Automotive News Daily Drive

Larry P. Vellequette and Molly Boigon tackle the fallout from a fire at an aluminum plant, revealing how it jeopardizes Ford's F-150 Lightning production. They explore the fragility of supply chains, emphasizing the ripple effects of tariffs and the growing need for domestic sourcing. The duo delves into the struggles automakers face with EV tax credits and scrutinizes the implications of potential robotics tariffs, highlighting political and workforce challenges that could reshape the industry.

In this engaging discussion, David Prusinski, Co-CEO of Vehicle Management Systems, shares his journey from a 30-year software veteran to leading a company focused on predictive AI for fleet management. He dives into the recent rebrand of VMS, emphasizing its role in supporting not just electric vehicles but all types of fleets. Prusinski explains how AI enhances service efficiency, automates diagnostics, and drives uptime, ultimately helping independent repair shops and dealers maximize their operations and profits.

General Motors slips major new terms into supplier contracts. Ford’s F-150 Lightning plant will go idle in the wake of an aluminum plant fire. Plus, Neal Ganguli, AlixPartners managing director, talks about what new tariffs on robotics would mean for automakers and suppliers. 

General Motors cancels its electric vehicle tax credit extension and will offer its own discount instead. Ford faces a $1 billion hit from an aluminum plant fire. Plus, Hyundai Motor’s Genesis brand turns 10 and now aims to make a splash in the luxury high performance segment.

Nissan is in talks with multiple automakers to supply an electrified vehicle based on its top-selling Rogue crossover. A fire at an aluminum supplier could disrupt business at automakers for months. Plus, a panel of experts weighs in on how automakers and retailers can diversify their businesses with new revenue streams.

Stellantis is reportedly planning to invest about $10 billion in the U.S. Automakers are putting pressure on suppliers to use AI tech in their factories to be more efficient. Plus, Magna International’s Todd Deaville talks about how the supplier is implementing AI and machine learning in its factories.

Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Cox Automotive’s director of industry insights, talks about what electric vehicle makers will need to accomplish to hit 25 percent of the light-vehicle market by the end of the decade. Plus, Edmunds Head of Insights Jessica Caldwell weighs in on how tariffs are affecting 2026 model year vehicle pricing so far.

Automotive News Staff Reporter Michael Martinez and Greg Layson, digital and mobile editor for Automotive News Canada, talk about the week’s biggest news stories, including the rush to snap up electric vehicles before the Sept. 30 end of U.S. EV tax credits and what the government shutdown could mean for the auto market.

Tesla sets a sales record in the third quarter as consumers rushed to snap up federal electric vehicle tax credits before their Sept. 30 expiration. Most EV defectors say they would reconsider with a $5,000 incentive. Plus, Andy Mayers, lender solutions strategist at Cox Automotive, talks about opportunities for lenders in the subprime market.

The pull-up of electric vehicle sales before federal incentives went away juiced sales for many automakers in September and the third quarter. LG Energy is resuming U.S. business trips after a visa deal with South Korea. Plus, Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Cox Automotive’s director of industry insights, talks about the likely short- and long-term impacts of the end of federal EV tax credits.