if the vehicle is used and maintained according to its rules. The host notes dealers expect using an approved substitution oil temporarily won’t void that coverage.
group three base oils
"what they call group three base oils that are used to make synthetic blends."
Group III base oil is the main ingredient inside many modern motor oils. If there isn’t enough of it, companies can’t make as much synthetic or synthetic-blend oil as they normally would.
Group III base oils are a category of refined petroleum base stocks used to produce many “synthetic” or synthetic-blend motor oils. When supply of Group III is cut off, it directly limits the amount of synthetic-blend oil that can be manufactured.
synthetic blends
"you know, this goes back to, again, what they call group three base oils that are used to make synthetic blends."
A synthetic blend is a mix of two kinds of oil: one that’s made synthetically and one that’s more traditional. It’s meant to work better than regular oil, but it still relies on the same oil ingredients being available.
Synthetic blends are motor oils made by mixing synthetic base oil with conventional (mineral) base oil. They’re used to improve cold-start performance and overall durability compared with fully conventional oils, but they still depend on specific base-oil supply chains.
group two base oil
"substitutes like a group two base oil, which is used more in a convention of motor oils, is a substitute for, you know, kind of a stop gap for the foreseeable future."
Group II base oil is a more traditional type of oil ingredient. During a shortage, it can be used temporarily, but it may not perform as well as the synthetic ingredients some cars are expecting.
Group II base oils are another category of conventional petroleum base stocks, typically used in more traditional motor oils. In a shortage, they can be used as a substitute “stop gap,” but the speaker suggests it may not match synthetic performance as closely.
gas mileage
"Now, those can be used and probably not really, you know, hurt a car. I mean, you might get a little bit of gas mileage might not be as great."
Gas mileage is how far you can drive on a gallon of fuel. The idea here is that the wrong type of oil during a shortage might make the car use a little more fuel.
Gas mileage is the real-world fuel economy you get from a car, often influenced by engine efficiency and drivetrain losses. The speaker is implying that using a different base oil (like Group II instead of Group III) could slightly reduce fuel economy.
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