Automotive News Daily Drive
Automotive News
Updated about 19 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.
Are you the creator? Get your badge · Claim this podcast
Episodes (1012)
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.
May 31, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Washington whiplash and tariff tumult
Omari Gardner, Automotive News director of content and commentary, talks about how all of the activity in Washington, D.C. is trickling down to the auto industry. Plus, Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters and Executive Producer Jake Neher discuss some of the biggest news stories from the past week.
May 30, 2025 | Court halts tariff ruling; Rex Gingerich of Chariot Automotive Group
A day after being deemed illegal, many tariffs are temporarily back in place. Ford Chairman Bill Ford says the “Big Beautiful Bill” would put a major battery factory in peril. Plus, Rex Gingerich, owner of Chariot Automotive Group, talks about how his dealerships are tackling the tech shortage.
May 29, 2025 | Musk leaves Trump administration; court blocks tariffs
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration. A trade court blocks President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs,” but auto-specific levies are still in place. Plus, Magna International’s Steven Jenkins talks about the race to innovate in driver-assist technology.
May 28, 2025 | Stellantis picks Filosa as CEO; Presidio President George Karolis
After a six-month search, Stellantis chooses Antonio Filosa as its new CEO. Nissan looks for a $7 billion boost with backing from the U.K. Plus, Presidio President George Karolis joins the show to talk about the state of the dealership buy-sell market.
May 27, 2025 | Toyota Motor North America CEO Ted Ogawa interview; Trump backs Nippon, U.S. Steel deal
Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America, joins the show for an exclusive interview about how the company is navigating tariffs. In a major reversal, President Donald Trump backs Nippon’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. Plus, Nissan considers selling its global headquarters to fund its restructuring.
May 25, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Honda Indiana plant grows amid tariffs; DEI in auto industry
Roxanna Metz, plant lead of Honda’s Indiana Auto Plant, talks about plans for Civic Hybrid production to move back to the plant amid tariffs. Plus, Alicia Davis, Chief Strategy Officer for Lear Corp., addresses issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in the auto industry.
May 24, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Retail experts talk tariff impacts on dealers
A panel of retail experts discuss how auto dealers are reacting to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and what they expect in the coming months. Plus, Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters and Daily Drive Host Kellen Walker talk about some of the biggest news stories from the past week.
May 23, 2025 | Bill to end state emissions rules clears Senate; Informed.IQ’s Tom Oscherwitz
The U.S. Senate sends a bill to end California’s gasoline car ban to President Trump’s desk. Canadian auto leaders see an end in sight for U.S. vehicle tariffs. Plus, Tom Oscherwitz of Informed.IQ says that while the CFPB and FTC are shells of their former selves, lenders and F&I offices must still be vigilant about consumer protection.
May 22, 2025 | Hyundai’s Claudia Marquez on leadership, unlikely journey in auto industry
Hyundai Motor America COO Claudia Marquez talks about her unexpected rise through automotive leadership and her approach to leadership in 2025. U.S. automakers want preferential tariffs for Canada and Mexico over the U.K. Plus, Japan’s auto industry asks for emergency stimulus and a tariff breakthrough.