Automotive News Daily Drive
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.
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Jan. 23, 2026 | Tesla launches robotaxis without safety monitors; F&I cash deal
<p>Tesla finally launches robotaxi rides without safety monitors in Austin, years after Elon Musk’s predictions. VW renames the ID4. Plus, Automotive News’ John Huetter explains why cash buyers still present opportunities for finance and insurance products despite lower profits.</p>
Jan. 22, 2026 | GM moves Buick out of China; Karma's product reinvention
<p>GM shifts production of its Buick compact crossover out of China and into the U.S. starting in 2028. Cash buyers are costing dealers serious money in F&I. Plus, Karma Automotive CEO Marques McCammon discusses the company’s complete product reinvention, ending its 11-year-old Revero nameplate and launching an entirely new lineup in 2026.</p>
Jan. 21, 2026 | Hyundai’s market value surge; Teradar's Matt Carey on sensors
<p>Hyundai’s market value surges, overtaking General Motors to become the world’s fourth-most valuable automaker. Dealer confidence slips in the fourth quarter as consumer affordability challenges intensify. Plus, Teradar CEO Matt Carey explains how the company’s pioneering sensor technology combines the best of radar and lidar at a fraction of the cost.</p>
Jan. 20, 2026 | Trump's Greenland tariff threat; software-defined vehicles arrive
<p>President Donald Trump announces new tariffs on eight European nations unless Denmark sells Greenland to the U.S. Mazda delays its first dedicated EV to 2029. Plus, EY’s George Lenyo said software-defined vehicles have “crossed the tipping point” in 2026.</p>
Jan. 18, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Trump, EVs and state-level incentives
<p>In this second and final portion of his interview with Daily Drive Executive Producer Jake Neher, EVs for All America CEO Mike Murphy explains why only 28% of auto consumers rate Trump as a friend of the U.S. auto industry, how 80% of EVs are sold in just 15 states, and why blue states like California and red states like Georgia are fighting back with state-level incentives.</p>
Jan. 17, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Trump welcomes China in Detroit; Stellantis dumps PHEVs
<p>Automotive News’ Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss President Donald Trump’s combative Detroit visit, including him flipping off a Ford plant worker who heckled him and his invitation for Chinese automakers to build U.S. plants. Plus, Stellantis cancels its entire plug-in hybrid lineup while GM still plans PHEVs, and what the diverging strategies mean for the industry.</p>
Jan. 16, 2026 | Canada opens door to Chinese EVs; insurance at dealerships
<p>Canada strikes a deal with China allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs annually in exchange for agricultural concessions, marking a dramatic policy shift. Ford explores battery deals with BYD for international hybrids. Plus, Polly’s Chris Pres explains how integrating auto insurance into the car-buying process is helping dealerships close deals amid affordability pressures.</p>
Jan. 15, 2026 | Stellantis staying together; suppliers shift to U.S. production
<p>Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa says the automaker will stay together as one company with $13 billion in U.S. investments over four years. Tesla ditches one-time Full Self-Driving purchases for subscription only. Plus, KPMG’s Lenny LaRocca explains why tariff uncertainty is finally pushing suppliers to invest in U.S. production, supply chain consolidation needs, and the shift from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence at CES. </p>
Jan. 14, 2026 | Trump’s combative Detroit visit; Republican EV resistance easing
<p>President Donald Trump visited Detroit to tout tariffs and flipped off a worker at Ford’s F-150 plant. Bill Ford defends the automaker’s nearly $20 billion EV write-down. Plus, new polling shows Republican resistance to EVs has eased 20 points over three years as cultural hostility declines, though purchase interest dipped recently. Mike Murphy of EVs for All America explains what’s driving the shift and why only 28 percent of auto consumers rate Trump as a friend of the industry.</p>
Jan. 13, 2026 | Separating auto tech hype from reality; Honda dealers revolt over Sony
<p>PwC’s CJ Finn discusses how to separate hype from reality at CES 2026 as artificial intelligence dominated nearly every automotive announcement. Honda dealers call on the automaker to end its partnership with Sony, calling the Afeela electric vehicle “an albatross” that bypasses franchised dealerships. Plus, U.S. inventory holds steady near 3 million units.</p>
