Automotive News Daily Drive

A new white paper warns that tariffs and renegotiations of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement could gut the supply of affordable vehicles in the U.S. A new study finds dealerships flagged by the Federal Trade Commission had twice the customer complaints about bait-and-switch behavior than the industry overall. Plus, Dutch chipmaker Nexperia is coming to the U.S. amid a messy ownership battle.

Fiat unveils two new small SUVs, and Stellantis is planning to badge them as Chryslers in the U.S. General Motors has a new way of building cars starting with its revived Chevy Bolt EV. Plus, a Georgia Toyota dealership is developing a free white paper to help retailers respond when customers bring ChatGPT into the negotiation.

Automotive News wraps its three-week series on the state of auto trade with a panel of industry experts breaking down the USMCA review from all sides. A look at the setbacks hitting Waymo this spring. Plus, the new-vehicle market may finally be turning a corner in the U.S.

The UAW has walked off the job at a key supplier, threatening production of General Motors’ best-selling pickups. New USMCA content rules could sideline Canada entirely. Plus, Richard Ward of the American Vehicle Owners Alliance talks about legislation that would change the rules around who owns personal vehicle data.

Lindsay VanHulle and Molly Boigon of Automotive News join host Kellen Walker to break down the looming synthetic motor oil shortage, the biggest trade and tariff issues ahead of USMCA negotiations and how automakers are adapting to the U.S. ban on Chinese hardware and software.

Mitsubishi will come out with a U.S.-built midsize pickup with help from Nissan. CDK’s declining debt value raises concerns about future dealership tech investments. Plus, Ducker Carlisle analyst Nate Chenenko breaks down the impending synthetic motor oil shortage and what dealerships need to know.

Flavio Volpe of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association talks about what the Gordie Howe Bridge means for the auto industry. Honda is leaning hard into hybrids to hold onto its double-digit share. Plus, a motor oil shortage is imminent and could last until at least mid-2027.

Automotive News Canada’s Greg Layson breaks down what’s at stake for the North American auto industry with the expected opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Dealers are feeling positive despite economic and geopolitical headwinds. Plus, Volvo gets the green light to import connected vehicles despite its Chinese ownership stake.

Honda will pause Ridgeline pickup production until 2028 due to tougher emissions standards. Ferrari just unveiled its first electric car. Plus, Nuro COO Andrew Chapin discusses scaling robotaxis safely.

Automotive News reporter Jack Walsworth elaborates on Mercedes-AMG’s first all-electric performance car, including the complex sound engineering behind the GT 4-Door Coupe and the glitzy, star-studded L.A. reveal event complete with Brad Pitt and Blink-182.

Our panel breaks down Stellantis’ ambitious plan to launch 11 new models in North America by 2030, most under $40,000. Plus, a look at Automotive News’ series on the state of trade and tariffs in 2026 ahead of USMCA negotiations.

Arnold Gacita, president of Petra Automotive Products, talks about the growing motor oil shortage linked to the Iran war that is hitting dealerships and service centers. Ram will bring a compact pickup to challenge Ford’s Maverick in 2028. Plus, Stellantis sees opportunities for its idled Brampton plant.

Stellantis unveils plans for nine vehicles under $40,000 by 2030. Nissan eyes importing Chinese-made vehicles to Canada. Plus, Automotive News’ Urvaksh Karkaria explains why Mitsubishi has cut 56 dealerships since 2019.

Hyundai is overhauling its service operations after years at the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys. Mitsubishi’s dealer network is shrinking fast. Plus, Mercedes-AMG unveils its first all-electric performance car.

Ford is in talks to supply pickups to the military. After years of tightening standards, subprime lending is on the rise once again. Plus, Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures shares advice for dealers navigating the artificial intelligence landscape.

Elena Ciccotelli, host of the “EVs for Everyone” podcast, and Cox Automotive’s Stephanie Valdez Streaty talk about surging used electric vehicle sales in April. Automakers and suppliers improve their relationships for the first time in 26 years. Plus, Stellantis partners with Dongfeng in France.

Automotive News reporters Larry Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Toyota’s potential $2 billion Texas assembly plant, Ford cracking down on suppliers over quality and costs, and the latest electric vehicle strategy shifts from Honda, Mazda and Subaru.

Toyota is considering a new $2 billion assembly plant in Texas. Subaru puts its electric vehicle plans on ice and shifts focus back to internal combustion and hybrid cars. Plus, AutoPayPlus CEO Robert Steenbergh explains why he says lowering interest rates won’t solve the auto industry’s affordability problem.

Liz Door, Ford’s chief supply chain officer, discusses how the automaker is managing supplier relationships and disruptions. Honda abandons its combustion-free goal as it reports its first loss since going public in 1957. Plus, David Kennedy of Automotive News Canada discusses what’s at stake for the North American auto industry in USMCA renegotiations.

Ford is putting suppliers with quality problems on a “no bid” list and pushing parts makers to sign three-year cost savings plans. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa says partnerships will be key to the company’s turnaround strategy. Plus, Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, discusses what Canadian suppliers want from USMCA negotiations.

Unifor President Lana Payne discusses what Canadian auto workers want from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement renegotiations, including its push for a “sell in North America, build in North America” rule. Mazda delays its first dedicated electric vehicle by two years and slashes its EV investment nearly in half, pivoting to hybrids. Plus, a look at Automotive News’ series on the state of trade in 2026.

Nissan slashed its tariff bill by $2.3 billion with an America-first production strategy. Geely becomes the first Chinese automaker to enter Canada, shipping Lotus EVs under a new trade deal. Plus, Volvo’s Anders Bell discusses how organizational changes have accelerated the company’s software-defined vehicle development.

A preview of Automotive News’ Top 100 dealership groups ranked by service and parts and body shop revenue. Hear from leaders at Vaughan Automotive, Hendrick Automotive Group, and Masano Auto Group about training, technology, and the tough decisions around collision centers.

Ford Reporter Michael Martinez shares details from his rare visit inside the automaker’s secretive California skunk works. Larry P. Vellequette talks about Toyota’s big loss despite record U.S. sales. Plus, the panel discusses the pickup market as General Motors tries to capitalize on F-150 shortages.

John Masano of Masano Auto Group in Pennsylvania explains why he sold his collision center to focus on his core business. A federal trade court strikes down Trump’s 10 percent global tariffs as unlawful. Plus, General Motors pushes for more pickup inventory as Ford production problems linger.

Laura Perrotta, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, says dealers are pushing back against a growing network of brokers who charge fees and operate without licenses in the state. Ram wants more dealers chasing small-business buyers. Plus, U.S. auto sales fell nearly 7 percent in April as tariffs and high prices continue to weigh on the market.

Automotive News Managing Editor Jerry Hirsch argues in a new column that the U.S. needs its own electric vehicle industrial policy to counter China’s strategic push to dominate global auto exports. Lucid suspends 2026 production guidance after reporting a $1 billion first-quarter net loss. Plus, hybrid demand surges as fuel prices climb.

Automotive News Ford Reporter Michael Martinez shares an inside look at the automaker’s secretive California Skunk Works, where an isolated team is developing the automaker’s answer to Chinese EVs. Public dealership groups lean on used vehicles as affordability pressures mount. Plus, Chinese automakers including Zeekr and Chery are making serious moves to enter the Canadian market.

The UAW plans a strike authorization vote at Stellantis’ Ram truck plant over contractor disputes. Honda is stretching vehicle life cycles after taking a $15.8 billion hit backing away from its electric vehicle plans. Plus, Alex Oyler of SBD Automotive discusses whether traditional automakers can keep up with EV makers on software-defined vehicles.

Automotive News journalists Larry P. Vellequette, Michael Martinez and Molly Boigon discuss Ford bringing back employee pricing for all customers through July, Toyota posting record sales despite tariffs, Detroit automakers expecting over $2 billion in tariff refunds and more.

Automotive News previews the 2026 top 100 dealership groups ranked by used-car sales as dealers increasingly bet on pre-owned vehicles. Nissan cancels its $500 million electric vehicle investment in Mississippi, pivoting to gas-powered trucks. Plus, Ford brings back employee pricing, and Detroit automakers await $2 billion in tariff refunds.

Douglas Bolduc, managing editor of Automotive News Europe, discusses his visit to the Beijing auto show and how Chinese automakers are positioning themselves for global expansion. The Fed’s decision to hold interest rates steady could compound affordability problems. Plus, Ford and Stellantis post first-quarter earnings boosted by tariff refunds.

BMW North America CEO Sebastian Mackensen talks about the rollout of the Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform and whether the brand is nervous about the timing as EV markets reset. Toyota suppliers face urgent shortages because of the Iran war. Plus, deep cuts could force Volkswagen to completely rethink its production model.

Widewail CEO Cuyler Owens discusses why so many of the top 150 dealership groups generate more bait-and-switch complaints than the national benchmark. General Motors posts lower Q1 earnings but raises its full-year forecast on expected tariff refunds. Plus, Chinese automakers plan to triple overseas production by 2030.

Toyota posts record sales despite tariffs thanks to hybrids. Automotive News Managing Editor Jerry Hirsch makes the case for simple, affordable “appliance cars” to solve the vehicle affordability crisis. Plus, Boston Consulting Group’s Eric Jesse discusses how automakers can find “white space” to win in different powertrain segments.

Eric Watson, vice president of sales operations for Kia America, discusses the automaker’s confirmation of the EV3 for the U.S. market, the importance of expanding its electric vehicle lineup, and how Kia is navigating the evolving EV landscape.

Reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss Stellantis’ move to focus investments on Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat; GM shelving its electric pickup plans; rising pessimism in the Automotive News Auto Industry Confidence Index; and Elon Musk admitting Tesla vehicles will need hardware upgrades for Full Self-Driving.

Stellantis is focusing investments on Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat to lead its turnaround. A look at the questions dealers and customers should ask before embracing Chinese vehicles. Plus, Cox Automotive’s Skyler Chadwick discusses how dealerships are growing service and parts revenue.

Frank McKenna of Point Predictive discusses how dealerships can protect themselves from artificial intelligence-powered website cloning scams. Tesla says the Roadster will be its only human-driven car as it shifts to a fully autonomous lineup. Plus, Toyota unveils its new AI vision system to catch up with Chinese automakers.

General Motors is indefinitely delaying its next-generation electric pickups and redirecting cash to gasoline engines and plug-in hybrids. Sony Honda Mobility scales back its Afeela EV venture. Plus, we hear from a dealer who’s embracing Amazon Autos — a contrast to dealers who have opted out.

Andrew Wright, managing partner at Vinart Dealerships, explains why he chose not to participate in Hyundai’s Amazon Autos partnership despite helping establish the program. The FTC wants dealers to report competitors who violate advertising rules. Plus, Hyundai’s CEO says tariffs are hurting the company.

Ford F-150 supplies remain constrained seven months after the Novelis plant fire, with inventory down 43 percent and market share slipping. Pessimism is on the rise among auto executives. Plus, the Iran war is constricting helium supplies critical for semiconductor manufacturing.

Automotive News journalists Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez discuss organizational changes at Ford, Volkswagen’s financial hit from ending ID4 production in Tennessee, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa’s new strategic vision, and Toyota’s push to recruit Lexus dealers for its GR performance brand.

Stellantis’ plan to assemble Chinese Leapmotor electric vehicles at its idled Brampton plant gets rejected. Stellantis doubles down on artificial intelligence with a new Microsoft partnership. Plus, Matthias Stoever of RockEd discusses the critical need to train service advisers as dealerships face staffing challenges.

In an exclusive interview with Automotive News, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa discusses his vision for the automaker’s turnaround, including artificial intelligence-driven autonomous tech and reducing the global lineup. Electric vehicle registrations fall 37 percent in February as share drops below 5 percent. Plus, Ford’s Doug Field departs and Stellantis hires Michael Orange to boost U.S. sales.

Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Ford Model e, discusses the automaker’s evolving pickup strategy, including extended-range EVs. Stellantis is in talks with Chinese automaker Dongfeng about sharing factories in Europe and China. Plus, Nissan faces a math problem on shifting production from Mexico.

Ford CEO Jim Farley warns against Chinese automaker imports. Lucid appoints Silvio Napoli as CEO to lead turnaround efforts. Plus, dealers offer insights from Automotive News’ 2026 top 150 dealership groups rankings, including how groups are growing sales without adding stores.

Nissan is launching the next Rogue as hybrid-only late this year as it plays catch-up in a market dominated by Toyota and Honda. New steel and aluminum tariff math could cost automakers more. Plus, Kristin Poland of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Highway Safety discusses the board’s investigation into fatal crashes involving the Ford BlueCruise.

Russell Wager, Kia’s vice president of marketing, discusses the brand’s newly announced EV3 compact electric SUV coming to the U.S., the redesigned Seltos with hybrid powertrain and how Kia’s multi-powertrain strategy is helping the brand navigate changing consumer preferences.

Automotive News reporters Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez join Kellen Walker to discuss whether Buick’s planned new sedan could mean a broader comeback for the segment in the U.S. Plus, Kia enters the pickup market targeting 90,000 annual sales, new-vehicle inventories drop sharply to 2.98 million, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation calls for a federal gas tax repeal.