Automotive News Daily Drive
By 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 (13)
Automotive News Daily Drive
May 30, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Motor oil warning light flashes as trade tensions heat up
A looming synthetic motor oil shortage, triggered by the prolonged blockage of the Strait of Formus, threatens to disrupt the North American auto industry starting in June 2026, with dealers facing rationing and potential price hikes. This crisis underscores d
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 1st, 2026 | New UAW strike threatens GM truck production; who owns vehicle data?
The UAW has launched a strike at Dowk Corporation, formerly American Axle, threatening GM's Silverado and Sierra pickup production by halting axle supply—marking a pivotal escalation in labor tensions. Simultaneously, the Trump administration is pushing to rai
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 2nd, 2026 | Experts talk auto trade, USMCA; Waymo's spring turbulence
The U.S. auto industry may be turning a corner in 2026, with May showing the first monthly sales gain of the year, driven by strong hybrid performance from Hyundai and Kia. Despite BYD's reported interest in a storied Italian luxury brand, the owner has firmly
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 3rd, 2026 | Chrysler getting new SUVs from Fiat; how dealers can counter AI advice
Chrysler is finally getting new life with two Fiat-derived SUVs—set to launch as the Aero and Aero Cross in the U.S.—marking a pivotal shift from its long-standing minivan identity. These affordable crossovers, priced under $30,000 and built on a global platfo
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 4th, 2026 | How USMCA review could hurt affordability; Nexperia coming to the U.S.
The Trump administration's proposed tariff overhaul, coupled with a looming USMCA review, threatens to push affordable vehicles further out of reach for American buyers. Despite the auto industry's massive economic footprint and lobbying power, new trade rules
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 5th, 2026 | PayNearMe's Steve Kramer on ‘abandoned carts’; VW Golf's U.S. future
Auto loan delinquencies are rising to pandemic-era levels, and PayNearMe's Steve Kramer argues that lenders are missing a critical opportunity: treating payment failures like e-commerce platforms do. Instead of letting borrowers drop off after a declined payme
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 6, 2026 | Weekend Drive: UAW strikes again; trade proposals set tone for USMCA talks
Lincoln may be on the verge of a radical reinvention—abandoning its image as a brand for older, affluent buyers and entering the luxury off-roading space. Despite skepticism about whether a 'quiet luxury' automaker like Lincoln can pull off a rugged, boxy SUV,
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 10th, 2026 | Magna CEO on tariffs and uncertainty; GM bets on grid batteries
Magna International CEO Swami Kotagiri delivers a stark warning about the auto industry's current state: uncertainty, not tariffs or technology, is the real bottleneck holding back capital investment. He reveals that suppliers like Magna are now demanding 'pai
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 11th, 2026 | UAW, Dauch reach deal; Honda targets Toyota with Accord, Passport updates
Honda is launching a strategic offensive against Toyota by refreshing two key models— the Accord and Passport— at a moment when Toyota is struggling with supply chain disruptions from factory retooling. The Accord is getting a significant design overhaul, incl
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 12th, 2026 | Japan's automakers absorb $28B tariff hit; dealerships losing service share
Japan's automakers are absorbing a staggering $28 billion in combined costs from U.S. tariff shifts, EV write-downs, and policy reversals—with Toyota facing over $17 billion in tariff expenses alone. This financial strain, projected to reach $40 billion by Mar
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 13, 2026 | Weekend Drive: UAW strikes Dauch; Ford moves Escape buyers to Explorer
Ford is pulling off a surprising pivot by funneling former Escape and Edge buyers into the more expensive Explorer, using targeted $10,000 private discounts—effectively turning a product discontinuation into a strategic upsell. Despite the affordability crisis
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 14, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Porsche builds Toy Story 911s for the Toy Story 5 premiere
Porsche has unveiled three custom 911s inspired by Toy Story characters—Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jesse—for the premiere of Toy Story 5, blending high-end automotive craftsmanship with nostalgic pop culture. These one-off vehicles, developed by Porsche’s Sond
Automotive News Daily Drive
June 16th, 2026 | Ford's $30K EV pickup breaks cover; Nicole Lacy on F&I trends
Ford is nearing production readiness for its $30,000 electric pickup, a direct response to the rising threat of low-cost Chinese EVs entering the U.S. market in 2027. The vehicle, currently undergoing heavy testing in California with camouflaged prototypes fea
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