Automotive News Daily Drive
Automotive News
Updated about 7 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)
June 25, 2025 | Judge protects EV charger funds; Lucid leader argues for tax credit fairness
A federal judge blocks Trump administration from withholding EV charging infrastructure funds. Continental warns that tariffs will hold back profits. And Marc Winterhoff, Lucid Motors’ interim CEO, argues for small manufacturers to get EV tax credits.
June 24, 2025 | Espinosa faces unruly shareholders; why driver assistance fails to satisfy
Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa takes tough questions at shareholder meeting. Despite Trump’s tariffs, Mexico is seen as a vital automotive hub. And J.D. Power’s Kathleen Rizk and Lisa Boor explain American consumers’ dissatisfaction with advanced driver-assistance systems.
June 23, 2025 | Filosa keeps responsibility for North America; Elkann on global industry
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa keeps responsibility for North America and key brands. Tesla robotaxis start rolling in Texas. Toyota raises prices in the U.S. Plus, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann reflects on his family’s legacy.
June 22, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan interview; suppliers and AI
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan talks about how tariffs are affecting the U.S. auto industry’s hometown and his dream of landing a Toyota plant in Michigan. Plus, Paul Thomas, president of Bosch North America, and MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers President Collin Shaw discuss how artificial intelligence technology is affecting the supply chain.
June 21, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Suppliers face unique challenges in 2025
Automotive News is releasing our list of top auto suppliers in 2025. Staff Reporter John Irwin joins the show to talk about this year’s list and what those companies face as trade tensions stir and market conditions evolve.
June 20, 2025 | Customers bear $30 billion tariff brunt; service members buying more F&I
Tariffs are likely to add about $2,000 to sticker prices. Stellantis considers selling one of its brands. Plus, Finance and Insurance Reporter John Huetter talks about why service members are more likely to buy F&I products at dealerships.
June 19, 2025 | Why Tesla sales, EV market are struggling; Toyota adds battery pack lines
Staff Reporter Laurence Iliff explains why electric vehicle registrations recently fell for the first time in more than two years and how much Tesla’s woes are to blame. Toyota adds battery pack lines at two plants to pave the way for the new RAV4. Plus, Ford orders dealers to halt deliveries of some Mach-Es.
June 18, 2025 | KPMG’s Lenny LaRocca; UAW monitor skewers Shawn Fain’s leadership
Lenny LaRocca, head of KPMG’s automotive practice, talks about the evolving mergers and acquisitions market and how his clients are trying to beef up bottom lines in 2025. The UAW’s federal monitor paints a damning picture of President Shawn Fain’s leadership. Plus, the U.S. Senate looks to phase out EV tax credits over six months.
June 17, 2025 | U.S., Japan fail to reach trade deal; New Industry VC’s Alex Roy
U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to reach an agreement on a trade package on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Tesla dominates this year’s Cars.com’s American-Made Index. Plus, as Tesla readies its robotaxi launch, New Industry VC’s Alex Roy raises questions about safety and profit potential.
June 16, 2025 | Renault CEO Luca de Meo resigns; suppliers weigh in on latest tariff turmoil
Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, is stepping down after five years. Ford’s rare-earth magnet supply is “day to day” after forcing a plant shutdown. Plus, Paul Thomas, president of Bosch North America, and MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers President Collin Shaw discuss the latest challenges facing parts makers amid tariffs and supply chain bottlenecks.
June 15, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Tesla brand damage; Brian Wilson’s car culture legacy
Telemetry’s Sam Abuelsamid talks about where Tesla’s brand image stands after CEO Elon Musk’s online spat with President Donald Trump. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Richard Truett talks about Brian Wilson’s indelible impact on American car culture after the Beach Boys’ founder’s death this past week at age 82.Brian Wilson/Beach Boys/Car Hits playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0e7QhkZtdBlMcTApGeGscZ?si=150664ce58f34406
June 14, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Top retail groups by service and parts revenue
More often than not, revenue from service, parts and the body shop carry dealerships through tough times. Automotive News Senior Retail Editor Dan Shine talks about this year’s list of top dealership groups as ranked by service and parts revenue and body shop revenue.
June 13, 2025 | Trump floats higher auto tariffs; EasyCare’s Corey Smith
President Trump repeals California’s gas-car ban and floats higher auto tariffs. Electric vehicle momentum halts in April. Plus, EasyCare’s Corey Smith talks about how service drives can cut stress and boost profits by rethinking their scheduling processes.
June 12, 2025 | Openlane CEO Peter Kelly interview; auto industry most vulnerable in 2025
Openlane CEO Peter Kelly talks about the digital wholesaler’s view of tariffs as well as the benefits and shortcomings of artificial intelligence technologies. A survey finds the auto industry is the most vulnerable to financial distress. Plus, Dana inks a massive deal to sell its off-highway business.
June 11, 2025 | U.S., China reach rare-earths framework; Telemetry’s Sam Abuelsamid
The U.S. reaches a trade framework with China to ease the rare-earths shortage. GM makes a blockbuster investment in U.S. production. Plus, Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry, talks about Tesla’s planned robotaxi launch and why he thinks it’s a big risk for the self-driving industry.
June 10, 2025 | China eases some rare-earth approvals; Evolution Co-Founder Dean Evans
Chinese officials say they are willing to fast-track approval of rare-earth exports to eligible users in the European Union. Hyundai reportedly has a rare-earths stockpile that can last about a year. Plus, Dean Evans, co-founder of rare-earth midstream processor Evolution Metals and Technologies, talks about the bottleneck in China and what his company is seeing as a result.
June 9, 2025 | Auto shipments plummet amid tariffs; MIT’s Bryan Reimer
The number of cars being shipped to the U.S. via sea routes has plunged as a result of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported vehicles. Panic begins to set in over the rare-earth mineral shortage. Plus, MIT Research Scientist Bryan Reimer says companies and regulators need to rethink the ways they tackle distracted driving.
June 7, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles interview
Ralph Gilles, Stellantis chief design officer, talks about the past and future of Chrysler design as the brand celebrates its centennial. Supply chain executives and experts discuss tariff impacts.
June 6, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Implications of Trump, Musk feud for auto industry
Omari Gardner, director of content and commentary, discusses the deeper impacts of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s fallout with President Donald Trump. Plus, Executive Editor Jamie Butters and Daily Drive Host Kellen Walker talk about the China rare-earth mineral shortage and other major news stories from the past week.
June 6, 2025 | Trump, Musk go from joyride to road rage; tariff effects on auto finance
President Donald Trump threatens subsidies and contracts for Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s companies amid their public falling-out. The U.S. dumps Biden-era fuel economy rules. Plus, TransUnion’s Satyan Merchant talks about the latest impacts of tariffs on auto finance.
June 5, 2025 | Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell interview; Canada auto exports plummet
CEO Christine Feuell talks about Chrysler’s centennial and her expectations for the brand in the coming years. President Trump’s tariffs pummel Canada’s auto exports. Plus, U.S. suppliers call for immediate action on China rare-earth restrictions.
June 4, 2025 | Rare-earth shortage shutters plants; impacts of tariff turmoil on supply chain
A rare-earth shortage forces supplier plants in Europe to shut down. U.S. sales streaks come to an end for Mazda and Subaru. Plus, a panel of experts talk about the latest tariff news and what it all means for the automotive supply chain.
June 3, 2025 | EV interest hits six-year low; LG Energy Solution’s Bob Lee
Interest in electric vehicles has sunk to its lowest level since 2019. May sales gains couldn’t keep up with previous months. Plus, Bob Lee, North American president for LG Energy Solution, talks about how the battery maker is reacting to tariffs and its strategy for electrification amid sluggish EV demand.
June 2, 2025 | American Honda’s Lance Woelfer; Trump plans to double steel tariffs
Lance Woelfer, American Honda’s vice president of auto sales, joins the show from the Detroit Grand Prix. President Trump plans to double steel tariffs. Plus, automakers warn of a rare-earth magnet shortage from China.
June 1, 2025 | Bonus Episode: A2MAC1 CEO Patrick Katenkamp interview
A2MAC1 CEO Patrick Katenkamp talks about how the French automotive tech firm is building its presence in the U.S. Plus, Automotive News Director of Tech and Innovation Coverage Hannah Lutz breaks down the latest tariff news.