Automotive News Daily Drive

Automotive News' Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Tesla ending Model S and Model X production for Optimus robots, Hyundai axing the Santa Cruz after one generation, and what to expect at next week's NADA Show in Las Vegas—from dealer sentiment trends to the biggest issues facing retailers in 2026.

Elon Musk is weighing a potential SpaceX-Tesla merger ahead of a planned public offering that could raise $50 billion. Minivans roar back with 20 percent U.S. sales growth as consumers trade down from pricier SUVs. Plus, Cox Automotive’s Jessica Stafford discusses why car buyer satisfaction hit a record 76 percent — driven by digital tools, connected buying processes and omni-channel experiences.

Tesla is ending production of its Model S and Model X to make room for a humanoid robot factory as the company shifts from being a carmaker to a “physical-AI provider.” Hyundai axes the Santa Cruz pickup after just one generation. Plus, Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel explains the eight reasons Japanese kei cars are “doomed to flop” in the U.S. despite President Donald Trump’s push to bri...

MADD’s Stephanie Manning explains why she thinks impairment prevention technology is “the next seatbelt.” General Motors is cutting the third shift at its Oshawa Assembly Plant, laying off about 700 workers as tariffs reshape North American production. Plus, Ford dealer council chair Steve Blasing discusses the strategy to keep Escape customers in the fold .

Ancor CEO Jose Flores explains why data management is the overlooked key to the software-defined vehicle era and why companies are “bleeding profit, trust and time” by treating data as back-office compliance. President Donald Trump raises tariffs on South Korean vehicles to 25 percent, putting Hyundai and Kia at a disadvantage against Japanese rivals. Plus, General Motors widened its fourth-quarte...

President Donald Trump threatens Canada with 100 percent tariffs over its new trade deal with China that includes electric vehicles. Volkswagen pumps the brakes on a U.S. Audi factory unless tariffs drop. Plus, Amazon Web Services’ Ozgur Tohumcu explains how artificial intelligence is compressing vehicle development timelines and why software-defined vehicles will extend vehicle lifespans.

Lincoln President Joaquin Nuño-Whelan talks about the brand’s plan to grow sales in 2026 despite losing the Corsair crossover, future product direction and navigating tariff uncertainty.

Automotive News’ Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss President Donald Trump’s whiplash on European tariffs , the latest Auto Industry Confidence Index results showing diverging sentiment, Lincoln’s plan to grow sales despite shrinking its lineup to three nameplates and more.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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 s...

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.

Stellantis is pulling the plug on its entire lineup of plug-in hybrids for 2026, including the top-selling Jeep Wrangler 4xe. BMW and Qualcomm announce third-party customers for their jointly developed driver-assistance system. Plus, Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua discusses the company’s $900 million acquisition of humanoid robotics startup Mentee Robotics and plans for commercial deployment by 2028.

Volvo is bringing back Thomas Ingenlath as chief design officer starting Feb. 1. The designer of the XC60 — Volvo’s all-time bestseller — and Polestar’s first CEO discusses his vision for harmonizing digital screens with physical controls and why design needs to make cars feel “joyful” again. Automotive News Europe Managing Editor Doug Bolduc sits down with Ingenlath for an exclusive conversation...

Automotive News’ Molly Boigon and Jerry Hirsch discuss the biggest takeaways from CES 2026, including Ford’s eyes-off driving announcement, Hyundai’s humanoid robot push and what autonomous technology means for personal car ownership. 

General Motors takes over $7 billion in charges as it scales back electric vehicle production and shifts back to gasoline-powered trucks. Volkswagen partners with Qualcomm for chips to power its software-defined vehicles. Plus, insights from CES 2026 on how artificial intelligence is transforming the auto industry with McKinsey’s Kersten Heineke and Automotive News reporters.

Former Waymo CEO John Krafcik says autonomous technology will enhance personal car ownership rather than replace it. Ford announces plans to launch eyes-off, hands-free driver assistance in 2028 on its Universal EV Platform — starting with a $30,000 midsize pickup. Plus, the IRS clarifies rules for the new auto loan interest deduction.

Here at CES, SDVerse CEO Prashant Gulati discusses accelerating software-defined vehicle development timelines. Nissan’s Michael Soutter resigns after just four months as U.S. sales boss, replaced by Tiago Castro. Plus, Volvo brings back Thomas Ingenlath as chief design officer.

Hyundai gets into the humanoid robot game , joining Tesla, BMW and Mercedes. Sony Honda Mobility debuts its second vehicle. Plus, Kodiak Robotics founder and CEO Don Burnette discusses his company’s new partnership with Bosch to scale autonomous trucking hardware.