Toyota's significant $10 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, particularly in a new battery facility in North Carolina, highlights its commitment to local production. Meanwhile, GM faces challenges in Canada with executive changes and labor tensions following the closure of its BrightDrop line. Nissan aims to revitalize its North American sales with a focus on hybrids and plans to resume production of key models in Canada after a tariff-related hiatus. The episode also teases upcoming highlights from the LA Auto Show.
Automotive News’ Omari Gardner and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson talk about major moves by Japanese automakers this week to boost manufacturing and sales in the U.S. and Canada amid tariffs.
"and they have a couple of buildings up that make hybrid battery cells and modules, but they're still working on the..."
Hybrid battery cells are small parts that hold electricity. They’re put together into larger groups called modules, which go inside hybrid cars.
Hybrid battery cells are individual units that store electrical energy, while modules combine multiple cells into a single pack used in plug‑in hybrids.
"and they have a couple of buildings up that make hybrid battery cells and modules, but they're still working on the..."
A battery facility is a factory where batteries for cars are made. These batteries power electric and hybrid vehicles.
A battery facility is a manufacturing plant dedicated to producing battery cells and modules, which are essential components for electric and hybrid vehicles.
"but they're still working on the, I believe the plug in hybrid and the building that builds EV batteries."
A plug‑in hybrid is a car that can run on gasoline or on electricity. You can charge its battery from a wall outlet.
A plug‑in hybrid is a vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with rechargeable battery packs, allowing it to drive on electric power alone for short distances.
"Omari, now Nissan made a splash this week with CEO Ivan Espinoza telling our own Hans Grimo that the Japanese automaker is planning a blitz of new product next year to jumpstart US sales."
Nissan is a big car company from Japan that makes many different kinds of cars, like small city cars and larger SUVs.
Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to SUVs and electric models.
"And again, I think the getting hybrids, you know, that's where the market is right now. Again, those hybrids in market will be key to their profitability."
Hybrids are cars that use both gasoline and electric power to save fuel and help the environment.
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
"One of the more interesting things will be the next generation Kia Tell You Ride. It's in the second generation."
The Telluride is a popular SUV from Kia. The new version that came out recently looks nicer and has better tech.
The Kia Telluride is a midsize crossover SUV that debuted in 2019. The second generation, introduced for the 2023 model year, features updated styling, more advanced technology, and improved interior quality.
"So if there is any development on the Chrysler Pacifica, I am always interested in that in particular that model."
The Pacifica is a big van made by Chrysler that’s good for families because it has lots of room and comfy seats.
The Chrysler Pacifica is a full‑size minivan produced by the American automaker Chrysler, known for its spacious interior and family‑friendly features.
"And then of course anything that has to do with Honda or Toyota because for those that don't know the RAV4 is only made in Canada."
The RAV4 is a small SUV made by Honda that’s built in Canada and is liked for being easy to drive and good on gas.
The Honda RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV that, in Canada, is manufactured at the Alliston plant and is popular for its practicality and fuel efficiency.
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You have data everywhere, but is it working together? Meet Curator, the automotive industry's first unified intelligence engine. Curator unifies data from all corners of your dealership to transform marketing, sales and customer interactions. See it today at gubugu.com. Welcome to this weekend drive edition of Daily Drive for the third week in November 2025. I'm Kellyn Walker in Las Vegas. We're breaking down some of the biggest stories in the auto industry from the past week.
And looking forward to what's in store in the days ahead. With me today, Omari Gardiner is director of content and commentary at Automotive News. Omari, welcome back to Weekend Drive.
And Greg Laceen is the digital and mobile editor of our sibling publication, Automotive News Canada, and the host of the Automotive News Canada Podcast. Good to have you back, Greg. Good to be here.
So Omari, you were down in North Carolina this week with Toyota to check out its massive plan in the town of Liberty, specifically its new battery facility.
Before we talk about the big news of that visit, talk about the scale of that project and what stood out to you seeing it all in person.
So I've edited a number of stories about how big this facility is, but you really don't have no idea until you actually see it in person.
I mean, it's this huge, huge site. I'm in Liberty in North Carolina, and there's still in the middle of some of the construction.
And they have a couple of buildings up that make hybrid battery cells and modules, but they're still working on the, I believe the plug in hybrid and the building that builds EV batteries.
So it's just an enormous site when Toyota is some largest investments in the country, and just to see it in person is just something else.
While you were there, Toyota announced a $10 billion investment in new U.S. manufacturing.
What's motivating Toyota to pour so much money into the U.S. lately? Is it tariffs or is there more to the story?
Well, Toyota has invested nearly, including this investment, 60 billion since it started manufacturing here seven years ago.
So it's continuing to invest. They have their build where you sell, model, and we know this is their 11th factory in the U.S.
So they really believe in building here in the United States because they sell so many vehicles here.
Any idea where this money is likely to go? We don't have many answers on that from Toyota.
No, and I spoke to people in the know and they declined to specify what these this money will be your mark for.
They'll say it's not a small investment at all. My imagine it will be done for multiple projects.
The way they worked with it was for future mobility. So we'll see what they do.
Meanwhile, GM made some big executive moves this week. Cadillac Global Vice President John Roth will take over as president of GM China, replacing him at Cadillac is GM Canada President Christian Aqualina.
Greg, what strikes you about these moves? And what does it mean for GM Canada?
The thing that struck me most was the timing. I mean GM is under serious pressure and serious fire in Canada right now having killed the bright drop electric commercial van line, which left thousands out of work in Ingersoll, Ontario.
So now it's almost rudderless at the top during a time in which the government of Canada uniform for the union which represents those workers are all trying to negotiate with GM and try and find another product for that plant in central Ontario.
I mean, I was just struck that they're going to leave this company, this arm, the Canadian arm without a CEO in the short term now Christian Aqualina is still responsible for Canada.
How involved is anyone when they're on the way out the door at any workplace. So it's really interesting in that sense that there's no real point person for General Motors in Canada right now.
Now they've done this before when Marisa West left it was also left vacant for several months toward the end of the year.
So it's not something new. It's just something unique in that there is a lot of turmoil in the Canadian auto industry right now, particularly at GM in Ontario and no one at the top is the point person.
Now Greg, as you mentioned GM has been in some hot water in Canada with manufacturing moves that leave its cami plant in Ingersoll without product.
What does that mean for whoever takes over this role next?
This is a difficult task at hand. Whoever comes in has to deal with an empty plant in Ingersoll, the re-negotiation of the U.S.-MCA free trade agreement between Canada and the United States and Mexico.
It has to then deal in September of 2026 with contract talks, contract negotiations with Unifor the union that represents the workers there.
So there is a lot on the plate for whoever takes over GM Canada.
In the short term there is as you mentioned a lot of hot water, a lot of anger in the province and at the union and there's really no one now to sort of absorb that at the top of GM Canada.
It's just kind of left to be floating around in the eastern.
Now Greg, Unifor said this week that it would quote take over the plant if GM started moving equipment out what's going on there?
Unifor is very upset. They think that they have a right and a contractual obligation to have product at that cami plant.
Remember they moved the equinox out. They brought bright drop in with great fanfare and great promise and that product has been killed in Unifor believes that GM is essentially in breach of contract by not having anything to produce there.
And I'll read you the comment from Unifor. We have made our position with the company crystal clear. Nothing comes in and nothing goes out.
If they try and remove even one single thing from the plant, we are ready to take over. We are not kidding and they are not because I can go back to 1996 and the C.A.W. which was the predecessor to Unifor occupied a GM plant in Oshawa Ontario to prevent GM from moving equipment out of that facility during a strike fast forward to 2019.
The C.A.W. occupied a supplier in Windsor, a Radco where they made motor mounts. That's because that company lost his contract with at the time Chrysler and work moving equipment out and moving the factories to the United States.
So this is not unprecedented. I think GM should take this threat seriously. I can see it coming to that because I have seen it where I live.
It's called Union members being on the roof of that supply factory, planting a flaw because if it were almost each or the moon landing and literally taking over that factory.
So this is something that Unifor is very serious about and it's a card to play. Wow. Well, Amaro, you got any thoughts?
No, I think Craig described it perfectly. GM should take this threat seriously. The Canadian workers have just been, they've just been run through the ringer, not just GM but the Canadian auto workers in general.
They've had so much turmoil and they're looking for some stability and the past few years have not provided it.
Wow. Well, coming up, we'll pivot to Nissan which has some big plans to turn around its North American sales with products both new and old. That's next on Weekend Drive.
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Welcome back to Weekend Drive. I'm Kellyn Walker with Omari Gardner and Greg Lason.
Omari, now Nissan made a splash this week with CEO Ivan Espinoza telling our own Hans Grimo that the Japanese automaker is planning a blitz of new product next year to jumpstart US sales. What do you make of this?
Well, it was a very interesting interview that Hans conducted with Espinoza. Espinoza seems to believe that accelerating their hybrid strategy in the US is a key pillar of stabilizing their sales in the US and increasing them next year.
They're expecting sales to be flat this year and to rise and rise next year and I think the opportunities are certainly there.
Again, the man for the hybrids as opposed to fully electric vehicles seems to be there in this market. Certainly competitors have taken advantage of their hybrid linux and Nissan like to do the same.
They've also just introduced the redesign centra and you know affordability is such concern in this country that there certainly is opportunity for an affordable small sedan to take some market share.
Espinoza said that while sales are lower right now that the quality of sales is better and so they seem to be confident that there's some stabilization even some growth opportunity over the next year.
And this will, you know, they're going to continue to expand their hybrid offerings into 2030 and they say that they'll be in the small media mid size and large segments.
Now, Omari, how much is that stake for Nissan with this effort? If this doesn't significantly grow Nissan's market share in the US market, what then?
I don't necessarily think they have to get increased market share. They've had a strategy of chasing market share in the past, which is always has had mixed results, but what they do need is our profitable sales.
And again, I think the getting hybrids, you know, that's where the market is right now. Again, those hybrids in market will be key to their profitability.
Now speaking of Nissan Greg, Nissan said this week that it plans to resume building its pathfinder, Marano and frontier vehicles for Canada next spring.
That's after a hiatus that began last May. What caused the production pause in the first place? And why are they restarting now?
So initially Donald Trump put his tariffs on Canada made vehicles 25% Canada responded in turn, but what Canada did is allow the Detroit three Honda and Toyota a reprieve from those tariffs.
So they could import vehicles as long as they continue to build here. And so obviously automakers like Nissan don't build here.
So their imports were subject to the 25% tariff and those products are built in the Southern United States.
And so when those tariffs came online, Nissan had prior to that hearing that this was coming, built up inventory in Canada and let it run out and they are significantly down in inventory now heading into the fall and winter.
So they're going to need to replenish that stock at some point. I fully expect there to be almost zero of those products on dealer lots early in 2026.
But production and importation is set to resume in the spring, maybe at April May ish. And then here's the interesting thing to me.
They will bring those popular vehicles back, but there will be a thin lineup on the pathfinder. They will eliminate the two lowest price models for Canada.
And I suspect this is a way to make higher margins to pay for those tariffs because they don't make as much money on the two entry level trims of that pathfinder.
So you're really seeing automakers now try and count the beans if you will and make the money where they can. And if there's no money to be made on lower trims or as Omari mentioned, you know, a small sedan or something like that, they may not end up in Canada.
There might not be a full portfolio, at least for Nissan and perhaps other automakers, if they can't make the money on the lower end vehicles, they're going to import what they can make money on.
And this reminds me of coming out of the pandemic or during the pandemic and during the microchip shortage where automakers were really focusing on the vehicles that were high margin because they can sell them still make a lot of money and not have to worry about the lower end vehicles.
So it's going to be a really interesting spring and an interesting 2026 model you're in Canada to see what is actually produced in America and sent to Canada for sale.
Interesting stuff. So guys before we end, I'll be heading to California next week for the LA Auto Show.
Anything you guys are interested in hearing about from LA any tips on things I should make sure to check out.
One of the more interesting things will be the next generation Kia Tell You Ride. It's in the second generation.
We know that it was a runaway success for Kia and the first generation wanted to debuted. So we'll see how it is evolved for the second one.
For me, I'm always interested in the products we manufacture in Canada and in particular the minivan.
And that is a segment that was born and bred almost exclusively in Windsor, Ontario by Lee Iococca.
I know there are some refreshments coming for that minivan. It is a point of pride for that automaker and for Canadian auto workers.
So if there is any development on the Chrysler Pacifica, I am always interested in that in particular that model.
And then of course anything that has to do with Honda or Toyota because for those that don't know the RAV4 is only made in Canada.
And I'd like to say our automakers and auto workers probably want to keep that the case.
So any updates to any model made in Canada is always of interest to our readers and our listeners.
Perfect. Omari, Greg, thank you so much for joining me.
Anytime.
Yeah.
That's all for this weekend drive edition of Daily Drive. I'm Kellen Walker.
Thanks to Automotive News Executive Producer Jake Nier for his help on today's podcast.
You can get the latest news on manufacturing, executive moves, and everything happening in the auto industry at autonews.com.
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