Automotive Insiders

Forget AI hype—most suppliers don’t need smarter tools, they need better workflows. William Crane of OrbAid breaks down why “CLAW” may be the real key to turning AI into results.

Automotive manufacturers are still managing billions in direct spend through email and spreadsheets. Spencer Penn, co-founder and CEO of Lightsource.ai, explains how aligning engineering, procurement, and suppliers at the BOM level can unlock speed, efficiency, and cost savings.

The next competitive advantage for suppliers may come down to geography. Tony Hayes of IDA Ireland breaks down why Ireland is emerging as a strategic location for automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.

Today’s vehicles are as much software platforms as they are machines — and that’s changing everything for suppliers. Partners Vanessa Miller and Nicholas Ellis of Foley & Lardner LLP break down how IP, data, and AI are reshaping contracts, risk, and ownership in the automotive industry.

Automotive suppliers are facing rising costs, shifting tariffs, and contracts that weren’t built for today’s reality. Foley & Lardner LLP partners Nicholas Ellis and Vanessa Miller explain how suppliers can protect margins, find leverage, and rethink their approach in a volatile market.

AI in automotive is no longer a concept—it’s a competitive advantage, but only if you know where to apply it. On this episode of Automotive Insiders, Ajay Chawla, CEO of OnTrac AI, breaks down how OEMs, suppliers, and fleet operators are turning AI into real-world results—and why adoption is now the missing link.

M&A activity among automotive suppliers is back—but the deals are more complex than ever. With tariff-driven risk and distressed transactions, Jennifer Dudley of Warner Norcross + Judd breaks down what’s really happening behind the scenes—and what buyers and sellers need to know now.

Rivian is in scale mode and, in part 2 of our interview, Chief Operations Officer Javier Varela joins Automotive Insiders to describe the landscape for the brand and the market in the future. 

What does it take to scale an EV startup into a global manufacturer—without losing its DNA? Rivian Chief Operations Officer Javier Varela joins Automotive Insiders for a candid, two-part deep dive into leadership, production, and the future of the brand.

Manufacturers have no shortage of cost-saving ideas — the real challenge is execution and proving the financial impact. On this episode of Automotive Insiders, Amarish Kapadia of MiNDCAN explains how the Profit+ platform is helping manufacturers turn hundreds of improvement initiatives into measurable profit.