Automotive News Daily Drive

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.

Kyler Owens, CEO of Wide Whale, shares quick findings from a 2026 Voice of the Customer study on dealership service communication. Doug Bolduck, Automotive News reporter in Munich, reports on BMW’s humanoid robot expansion and hands-on technical hurdles. They discuss infotainment and OTA reliability, communication best practices for service, robot learning speed, and why automakers are racing toward humanoids.

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.