Automotive News Daily Drive
Automotive News
Daily 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 11, 2025 • 20min
Aug. 11, 2025 | Rep. Haley Stevens discusses threat from China; CATL idles lithium mine
Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) joins the show to talk about increasing competition from China and the state of the auto industry as Washington swerves. The global lithium market soars after CATL idles a mine in China. Plus, car buyers had an easier time getting approved for loans in the second quarter.
Aug 10, 2025 • 8min
Aug. 10, 2025 | Bonus Episode: EV startups struggle under Trump administration
Rivian and Lucid this past week showed signs of trouble for EV startups under President Donald Trump’s policies. Plus, Roger Penske’s IndyCar Series is distancing itself from a post by the Department of Homeland Security depicting an IndyCar vehicle outfitted with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement emblem.
Aug 9, 2025 • 7min
Aug. 9, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Michelle Krebs talks EV climate, UAW turmoil
Retired automotive analyst Michelle Krebs guest co-hosts the show from Automotive News’ offices in Detroit. She and Daily Drive Host Kellen Walker discuss the week’s biggest news stories, including concerning earnings reports from EV startups, turbulence inside the UAW and Amazon Autos launching used-car sales.
Aug 8, 2025 • 17min
Aug. 8, 2025 | Ford delays EV pickup; AI in the service drive
Ford is once again delaying two of its next-generation electric vehicles, including its upcoming EV pickup. General Motors will reportedly import EV batteries from China’s CATL. Plus, Charisma Communications Owner Laurie Halter talks about what dealers want from AI in the service drive and how those expectations stack up against reality.
Aug 7, 2025 • 18min
Aug. 7, 2025 | Tariffs to slash UAW profit-sharing checks; GM, Hyundai to develop vehicles together
Automotive News Staff Reporter Michael Martinez talks about how tariffs stand to cut UAW profit-sharing checks by thousands of dollars, as well as the growing effort to oust union President Shawn Fain. General Motors and Hyundai strike a deal to develop vehicles together. Plus, Toyota will build a new assembly plant in Japan despite a $10 billion tariff bill.
Aug 6, 2025 • 23min
Aug. 6, 2025 | California emissions rules stick with six automakers; Honda profits tumble
Alix Partners’ Shea Burns talks about the six automakers that have legal agreements with California to keep emissions low and what President Donald Trump’s environmental policy changes mean for them. Honda’s profits plunge. Plus, Infiniti hopes new concepts will provide some badly needed buzz around the brand.
Aug 5, 2025 • 18min
Aug. 5, 2025 | Mazda blames tariffs for loss; automakers pull back hydrogen plans
Mazda tumbles to a loss in the latest quarter as the import-dependent Japanese automaker grapples with U.S. tariffs. Rivian sues Ohio over its direct-sales ban that exempts Tesla. Plus, Automotive News’ Jerry Hirsch talks about why hydrogen technology is losing steam among automakers.
Aug 4, 2025 • 19min
Aug. 4, 2025 | Amazon Autos starts used-vehicle sales; Plus CEO David Liu
Amazon is expanding its online car-shopping platform to include used and certified pre-owned vehicles. Tesla CEO Elon Musk gets his payday. Plus, David Liu, CEO of self-driving company Plus, talks about the decision to take his company public.
Aug 3, 2025 • 8min
Aug. 3, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Impact of trade deals; angry customer takes dealership’s name
Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions talks with Automotive News’ Hannah Lutz about the impact of new U.S. trade deals on the automotive market. Plus, a look at how one woman in Ohio tried to reclaim a dealership’s name after it repossessed her car.
Aug 2, 2025 • 21min
Aug. 2, 2025 | Weekend Drive: Sales gains under unusual conditions; trade deals
Daily Drive Host Kellen Walker and Automotive News Staff Reporter Larry P. Vellequette discuss strong sales gains in June amid unusual market conditions, a string of new U.S. trade deals, and more.
