Autotown with Jamie Butters

Jamie Butters and guest co-host Bill Koenig discuss Canadian union negotiations while USMCA is in flux as well as the “worst Bond car ever.” Then they Stop at the Coffee Shop to talk with Rick Wainschel, VP of analytics for Catalyst IQ, about the record highs being set in the average marketed price.

It’s Fourth of July in Autotown! Guest co-host Kalea Hall from Reuters is Riding Shotgun as we talk about auto sales, USMCA and why more automakers are using aluminum instead of copper in wiring. We Stop at the Coffee Shop with Scott Krugger, head of North America design for Stellantis, about the special America 250 editions of certain Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep models. We Browse the Dealership...

Jamie Butters is joined by guest co-host Lindsay VanHulle, deputy editor at Automotive News, to talk about recent EV developments. Then they Stop at the Coffee Shop to talk cyber security with Dariusz Mikulski and Jennifer Tisdale, co-chairs of the Cyber-Physical Systems Security Summit. (Recorded June 22, 2026)

Host Jamie Butters is on location at the American Center for Mobility, where the Center for Automotive Research held is Management Briefing Seminars. He spoke with U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell about USMCA, China and the Gordie Howe Bridge. Jamie also went for a ride in a Xiaomi YU7, the Chinese EV some call a “Porsche-killer.” (Recorded June 15, 2026)

Jamie Butters and guest co-host Greg Migliore discuss China’s overcapacity. Stellantis interiors and Lincoln’s options. Damon Lester, the author, speaker and former dealer principal, joins for a Stop at the Coffee Shop to discuss his career and his book “Taking the Cape Off.” (Recorded June 8, 2026)

Jamie Butters is joined by guest co-host Jacqueline Charniga, who covers General Motors for the Detroit Free Press, to discuss a UAW strike and AI in auto design. We Stop at the Coffee Shop to chat with Joanne Hsu, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, about the historically bad survey results. (Recorded June 1, 2026)

For the latest mid-week podcast, host Jamie Butters and guest co-host Dan Shine discuss Polestar’s wind-down, Volkswagen’s planned job cuts and record high prices. Then they Stop at the Coffee Shop for a chat with Curbee CEO Amit Chandarana about the boom in mobile service.

June 27, 2026 ~ Jamie Butters and his guests discuss the importance of sports marketing for the auto industry. Live sports events offer a crucial opportunity for brand building due to their captive audiences and ability to engage consumers in a positive mood.

June 29, 2026 ~ Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry, discussed the Toyota C-HR, a compact electric vehicle part of Toyota’s strategy of using a common component set across multiple EV models, highlighting their patience and recent success in the EV market.

June 27, 2026 — John Murphy of Murphy Automotive Partners talks about the automotive product pipeline, explaining that there is a valley of new product introductions, with the average product age increasing significantly by model year 2028.

June 27, 2026 — Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, discusses the automotive market and vehicle affordability, noting that new car prices reflect inflation and increased technology rather than being a primary cause.

June 20, 2026 — Jamie Butters discusses the divided opinions regarding buying Chinese electric vehicles, with some concerned about jobs and data security, while others are drawn to lower prices and advanced technology.

June 20, 2026 — Jamie Butters discusses how Wide Whale uses AI to analyze customer reviews, identifying trends in complaints like those flagged by the Federal Trade Commission regarding pricing.

June 20, 2026 — Host Jamie Butters discusses negotiations over the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, which superseded NAFTA, and how they will affect the auto industry.

June 20, 2026 — Doug Betts and Jamie Butters discussed gasoline prices and the auto industry. Betts shared his experience with the rise and fall of gas prices and his involvement in Nissan’s decision to pursue electric vehicles.

June 13, 2026 — Host Jamie Butters and Mike discussed potential directions for Lincoln, with a focus on an off-road luxury vehicle, a sports car, or even discontinuing the brand.

June 13, 2026 — Automotive journalist Jill Ciminiello highlights Subaru’s new products like the Forester Hybrid, redesigned Outback, and upcoming electric vehicles.

June 13, 2026 — Jamie Butters talked to Wayne State University professor Marick Masters about the UAW strike against Dow Corporation. They discussed Shawn Fain’s strategies and the impact of tariffs on negotiations.

June 13, 2026 — Jamie Butters and Michael Martinez discuss Ford’s struggles with F-Series production due to a supplier fire, forcing them to source aluminum elsewhere and skip summer shutdowns.

June 13, 2026 — Host Jamie Butters discusses Ford’s F-Series production, the impact of the Gordie Howe Bridge on US-Canada trade, and the Detroit automakers’ potential return to the sedan market.

June 6, 2026 — Host Jamie Butters talks with Bryan Nesbitt, GM’s VP of Global Design, about his expanded role, the new Foundations design team, and the challenges of vehicle design in a competitive market. He later explores the Ram 1500, pickup truck market competition, and the impact of gas prices on consumer choices, noting the rise of hybrid sales and the complexity of EV adoption.

May 30, 2026 — Host Jamie Butters explores the improved relationships between automakers and suppliers, rising oil prices, and the uncertainty surrounding the USMCA renegotiation. Lance Woelfer of American Honda noted strong vehicle demand and Honda’s advantageous position due to its hybrid sales and North American production. The discussion also focused on motorsports’ role in marketing and engin...

May 23, 2026 — In the inaugural episode of Autotown, Jamie Butters is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Joe White to break down the latest headlines and trends driving the auto business. They then sit down with John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, for a clear-eyed look at China’s aggressive global EV push and what it means for U.S. automakers. Plus, Jessica Caldw...