Automotive News Daily Drive

Ford is pulling some Lincoln production out of China as tariffs make the math impossible. Toyota’s plug-in hybrid sales are exploding in ways no one quite anticipated. Plus, our panel reacts to the $25 million lawsuit against Polestar that raises hard questions about how automakers manage market exits. 

Tesla grabs 60 percent of a shrinking electric vehicle market. Public charging reliability hits a six-year high. Plus, Artificial intelligence is speeding up the finance and insurance process, but InformedIQ’s Tom Oscherwitz says many dealers are not checking the work, and that’s a problem.

Automotive News’ Clara Martinez and EVgo CEO Badar Khan explain why the company is betting on a gas station-style model to ease charging anxiety. Tariffs force Ford to move some Lincoln production out of China. Plus, a Polestar dealer files a $25 million lawsuit claiming the automaker’s U.S. ban is a cover for a planned exit from the market.

Mike Darrow, chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association, talks about why his pro-import organization wants to keep Chinese vehicles out of the U.S. New-vehicle inventory holds steady in August, a good sign for the industry. Plus, a closer look at the Unifor-General Motors contract talks with Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson.

Automotive News retail reporter Mark Hollmer explains why the used-vehicle market is not turning out to be the pressure valve the industry had hoped amid an affordability crisis. Tariff pressures are not the only reason Toyota and Honda are expanding in the U.S. Plus, Unifor wants General Motors to build more trucks in Canada as the two sides open contract talks.

Ford shows dealers a small crossover priced around $25,000 and teases a four-door Mustang. Volkswagen is overhauling its U.S. strategy with a pickup and new leadership. Plus, UL Research Institute’s Adam Barowy breaks down what firefighters are really up against when electric vehicle batteries burn.

Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette break down Ford’s newly named Fathom electric pickup, dig into July sales results and discuss Molly Boigon’s reporting on a California court case that could reshape how license plate reader data is used in the repossession industry.

Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel sits down with an AI avatar of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda. Toyota gets hit by a typhoon the day after restarting from last month’s earthquake. Plus, Widewail CEO Cuyler Owens breaks down the company’s first-quarter Voice of the Consumer report.

Most of Japan’s auto industry is back online following the deadly July 28 earthquake, with one big exception. An international dealer group calls for a ban on Chinese brands in the U.S. Plus, Nicolas Hidalgo, ACLU of Northern California senior staff attorney, breaks down a California court case that could reshape how license plate reader data is collected and used.

Texas repo agent James Waldron, whose agency handles thousands of repossession cases a month, explains what’s driving the surge, why wrongful repossessions happen and when the work becomes dangerous. Lucid delays its mass-market Cosmos crossover to 2027 after a $1 billion second-quarter loss. Plus, General Motors doubles down on China with a 20-year joint venture extension.

Vehicle repossessions are on the rise, creating new issues for lenders and dealers navigating the affordability crisis. A 1967 California wiretapping law is being used to target dealership websites, with violations starting at $5,000. Plus, Ford and Toyota sales round out a mixed July for the industry.

Hybrids carry Honda, Hyundai and Kia to strong July results. Volvo reveals its new entry-level electric vehicle. Plus, John Pelliccio, QNX global product marketing director, explains how vehicle sound systems are moving onto the main chip in software-defined vehicles, saving automakers money and opening the door to a new kind of buyer experience.

China now ties the U.S. with 16 companies each on the Automotive News Top Suppliers list. In this bonus episode, four North American supplier executives from Aumovio, ZF, Denso and OPmobility weigh in on what that means for the competitive landscape, and share where they each see the most growth ahead.

Automotive News reporters Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette break down Ford and Stellantis’ second-quarter earnings and what they reveal about where Detroit automakers stand heading into the second half of 2026. Plus, fallout from the Japan earthquake keeps spreading production disruption far beyond the original quake zone.

Japan’s earthquake fallout keeps spreading far beyond the quake zone. Audi reveals its largest vehicle ever, the Q9, targeting American families and dealers hungry for a product boost. Plus, TransUnion’s Satyan Merchant breaks down a new report showing auto finance fraud has nearly tripled since 2018.

Stellantis swings back to profit in the second quarter. Nissan is trying to build cars at China speed. Plus, four North American supplier executives share how they’re planning through an industry defined by tariffs, electric vehicle retreats and geopolitical disruption. 

Ford posts a $1.3 billion second-quarter net loss on charges tied to scrapped electric vehicle programs but raises its full-year guidance. The earthquake damage in Japan keeps growing for automakers. Plus, Frank Peña, who spent 30 years running stores for others before closing on three New Mexico dealerships of his own, talks about the road to ownership. 

Automotive News reporter John Irwin walks through the biggest trends in this year’s top suppliers list, from the rise of Chinese suppliers to a North American supply chain just trying to get through 2025. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake disrupts Toyota and Nissan production in Japan. Plus, NHTSA moves to overhaul car door rules after deadly Tesla incidents.

Honda is eyeing a lifted Accord hatchback to take on the Subaru Outback, potentially launching in 2029. America’s Car-Mart warns it may not survive without new financing. And Andrew Garberson of Recurrent explains why used electric vehicle prices keep climbing even as off-lease supply surges.

Ford and Chinese automaker Geely have formed a joint venture to produce new electrified vehicles from both brands at Ford’s factory in Valencia, Spain.

Honda has its sights set on a new North American factory. President Donald Trump has ordered 50 percent tariffs on some Canadian goods. Plus, General Motors is raising its guidance for the second time this year after profits jumped in the second quarter. Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.

Lexus ranked highest among dealers in the National Automobile Dealers Association’s winter Dealer Attitude Survey. Volkswagen has cut back on its 2026 revenue forecast as U.S. tariffs and competition with China tighten the operating margin, and Porsche’s new production boss has big decisions to make around the future of electric vehicle production. Plus, Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas from Subaru join the show to talk about maintaining a loyalty loop with customers and incorporating artificial intelligence in the service department. 

Lexus unveils the future of electrification in its product plans, balancing a slower approach to electric vehicles along with the return of an iconic nameplate. A Nissan dealership’s general manager faces backlash for retaliating against a negative review, and two dealership groups are combating fraud allegations from the COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program. Plus, a social media expert explains why dealerships should ditch inventory-dump TikTok videos and embrace the influencer era. 

Toyota doubles down on its multipath electrification strategy with new electric vehicles and next-generation hybrids. Penske Corp. and Mitsui make a $3.8 billion bid to take Penske Automotive Group private. And American Honda reshuffles its top sales leadership. Plus, an automotive mentor who’s using the power of social media to help dealerships sell more vehicles and connect with today’s car buyers.

General Motors raised its guidance for the second time this year as North American profits jumped 43 percent from a year ago, even though net income has fallen in the second quarter with more electric vehicle write-downs. Finance and insurance managers are concerned about the number of customers with negative equity, and Canada’s counter tariffs are costing the U.S. $5 billion in vehicle exports. Plus, Automotive News Reporter Mark Hollmer discusses how dealers are adding TikTok to their arsenal of social media marketing.

The Department of Justice is investigating UAW President Shawn Fain for alleged favoritism toward his fiancée, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe is considering an eighth North American plant, and General Motors is trying to differentiate their new Chevrolet and GMC designs. Plus, McKinsey analysts discuss the firm’s 2026 mobility survey and the steady rise of electric vehicle adoption.

Toyota's Koji Sato wants parts standardization among Japanese automakers to combat China. UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the Department of Justice. Plus, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume outlines up to 50,000 job cuts to hit savings goals. Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.

Subaru’s Todd Lawrence and Jim Pernas talk service department challenges. Honda will discontinue the electric Prologue next year. Foxconn postpones the U.S. release of a midsize EV crossover due to tariffs. Plus, tough competition in China derailed Volvo’s sales in the first half of the year.

Mazda’s Jennifer Morrison talks about the benefits of driver-monitoring cameras. The Chinese auto market is fast and furious, with around 650 new or refreshed cars in the first half of the year. Tesla is now China’s No. 6 exporter. Plus, Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 light-duty pickup is getting a sweeping makeover.

Infiniti’s Eric Ledieu talks about the launch of the QX65. Top officials from the U.S. and Mexico will meet in Mexico City next week to likely discuss automotive rules of origin and tariff rates. General Motors is betting on a diverse lineup for the next five years. Plus, Volvo weighs a return to midsize vehicles with a pair of electric vehicles. 

Peter Sigal, news editor of Automotive News Europe, talks about Volkswagen’s tough decisions in order to regain profitability. Electric vehicle range anxiety decreased due to bigger batteries, but affordability remains a concern for buyers. Plus, Toyota’s Koji Sato looks to standardize commodity components among Japan’s seven automakers. 

Aseem Kapur, chief revenue officer of General Motors, talks the future of bidirectional charging and the country’s unprecedented demand on the grid. Automotive industry confidence is strong despite tariff and affordability concerns. Plus, Stellantis’ global shipments grew in the second quarter. 

Larry 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.

Cox 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.

Kjell 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.

A 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.

Toyota’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.

Tesla 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.

Michael 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.

Honda’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.