

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

Nov 7, 2025 • 18min
Nov. 7, 2025 | Tesla to enter a new growth phase; Apple Tree Honda’s Fixed Ops Director Richard Lupo
Tesla enters a new growth phase with the approval of Elon Musk’s new pay package. Meanwhile, some Nexperia chip deliveries resume. Honda’s bet on EVs backfire. Plus, Apple Tree Automotive Fixed Ops Director Richard Lupo joins the show to tell us how his service department is meeting customers in their home driveways with mobile service.

Nov 6, 2025 • 17min
Nov. 6, 2025 | CarMax’s CEO fired amid financial weakness; S&P Global Mobility’s Stephanie Brinley on hybrid vehicle tech
Molly Boygon, a technology and innovation reporter for Automotive News, dives into the Supreme Court's discussion on trade-tariff challenges. She highlights the legal complexities and justices' skepticism. Joining her is Stephanie Brinley from S&P Global Mobility, who unpacks the evolving landscape of hybrid vehicles. She shares insights on consumer adoption, performance benefits of extended-range electric systems, and compares plug-in hybrids with traditional EVs, illustrating hybrids' vital role in today's auto market.

Nov 5, 2025 • 18min
Nov. 5, 2025 | Supreme Court justices question Trump tariffs; Slate Auto repair strategy
The Michigan Department of State suspends the license of a well-known dealership, alleging it sold used loaners as new. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump’s sweeping tariffs and whether the president was lawful in his decisions. Plus, our own Laurence Iliff joins the show to talk about Slate Auto and how it plans to simplify its services.

Nov 4, 2025 • 21min
Nov. 4, 2025 | Surviving AI at the dealership; F&I Sentinel’s Stephen McDaniel
Waymo brings its autonomous ride-hailing service to Detroit as the company expands testing in cold-weather markets. Meanwhile, dealership employees brace for the rise of artificial intelligence as automation reshapes jobs across the industry. Plus, our own John Huetter sits down with Stephen McDaniel, CEO of F&I Sentinel.

Nov 3, 2025 • 18min
Nov. 3, 2025 | Chip imports to resume amid Nexperia export ban; Alix Partner’s Ahbijit Boora
China eases its Nexperia export ban, allowing select companies to resume chip imports as the semiconductor crisis continues through the industry. EV demand cools as Hyundai dips and Kia is up after federal tax credits expire. Plus, an excerpt from the Shift Podcast with Alix Partners’ Abhijit Boora, on foreign trades and tariff delays.

Nov 2, 2025 • 12min
Nov. 2, 2025 | Bonus Episode: Kunis Auto’s Scot Hensel on Tricolor collapse ripple effects
Scot Hensel, finance director at Kunes Auto Group, talks about the collapse of major used-vehicle dealership group and buy-here-pay-here lender Tricolor Holdings and what it means for other lenders and dealers.Hensel tells Automotive News Staff Reporter John Huetter that he hasn’t seen any subprime lenders tightening up on the deals they’ll accept from Kunes.

Nov 1, 2025 • 20min
Nov. 1, 2025 | Weekend Drive in Tokyo: Japan Mobility Show special
Automotive News journalists Hans Greimel and Larry P. Vellequette join the show from Tokyo, where they are covering the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. They discuss the new products on display, involvement from Chinese automakers and some of the more dubious unveilings at this year’s show.

Oct 31, 2025 • 21min
Oct. 31, 2025 | VW, BMW supplier hit by Nexperia crisis; Informed.IQ’s Jessica Gonzalez
A key supplier to Volkswagen and BMW slows output as the Nexperia crisis intensifies. Ram is getting its first-ever SUV in 2028. Plus, Jessica Gonzalez of InformedIQ joins the show to talk about the latest concerning forms of fraud in the auto lending space.

Oct 30, 2025 • 18min
Oct. 30, 2025 | Tariffs bite into automaker earnings; GM’s 3,300 layoffs explained
Tariffs and chip concerns hit the bottom lines of three global automakers. A new analysis suggests automakers are not getting the full tariff break on vehicles shipped to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. Plus, Automotive News’ Lindsay VanHulle explains GM’s decision to lay off more than 3,000 workers as it rethinks its electric vehicle production plans.

Oct 29, 2025 • 23min
Oct. 29, 2025 | GM lays off 3,300 as it rethinks EVs; Nexperia chip crisis intensifies
General Motors is pausing production at its Detroit electric vehicle plant and two battery facilities, affecting more than 3,000 workers. The power struggle inside chipmaker Nexperia is escalating as automakers ring alarm bells. Plus, Automotive News’ Carly Schaffner talks about opportunities for Hyundai’s partnership with GM now that the Detroit automaker has discontinued BrightDrop electric van production.


