Automotive News Daily Drive

Automotive News reporters Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Toyota’s potential $2 billion Texas assembly plant , Ford cracking down on suppliers over quality and costs, and the latest electric vehicle strategy shifts from Honda , Mazda and Subaru .

Toyota is considering a new $2 billion assembly plant in Texas . Subaru puts its electric vehicle plans on ice and shifts focus back to internal combustion and hybrid cars . Plus, AutoPayPlus CEO Robert Steenbergh explains why he says lowering interest rates won’t solve the auto industry’s affordability problem.

Liz Door, Ford’s chief supply chain officer, discusses how the automaker is managing supplier relationships and disruptions. Honda abandons its combustion-free goal as it reports its first loss since going public in 1957. Plus, David Kennedy of Automotive News Canada discusses what’s at stake for the North American auto industry in USMCA renegotiations.

Ford is putting suppliers with quality problems on a “no bid” list and pushing parts makers to sign three-year cost savings plans. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa says partnerships will be key to the company’s turnaround strategy. Plus, Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, discusses what Canadian suppliers want from USMCA negotiations.

Unifor President Lana Payne discusses what Canadian auto workers want from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement renegotiations, including its push for a “sell in North America, build in North America” rule. Mazda delays its first dedicated electric vehicle by two years and slashes its EV investment nearly in half, pivoting to hybrids. Plus, a look at Automotive News’ series on the state of tr...

Nissan slashed its tariff bill by $2.3 billion with an America-first production strategy. Geely becomes the first Chinese automaker to enter Canada, shipping Lotus EVs under a new trade deal. Plus, Volvo’s Anders Bell discusses how organizational changes have accelerated the company’s software-defined vehicle development.

A preview of Automotive News’ Top 100 dealership groups ranked by service and parts and body shop revenue. Hear from leaders at Vaughan Automotive, Hendrick Automotive Group, and Masano Auto Group about training, technology, and the tough decisions around collision centers.

Ford Reporter Michael Martinez shares details from his rare visit inside the automaker’s secretive California skunk works . Larry P. Vellequette talks about Toyota’s big loss despite record U.S. sales. Plus, the panel discusses the pickup market as General Motors tries to capitalize on F-150 shortages .

John Masano of Masano Auto Group in Pennsylvania explains why he sold his collision center to focus on his core business. A federal trade court strikes down Trump’s 10 percent global tariffs as unlawful. Plus, General Motors pushes for more pickup inventory as Ford production problems linger.

Laura Perrotta, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, says dealers are pushing back against a growing network of brokers who charge fees and operate without licenses in the state. Ram wants more dealers chasing small-business buyers . Plus, U.S. auto sales fell nearly 7 percent in April as tariffs and high prices continue to weigh on the market.

Automotive News Managing Editor Jerry Hirsch argues in a new column that the U.S. needs its own electric vehicle industrial policy to counter China’s strategic push to dominate global auto exports. Lucid suspends 2026 production guidance after reporting a $1 billion first-quarter net loss . Plus, hybrid demand surges as fuel prices climb.

Automotive News Ford Reporter Michael Martinez shares an inside look at the automaker’s secretive California Skunk Works , where an isolated team is developing the automaker’s answer to Chinese EVs. Public dealership groups lean on used vehicles as affordability pressures mount. Plus, Chinese automakers including Zeekr and Chery are making serious moves to enter the Canadian market. 

The UAW plans a strike authorization vote at Stellantis’ Ram truck plant over contractor disputes. Honda is stretching vehicle life cycles after taking a $15.8 billion hit backing away from its electric vehicle plans. Plus, Alex Oyler of SBD Automotive discusses whether traditional automakers can keep up with EV makers on software-defined vehicles.

Automotive News journalists Larry P. Vellequette, Michael Martinez and Molly Boigon discuss Ford bringing back employee pricing for all customers through July, Toyota posting record sales despite tariffs, Detroit automakers expecting over $2 billion in tariff refunds and more.

Automotive News previews the 2026 top 100 dealership groups ranked by used-car sales as dealers increasingly bet on pre-owned vehicles. Nissan cancels its $500 million electric vehicle investment in Mississippi, pivoting to gas-powered trucks. Plus, Ford brings back employee pricing, and Detroit automakers await $2 billion in tariff refunds .

Douglas Bolduc, managing editor of Automotive News Europe, discusses his visit to the Beijing auto show and how Chinese automakers are positioning themselves for global expansion. The Fed’s decision to hold interest rates steady could compound affordability problems. Plus, Ford and Stellantis post first-quarter earnings boosted by tariff refunds.

BMW North America CEO Sebastian Mackensen talks about the rollout of the Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform and whether the brand is nervous about the timing as EV markets reset. Toyota suppliers face urgent shortages because of the Iran war. Plus, deep cuts could force Volkswagen to completely rethink its production model. 

Widewail CEO Cuyler Owens discusses why so many of the top 150 dealership groups generate more bait-and-switch complaints than the national benchmark. General Motors posts lower Q1 earnings but raises its full-year forecast on expected tariff refunds. Plus, Chinese automakers plan to triple overseas production by 2030.

Toyota posts record sales despite tariffs thanks to hybrids. Automotive News Managing Editor Jerry Hirsch makes the case for simple, affordable “appliance cars” to solve the vehicle affordability crisis. Plus, Boston Consulting Group’s Eric Jesse discusses how automakers can find “white space” to win in different powertrain segments.

Eric Watson, vice president of sales operations for Kia America, discusses the automaker’s confirmation of the EV3 for the U.S. market , the importance of expanding its electric vehicle lineup, and how Kia is navigating the evolving EV landscape.

Reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Stellantis’ move to focus investments on Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat; GM shelving its electric pickup plans ; rising pessimism in the Automotive News Auto Industry Confidence Index ; and Elon Musk admitting Tesla vehicles will need hardware upgrades for Full Self-Driving.

Stellantis is focusing investments on Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat to lead its turnaround. A look at the questions dealers and customers should ask before embracing Chinese vehicles. Plus, Cox Automotive’s Skyler Chadwick discusses how dealerships are growing service and parts revenue. 

Frank McKenna of Point Predictive discusses how dealerships can protect themselves from artificial intelligence-powered website cloning scams . Tesla says the Roadster will be its only human-driven car as it shifts to a fully autonomous lineup. Plus, Toyota unveils its new AI vision system to catch up with Chinese automakers.

General Motors is indefinitely delaying its next-generation electric pickups and redirecting cash to gasoline engines and plug-in hybrids. Sony Honda Mobility scales back its Afeela EV venture. Plus, we hear from a dealer who’s embracing Amazon Autos — a contrast to dealers who have opted out.

Andrew Wright, managing partner at Vinart Dealerships, explains why he chose not to participate in Hyundai’s Amazon Autos partnership despite helping establish the program. The FTC wants dealers to report competitors who violate advertising rules. Plus, Hyundai’s CEO says tariffs are hurting the company.