Automotive News Daily Drive

Ford F-150 supplies remain constrained seven months after the Novelis plant fire, with inventory down 43 percent and market share slipping. Pessimism is on the rise among auto executives. Plus, the Iran war is constricting helium supplies critical for semiconductor manufacturing.

Automotive News journalists Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss organizational changes at Ford , Volkswagen’s financial hit from ending ID4 production in Tennessee, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa’s new strategic vision , and Toyota’s push to recruit Lexus dealers for its GR performance brand .

Stellantis’ plan to assemble Chinese Leapmotor electric vehicles at its idled Brampton plant gets rejected. Stellantis doubles down on artificial intelligence with a new Microsoft partnership . Plus, Matthias Stoever of RockEd discusses the critical need to train service advisers as dealerships face staffing challenges. 

In an exclusive interview with Automotive News, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa discusses his vision for the automaker’s turnaround, including artificial intelligence-driven autonomous tech and reducing the global lineup. Electric vehicle registrations fall 37 percent in February as share drops below 5 percent. Plus, Ford’s Doug Field departs and Stellantis hires Michael Orange to boost U.S. sales.

Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Ford Model e, discusses the automaker’s evolving pickup strategy , including extended-range EVs. Stellantis is in talks with Chinese automaker Dongfeng about sharing factories in Europe and China. Plus, Nissan faces a math problem on shifting production from Mexico.

Ford CEO Jim Farley warns against Chinese automaker imports. Lucid appoints Silvio Napoli as CEO to lead turnaround efforts. Plus, dealers offer insights from Automotive News’ 2026 top 150 dealership groups rankings, including how groups are growing sales without adding stores. 

Nissan is launching the next Rogue as hybrid-only late this year as it plays catch-up in a market dominated by Toyota and Honda. New steel and aluminum tariff math could cost automakers more. Plus, Kristin Poland of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Highway Safety discusses the board’s investigation into fatal crashes involving the Ford BlueCruise.

Russell Wager, Kia’s vice president of marketing, discusses the brand’s newly announced EV3 compact electric SUV coming to the U.S., the redesigned Seltos with hybrid powertrain and how Kia’s multi-powertrain strategy is helping the brand navigate changing consumer preferences.

Automotive News reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez join Kellen Walker to discuss whether Buick’s planned new sedan could mean a broader comeback for the segment in the U.S. Plus, Kia enters the pickup market targeting 90,000 annual sales, new-vehicle inventories drop sharply to 2.98 million, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation calls for a federal gas tax repeal .

A look at the trends and changes in Automotive News’ upcoming 2026 top 150 dealership groups rankings. Volkswagen halts ID4 production in Chattanooga as EV demand slows. Plus, Tesla is reportedly developing a smaller, cheaper electric SUV for production in Shanghai.

Genesis Motor North America COO Ted Mengiste talks about the brand’s new Magma performance trim and growth strategy. Kia CEO Ho Sung Song announces the brand will launch midsize pickups by 2030, targeting 90,000 annual sales. Plus, Hyundai Motor reroutes ships around Africa to avoid the Strait of Hormuz as CEO Jose Muñoz declares “globalization is over.”

Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas, discusses the brand’s turnaround strategy and future direction. U.S. automakers accuse the European Union of blocking large pickup imports , potentially violating last year’s trade deal. Plus, Buick plans a new sedan for North America.

Automotive News Deputy Editor Lindsay VanHulle speaks with Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker about the brand’s new Boulder concept and its push into body-on-frame vehicles. Gasoline prices have hit $4.14 a gallon , making the economic case for EVs stronger. Plus, Volkswagen praises Rivian’s tech but gets vague when you ask when drivers will be able to use it in VW’s cars.

John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, argues that the time has come to get rid of the federal gasoline tax . Three Democratic senators urge President Donald Trump to keep Chinese automakers out of the U.S. market ahead of his May summit with President Xi Jinping. Plus, Jeep’s streamlined Grand Wagoneer strategy pays off with a sixfold sales increase. 

Automotive News’ staff reporters Larry Vellequette and Jack Walsworth discuss first-quarter sales results . A California ruling that could determine the future of the Scout brand . Plus, a recap of the New York International Auto Show. 

Sarah Milovich, general counsel and vice president of compliance at Carleton Inc., talks about the compliance risks auto lenders are facing when they use artificial intelligence. Stellantis is in talks to produce Leapmotor Chinese EVs at its idled Canadian plant. Plus, more on Mercedes’ $4 billion investment into its Alabama facility.

Doug Bolduc, managing editor of Automotive News Europe, talks about the crisis racking the European auto industry and what it might mean for American automakers and dealers. Plus, many automakers see a drop in first-quarter sales . 

Mercedes-Benz invests $4 billion into its Alabama plant. Molly Boigon talks about how crises have battered the auto industry. Plus, a federal judge rules that a California lawsuit against Scout Motors’ direct sales may proceed.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, talks gas prices and consumer behavior. General Motors idles 1,300 workers at Factory Zero, its electric vehicle plant in Detroit. And Infiniti scales back its U.S. growth targets for the fiscal year.

Dennis Fritsch, Aumovio’s vice president of safety and motion, discusses dry brake technology and how it could impact vehicle engineering. Audi is phasing out its five-star engine in Europe by 2027. Plus, what dealers can learn from China’s rapid expansion in Mexico .

CarEdge CEO Zach Shefska discusses how his company’s AI agents are bypassing traditional vehicle listing sites to connect car buyers directly with dealerships. Shefska explains how the technology works, why he believes listings sites are outdated, and what the future holds for automotive retail. 

Automotive News reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez join Kellen Walker to discuss Sony Honda Mobility’s cancellation of its Afeela electric vehicles, Ford CEO Jim Farley’s $27 million compensation despite record recalls, Stellantis ticketing employees who drive competitor vehicles and what to expect at next week’s New York auto show .

WrenchWay President Jay Goninen discusses the company’s Voice of the Technician survey results and what technicians are looking for in a dealership. Hyundai pledges to increase U.S. production by 2030. Plus, what dealers need to know about the wave of used electric vehicles hitting the market.

Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel discusses Sony Honda Mobility’s decision to cancel its Afeela EVs . U.S. auto sales are heading for a rough first quarter. Plus, Stellantis workers face parking tickets for driving the wrong brand.

Mark Templin, Toyota Motor North America COO , talks about how the automaker is navigating rising tariff costs and global unrest. Sony and Honda cancel their Afeela electric vehicles. Plus, what dealers need to know about how workers’ social media posts could violate FTC advertising rules .