Nov. 20, 2025 | Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa exclusive interview; Gen Z F&I
About this episode
Kellan Walker hosts an insightful episode from the LA Auto Show, featuring an exclusive interview with Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa. Espinosa discusses Nissan's ambitious turnaround plan, including cost-cutting measures and new product launches aimed at revitalizing the brand. The episode also explores Gen Z's unique approach to car buying, highlighting their research habits and preferences in the finance and insurance sector. With significant shifts in the auto industry, this episode provides valuable perspectives on market trends and consumer behavior.
Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa talks about the company’s turnaround plan and the slew of new products it will unleash on the market next year. A breakdown of what dealership finance and insurance managers need to know about selling products to Gen Z customers. Plus, another fire hits the damaged Novelis aluminum plant in New York.
Kia
"...here in LA, Kia shows off the redesign tell you ride."
Kia makes cars like the Soul, Optima, and Telluride. They’re a popular brand in many countries.
Kia is a South Korean automobile manufacturer known for producing compact cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles.
Nissan
"...our exclusive interview with Nissan CEO, Ivan Espinoza..."
Nissan makes cars like the Altima, Rogue SUV, and the electric Leaf. They’re known for affordable vehicles.
Nissan is a Japanese automaker that produces cars, trucks, and electric vehicles such as the Leaf.
Ford
"...Ford has estimated the September fire and subsequent shutdown could cost the automaker as much as $2 billion."
Ford makes cars such as the Focus, F-150 truck, and Mustang sports car. They’re a well-known brand in the U.S.
Ford is an American automaker famous for cars, trucks, and SUVs like the F-150 and Mustang.
rare earth minerals
"[112.7s] At a congressional hearing Wednesday, lawmakers and industry leaders warn that Beijing is deliberately driving down prices for critical minerals to undercut US mining and processing projects."
These are special metals that help make things like electric car motors work better. They’re found in small amounts in the earth’s crust.
Rare earth minerals are a group of 17 metallic elements that are essential for many modern technologies, including electric vehicle motors and high‑performance magnets.
EV motors
"[155.4s] The auto industry depends heavily on rare earth magnets for everything from EV motors to power steering."
Electric cars use motors that run on electricity instead of gasoline. These motors turn the wheels to move the car.
EV motors are electric motors that power the wheels of electric vehicles, converting electrical energy into mechanical motion.
rare earth magnets
"[155.4s] The auto industry depends heavily on rare earth magnets for everything from EV motors to power steering."
These are very strong magnets that help electric cars run smoothly. They’re made from special metals found in the earth.
Rare earth magnets are powerful permanent magnets made from rare earth metals, used in electric vehicle motors and other high‑efficiency devices.
hybrid
"The 2027 redesign adds something Kia has never offered on its flagship crossover, a hybrid."
A hybrid car uses both a regular gasoline engine and an electric motor. It can drive on gas, on electricity, or use both to save fuel and produce less pollution.
A hybrid vehicle combines an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors and a battery pack, allowing it to run on gasoline, electricity, or both. This setup improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.
turbocharger
"The hybrid joins a new turbocharged gas engine and a larger, more premium footprint."
A turbocharger helps a car’s engine make more power by sucking in extra air using the exhaust gases. It’s like giving the engine a boost.
A turbocharger is a forced induction device that uses exhaust gas energy to compress incoming air, increasing engine power and efficiency. It is commonly used in modern gasoline engines.
third generation e-power
"we want to step in quickly there. And this is why we are bringing the row with the third generation e‑power"
It’s a newer type of car that uses both gasoline and electric power to drive the wheels, giving better fuel economy and quicker acceleration than older hybrids.
The third generation e‑power refers to a hybrid powertrain that combines an internal combustion engine with electric motors, offering improved efficiency and performance over earlier hybrid generations.
D segment
"power. Then we will also see offers in the D segment and eventually also in the lower end."
It’s a way to group cars by size; D‑segment cars are medium‑sized, like a typical family sedan or compact SUV.
The D segment is a classification for mid‑size cars in the European market, typically larger than C‑segment vehicles but smaller than E‑segment ones.
Jeep Pathfinder
"our V6 in Pathfinder. And we are considering what's the best technical solution for that."
The Pathfinder is a popular SUV from Jeep, designed for families and off‑road adventures. It has a roomy interior and good towing capacity.
The Jeep Pathfinder is a midsize SUV produced by the American automaker Jeep, known for its off‑road capability and family‑friendly features.
electrification
"in terms of electrification, what other options do you have for the D segment?"
Electrification means using electric motors instead of or alongside gasoline engines to power cars, which can reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
Electrification refers to the process of replacing internal combustion engines with electric motors or hybrid powertrains in vehicles.
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