Podcast
Automotive News Daily Drive
Hosted by Automotive News · EN
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.
128episodes
Episodes
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July 11, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Texas-sized plant investment; market resilient so far in 2026
2d ago00:25:10Tap to summarizeLarry 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.
Transcribe →July 10, 2026 | Cox Auto’s Erin Keating on the real affordability story; VW to cut half its lineup
3d ago00:23:56Tap to summarizeCox 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.
Transcribe →July 9, 2026 | Borton Volvo's Kjell Bergh reacts to Polestar ban; USMCA limbo
4d ago00:25:37Tap to summarizeKjell 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.
Transcribe →July 8, 2026 | NASCAR champ Joey Logano’s dealership journey; Scout lawsuit spreads to Washington state
5d ago00:16:49Tap to summarizeA 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.
Transcribe →July 7, 2026 | Toyota’s $3.6B Texas expansion; Teradar CEO on new sensor tech
6d ago00:17:15Tap to summarizeToyota’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.
Transcribe →July 6, 2026 | Tesla launches longer three-row Model Y; Sonatus’ John Heinlein
1w ago00:13:21Tap to summarizeTesla 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.
Transcribe →July 3, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Mike and Larry’s top stories of the year so far
1w ago00:35:19Tap to summarizeMichael 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.
Transcribe →July 2, 2026 | Honda CR-V tops first-half sales; why DRAM shortage hits autos especially hard
2w ago00:22:22Tap to summarizeHonda’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.
Transcribe →July 1, 2026 | BMW's Sebastian Mackensen on the new X5; new vehicle prices hit record high
2w ago00:22:11Tap to summarizeBMW 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.
Transcribe →June 30, 2026 | JD Power’s Tyson Jominy: Chasing peak sales is the wrong goal; USMCA preview
2w ago00:17:37Tap to summarizeJD 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.
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