Auto Collabs

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New episodes every Thursday!This episode was originally released in July 2022.

Today we're throwing back to the very first episode of Auto Collabs, where our guest was a NYT Bestselling Author, the Co-Founder of Square, the Chairman of the St Louis Federal Reserve, and a Professional Glass Blower. That’s not all either. Jim McKelvey is one of the most purebred entrepreneurs we’ve ever met, and he’s here to help us tell ourselves the truth about innovation, entrepreneurship, and how to stack your laptop on laundry baskets for a zoom call.What we discuss with Jim McKelvey:

00:25 - Paul recounts how he was introduced to Jim’s book, “The Innovation Stack,” and how it completely changed his perspective on entrepreneurship. Jim offers a realistic and hope filled look at entrepreneurship by creating a space where it’s normal to fail often and learn from one’s mistakes — a stark contrast to the beaming “checklist” culture that has been perpetuated online. 

04:31 - Jim immediately disarms any nerves Paul, Kyle, and Michael might’ve had prior to the interview by joining from a remote cabin in Wisconsin. “Total disclosure, this is the bedroom ‘cuz it’s the quietest room in the house and I’ve got my laptop stacked on laundry baskets.” 

05:28 - Jim offers his thoughts about everything that’s happening inside the retail automobile industry from his vantage point as an “outsider.”“It’s really interesting. You’ve got some direct sales models that are breaking up dealerships, cars are lasting longer, so service is becoming a greater profit component than sales. The used car market is crazy. One of my friends runs Enterprise, so I get to hear about buying cars by the tens of thousands, and it’s nuts!”

08:40 - In addition to being the founder of Square, Jim is also involved deeply in the economist side of small businesses and the role they play in the economy. As the Chair of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, Jim has a unique vantage point into economic drivers and what possible impacts there may be across several industries, including automotive. He explains that automotive is a great leading indicator for the rest of the economy, albeit skewed by the last two years of the pandemic.“Does the chip shortage sort of mess up that indicator? If we could get the car, we’d buy the car, but we can’t get the car so we’re going to satisfy ourselves with something else.”

11:54 - Is it even possible to create a predictable business formula when the last two years have provided a skewed outlook on the market?“It's driving predictable business people. Crazy. Like if you're used to following a formula and that formula's been working for 25 years, the last thing you want is what we've just lived through. And we're what we're gonna go live through. Like, it's, it's just so much change. And what I talk about a lot in the book is that there's this mindset of the entrepreneur and it's not something that's pleasant.”

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Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's The Merge 2025, this episode features Drew Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, sharing a deeply personal view of what automotive investment really means for American communities. From his hometown of West Point, Georgia—once devastated by the collapse of textiles—to the arrival of Hyundai’s manufacturing footprint, Ferguson explains how advanced auto plants don’t just build vehicles, they rebuild towns.

The conversation spans the realities behind today’s headlines: tariffs, trade policy, EV incentives, immigration, and supply chain resilience. Ferguson makes the case that modern automotive manufacturing depends on long-term certainty, global expertise, and people working with people. He also closes with a clear message to dealers: quality wins, innovation is accelerating, and the brands he represents are committed to meeting consumers where they are—whether that’s ICE, EV, or something in between.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro — Live at Merge 2025 with Drew Ferguson

0:17 From Georgia Roots to Washington Policy

0:43 When a Textile Town Lost Its Industry

1:10 How Hyundai Changed the Future of West Point, Georgia

1:54 What It Takes to Build a Modern Auto Plant from Scratch

2:37 Why Hyundai’s Georgia Facilities Matter Nationally

3:45 The True Job Impact of Advanced Manufacturing

4:03 Building a Regional Supply Chain Across the Southeast

4:32 Why Tariffs and Trade Dominate the Conversation Right Now

5:40 EV Incentives, Policy Swings, and Corporate Risk

6:31 Why Immigration Policy Matters to U.S. Manufacturing

7:34 A Message to Dealers Navigating Industry Uncertainty

8:27 Why Today’s Vehicles Are the Best Cars Ever Built

9:09 Loving Cars Again—Performance, Design, and Emotion

Connect with Drew Ferguson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hon-drew-ferguson/

Learn more about Hyundai's North American Manufacturing: https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/why-hyundai/hyundai-in-america

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Recorded live at Merge 2025, this episode of Auto Collabs features Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan, a lifelong advocate for the auto industry and someone whose personal and professional history is deeply tied to it. From growing up with “Body by Fisher” in her blood to working more than three decades in and around automotive before Congress, Dingell makes a clear case for why the automobile remains a backbone of the American economy—and why that reality is often underestimated today.

The conversation spans culture, affordability, and global competition. Dingell reflects on how cars once defined identity and pop culture, why affordability now dominates consumer decisions, and how inconsistent policy has left automakers and retailers caught in the middle. She doesn’t shy away from the hard topics—EV whipsawing, competition with China, and the need for bipartisan certainty—arguing that without stability and intentional strategy, the U.S. risks falling behind in both economic and national security terms.

Timestamped Takeaways:

0:00 Intro — Live at Merge 2025 with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell

0:24 Why the Auto Industry Is the Backbone of the American Economy

0:53 Growing Up ‘Body by Fisher’—How Cars Shaped Her Career

1:45 Why People Don’t Love Cars the Same Way They Used To

2:12 When Cars Were Culture, Identity, and Personal Expression

3:21 Design, Style, and the Slow Return of Emotional Vehicles

4:11 Why Affordability Now Matters More Than Looks for Many Buyers

5:00 The Auto Industry as a Political Ping-Pong Ball

5:55 Competing With China Is an Economic and National Security Issue

6:04 The EV Whipsaw: From Mandates to Demonization

6:59 Why Uncertainty Is Crushing Investment and Confidence

7:57 What the Industry Needs Most Right Now: Certainty

8:27 Her First Car—and Why She Still Drives Both GM and Ford

Learn more about Debbie Dingell: https://debbiedingell.house.gov/contact/

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Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's the Merge 2025, this episode of Auto Collabs features Jason Hoff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz North America, sharing a clear look at where the brand is headed—and what that means for dealers. Hoff outlines the largest product launch cycle in Mercedes-Benz history, with nearly 40 models set to debut over the next three years, spanning both electric and internal combustion powertrains. His message is straightforward: customers want choice, and Mercedes intends to meet them where they are.

The conversation also dives into the brand’s shift toward software-defined vehicles, including the rollout of the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System, over-the-air updates, and a user experience now expected by premium buyers. Hoff closes with a direct message to dealers: growth is the goal, but it’s backed by product, planning, and long-term investment in the U.S. market—supported by local production in Tuscaloosa and Charleston.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro — Live at Merge 2025 with Jason Hoff

0:39 The Largest Product Launch Cycle in Mercedes-Benz History

1:10 Why Choice Matters: EVs and ICE Side by Side

1:45 A First Look at What’s Coming Over the Next Three Years

2:20 Why the U.S. Market Is a Top Priority for Mercedes-Benz

2:55 Local Production and Building for American Customers

3:18 The Shift to Software-Defined Vehicles at Mercedes

3:40 Inside the New Mercedes-Benz Operating System

3:58 Why Over-the-Air Updates Are Now Table Stakes

4:22 What Dealers Should Focus on in the Next 12–24 Months

4:55 Growth, Conquest, and Confidence in the Brand

5:15 Why Mercedes Believes in the Long-Term Dealer Relationship

Connect with Jason Hoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hoff-514053142/

Learn about Mercedes-Benz North America: https://group.mercedes-benz.com/company/north-america/

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Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's the Merge 2025, this episode features Michael Dunne, one of the most respected global analysts on the Chinese auto industry. From his vantage point tracking China for decades, Dunne delivers a blunt assessment: the biggest issue facing the auto industry today isn’t EVs, autonomy, or affordability—it’s China, at a scale most Americans still don’t fully see.

Dunne explains how Chinese automakers have gone from exporting one million vehicles to eight million in just five years, why 70% of those exports aren’t EVs, and how China is overwhelming markets across Europe, Asia, and the developing world. He warns that this moment is fundamentally different from Japan or Korea, calling it “15 Japans at once,” and argues that without coordination among allies, faster decision-making, and a complete rethink of cost, scale, and R&D, the U.S. risks falling behind faster than most leaders expect.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro — Live at Merge 2025 with Michael Dunne

0:27 Why the Top Three Auto Issues All Start With China

0:48 America’s ‘Island of Ignorance’ Problem

1:51 From 1 Million to 8 Million Exports in Five Years

2:13 The Surprise: Most Chinese Exports Aren’t EVs

2:35 How China Adapts Powertrains Market by Market

3:14 “This Isn’t Japan or Korea—It’s 15 Japans at Once”

3:51 How China Moves Faster at Half the Cost

4:14 Why a Domestic Price War Is Fueling Global Expansion

5:17 The Industries China Already Dominates—and Why Auto Is Next

6:21 Why the U.S. Needs Allies to Compete at Scale

7:03 The Shock of China’s Rapid Takeover in Europe

7:56 Why Consumers Are Driving the Shift

8:31 Where to Follow Michael Dunne’s Work on China

Connect with Michael Dunne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dunne-a696901a/

Sign up for the Dunne Insights Newsletter: https://www.dunneinsights.com/

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Recorded live at Merge 2025, this episode of Auto Collabs features Jeff Walker, Chief Commercial Officer of SDVerse, unpacking one of the most important—but least understood—shifts happening inside modern vehicles: the move to truly software-defined architectures. Jeff explains why SDVerse was created by GM, Magna, and Wipro, and how the platform helps OEMs discover, evaluate, and scale software from startups and suppliers across the globe—without slowing innovation or inflating cost.

As vehicles move toward high-performance compute, zonal architectures, and exponentially more code, Jeff makes the case that affordability, speed, and competitiveness depend on reuse and scale—not rebuilding the same software over and over again. From competing with Chinese manufacturers to reducing vehicle cost through smarter design, collaboration, and faster decision-making, this conversation connects the dots between software, consumer experience, and the future economics of the auto industry.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro — Live at Merge 2025 with Jeff Walker of SDVerse

0:35 What SDVerse Is—and Why It Was Created by GM, Magna, and Wipro

1:03 The Real Barrier Holding Back Automotive Software Innovation

1:38 Why Vehicle Software Still Feels Behind Consumer Technology

2:19 The Simple Features That Became Complex in New Vehicle Architectures

3:00 Software-Defined Vehicles Are More Complicated Than Most People Realize

4:17 From 50 Million to 800 Million Lines of Code—What’s Coming Next

5:06 How Legacy Automakers Can Compete with Chinese Speed and Flexibility

6:15 Why Software Scale Is Critical to Vehicle Affordability

7:59 The Cost Problem Hidden Inside Today’s Vehicle Development Model

9:01 What Industry Leaders Are Saying Behind Closed Doors at the GLC

10:59 Designing Cars More Frugally—Where Cost Can Actually Be Removed

12:17 Reuse, Commonality, and Letting Go of Reinventing Everything

13:32 What Jeff Hopes the Industry Looks Like 24 Months From Now

14:12 Why Policy Stability and Faster Decisions Matter More Than Ever

Connect with Jeff Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwalkercco/

Learn more about SDVerse: https://www.sdverse.auto/

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Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's The Merge 2025, this candid conversation with Senator Bernie Moreno offers a clear look at how quickly sentiment in the auto industry has shifted. Just eight months ago at the New York Auto Show, many in the room were worried about the direction of the market, from economic uncertainty to concerns over EV mandates. Moreno explains why those predictions didn’t play out, how easing regulatory pressure opened the door for more consumer choice, and why American-made production has risen from 51% to 57% in that short window. His message is straightforward: when the industry has room to adapt, it performs better for consumers and for U.S. jobs.

He also warns that the next wave of disruption—autonomous vehicles—could repeat the same mistakes made during the EV rush if the sector doesn’t apply disciplined guardrails. From data rights to AV safety to harmonizing global vehicle standards, Moreno lays out a pragmatic blueprint for the future. And in a moment every dealer will appreciate, he closes with a direct, heartfelt message to retailers on what truly matters most in navigating this historic era of opportunity.

Timestamped Takeaways:

0:00 Intro — A live conversation with Senator Bernie Moreno at Merge 2025

0:35 Why Panic Spread in New York—and Why It Never Matched Reality

0:48 How Ending EV Mandates Shifted the Market Back to Consumer Choice

1:03 The Quiet Story No One Expected: A Jump to 57% American-Made Vehicles

1:20 Why This Became One of the Most Stable Years Dealers Have Seen

1:47 The Data Question the Industry Has Avoided for Too Long

2:00 Are We Repeating the EV Mistake With Autonomous Vehicles?

2:16 Why Autonomous Semis Could Be the Most Consequential Safety Debate Ahead

2:54 The Push to Harmonize Standards—and What It Means for Affordability

3:18 The Real Threat to the Next Generation: Cars That Are Simply Too Expensive

3:56 Moreno’s Advice to Dealers: Master the Basics, Block Out the Noise

4:13 A Light Moment—And Why Moreno Might Secretly Be Built for Consulting

Connect with Senator Moreno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernie-moreno-4251884/

Learn more about the Alliance for Automotive Innovation: https://www.autosinnovate.org/

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If your dealership tech stack feels broken, Jason says there’s a reason—and the fix starts way upstream.

In this episode, the crew sits down with Jason Tryfon, long-time automotive tech operator and now one of the leaders at Authenticom, the data connectivity company quietly powering huge chunks of the auto ecosystem. Jason walks through his “dinosaur” journey from carrying a bag at ADP/CDK to launching Vital Insights in 2005, scaling it to 52 countries on the back of simple service surveys that replaced paper mirror hangers. Along the way he learned to speak dealer, field, and OEM—and how that fluency became a superpower when data started to shape customer experience and program design at the national and global level.

From there, the conversation zooms out. Jason breaks down why U.S. dealers have historically gotten away with massive PMAs and “more customers behind them,” how markets like Canada and Germany were forced to obsess over customer experience earlier, and why the industry is now in what he calls the “expectation economy.” He explains the shift from manual to automated, reactive to predictive—and why we’ve probably activated less than 10% of our data’s actual potential. Authenticom isn’t just a vendor, it’s the backbone layer that lets vendors, OEMs, and dealers move data, spot problems upstream, and avoid that “rib out” pain in the ecosystem that only shows up when everything downstream starts breaking.

Timestamped Takeaways

00:00 – “Everyone Says ‘Data’… But No One Means the Same Thing”

01:38 – “How a Honda Dealer Helped Launch a Global CX Platform”

04:53 – “The Day Paper Surveys Died and Real-Time Data Took Over”

06:51 – “Why Germany Can Sell Cars at Gas Stations (and What U.S. Dealers Miss)”

10:11 – “The Expectation Economy Is Here—and Dealers Aren’t Ready”

13:41 – “The Data Discovery That Forced Service Drives to Completely Rethink Time”

14:20 – “OEMs Don’t Want Reports Anymore—They Want Predictions”

16:52 – “AI Is Now Asking the Questions Humans Didn’t Know Existed”

19:23 – “We’re Using Less Than 10% of Our Data: The Industry’s Blind Spot”

21:09 – “Authenticom: The Invisible Backbone Running the Entire Auto Ecosystem”

22:56 – “When a Rib Is Out: How Bad Data Breaks Everything Downstream”

24:39 – “Why Data Problems Always Come Down to One Missing Semicolon”

Connect with Jason Tryon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasontryfon/

Learn more about Authenticom: https://www.authenticom.com/

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This might be the definitive reboot in modern automotive.

In this conversation, Ryan Decker pulls back the curtain on how Scout is shaping one of the most anticipated returns to market in modern history. From a hallway conversation to a full factory, two show vehicles, a new platform, and an entirely new sales model, Ryan explains how discipline, community, and creativity intersect to form a brand that already feels bigger than its product.

He shares how engineering thinking shapes brand strategy, why community was invited in when Scout was only five employees, and how customer feedback led to a major pivot: the introduction of a range-extending generator that rewrites what an EV can be for real-world drivers. Ryan also reveals what it feels like to drive the first working mule, how the team is designing every detail — even down to the stitching on their apparel — and the four megatrends shaping their customer base.

This is the story of a brand being built in real time, with intention, coherence, and a deep respect for the people who believed in Scout before it existed. It’s the clearest look yet at how an American icon returns with purpose.

Timestamped Takeaways:

00:00 – The return of an American icon

00:36 – From hallway idea to full-fledged company

01:24 – Engineering curiosity meets brand strategy

02:13 – Designing a cohesive brand from a clean sheet

02:36 – Why community sits at the center of Scout

03:36 – The surprise pivot that reshaped everything

05:12 – The moment Ryan drove the first working mule

06:10 – Rethinking the sales model from scratch

06:41 – Who Scout is actually building for

07:58 – The four cultural megatrends shaping their customer

08:17 – Building a brand through every tiny detail

08:40 – What the next 12 months look like inside Scout

09:37 – When customers can expect deliveries

09:49 – Ryan’s passion for the mission

Connect with Ryan Decker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-decker-9b29b3a/

Learn more about Scout Motors: https://www.scoutmotors.com/

Our coverage of Automobility LA is brought to you by our friends at Cars Commerce: https://www.carscommerce.inc/

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Clean power is only half the story; affordability and access are the real battleground.

Clean Power Alliance is reshaping how Southern California thinks about energy—not just by supplying cleaner power, but by redefining what a community-driven utility can look like. In this conversation, Kara Renée explains how a nonprofit energy provider has become the largest green-power supplier in the United States, securing decades-long renewable contracts, lowering volatility for customers, and reinvesting revenue back into the 36 cities it serves. Her passion is unmistakable, and her clarity about the future of energy is refreshing in an industry often clouded by complexity and politics.

She also shares how EV adoption, power demand, and charging infrastructure are changing faster than most people realize. From billions invested in battery storage to the launch of their EV Smart Charge program—designed to help residents charge when electricity is cheapest—Clean Power Alliance is betting big on affordability, resiliency, and a safer grid. This is a look at the future of clean energy that feels practical, community-first, and genuinely hopeful.

00:00 – The energy provider no one sees coming

00:39 – How Clean Power Alliance actually works

01:41 – Clean energy vs. affordability: the real tension

03:20 – Why “local, local, local” changes everything

04:14 – How cities decide to join the movement

05:55 – California’s rising power demand problem

06:55 – The role of storage in stabilizing the grid

07:34 – The future of EV charging and municipal electrification

08:58 – A smarter way to charge your EV

Learn more about Cara Renee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-rene-b9a10636/

Learn more about the Clean Power Alliance: https://cleanpoweralliance.org/

Our coverage of Automobility LA is brought to you by our friends at Cars Commerce: https://www.carscommerce.inc/

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