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 stated it's not for sale, and analysts doubt the deal would make economic sense given BYD’s recent profit plunge. Meanwhile, Waymo faces growing scrutiny after a series of spring incidents—flooding, construction zone mishaps, and a harrowing ride where a robo-taxi was chased by police—yet the company maintains its safety record, citing 170 million autonomous miles with 13 times fewer serious collisions than human drivers. Experts agree Waymo remains the undisputed leader in commercial-level autonomous ride services, with no competitor close to matching its scale. On the trade front, the looming USMCA renegotiation has sparked intense debate: a proposed 82% regional content rule with 50% from the U.S. could reshape North American production, but experts warn the real impact will vary by country—Canada may be less affected due to existing U.S. component reliance, while Mexico faces steeper challenges. Still, all panelists stress that maintaining tariff-free vehicle trade across borders is critical to preserving the deeply integrated North American auto supply chain. The consensus? A deal by year-end is possible, but urgency is key—especially given the millions of jobs at stake.