Automotive News Daily Drive
Daily Drive is a daily podcast from Automotive News, hosted by Kellen Walker. Each episode features conversations with industry experts, insiders and Automotive News reporters about the events and trends shaping the automotive business. Coverage spans sales, manufacturing, electric vehicles, technology and the market forces affecting automakers and dealers. Automotive News is a leading source of news and data for decision-makers in the auto industry.
Episodes
Sept. 20, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Stellantis weighs bringing Ram production back to Michigan
A “From the Newsroom” report from Automotive News’ Rudy Schork on why Stellantis is studying a potential move of heavy-duty Ram pickup production from Mexico to Michigan and what’s standing in the way.
Sept. 19, 2026 | Weekend Drive: The V-8 comeback; Stellantis’ Brampton dilemma
Michael Martinez and Greg Layson break down the return of the V-8 at two Detroit automakers, Stellantis losing interest in its idled Brampton plant and Canada’s push toward a new partnership with the European Union.
Sept. 18, 2026 | Fed’s rate hike another hit to affordability; AI models show pedestrian bias
The Fed’s new rate hike further complicates efforts to address the vehicle affordability crisis. Hyundai’s CEO warns Washington about China. Plus, a new study finds self-driving artificial intelligence treats pedestrians unequally.
Sept. 17, 2026 | Stellantis: No business case to keep Brampton plant; Geely’s Zack Zhang
Stellantis says there’s no business case to keep its Brampton plant. The Fed raises interest rates for the first time in three years. Plus, Geely’s Zack Zhang on the E2’s European debut.
Sept. 16, 2026 | GM's next CarPlay play; AN Rising Stars talk AI, EVs and affordability
General Motors brings back CarPlay to gasoline-powered pickups. The Federal Trade Commission releases new guidance on dealer price advertising. Plus, three Automotive News Rising Stars talk about artificial intelligence and electric vehicles.
Sept. 15, 2026 | Ford freshens F-150 for 2027; Toyota’s Kenta Kon (Part 2)
Ford refreshes the F-150 for 2027 with more V-8 availability and hands-free towing. Stellantis eyes a Ram production shift. Plus, part two of our exclusive interview with Toyota CEO Kenta Kon.
Sept. 14, 2026 | Toyota CEO Kenta Kon’s first international media interview (Part 1)
Toyota CEO Kenta Kon speaks with Automotive News in his first international media interview since taking the helm. Plus, Hyundai delays driver-assist software, Tesla teases the Roadster, and Chinese automakers eye North America.
Sept. 12, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant bet; VW eyes U.S. trucks
Ford counters Washington with a billion-dollar move. Plus, a look at Volkswagen’s truck ambitions and China’s opportunity amid the U.S.-Canada trade war.
Sept. 11, 2026 | Ford bets $1 billion on Kentucky Truck Plant; Bozard Ford’s Ed Roberts
Ford drops a billion dollars on its most profitable plant just days after a broadside from the Trump administration. Plus, Bozard Ford COO Ed Roberts talks about his mobile service success.
Sept. 10, 2026 | Range Rover’s Martin Limpert on EV ambitions; VW restructuring’s massive price tag
Range Rover Global Managing Director Martin Limpert talks about electric ambitions, a new model and the U.S. bespoke push. Plus, Volkswagen puts a staggering number on its overhaul.
Sept. 9, 2026 | Sonatus CEO on AI in the vehicle; Ford pushes back on Duffy’s security claims
Sonatus CEO Jeff Chou talks about the software challenge of fitting artificial intelligence inside today’s vehicles. Plus, Ford fires back after the U.S. Transportation Secretary calls out its CATL and Geely deals.
Sept. 8, 2026 | VW eyes U.S. pickup trucks; KPMG’s Lenny LaRocca on tariffs and adaptation
Volkswagen signals a major U.S. pivot toward pickups and SUVs while German labor pushes back on restructuring. Plus, KPMG’s Lenny LaRocca talks about why the tariff meltdown has not come.
Sept. 5, 2026 | Weekend Drive: VW’s Future Plan 2030; Ford’s quality surge
Volkswagen’s supervisory board has unanimously approved an ambitious restructuring plan but leaves the hardest decisions for later. Meanwhile, Ford plots a quality turnaround.
Sept. 4 2026, | Tesla’s Cybercab launches; the fraud threatening your showroom
Fraud is surging, and dealerships are vulnerable. Volkswagen Group’s restructuring takes a step forward. Plus, Tesla’s Cybercab officially launches, but it has a long way to catch up with Waymo.
Sept. 3, 2026 | Mazda’s Tom Donnelly Part II: “What does Mazda stand for?”
Mazda North America CEO Tom Donnelly on leasing, his 500,000 sales goal and surviving “Liberation Day.” Volkswagen Group gets a new U.S. chief. Plus, a look at Carvana’s threat to traditional dealers.
Sept. 2, 2026 | Mazda North America CEO Tom Donnelly on tariffs, hybrids; Uber slashes workforce
Mazda North America CEO Tom Donnelly talks tariffs and hybrids with Automotive News. Uber cuts 3,300 jobs. Plus, August sales results beat expectations.
Sept. 1, 2026 | Talk from the Top: Toyota’s Ted Ogawa on affordability, incentives and trade
Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America, talks about affordability, incentives and trade. Canada’s China electric vehicle quota resets. Plus, Nissan fast-tracks the Rogue hybrid again.
Aug. 31, 2026 | Unifor ratifies GM deal; how sodium ion batteries could reshape automotive
Unifor ratifies its General Motors Canada deal with 80 percent voting yes. Toyota and Honda face the steepest Canada tariff exposure. Plus, Emerald Battery Labs’ David Bell details sodium ion’s potential.
Aug. 30, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Mini borrows from sneaker culture; dealership techs hit the rally stage
Mini is borrowing from sneaker culture with limited-edition Icon Drops. Plus, the brand is sending dealership technicians to work pit service at rally events nationwide.
Aug. 29, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Trade war of nerves puts industry in a vice
The UAW and Honda both push back on the escalating U.S.-Canada trade war. Plus, Jeep heads back to China, and Lincoln revives the Corsair.
Aug. 28, 2026 | UAW: Tone it down, U.S. and Canada; how F&I fraud is evolving
The UAW wants the U.S. and Canada to stop escalating the trade war. Volkswagen may bypass its own board on restructuring. Plus, Informativ’s Teresa Bordenet talks about the rising threat of auto loan fraud.
Aug. 27, 2026 | APMA’s Flavio Volpe on trade war: ‘What the F are we doing?’
President Donald Trump doubles down on 50 percent Canada tariffs. China orders a massive electric vehicle recall. Plus, Flavio Volpe of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association on what the trade war is doing to the auto supply chain.
Aug. 26, 2026 | Honda: USMCA breakdown could mean no new plant; AlixPartners’ Soumya Sen Part 2
Honda says a new U.S. plant hinges on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Hyundai makes its biggest product bet yet. Plus, AlixPartners’ Soumya Sen on why the software-defined vehicle race is an execution problem.
Aug. 25. 2026 | Canada fires back on tariffs; AlixPartners’ Soumya Sen on Ford-Apple Maps
Canada retaliates with 50 percent countertariffs on U.S. goods. Jeep returns production to China. Plus, AlixPartners’ Soumya Sen on what Ford’s Apple Maps deal means for the software-defined vehicle race.
Aug. 24, 2026 | U.S.-Canada trade talks collapse; Trump threatens 50% auto tariffs
U.S.-Canada trade talks collapse and President Donald Trump escalates. Unifor and General Motors reach a deal in Ontario. Plus, the Mitsubishi Pajero is back.
Aug. 23, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Can Nissan turn incentive spending into lasting market share gains?
Nissan is spending big on incentives while the rest of the industry pulls back. On this bonus episode, Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez break down whether that bet can stick and what Nissan needs to do next to make it count.
Aug. 22, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Ford's Bronco pickup, 4-door Mustang plans; Carvana's new-car premium
Ford plans a product blitz with a Bronco pickup, a four-door Mustang and a luxury off-roader for Lincoln. Plus, Carvana is charging thousands more for new cars than local competitors, and customers are paying it.
Aug. 21, 2026 | Nissan scraps U.S. bank plan; inside mobile service at a Chevy dealership
Nissan drops its plan to form an industrial bank. General Motors is selling its stake in a $3.5 billion Indiana battery plant. Plus, a Michigan Chevy service manager explains what mobile service actually looks like on the ground.
Aug. 20, 2026 | NADA CEO: VW needs to rethink priorities; tentative trade deal with Canada
Mike Stanton, CEO of the National Automobile Dealers Association, says Volkswagen is cutting costs everywhere but where it matters. The U.S. and Canada have a tentative trade deal. Plus, Volvo reshuffles its leadership.
Aug. 19, 2026 | Canada tariff standoff continues; inside LG Energy Solution’s battery pivot
The U.S.-Canada trade standoff continues after President Donald Trump delays tariffs. Backup camera recalls pile up. Plus, LG Energy Solution North American President Bob Lee explains how a former General Motors joint venture plant is leading the company’s pivot toward energy storage.
Aug. 18, 2026 | Time running out for U.S.-Canada trade deal; Cespira exec on ICE resilience
A tariff deadline looms over U.S.-Canada auto trade. McLaren wants to grow its U.S. dealer network by up to 40 percent. Plus, Cespira Chief Technology Officer Scott Baker makes the case for decarbonizing heavy-duty trucks by changing the fuel, not the engine.
Aug. 17, 2026 | Stellantis eyes Brampton sale; premium vehicles losing edge to mass market
A Stellantis plant in Canada could be heading to a non-automaker buyer right in the middle of bargaining season. Hyundai goes all-in on artificial intelligence and touts the numbers behind its rollout. Plus, JD Power’s 31st annual APEAL study finds car buyers are more satisfied with their vehicles than they’ve been in years, but premium brands are struggling to justify the price gap as mass market
Aug. 16, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Nissan spending big on incentives while the rest of the industry pulls back
Nissan’s average incentive spend rose 14 percent in July to more than $4,000 per vehicle, while the industry average fell nearly 10 percent. Automotive News reporter Urvaksh Karkaria breaks down what’s driving the strategy: a push to move U.S.-built models, a heavy reliance on the Rogue ahead of its new-generation hybrid launch and a deliberate retreat from the rental fleet volumes that hurt the b
Aug. 15, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Lincoln pulls production out of China; Toyota's PHEV surge
Ford is pulling some Lincoln production out of China as tariffs make the math impossible. Toyota’s plug-in hybrid sales are exploding in ways no one quite anticipated. Plus, our panel reacts to the $25 million lawsuit against Polestar that raises hard questions about how automakers manage market exits.
Aug. 14, 2026 | Tesla dominates shrinking EV market; AI risk in dealership lending
Tesla grabs 60 percent of a shrinking electric vehicle market. Public charging reliability hits a six-year high. Plus, Artificial intelligence is speeding up the finance and insurance process, but InformedIQ’s Tom Oscherwitz says many dealers are not checking the work, and that’s a problem.
Aug. 13, 2026 | EVgo looks to match gas station convenience; Polestar dealer lawsuit
Automotive News’ Clara Martinez and EVgo CEO Badar Khan explain why the company is betting on a gas station-style model to ease charging anxiety. Tariffs force Ford to move some Lincoln production out of China. Plus, a Polestar dealer files a $25 million lawsuit claiming the automaker’s U.S. ban is a cover for a planned exit from the market.
Aug. 12, 2026 | AIADA chairman on call for Chinese auto ban; Unifor-GM talks
Mike Darrow, chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association, talks about why his pro-import organization wants to keep Chinese vehicles out of the U.S. New-vehicle inventory holds steady in August, a good sign for the industry. Plus, a closer look at the Unifor-General Motors contract talks with Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson.
Aug. 11, 2026 | Used-vehicle prices defy affordability push; Japanese automakers eye U.S. market share
Automotive News retail reporter Mark Hollmer explains why the used-vehicle market is not turning out to be the pressure valve the industry had hoped amid an affordability crisis. Tariff pressures are not the only reason Toyota and Honda are expanding in the U.S. Plus, Unifor wants General Motors to build more trucks in Canada as the two sides open contract talks.
Aug. 10, 2026 | Ford previews $25K crossover and 4-door Mustang; EV fire truth vs. fiction
Ford shows dealers a small crossover priced around $25,000 and teases a four-door Mustang. Volkswagen is overhauling its U.S. strategy with a pickup and new leadership. Plus, UL Research Institute’s Adam Barowy breaks down what firefighters are really up against when electric vehicle batteries burn.
Aug. 8, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Ford Fathom EV pickup; July sales
Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette break down Ford’s newly named Fathom electric pickup, dig into July sales results and discuss Molly Boigon’s reporting on a California court case that could reshape how license plate reader data is used in the repossession industry.
Aug. 7, 2026 | A chat with Akio Toyoda AI; Widewail CEO Cuyler Owens on dealership customer service
Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel sits down with an AI avatar of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda. Toyota gets hit by a typhoon the day after restarting from last month’s earthquake. Plus, Widewail CEO Cuyler Owens breaks down the company’s first-quarter Voice of the Consumer report.
Aug. 6, 2026 | AIADA calls for Chinese vehicle ban; ACLU attorney on license plate reader privacy
Most of Japan’s auto industry is back online following the deadly July 28 earthquake, with one big exception. An international dealer group calls for a ban on Chinese brands in the U.S. Plus, Nicolas Hidalgo, ACLU of Northern California senior staff attorney, breaks down a California court case that could reshape how license plate reader data is collected and used.
Aug. 5, 2026 | Repo agent James Waldron on the repossession surge; Lucid delays Cosmos to 2027
Texas repo agent James Waldron, whose agency handles thousands of repossession cases a month, explains what’s driving the surge, why wrongful repossessions happen and when the work becomes dangerous. Lucid delays its mass-market Cosmos crossover to 2027 after a $1 billion second-quarter loss. Plus, General Motors doubles down on China with a 20-year joint venture extension.
Aug. 4, 2026 | Repossessions rising; dealerships face California wiretapping law
Vehicle repossessions are on the rise, creating new issues for lenders and dealers navigating the affordability crisis. A 1967 California wiretapping law is being used to target dealership websites, with violations starting at $5,000. Plus, Ford and Toyota sales round out a mixed July for the industry.
Aug. 3, 2026 | Red hot hybrids lift Honda, Hyundai and Kia; Volvo reveals EX50
Hybrids carry Honda, Hyundai and Kia to strong July results. Volvo reveals its new entry-level electric vehicle. Plus, John Pelliccio, QNX global product marketing director, explains how vehicle sound systems are moving onto the main chip in software-defined vehicles, saving automakers money and opening the door to a new kind of buyer experience.
Aug. 2, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Top supplier execs on China’s rise
China now ties the U.S. with 16 companies each on the Automotive News Top Suppliers list. In this bonus episode, four North American supplier executives from Aumovio, ZF, Denso and OPmobility weigh in on what that means for the competitive landscape, and share where they each see the most growth ahead.
Aug. 1, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Ford & Stellantis Q2 earnings; Japan earthquake impact
Automotive News reporters Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette break down Ford and Stellantis’ second-quarter earnings and what they reveal about where Detroit automakers stand heading into the second half of 2026. Plus, fallout from the Japan earthquake keeps spreading production disruption far beyond the original quake zone.
July 31, 2026 | Toyota disruptions spread after quake; F&I fraud up 3x since 2018
Japan’s earthquake fallout keeps spreading far beyond the quake zone. Audi reveals its largest vehicle ever, the Q9, targeting American families and dealers hungry for a product boost. Plus, TransUnion’s Satyan Merchant breaks down a new report showing auto finance fraud has nearly tripled since 2018.
July 30, 2026 | Stellantis back in black; top supplier execs on navigating uncertainty
Stellantis swings back to profit in the second quarter. Nissan is trying to build cars at China speed. Plus, four North American supplier executives share how they’re planning through an industry defined by tariffs, electric vehicle retreats and geopolitical disruption.
July 29, 2026 | Ford posts $1.3B Q2 loss; Frank Peña on buying his first dealerships
Ford posts a $1.3 billion second-quarter net loss on charges tied to scrapped electric vehicle programs but raises its full-year guidance. The earthquake damage in Japan keeps growing for automakers. Plus, Frank Peña, who spent 30 years running stores for others before closing on three New Mexico dealerships of his own, talks about the road to ownership.
July 28, 2026 | Top suppliers list reveals global shifts; Japan earthquake rattles auto production
Automotive News reporter John Irwin walks through the biggest trends in this year’s top suppliers list, from the rise of Chinese suppliers to a North American supply chain just trying to get through 2025. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake disrupts Toyota and Nissan production in Japan. Plus, NHTSA moves to overhaul car door rules after deadly Tesla incidents.
July 27, 2026 | Honda eyes Accord hatchback to fight Subaru; why are used EV prices rising?
Honda is eyeing a lifted Accord hatchback to take on the Subaru Outback, potentially launching in 2029. America’s Car-Mart warns it may not survive without new financing. And Andrew Garberson of Recurrent explains why used electric vehicle prices keep climbing even as off-lease supply surges.
July 26, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Ford and Geely partner in Spain to build electrified vehicles
Ford and Chinese automaker Geely have formed a joint venture to produce new electrified vehicles from both brands at Ford’s factory in Valencia, Spain.
July 25, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Honda is considering a new North American factory; GM raises its guidance for a second time this year
Honda has its sights set on a new North American factory. President Donald Trump has ordered 50 percent tariffs on some Canadian goods. Plus, General Motors is raising its guidance for the second time this year after profits jumped in the second quarter. Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.
July 24, 2026 | Lexus leads in winter NADA Dealer Attitude survey; Volkswagen slashes 2026 revenue forecast
Lexus ranked highest among dealers in the National Automobile Dealers Association’s winter Dealer Attitude Survey. Volkswagen has cut back on its 2026 revenue forecast as U.S. tariffs and competition with China tighten the operating margin, and Porsche’s new production boss has big decisions to make around the future of electric vehicle production. Plus, Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas from Subaru jo
July 23, 2026 | Lexus reveals EV plans for iconic models; Nissan dealership strikes back at a bad customer review
Lexus unveils the future of electrification in its product plans, balancing a slower approach to electric vehicles along with the return of an iconic nameplate. A Nissan dealership’s general manager faces backlash for retaliating against a negative review, and two dealership groups are combating fraud allegations from the COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program. Plus, a social media expert explains
July 22, 2026 | Toyota stays the course with EVs and hybrids; Penske Automotive Group may go private
Toyota doubles down on its multipath electrification strategy with new electric vehicles and next-generation hybrids. Penske Corp. and Mitsui make a $3.8 billion bid to take Penske Automotive Group private. And American Honda reshuffles its top sales leadership. Plus, an automotive mentor who’s using the power of social media to help dealerships sell more vehicles and connect with today’s car buye
July 21, 2026 | GM raises guidance as Q2 profits soar; negative equity worries F&I managers
General Motors raised its guidance for the second time this year as North American profits jumped 43 percent from a year ago, even though net income has fallen in the second quarter with more electric vehicle write-downs. Finance and insurance managers are concerned about the number of customers with negative equity, and Canada’s counter tariffs are costing the U.S. $5 billion in vehicle exports.
July 20, 2026 | UAW President Shawn Fain faces federal investigation; Honda eyes expansion
The Department of Justice is investigating UAW President Shawn Fain for alleged favoritism toward his fiancée, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe is considering an eighth North American plant, and General Motors is trying to differentiate their new Chevrolet and GMC designs. Plus, McKinsey analysts discuss the firm’s 2026 mobility survey and the steady rise of electric vehicle adoption.
July 18, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Koji Sato wants parts standardization; UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the DOJ
Toyota's Koji Sato wants parts standardization among Japanese automakers to combat China. UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the Department of Justice. Plus, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume outlines up to 50,000 job cuts to hit savings goals. Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.
July 17, 2026 | Subaru’s Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas talk service department challenges; Honda discontinues electric Prologue
Subaru’s Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas talk service department challenges. Honda will discontinue the electric Prologue next year. Foxconn postpones the U.S. release of a midsize EV crossover due to tariffs. Plus, tough competition in China derailed Volvo’s sales in the first half of the year.
July 16, 2026 | Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison on driver-monitoring cameras; Tesla becomes No. 6 China exporter
Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison talks about the benefits of driver-monitoring cameras. The Chinese auto market is fast and furious, with around 650 new or refreshed cars in the first half of the year. Tesla is now China’s No. 6 exporter. Plus, Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 light-duty pickup is getting a sweeping makeover.
July 15th, 2026 | Infiniti’s Eric Ledieu on the QX65; USMCA talks resume week of July 20
Infiniti’s Eric Ledieu talks about the launch of the QX65. Top officials from the U.S. and Mexico will meet in Mexico City next week to likely discuss automotive rules of origin and tariff rates. General Motors is betting on a diverse lineup for the next five years. Plus, Volvo weighs a return to midsize vehicles with a pair of electric vehicles.
July 14, 2026 | Peter Sigal talks Volkswagen’s tough decisions; EV range anxiety decreases
Peter Sigal, news editor of Automotive News Europe, talks about Volkswagen’s tough decisions in order to regain profitability. Electric vehicle range anxiety decreased due to bigger batteries, but affordability remains a concern for buyers. Plus, Toyota’s Koji Sato looks to standardize commodity components among Japan’s seven automakers.
July 13th, 2026 | GM Energy’s Aseem Kapur talks bidirectional charging; Auto industry confidence index
Aseem Kapur, chief revenue officer of General Motors, talks the future of bidirectional charging and the country’s unprecedented demand on the grid. Automotive industry confidence is strong despite tariff and affordability concerns. Plus, Stellantis’ global shipments grew in the second quarter.
July 11, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Texas-sized plant investment; market resilient so far in 2026
Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez break down Toyota’s $3.6 billion San Antonio expansion and what it signals for U.S. manufacturing strategy. Plus, the auto market has held up better than expected through the first half, but headwinds are building.
July 10, 2026 | Cox Auto’s Erin Keating on the real affordability story; VW to cut half its lineup
Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating pushes back on the conventional wisdom that new cars are unaffordable and makes the case for why fixed operations may be the most underutilized profit engine at dealerships right now. Volkswagen Group is planning to slash its 150-model lineup by up to half. Plus, a look at why the Infiniti QX65 might be the brand’s most important model in 2026.
July 9, 2026 | Borton Volvo's Kjell Bergh reacts to Polestar ban; USMCA limbo
Kjell Bergh, CEO of Borton Volvo in Minnesota, argues the Trump administration’s decision to bar Polestar from U.S. sales starting in 2027 raises questions the industry hasn’t fully reckoned with. U.S. inventories hold steady. Plus, Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson talks about what the U.S. declining to renew the USMCA long term actually means for the industry.
July 8, 2026 | NASCAR champ Joey Logano’s dealership journey; Scout lawsuit spreads to Washington state
A few months into his auto retail journey, NASCAR champion Joey Logano discusses the complexity of the business, the customization angle he’s leaning into, and what he says a dealership should feel like. Ram rescues Stellantis’ U.S. sales streak. Plus, Washington state dealers sue Scout Motors over its direct-to-consumer model.
July 7, 2026 | Toyota’s $3.6B Texas expansion; Teradar CEO on new sensor tech
Toyota’s board approved a $3.6 billion expansion of its San Antonio truck plant, nearly doubling its size and moving most Tacoma production back to the U.S. by 2030. A Chinese EV brand makes its first move in North America through Stellantis. Plus, Teradar CEO Matthew Carey talks about how his company’s new sensor type could change what’s possible for autonomy in bad weather.
July 6, 2026 | Tesla launches longer three-row Model Y; Sonatus’ John Heinlein
Tesla just filled a gap in its lineup with a longer, three-row Model Y. The number of car buyers signing up for 84-month loans is now at a record share. Plus, Sonatus CMO John Heinlein explains where the transition to software-defined vehicles really stands and how automakers can use vehicle data to get ahead of recalls before they happen.
July 3, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Mike and Larry’s top stories of the year so far
Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette join Jake Neher for a special holiday “Weekend Drive.” Honda’s CR-V just knocked the F-150 off the top of the sales charts for the first half of 2026, and new-vehicle prices just hit a record high. Then Mike and Larry go head to head with their picks for the biggest auto industry story of the first half of 2026.
July 2, 2026 | Honda CR-V tops first-half sales; why DRAM shortage hits autos especially hard
Honda’s CR-V dethrones the F-150 as America’s best-selling vehicle through the first half of 2026. Nissan’s CEO pushes back on Renault alliance fracture talk. Plus, SBD Automotive’s Alex Oyler joins Daily Drive to explain why the DRAM chip shortage is hitting the auto industry especially hard and why Tier 1 suppliers may be bearing the most pain.
July 1, 2026 | BMW's Sebastian Mackensen on the new X5; new vehicle prices hit record high
BMW of North America CEO Sebastian Mackensen joins Daily Drive from Spartanburg, S.C., to talk about the redesigned X5 and why he’s aiming for a fourth consecutive U.S. retail sales record. New-vehicle prices hit a record high. Plus, General Motors rolls out a first-of-its-kind automation scorecard for its suppliers.
June 30, 2026 | JD Power’s Tyson Jominy: Chasing peak sales is the wrong goal; USMCA preview
JD Power’s Tyson Jominy makes the case that the auto industry is more profitable today selling fewer vehicles than it was at its peak and why the biggest threat is the temptation to forget that lesson. USMCA review talks officially get underway Wednesday. Plus, Jeep maps out a China-assisted comeback in Europe.
June 29, 2026 | Texas closing in on California as largest market; Qualcomm’s Nakul Duggal
Texas is quietly closing in on California as the country’s largest auto market. America’s publicly traded dealer groups are going all-in on artificial intelligence, and smaller rivals are starting to feel the pressure. Plus, Qualcomm’s Nakul Duggal explains why he believes the company is on track to become the auto industry’s top silicon supplier.
June 28, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Who wins and loses when AI dominates the chip supply?
Kearney partner Kushal Fernandes breaks down which industries are best — and worst — positioned to survive the DRAM memory chip shortage, why the auto industry lands in a surprising middle ground and what structural advantages electric vehicle makers have over traditional automakers when it comes to securing supply.
June 27, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Midyear market outlook; Polestar U.S. ban
Automotive News journalists Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss the past week’s biggest stories, including the state of the auto market at the halfway point of 2026, analyst John Murphy’s warning about a product pipeline slowdown, Polestar dealers reacting to the U.S. ban and how Ford pulled off one of the biggest initial quality turnarounds in recent memory.
June 26, 2026 | Cox’s Jeremy Robb on the midyear outlook; Polestar dealers react to U.S. ban
Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb joins Daily Drive to break down the state of the auto market at the halfway point of 2026. A new report says the industry’s redesign rate has fallen to roughly half its normal pace, and the window to grab market share is now. Plus, Automotive News’ Urvaksh Karkaria talks about what Polestar dealers are saying now that the brand is blocked from the U.S. ma
June 25, 2026 | Polestar forced out of U.S. market; Nissan’s shareholder chaos
The Trump administration forces Polestar out of the U.S. market, starting with the 2027 model year. Ford pulls off a stunning quality comeback, at least for one metric. Plus, Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel breaks down the discontent at Nissan’s annual shareholder meeting — from a no-confidence vote against the CEO to a motion to reinstate Carlos Ghosn.
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