Automotive News Daily Drive
Automotive News
Updated about 5 hours agoDaily Drive is a daily podcast series hosted by Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters and Kellen Walker. We speak with industry experts, insiders and Automotive News reporters about events and trends impacting and reshaping the automotive industry.Automotive News is the leading source of news, data and understanding for the auto industry's decision-makers. Learn more at autonews.com.
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Episodes (971)
July 21, 2025 | Stellantis’ $2.7 billion loss; Factorial Energy’s Siyu Huang
Stellantis expects a $2.7 billion loss in the first half. A new report says franchised dealerships saw double-digit profit gains in the second quarter. Plus, Siyu Huang, founder and CEO of Factorial Energy, talks about the solid-state battery maker’s business in 2025.
July 20, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Flavio Volpe; trade group showdown
Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association President Flavio Volpe talks about the idea of an all-Canadian automaker and why North American production has not shut down as predicted with new U.S. tariffs. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Molly Boigon breaks down rising tensions between two of the leading U.S. auto industry trade groups.
July 19, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Farewell to Jamie Butters
Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters is moving to the next stage of his career. He and Daily Drive Host Kellen Walker talk about his time with the publication and his future.
July 18, 2025 | Latest tariffs threaten battery makers; PayNearMe’s Dawn Fretwell
The U.S. is set to impose more than 90 percent tariffs on a key EV battery material. NHTSA is shedding more than a quarter of its employees. Plus, Dawn Fretwell of PayNearMe talks about the growing demand for more convenient repayment options for auto loans.
July 17, 2025 | CAFE defanged; solving the service tech shortage with Faulkner’s Mike Rocchi
Automakers are off the hook for fuel efficiency penalties for the last three years. Volvo swings to a $1 billion loss. Plus, Faulkner Automotive's Mike Rocchi talks about how the 25-store dealership group has staffed up its service drive despite the nationwide tech shortage.
July 16, 2025 | NADA, alliance clash over franchise laws; Redwood Materials’ Cal Lankton
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation is provoking a battle with NADA over state dealership franchise laws. Canadian auto companies see double-digit revenue declines amid tariffs. Plus, Cal Lankton, Redwood Materials chief commercial officer, talks about the company’s efforts to reuse electric vehicle batteries to store energy for power-hungry sites such as data centers.
July 15, 2025 | Renault names interim CEO; FTC FAQ on Safeguards Rule
Renault has named an interim CEO to lead the group while it searches for a permanent replacement for Luca de Meo. Tesla’s North America sales chief exits. Plus, the FTC has a new tool to help dealerships navigate the Safeguards Rule.
July 14, 2025 | Bergstrom Automotive’s John Bergstrom interview; EU, Mexico tariffs
Bergstrom Automotive Chairman John Bergstrom talks about his decades-long career as a dealer and how his company has grown to about $2 billion in sales. President Donald Trump announces 30 percent tariffs on the EU and Mexico. Plus, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann settles a $200 million tax case in Italy.
July 13, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Nissan’s Christian Meunier on tariffs; Ford’s new deals
Nissan Americas Chairperson Christian Meunier talks about tariffs and changing regulations in the U.S. and Canada. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Michael Martinez discusses Ford’s new incentive strategy as it ends popular employee-pricing-for-all deals.
July 12, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Toyota close to dream of building on demand
Long considered an industry pipe dream, Toyota’s Georgetown, Ky., plant is closing in on on-demand production. Automotive News Staff Reporter Larry P. Vellequette joins the show to talk about that and some of the biggest stories across the auto industry in the past week.
July 11, 2025 | AI vs. humans on dealership service calls; EVs continue slump
Pied Piper CEO Fran O’Hagan talks about how well artificial intelligence is doing compared to humans when answering service appointment calls. EVs continue their slump in May despite discounts. Plus, Nissan considers supplying vehicles to Honda in the U.S.
July 10, 2025 | Making sense of trade developments; Volvo Cars slashes U.S. workforce
Automotive News Staff Reporter John Irwin discusses the latest tariff news and what comes next with volatile trade talks. Volvo Cars axes 15 percent of its U.S. salaried workforce. Plus, Ford and Stellantis get tough on suppliers amid tariffs.
July 9, 2025 | Ford manufacturing chief looks to change culture; new tariffs on copper
Automotive News Staff Reporter Michael Martinez talks about how Ford’s top manufacturing executive, Bryce Currie, is trying to change the company’s culture to improve quality and efficiency. President Donald Trump wants 50 percent tariffs on copper imports. Plus, there’s a new luxury sales front-runner after seven straight quarters.
July 8, 2025 | Ford drops employee pricing for new deals; unpacking the end of EV incentives
Ford Motor Co. is starting the third quarter with a new incentive campaign. Nissan tells suppliers it will postpone the start of production of two U.S.-built electric crossovers by nearly a year. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Molly Boigon talks about the likely impacts of the new U.S. spending law on the auto industry.
Industry reacts to Trump budget bill; Dunne Insights CEO Michael Dunne
Biden-era electric vehicle tax credits will come to an end this fall now that President Donald Trump has signed his budget bill. Tariffs force Nissan to suspend production of three models for the Canadian market. Plus, China expert Michael Dunne talks about the country’s surging EV makers and whether legacy automakers can regain footing in the market.
July 6, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Suppliers’ investment priorities; exemptions to vehicle rules
Executives from LG Energy Solution and Qualcomm Technologies explain where they are placing their bets. Plus, technical consultant Phil Koopman explains the exemptions to federal vehicle safety standards.
July 5, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Why generative AI hallucinations persist and how to deal
Even as generative artificial intelligence tools become more widespread at dealerships, they continue to churn out inaccurate or nonsensical information. But so do humans. Staff Reporter Mark Hollmer joins the show to explain the current state of AI.
July 3, 2025 | Trade partners seek tariff relief; Pinewood eyes North America tech rollout
The clock is ticking for trade partners as the pause on reciprocal trades is set to expire July 9. Plus, Pinewood Technologies Group CEO Bill Berman discusses plans to install its system throughout Lithia’s North American outlets.
July 2, 2025 | Kuniskis takes over U.S. brands; how Trump is encouraging robotaxis
Ram brand chief Tim Kuniskis will lead all of Stellantis’ U.S. brands. Autos and parts theft at industrial sites is on the rise, according to FBI data. And the Trump administration wants to make it easier for cars to drive themselves.
July 1, 2025 | June sales sputter for some automakers; panel airs suppliers’ many issues
U.S. auto sales slowed in June with more brands reporting declines. Elon Musk and President Donald Trump resume their feud over the Senate budget bill. And a Congress Conversation livestream panel address the issues facing suppliers.
June 30, 2025 | Canada pulls tax to spur trade talks; Lyft sees robotaxi partnership model
Canada rescinded its digital services tax and the finance minister said trade negotiations with the U.S. will resume. Also, a Lyft executive explains how the company is working with Mobileye, May Mobility and others to launch robotaxis.
June 29, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Roger Penske’s medal of freedom; fixed ops solutions
Penske Automotive Group CEO Roger Penske shares what his Presidential Medal of Freedom means to him. Plus, service and parts experts discuss the importance of customer retention and how to do it.
June 28, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Stellantis CEO fosters a more open culture
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa is cultivating openness at the company he just took over. Staff Reporter Vince Bond Jr. joins the show to discuss the relationships that need mending.
June 27, 2025 | Second-quarter sales slow at end; customer-pay work is key for service profits
Auto sales finish the second quarter at their slowest pace of the year. Japanese automakers continue to increase exports to the U.S. despite tariffs. And service and parts experts stress the need to keep customers visiting for more than recall work.
June 26, 2025 | Automaker group blasts NHTSA; Roger Penske honored by Automotive News
Automaker trade group says NHTSA is impeding its progress and struggling to modernize. Ford calls most salaried workers back to the office. And Roger Penske, auto dealer and motorsports giant, receives Automotive News centennial award.