Automotive News Daily Drive

Pinewood.AI CEO Bill Berman explains why private equity firm Apax Partners backed out of acquiring his company, and it has everything to do with AI disruption fears in the software market. More buyers are stretching auto loans to seven years or longer just to afford record vehicle prices. Plus, the Iran conflict forces automakers to delay Middle East shipments.

Automotive News’ Larry P. Vellequette explains why he thinks Toyota may be considering a sixth U.S. assembly plant to build a compact pickup and meet surging demand. Two more Volkswagen dealers are suing to block Scout Motors from direct sales, seeking class-action status. Plus, Hyundai invests $6 billion in robotics and AI in South Korea.

The conflict with Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening oil supplies and raising recession fears. AlixPartners’ Dan Hearsch and Hart Energy’s Darren Barbee break down what the auto industry needs to know right now — from oil and gas price impacts to supply chain risks. Plus, Asian automakers post higher February sales despite a weak market.

Honda will export U.S.-built models to Japan for the first time in nearly four decades, reviving a reverse-import strategy amid streamlined rules and trade-balance pressures. European auto suppliers face a “polycrisis” with 350,000 jobs at risk. Plus, analyst Lei Xing argues the threat to legacy automakers from Chinese electric vehicle makers is overblown.

Automotive News’ Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Stellantis UAW workers losing profit-sharing checks while General Motors and Ford Motor Co. workers see payouts drop. They also weigh in on Nissan’s dual Pathfinder strategy, Hyundai’s midsize pickup ambitions, and Ford’s decision to charge $495 for a frunk on the Mustang Mach-E.

Software problems continue to plague automakers as J.D. Power finds infotainment remains the least reliable vehicle component. BMW’s humanoid robots move past the pilot stage. Plus, Widewail’s Cuyler Owens talks about dealership service communication trends.

Stellantis UAW workers won’t receive profit-sharing checks for the first time since 2011 after the automaker posted losses in North America. Lear scores historic Super Duty seating win from Forvia. Plus, attorney Chauncey Mayfield of Honigman explains what comes next for companies hoping to get refunds for tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court has now deemed illegal.

Nissan plans to sell two distinct Pathfinders starting mid-2029, mirroring Toyota’s utility vehicle strategy. Nissan, Stellantis and Mercedes invest in UK self-driving startup Wayve. Plus, Automotive News’ Molly Boigon explains the massive regulatory obstacles facing Chinese automakers trying to enter the U.S. market.

Automotive News’ John Irwin explains everything you need to know about the latest tariff and trade developments and what they mean for the auto industry. Experts say Canada’s auto industry must remain aligned with North America, not China. Plus, Lucid cuts 12 percent of its workforce as it works to improve margins. 

President Donald Trump issues new 15 percent global tariff but exempts vehicles and auto parts. Stellantis prepares to report its first annual loss driven by €22 billion ($25.9 billon) in write-downs. Plus, AlixPartners’ Dan Hearsch explains why the auto industry ranks as the world’s most disrupted sector.

In the second half of his interview with Automotive News Retail Tech Reporter Mark Hollmer, Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan discusses the company’s path to profitability in 2026, why Tekion isn’t rushing to go public and how the company delivered 3,000 new features last year while building artificial intelligence tools with transparent return-on-investment dashboards for dealers.

Automotive News’ Larry P. Vellequette and Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson discuss the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down many of Trump’s tariffs, steep price increases on Canadian and Japanese vehicles, VW workers ratifying their first UAW contract, and the looming threat of humanoid robots to auto manufacturing jobs.

Automotive News reporter John Irwin discusses the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down many Trump tariffs as unconstitutional, and what happens next for the billions paid by the auto industry. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga ratify their first UAW contract in a landslide. Plus, a look at why the IRS is excluding negative equity from the new auto loan interest deduction and whether that could change.

Tekion CEO Jay Vijayan discusses the company’s growth to 3,000 rooftops and why he says artificial intelligence security is becoming more critical than ever. Auto executives report more job security anxiety than any other industry as disruption reaches record levels. Plus, General Motors bets leaner inventories will help it weather the next downturn.

Chris Walsh, president and acting CEO of Reynolds and Reynolds, discusses the company’s record year at NADA and how artificial intelligence is evolving. General manager invests in Oshawa upgrades while cutting capacity. Plus, Automotive News’ Laurence Iliff explains why automakers have an edge when it comes to manufacturing humanoid robots.

A look at civil rights leader Jesse Jackson’s impact on the auto industry, his advocacy for minority-owned dealerships and suppliers, and his push to preserve Detroit jobs during the financial crisis. Ford CEO Jim Farley reportedly discussed U.S.-China carmaking joint ventures with Trump officials. Plus, Maria Anhalt, CEO of Elektrobit, discusses how software-defined vehicles will change ownership cycles.

MichAuto Executive Director Glenn Stevens discusses the real-world impact of President Donald Trump’s threat to delay the Gordie Howe Bridge and what it means for cross-border investments. 

Automotive News’ Michael Martinez and Larry P. Vellequette discuss President Donald Trump’s threat to block the Gordie Howe Bridge opening and what it reveals about trade policy. Plus, Larry takes us inside Joby Aviation’s flight simulator and explains how Toyota is helping the air taxi startup prepare for commercial operations.

Automotive News reporter Molly Boigon talks about what the Trump EPA’s repeal of the basis for all federal emissions rules means for the industry and what happens next. Electric vehicle registrations fall for the first time in a decade. Plus, Marianne Johnson, Cox Automotive chief product officer, and David Richardson, vice president of AgentCore at Amazon Web Services, discuss how agentic artificial intelligence is transforming dealership operations beyond basic automation. 

Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, discusses President Donald Trump’s threat to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Nissan exits all seven factories targeted for closure and runs ahead of schedule on job cuts. Plus, Ford CEO Jim Farley is joining McDonald’s board of directors.