Automotive News Daily Drive

Volkswagen pushes ahead with factory cuts and job reductions despite a backlog of orders, while ZF hunts for asset buyers as debt mounts. Automotive News’ Urvaksh Karkaria breaks down Mercedes-Benz’s product push. Plus, Nvidia’s Ali Kani talks about the company’s modular automotive approach.

Vinturas CEO Ronald Kleijwegt talks about why supply chain disruption has become structural rather than episodic, and what automotive executives need to do differently. Plus, Automotive News reporter Jack Walsworth concludes his conversation with John Doonan, president of the International Motor Sports Association, about record attendance at the Rolex 24, a groundbreaking NASA partnership, and what’s ahead for sports car racing in North America.

Ford is making what CEO Jim Farley calls “the most radical change” to assembly since the Model T, replacing hundreds of parts with giant aluminum castings. Automotive News staff reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss that gamble and more of the week’s biggest stories from the auto industry, including how Chinese automakers could use Canada as a backdoor to the U.S. market.

Ford is planning to replace hundreds of parts with giant aluminum castings on its upcoming electric pickup. New data shows dealership pricing practices the FTC warned about are widespread. Plus, service manager Micah Morton talks about recruiting younger technicians and stepping up service marketing.

Boston software engineer AJ Stuyvenberg describes how he built an AI agent for just $25 that negotiated with dealerships and saved him $4,200 on a Hyundai Palisade. Toyota warns the Iran war threatens Japan’s auto supply chain. Plus, John Doonan, president of the International Motor Sports Association, talks about record attendance and the future of sports car racing.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang says autonomous driving tech is a “solved problem” and will become a multi-trillion dollar business. Gas prices have jumped 27 percent since the Iran conflict began and used electric vehicle dealers in some markets are suddenly swamped. Plus, Automotive News Asia Editor Hans Greimel discusses his column arguing Nissan gets the last laugh in its failed Honda merger.

Nissan will export its Tennessee-built Muranos to Japan, joining other Japanese automakers now doing reverse imports from the U.S. VinFast slashes North Carolina factory plans by 80 percent. Plus, Vinturas CEO Ronald Kleijwegt talks about how the Iran war is disrupting automotive supply chains and what happens next.

Tariffs have cost automakers at least $35 billion since 2025, with Toyota hit hardest. China positions itself as the world’s electric vehicle safety cop. Plus, Mohammad Fatouraie of Bosch talks about navigating financial pressures from changing EV projections.

Daily Drive Executive Producer Jake Neher concludes his conversation with Plug CEO Jimmy Douglas about what dealers should expect from the used electric vehicle market in 2026 as 1.1 million leased EVs come back over the next three years. Plus, Automotive News’ Rudy Schork shares his experience testing the 2026 Dodge Charger lineup in real winter conditions in Stowe, Vermont — including how the all-wheel-drive muscle car handles snow and ice.

Honda is scrapping three electric vehicles and booking up to $15.8 billion in losses as the auto industry’s EV restructuring bill approaches $70 billion. But could rising gas prices and a growing used EV market help revive demand? Michael Martinez and Lindsay VanHulle talk about those trends and more.