Automotive News Daily Drive

Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jeremy Robb joins Daily Drive to break down the state of the auto market at the halfway point of 2026. A new report says the industry’s redesign rate has fallen to roughly half its normal pace, and the window to grab market share is now. Plus, Automotive News’ Urvaksh Karkaria talks about what Polestar dealers are saying now that the brand is blocked from the U.S. market.

The Trump administration forces Polestar out of the U.S. market, starting with the 2027 model year. Ford pulls off a stunning quality comeback, at least for one metric. Plus, Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel breaks down the discontent at Nissan’s annual shareholder meeting — from a no-confidence vote against the CEO to a motion to reinstate Carlos Ghosn.

Honda plans to revive the Element as a hybrid crossover, targeting nearly 100,000 sales in its first full year. An industry group says California could see vehicle sales halt as soon as next week. Plus, Kearney partner Kushal Fernandes explains why the DRAM chip shortage hitting automakers isn’t a typical boom-and-bust cycle — and why relief is still years away.

Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella makes his case for the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement as a competitiveness platform — not just a trade deal — in the face of China’s growing automotive dominance. Nissan’s CEO survives a bruising shareholder meeting. Plus, a DRAM chip shortage is squeezing automakers.

Unifor and Ford kick off contract talks in Toronto today, the first of three negotiations with the Detroit 3 automakers this summer. Toyota’s RAV4 finds a new home in Kentucky. Plus, TomTom’s Senior Vice President Manuela Locarno Ajayi explains how artificial intelligence is delivering real-time, lane-level mapping and why it matters for the future of autonomous driving. 

UAW President Shawn Fain heads into a fall election facing five challengers and a federal monitor’s scrutiny. Toyota’s all-hybrid RAV4 is flying off lots faster than dealers can stock them. And Mike Stanton, CEO of the National Automobile Dealers Association, calls Carvana “part of the family.” Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.

Reporter Paige Hodder previews Automotive News’ upcoming list of the top 100 U.S. dealership groups ranked by F&I revenue. Attorneys Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso of Troutman Pepper Locke break down the Federal Trade Commission’s warning letters to 97 dealerships and what comes next. Plus, General Motors’ Oshawa plant is set to lose the light-duty Silverado. 

NADA CEO Mike Stanton joins Automotive News from the sidelines of the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars in Ypsilanti, Mich., to discuss the durability of the franchise system — whether it’s Chinese brands, direct-sales models such as Scout, or Carvana’s new-car push. Ram sets its sights on dethroning Jeep by 2030. Plus, Volkswagen’s CEO faces a shareholder revolt.

Mitsubishi previews a wave of new models for U.S. dealers. Chevrolet pulls the wraps off a redesigned Silverado 1500. Plus, AlixPartners Global Automotive Market Lead Mark Wakefield joins Automotive News from the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars to discuss how China is redefining the artificial intelligence-powered vehicle and what a renegotiated USMCA could mean for North America’s competitiveness.

Camouflaged prototypes of Ford’s $30,000 electric pickup are turning heads in California: Automotive News’ Michael Martinez breaks down what the footage tells us about Ford’s EV ambitions. A peace deal with Iran may be in the works, but don’t expect relief at the service counter anytime soon. Plus, RC Lacy Ford-Subaru Business Manager Nicole Lacy talks finance and insurance trends from the dealership floor.