Automotive News Daily Drive

The U.S. and the European Union reach a trade deal . Tesla signs a chip deal with Samsung. Plus, Kurt Kelty, General Motors’ vice president of battery, propulsion and sustainability, talks about why the company believes the EV era is inevitable despite sluggish demand and policy challenges.

In these excerpts from Automotive News Staff Reporter Michael Martinez’s interviews with Ford Motor Co. Executive Chair Bill Ford’s children , Will Ford and Alexandra Ford English discuss their father’s leadership through crises, such as the 2023 UAW strike. 

Automotive News staff reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss this week’s automakers’ earnings results and the impact of tariffs. Plus, they talk about what it would mean if the EPA eliminates tailpipe emissions standards.

Kia will adjust its business operations in the U.S. and cut incentives amid tariffs and policy changes. LG Energy Solution warns of slowing electric vehicle battery demand. Plus, service technician trainer Joshua Taylor and Jeff Daniel, service director for Maple Hill Auto Group, talk about how warranty reimbursement processes are hurting dealerships.

Tesla’s earnings fall further in the second quarter. Hyundai warns of growing costs from U.S. tariffs in the second half. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Paige Hodder talks about what a new tax deduction for auto loan borrowers will mean for the overall retail market.

Alexandra Ford English, Nick Ford and Will Ford talk about their father’s career leading Ford Motor Co., his values and who he is inside and outside of work. The Detroit 3 have concerns about the deal President Donald Trump says he has reached with Japan . Plus, a key driver of Tesla’s profits is drying up.

Automotive News Staff Reporter Lindsay VanHulle talks about this year’s Future Product Pipeline series and how General Motors looks to plan for an uncertain future. Meanwhile, tariffs cost GM more than $1 billion in the second quarter. Plus, Nissan plans to shrink its industrial footprint in Mexico by ending production at two assembly plants.

Stellantis expects a $2.7 billion loss in the first half. A new report says franchised dealerships saw double-digit profit gains in the second quarter. Plus, Siyu Huang , founder and CEO of Factorial Energy, talks about the solid-state battery maker’s business in 2025. 

Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association President Flavio Volpe talks about the idea of an all-Canadian automaker and why North American production has not shut down as predicted with new U.S. tariffs. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Molly Boigon breaks down rising tensions between two of the leading U.S. auto industry trade groups.

Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters is moving to the next stage of his career. He and Daily Drive Host Kellen Walker talk about his time with the publication and his future.

The U.S. is set to impose more than 90 percent tariffs on a key EV battery material. NHTSA is shedding more than a quarter of its employees. Plus, Dawn Fretwell of PayNearMe talks about the growing demand for more convenient repayment options for auto loans.

Automakers are off the hook for fuel efficiency penalties for the last three years. Volvo swings to a $1 billion loss . Plus, Faulkner Automotive's Mike Rocchi talks about how the 25-store dealership group has staffed up its service drive despite the nationwide tech shortage.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation is provoking a battle with NADA over state dealership franchise laws. Canadian auto companies see double-digit revenue declines amid tariffs. Plus, Cal Lankton, Redwood Materials chief commercial officer, talks about the company’s efforts to reuse electric vehicle batteries to store energy for power-hungry sites such as data centers.

Renault has named an interim CEO to lead the group while it searches for a permanent replacement for Luca de Meo. Tesla’s North America sales chief exits. Plus, the FTC has a new tool to help dealerships navigate the Safeguards Rule.

Bergstrom Automotive Chairman John Bergstrom talks about his decades-long career as a dealer and how his company has grown to about $2 billion in sales. President Donald Trump announces 30 percent tariffs on the EU and Mexico. Plus, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann settles a $200 million tax case in Italy.

Nissan Americas Chairperson Christian Meunier talks about tariffs and changing regulations in the U.S. and Canada. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Michael Martinez discusses Ford’s new incentive strategy as it ends popular employee-pricing-for-all deals.

Long considered an industry pipe dream, Toyota’s Georgetown, Ky., plant is closing in on on-demand production. Automotive News Staff Reporter Larry P. Vellequette joins the show to talk about that and some of the biggest stories across the auto industry in the past week.

Pied Piper CEO Fran O’Hagan talks about how well artificial intelligence is doing compared to humans when answering service appointment calls. EVs continue their slump in May despite discounts. Plus, Nissan considers supplying vehicles to Honda in the U.S.

Automotive News Staff Reporter John Irwin discusses the latest tariff news and what comes next with volatile trade talks. Volvo Cars axes 15 percent of its U.S. salaried workforce. Plus, Ford and Stellantis get tough on suppliers amid tariffs.

Automotive News Staff Reporter Michael Martinez talks about how Ford’s top manufacturing executive, Bryce Currie, is trying to change the company’s culture to improve quality and efficiency . President Donald Trump wants 50 percent tariffs on copper imports. Plus, there’s a new luxury sales front-runner after seven straight quarters.

Ford Motor Co. is starting the third quarter with a new incentive campaign. Nissan tells suppliers it will postpone the start of production of two U.S.-built electric crossovers by nearly a year. Plus, Automotive News Staff Reporter Molly Boigon talks about the likely impacts of the new U.S. spending law on the auto industry. 

Biden-era electric vehicle tax credits will come to an end this fall now that President Donald Trump has signed his budget bill . Tariffs force Nissan to suspend production of three models for the Canadian market. Plus, China expert Michael Dunne talks about the country’s surging EV makers and whether legacy automakers can regain footing in the market.

Executives from LG Energy Solution and Qualcomm Technologies explain where they are placing their bets. Plus, technical consultant Phil Koopman explains the exemptions to federal vehicle safety standards.

Even as generative artificial intelligence tools become more widespread at dealerships, they continue to churn out inaccurate or nonsensical information. But so do humans. Staff Reporter Mark Hollmer joins the show to explain the current state of AI.

The clock is ticking for trade partners as the pause on reciprocal trades is set to expire July 9. Plus, Pinewood Technologies Group CEO Bill Berman discusses plans to install its system throughout Lithia’s North American outlets.