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
Jul 16, 2025 • 19min
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.
Jul 15, 2025 • 17min
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.
Jul 14, 2025 • 22min
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.
Jul 13, 2025 • 10min
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.
Jul 12, 2025 • 23min
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.
Jul 11, 2025 • 15min
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.
Jul 10, 2025 • 19min
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.
Jul 9, 2025 • 17min
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.
Jul 8, 2025 • 18min
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.
Jul 7, 2025 • 20min
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.
