Podcasts about Volkswagen Group

SMMT URGES GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ZEV MANDATEDuring the SMMT Electrified event, held last week, the call went out for an urgent review of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, as the reality is far below the assumptions that went into the amount of registrations demanded each year. Government representative immediately poured cold water on that hope, though. A review will not begin until 2027. For more on this story, click this EV Powered article link here.NEW RENAULT STRATEGY ANNOUNCEDRenault Group's new strategy will be called Futuready. Using the previous as the basis they will now launch 36 new models by 2030. These will be split across European and global markets. The three brands will continue to exploit what they do well and what customers expect from them. Additionally, a lot of talk is about technology and their partnership with Google. Click this Autocar article here, for more.SEAT AND CUPRA 2025 SALES ARE IMPRESSIVESeat and Cupra had very impressive sales figures for 2025, but that did not translate to much of a profit thanks to tariffs and capex investment costs. Tariffs were imposed by the EU on Chinese made EVs, this hit the Tavascan as the company chose to not pass the costs onto customers. They are also investing in a new battery factory, developing new models and updating existing. To read more, click this Autocar article link here.VW GROUP ANNOUNCE MORE HUGE COST CUTSAfter a very rough 2025, the Volkswagen Group has posted an operating profit of 2.8%, which equates to €8.9 billion in revenue. The company announced there would be a new (or is it?) cost cutting drive, which will include up to 50,000 job loses. The aim is for cost savings around €6 billion per year by 2030. If you wish to find out more, click this Autocar article link here.HONDA SCRAPS NEW EV MODELSHonda has cancelled the launch of the 0 Series Saloon and SUV. They make it explicitly clear they are blaming the United States change in policy when it comes to EVs. They expect the write-down will cost them between £1.6 and £2.7 billion, this year, with more to come in 2026-27. Additionally, their products in other markets are not meeting customer requirements. You can find out further information by clicking this Autocar article link here.STELLANTIS TO ADD MORE ELECTRIC VANS TO ELLESMERE PORTStellantis are to add more electric van production to their Ellesmere Port. The company is investing £50 million to add a new assembly line to the factory. The electric variant of the Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro will take up the newly created capacity. For more, click this electrive article link here.If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTNEW NEW CAR NEWS -Jaecoo 8In May Jaecoo will be selling the 8, their range topping SUV, in the UK. Prices will start at £45,500 for the PHEV. That is a £10,000 jump over the 7 PHEV, but it does not offer a third row of seats. Click this Autocar article to find out all the details.Caterham Seven HWM EditionHWM is the dealership that Caterham is tied closely to but also was a racing team with their own car that Sir Sterling Moss won his first F1 race in. The latest Seven plays homage to them for this, with cars painted in the HWM Green, also the grille in the nose cone harks back to team. Click this EVO article link to learn all the details.Mercedes-Benz VLEMercedes has revealed the VLE, an electric V-Class sized vehicle that is hoped will bring it new customers. Externally it has the very prominent grille and the rear looks like its been taken from a Hyundai Inonq 9. Inside the press pics show an interior that is festooned with more light strips than a Twitch streamers setup. Click this Autocar article link to find out all the details, including an impressive claimed range.LUNCHTIME READ: TOWER OF POWERTop Gear are where we are pointing your attention this week. Ollie Marriage brings to life his adventure with Mark Riccioni as they drove in Georgia. The writing is wonderful and the pictures are stunning, hopefully this encourages you to plan a trip, but maybe one less “tricky”. Click the link here to read more.LIST OF THE WEEK: SEVEN BRILLIANT AND PERFECTLY FORMED TINY CONCEPT CARSWe stick with Top Gear as the outlet to visit, this time for seven tiny but wonderful concept cars. Do you agree with Andrew's choice? Click this link here to see what your options are.AND FINALLY: CARS AND FILMSJesús Predencio is a graphic designer who has created some wonderful, striking art involving cars, with his most famous project probably being Cars and Films. Click this Classic & Sports Car article to find out more. Additionally, at the bottom of the piece are several links to Jesús's work which you must check out.

It's EV News Briefly for Friday 13 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyRIVIAN REVEALS R2 PRICINGThe Rivian R2 launches in four trims, all sharing an 87.9 kWh usable battery, ranging from the $57,990 Performance AWD (656 hp, 330 miles) arriving this Spring to a ~$45,000 base RWD variant in late 2027 with 275+ miles of range. All trims charge 10–80% in 29 minutes via a native NACS port, with a $1,495 destination charge across the board.FORD CUTS EXPLORER ENTRY PRICE WITH LFP BATTERYFord has revised its European Explorer EV with a new LFP battery pack, growing usable capacity from 52 kWh to 58 kWh and boosting WLTP range 17% to 444 km (276 miles), while a stronger APP350 motor lifts output to 140 kW and cuts the 0–100 km/h time to 8.0 seconds. The updated model starts at €39,990 in Germany and adds vehicle-to-load charging, refreshed infotainment, expanded driver assistance features, and standard one-pedal driving, though peak DC charging drops from 145 kW to 110 kW.LUCID NAMES MIDSIZE SUVS COSMOS AND EARTHLucid revealed at Investor Day 2026 that its two upcoming midsize electric SUVs will be called Cosmos and Earth, targeting a ~$50,000 starting price and production before end of 2026. Both will use 800V architecture, bidirectional charging, the new in-house Atlas drive unit (23% lighter, 30% fewer parts), and Lucid claims just 69 kWh would be sufficient for 300 miles of range thanks to a 0.22 drag coefficient.LUCID GRAVITY ADDS CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTOLucid has rolled out an OTA update (UX 3.5) bringing wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the Gravity SUV for North American owners now, with Europe and the Middle East to follow in late March. Both systems display on the Gravity's 6K Clearview Cockpit screen, addressing one of the most requested features from Lucid customers.JAECOO 8 UK SALES START IN MAYThe Jaecoo 8, a three-row flagship SUV, goes on sale in the UK in May priced from £45,500, using Chery's Super Hybrid System pairing a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with a three-speed auto for 422 bhp, 83 miles of electric-only range, and over 700 miles of combined range. Two trims are offered — Luxury (seven seats, £45,500) and Executive (six Nappa leather captain's chairs, £47,500) — with DC fast charging up to 40 kW for a 30–80% charge in about 20 minutes.EU EV PRICES FALL AS SMALL CARS RETURNAverage EU electric car prices dropped €1,800 to €42,700 in 2025 — the first decline since 2020 — driven by a surge in affordable B-segment BEVs like the Citroën ë-C3 and Renault 5, whose average segment prices fell 13%. T&E expects further price pressure in 2026 as Volkswagen Group prepares a small-car family including the ID. Polo, Cupra Raval, and Skoda Epiq, all targeting around €25,000.HONDA AXES THREE US EVSHonda has cancelled the 0 Series SUV, 0 Series Saloon, and Acura RSX for U.S. production, warning of losses up to ¥2.5 trillion ($15.8 billion) as it reverses its EV strategy amid rollbacks of U.S. fossil fuel regulations and removal of EV incentives. CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the priority is to "stop the bleeding," with operating losses now expected up to ¥1.12 trillion in the current fiscal year; the Sony-Honda Afeela brand is unaffected.VOLKSWAGEN SETS ID. POLO FROM €25,000Volkswagen will world-premiere the entry-level ID. Polo next month, starting at €25,000 and marking the first ID model to carry an established VW brand name. The range spans 37 kWh LFP and 52 kWh NMC battery options with outputs from 85 kW to 166 kW, and includes an R-Line (~€35,000, ~211 hp) and a GTI variant, with up to 450 km (280 miles) of WLTP range from the larger pack.ENEL COMPLETES 3,730 CHARGING STATIONSEnel has finished installing 3,730 EV charging stations across five Italian regions under the first tender of Italy's PNRR recovery plan, with each station offering two points capable of up to 90 kW each. The network is accessible via Enel's app or card and integrates with around 160 mobility service providers, with a further 1,200 stations already contracted under subsequent tenders.ELECTREON COMPLETES INDUCTEV ACQUISITIONElectreon has finalized its acquisition of U.S.-based InductEV, combining dynamic in-road wireless charging with InductEV's high-power stationary wireless charging for heavy-duty transit and freight. The merged portfolio now covers highway and urban corridor charging (LINE), burst charging at stops (DASH), depot charging (DOT), and heavy-duty freight charging (Ultra DOT).SCANDLINES STARTS BALTIC WHALE SERVICEScandlines launched the Baltic Whale on 10 March 2026, claiming it as the world's largest electric freight ferry in operation at 147 metres, running the 18.5 km Rødby–Puttgarden route carrying 66 freight units. Its 10 MWh battery can fully recharge in just 12 minutes via a dedicated 50 kV / 25 MW cable, with an automated docking tower connecting in 15 seconds, while a hybrid diesel mode reduces crossing time from one hour to 45 minutes.

It's EV News Briefly for Friday 06 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyBMW TO UNVEIL ELECTRIC I3 SALOON ON 18 MARCH  BMW will reveal the new i3 saloon on 18 March as the first fully electric 3 Series, using the Neue Klasse Gen6 platform with 800V architecture, 400kW charging, and an expected 50 xDrive dual-motor, 108kWh setup targeting around 500 miles of range and potentially more thanks to its saloon aerodynamics. It will be the second Neue Klasse model after the iX3, aimed squarely at the Tesla Model 3 and future premium rivals from Mercedes, Audi, Xpeng and BYD's Denza, with a full line-up planned including an electric M3.  TESLA UK DROPS 37% AS UK EV SALES RISE  Tesla's UK registrations fell 37% year-on-year in February to 2,422 units, even as the overall market hit its strongest February since 2004 and BEVs grew to 24.2% of new registrations, with Chinese brands like BYD surging 83%. Tesla has argued that monthly registration data is misleading versus orders and quarterly shipments, but critics note all brands face similar timing issues, and for now the headline picture is a growing UK EV market in which Tesla's share is shrinking.  EVGO ENDS 2025 WITH 5,100 FAST-CHARGING STALLS  EVgo closed 2025 with 5,100 DC fast-charging stalls in operation, up 25% year-on-year after a record Q4 net gain of about 510 stalls, including 320 company-owned units and 190 eXtend-branded stalls at partner sites. The network is getting both denser and faster, with nearly a third of stations now offering six or more stalls and 62% of all stalls equipped with 350kW hardware, up sharply from 50% in late 2024.  LUCID FEBRUARY US SALES JUMP ON GRAVITY RAMP  Lucid's US sales jumped to 1,500 vehicles in February, almost double January, driven by a sharp ramp in Gravity SUV deliveries alongside 900 Air sedans. With Gravity now starting at $79,900 (via the Touring trim) and supported by a $7,500 lease credit plus targeted trade-in offers for Tesla, Rivian and Polestar owners, Lucid is boosting US momentum even as European registrations remain minimal. VW DEALERS SUE OVER SCOUT DIRECT SALES  Two Volkswagen dealerships in Connecticut and New York have launched a class-action lawsuit against Scout Motors and Volkswagen, arguing that Scout's Tesla-style direct-to-consumer sales model violates existing VW franchise agreements and deprives dealers of a lucrative new brand. Scout and CEO Scott Keogh counter that Scout is a separate entity from Volkswagen Group of America and therefore not bound to use VW's franchised dealer network.  VOLKSWAGEN GROUP HITS FOUR MILLION BEV DELIVERIES  Volkswagen Group has delivered its four-millionth battery-electric vehicle, accelerating from nearly a decade to reach the first million to adding the fourth million in just one year, powered largely by its MEB platform and around 30 all-electric passenger models. Most BEVs are built and sold in Europe, where compact SUVs and crossovers such as the VW ID.4/ID.5 dominate, while China and the US account for smaller but growing shares of volume and production. EGBATT LAUNCHES NOVA 60 DUAL BUFFERED CHARGER  EGbatt's new Nova 60 Dual combines a 60kW DC fast charger with a 60kWh LiFePO₄ battery in a single outdoor unit, allowing sites to deliver full fast-charging power without expensive grid upgrades by relying on buffered energy. Optional 20kW DC solar input lets operators integrate rooftop PV directly, helping cut operating costs and increase the share of renewable energy used for charging. LOTUS ADDS RANGE-EXTENDER ELETRE X FOR CHINA  Lotus has responded to softer demand for high-end pure EVs by launching the Eletre X plug-in range-extender SUV in China, pairing a 70kWh battery and 900V fast-charging system with a 2.0-litre turbo engine that mostly drives a generator but can also clutch to the front wheels for motorway efficiency. Delivering 952bhp, 0–62mph in 3.3 seconds and around 150 miles of electric-only range in a 2.6-tonne package, the Eletre X shares its new Geely-platform underpinnings with the Zeekr 9X and is slated to reach the UK no earlier than 2027.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) informs consumers about the recall of VW Polo Vivo vehicles by Volkswagen Group. This recall affects 25,729 vehicles. The affected vehicles were made available for sale from February 2025 to February 2026, nationally. The commission says the defect involves the rivet height on the handbrake lever, which may not meet specifications in some units. The National Consumer Commission Spokesperson Phetho Ntaba explains

It's EV News Briefly for Monday 02 March 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyBMW USA SHOP LEAK POINTS TO 2027 LINEUPA leak on BMW USA's online shop revealed two fully electric i3 sedan variants — the i3 40 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive — confirmed for the US in 2027, sharing the Neue Klasse platform with the iX3 and featuring Gen6 batteries, 800-volt hardware, and an iDrive X interior. The 2027 lineup also adds a first-ever iX4 coupe-SUV in two variants, an iX3 in three configurations launching in North America this summer, an electric iX5, and an i3 M60 alongside a full electric M3 positioned as the spiritual successor to today's M3 Competition.TESLA BERLIN RUNS HALF FULL AS UNION ROW SIMMERSTesla's Gigafactory Berlin produced 211,235 vehicles in 2024 against a stated annual capacity of 375,000 — a 56% utilisation rate — and output has since declined further, with the factory now reportedly running at around 40% capacity and BYD outselling Tesla in Europe in January 2026. Labour tensions are deepening ahead of works council elections, with IG Metall pursuing collective wage agreements similar to those at Volkswagen and BMW, while Tesla filed a criminal complaint against a union member and Elon Musk warned that "outside organisations" could hinder the site's ambition to become Europe's largest factory complex.T&E: LOCAL BATTERIES COULD CUT COST GAPA Transport & Environment report argues the EU can shrink the cost gap between domestically made and Chinese batteries from 90% to around 30% through scaled-up local production, with higher automation and lower scrap rates potentially cutting the gap to $14 per kWh by 2030 — equivalent to roughly €500 on an average EV. The findings align with the EU's forthcoming Industrial Accelerator Act, which targets ~70% local content thresholds for publicly supported EVs, though some carmakers warn this risks making batteries prohibitively expensive while T&E's Julia Poliscanova calls it "a sovereignty premium worth paying," particularly given China's export restrictions on critical minerals.TRIBUNAL BACKS 5% VAT ON SOME PUBLIC CHARGINGA UK tax tribunal has ruled against HMRC in a case brought by community charging operator Charge My Street, finding that a de-minimis clause in the VAT Act 1994 — capping "domestic" supplies at 1,000 kWh per month per customer — can qualify most neighbourhood charge points for the 5% reduced VAT rate rather than the 20% rate currently applied to public charging. The ruling is significant for drivers without off-street parking, though it also raises commercial complications, as many charge point operators have multi-year contracts priced on 20% VAT, and it opens the door to networks gaming the threshold by splitting sites or charger banks into separate "premises".ŠKODA OPENS €205M CTP BATTERY PLANT IN CZECHIAŠkoda has opened a €205 million (~$216M), 55,000 m² battery production facility at Mladá Boleslav, making it the Volkswagen Group's largest BEV battery system site and the first VW Group plant in Europe to manufacture cell-to-pack (CTP) systems at scale. The line produces over 1,100 battery systems per day — targeting up to 335,000 annually — and Škoda's switch to LFP cells has cut battery production costs by 30% compared to its previous MEB systems.MG CLOSES IN ON EUROPEAN FACTORY PLANMG has narrowed its European factory search to five countries, aiming to begin production by 2027 to circumvent the EU's 45% tariff on Chinese-built BEVs — a levy that caused MG's European BEV sales to fall 33% to 48,479 units last year, even as overall European sales rose 26% to 307,282 units in 2025. MG Europe head William Wang declared "it's time to build local," positioning the brand as a European marque rather than a Chinese import, as rivals BYD, Chery, and Leapmotor also race to establish European manufacturing footholds.CITROËN UPDATES C5 AIRCROSS PHEV FOR EURO 7Citroën has refreshed the C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid with a new 21.5 kWh battery (17.8 kWh usable), delivering up to 96 km (60 miles) of WLTP combined electric range — a 33% improvement over the outgoing model and ahead of rivals like the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 (69 km) and Ford Kuga PHEV (64 km). Priced in the €40–50k range, Citroën positions the updated C5 Aircross as one of the most tax-efficient family SUVs in the mainstream segment across EU markets while still targeting Euro 7 compliance.CANADIAN TRIAL PEGS ELECTRIC SEMI SAVINGS AT $157,126A real-world Canadian trial by FPInnovations' PIT Group and Transport Canada tracked two commercial fleets over 12 months and more than 200,000 km of Montreal-area operations, projecting savings of $157,126 per truck over six years — described as the most comprehensive dataset of its kind outside controlled demonstrations. The study compared the Freightliner eCascadia (BEV) directly against the diesel Cascadia and found that despite the electric truck's higher purchase price, higher-than-expected maintenance costs, and lower residual value, a six-year saving still emerged and may prove conservative.DENZA D9 ELECTRIC MPV ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIADenza has launched the D9 electric MPV in Australia from A$85,990, powered by a 103.3 kWh Blade Battery with 200 kW DC fast charging, 11 kW AC charging, and V2L capability across both variants, all built on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 with a cell-to-body battery structure. The seven-seat, three-row cabin targets the premium end of the people-mover segment with nappa leather, open-pore white ash wood trim, a 14-speaker Dynaudio sound system, adaptive suspension, and second-row captain's chairs offering over 900 mm of legroom, massage, and individual screens.CHINESE CAR BRANDS SPLIT US BUYERSA Cox Automotive survey of 802 prospective US car buyers found the country almost evenly divided — 38% would consider Chinese brands if available, 39% would not — with Gen Z showing notably higher openness at 69%. Chinese brands remain locked out of the US market by high tariffs and software regulations, but cost pressure is a key driver of interest, with 68% of open buyers expecting lower prices against an average new car price of $50,000, while BYD has already surpassed Tesla in European EV sales.

What does it really mean to “be more strategic”? And why are so many talented leaders told they need this skill - without being shown how to develop it? In this episode I'm joined by Charlie Curson, strategy consultant, leadership coach, and author of Be More Strategic. Together, we unpack why strategy so often feels intimidating, how it's different from planning, and how leaders can build the confidence to think and act more strategically - even in uncertainty. In this episode, we explore: Why “be more strategic” is such common (and unhelpful) feedback for leaders The difference between strategy and planning — and why confusing the two causes problems How creativity plays a vital role in strategic thinking (even if you don't see yourself as “creative”) Practical ways to manage uncertainty — without needing all the answers Why future-focused thinking doesn't come naturally to everyone (and how to develop it) Decision-making styles, procrastination, and how to make better calls with imperfect information Charlie's four-level framework for becoming more strategic — from self-awareness to scaling impact This is Influence & Impact for Leaders, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high performing team. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insights you can implement immediately, to be better at your job without working harder. Work with Carla: 1:1 Leadership Coaching with Carla – get support to help you get your voice heard at work, lead with confidence and develop your career. Book a discovery call About Charlie Curson Founder of Mandarin. Strategic advisor, investor, facilitator and accredited leadership coach with 25+ years across 250+ organisations (including VISA, McDonald's, Unilever, Experian, Volkswagen Group, L'Oréal, Barclays). Lifelong “tinkerer” obsessed with making things faster, better, smarter, who challenges assumptions and turns clarity into action. He helps leaders and teams build strategic capability and momentum. Author of Be More Strategic: 12 Essential Practices to Build the Life and Career You Want. Find out more, and get your copy Take the Be More Strategic Quiz

Kara talks with Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe at a tense time for electric vehicles: domestic sales have cooled, federal EV tax credits are gone, and tariffs are raising costs across supply chains. Rivian's premium R1S SUV and R1T pickup helped establish the brand — the R1S is now the best-selling premium electric SUV in the country — but the company is still losing money. The R2, Rivian's midsize SUV will hit showrooms this year, and Scaringe says it will be “an inflection point for us as a business.” Kara presses him on how to win buyers cross-shopping hybrids and gas vehicles, and what it takes to compete with both Tesla and low-cost, highly capable Chinese EV makers. They also dig into Rivian's joint venture with Volkswagen Group, the economics of scaling an EV startup, and why Scaringe believes autonomy will eventually become as critical as having “tires on a vehicle.” Plus: Aurora CEO Chris Urmson asks why Rivian doesn't have CarPlay. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1250: Colorado dealers filed suit on VW-backed Scout's direct-sales license, insurers face political heat as profits soar and affordability cracks, and Lemonade rolls out Tesla Full Self-Driving-based insurance, hinting at a future where driving software sets the rate.A group of Colorado VW, Audi, and Porsche dealers is suing the state after regulators approved a direct-sales dealer license for Scout Motors. Dealers argue the decision misreads state law and opens the door for OEMs to bypass franchised networks.Ten VW, Audi, and Porsche dealers filed suit this week, alleging Colorado improperly granted Scout a dealer license by treating it as an EV-only manufacturer.Dealers argue Scout's extended-range EV system is effectively a plug-in hybrid, disqualifying it from EV-only exceptions in state law.The lawsuit also claims Scout is an “alter ego” of Volkswagen Group, which already has franchised dealers and is barred from direct salesThe affordability conversation is turning its sights on insurers. After years of sharp rate hikes, home and auto insurers are posting near-record profits—and lawmakers are taking notice.Insurers are rebounding strongly, with the property and casualty industry posting its highest underwriting profit in nearly 20 years.Lawmakers in states like New York and Oklahoma are pushing profit caps, arguing rate hikes are out of step with household budgets.Auto insurance rates have stabilized nationally, but remain uneven by state, fueling continued consumer frustration.Lemonade is launching a new auto-insurance product built specifically for Tesla Full Self-Driving users, promising per-mile rates up to 50% lower when the software is engaged—an early glimpse at how insurance may evolve alongside partial autonomy.Lemonade will price insurance based on when Tesla's Supervised Full Self-Driving system is active versus human driving.The product relies on new vehicle telemetry data enabled through a technical collaboration with Tesla.Launch begins in Arizona on January 26, with Oregon following a month later.The move signals insurers are preparing for a future where software performance, not just driver behavior, sets risk and price.Lemonade president Shai Wininger said, “A driver who can see 360 degrees, never gets drowsy, and reacts in milliseconds isn't like any other driver.”This episode of the Automotive State of the Union is brought to you by Amazon Autos: Meet customers where they shop: reach high-intent buyers shopping for their next Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Have you ever been promoted to a level of leadership and suddenly felt like you were expected to just figure it out?My guest, Tyler Clapp, understands this feeling.After 15 years in HR and Talent Development at Volkswagen Group, he watched high performers get promoted without support and decided to change that process.As an ICF Associate Certified Coach, Tyler blends neuroscience, psychology, and practical strategy to help leaders navigate these transitions with clarity and intention. Tyler is also offering a free download.7 Reasons Why Your Team May Not Be Getting the Messagewww.divedeepdevelopment.com/transition Connect with Tyler:Website: www.divedeepdevelopment.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tylergclapp/YouTube (Coming Soon): @divedeepdevelopment CONNECT WITH DEBIDo you feel stuck?  Do you sense it's time for a change, but are unsure where to start or how to move forward? Schedule a clarity call!Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/debironca/free-clarity-callWebsite – https://www.debironca.comInstagram - @debironcaEmail – info@debironca.com Check out my online course!Your Story's Changing, Finding Purpose in Life's Transitionshttps://course.sequoiatransitioncoaching.com/8-week-programThe Family Letter by Debi Ronca – International Best Sellerhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SSJFXBD

Welcome to the Personal Development Trailblazers Podcast! In today's episode, we're helping business leaders and owners who are struggling to show up get crystal clear so they can present themselves in a way that drives growth and helps them reach their goals.Tyler Clapp is a leadership coach and founder of Dive Deep Development, where he helps driven leaders close the gap between how they intend to show up and how they're actually being experienced. After 15 years in HR and talent development at Volkswagen Group—watching high-performers get promoted and left to figure it out on their own, Tyler became his own first client, using his framework to navigate his own leap from corporate leader to business owner. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach, he blends neuroscience and psychology with practical strategies to help entrepreneurs move past the guesswork and start leading with clarity and intention. When he's not coaching, you'll find him scuba diving which is exactly where his "dive deep" philosophy comes from: real transformation happens beneath the surface.Connect with Tyler Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylergclapp/www.divedeepdevelopment.comGrab the freebie here: https://www.divedeepdevelopment.com/trailblazer?utm_source=trailblazer-podcast&utm_medium=podcast-guest&utm_campaign=Nov2025===================================If you enjoyed this episode, remember to hit the like button and subscribe. Then share this episode with your friends.Thanks for watching the Personal Development Trailblazers Podcast. This podcast is part of the Digital Trailblazer family of podcasts. To learn more about Digital Trailblazer and what we do to help entrepreneurs, go to DigitalTrailblazer.com.Are you a coach, consultant, expert, or online course creator? Then we'd love to invite you to our FREE Facebook Group where you can learn the best strategies to land more high-ticket clients and customers. QUICK LINKS: APPLY TO BE FEATURED: https://app.digitaltrailblazer.com/podcast-guest-applicationDIGITAL TRAILBLAZER: https://digitaltrailblazer.com/

In this episode of Underpowered Hour, hosts Steve Beres and Ike Goss delve into a covert mission involving a Land Rover Defender Trek edition spreading banned books across the US. They discuss the vehicle's bold wrap and the aims of the initiative. Additionally, Steve and Ike explore the news of an Audi Scout EV developed by Volkswagen Group and its impact on the market. They humorously critique the lavish details of the Holland & Holland Edition Range Rover by Over Finch, noting its excessive use of drinking accessories. The duo also share their favorite Black Friday deals, from car cleaning supplies to gaming simulator gear, and preview their upcoming adventures, including Steve's trip to the Las Vegas Formula One race. Tune in for a blend of automotive news, humor, and consumer insights!

This week on China EVs & More, Tu and Lei unpack a scary set of Q3 results for global automakers. Porsche's operating profit nearly vanishes, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Group struggle, and BYD reports its first major profit decline in years. Meanwhile, Li Auto faces a costly Mega recall after a battery-coolant fire, raising new questions about safety and supply-chain quality.Tu shares insights from the Reuters Automotive Summit, including what executives from Rivian, Lucid, and Mercedes-Benz USA had to say about current challenging environment — plus takeaways from Ganesh Iyer of NIO USA. The hosts also discuss how Chinese tech players like Xiaomi and Geely are resetting global expectations, why CATL's battery dominance will continue for the next decade, and what the West must learn from China's hyper-competitive EV market.Chapters02:16 Halloween Reflections and Market Concerns05:04 Li Auto's Recall and Safety Issues08:00 Financial Performance of Major Automakers11:03 Competitive Landscape in the EV Market13:49 Restructuring of German Automakers16:46 Insights from the Reuters Conference19:59 Level 4 Autonomy and Future Trends30:03 The Evolution of Autonomy34:50 Mapping the Future of Autonomous Vehicles39:51 Marketing Strategies in a Multicultural Landscape44:31 Consumer Data Privacy and Trust54:08 The Future of Battery Technology_____Stay tuned for sharp analysis on involution, layoffs at GM, brand marketing shifts, and how the next generation of EVs from Mercedes, Hyundai, and NIO will shape 2026.Companies & Topics Discussed:BYD | Li Auto | CATL | Porsche | Mercedes-Benz | Volkswagen Group | Audi | BMW Group | Beijing Hyundai | NIO | Xiaomi | Geely | Luxeed | DJI | Momenta | FinDreams | Rivian | Lucid | Stellantis | Uber | Nvidia | GM | Honda | Apple | AESC | Gotion | Calb

In dem Agora Strategy Group Geopolitik-Podcast „The Future of Power“ lädt Dr. Timo Blenk (CEO) monatlich Entscheidungsträger aus Diplomatie; Wirtschaft; Politik und Militär ein, um aktuelle geopolitische Entwicklungen zu diskutieren. Über die Einflüsse dieser zu informieren und fundierte Entscheidungsgrundlagen zu schaffen, ist der Kern dieses Projekts. Diesen Monat zu Gast ist Susanne Wiegand, erfahrene deutsche Managerin, Rüstungsindustrie Expertin und Mitglied des Aufsichtsrates der Volkswagen Group! In der 34. Folge unseres Podcasts sprechen Dr. Blenk und Susanne Wiegand über die Transformation der deutschen Industrie, die Zeitenwende und Zukunftsmärkte! Die wichtigsten Themen des Monats Zukunftsstandort Deutschland: Strukturelle Veränderungen, Bürokratieabbau und Innovation als Schlüssel Rüstungsindustrie 2.0: Tempo, Luftverteidigung und Skalierung im Fokus Chancen erkennen: Indiens digitale Dynamik und vertiefte Partnerschaften mit Kanada, den Nordics und Japan Hausmitteilungen · Alle weiteren Folgen des Podcasts · „Agora Strategy Group“ Webauftritt · „Agora Strategy Group“ bei LinkedIn Aktuelle Projekte, Veröffentlichungen & Veranstaltungen des Agora-Strategy-Teams · Agora Institute Executive Mitgliedschaft · Agora Strategy Executive Briefing: La France, inquiète: Macron has only one year to secure his economic and European legacy · Agora Strategy Special Report: The strategic role of space and Europe's answer · Agora Essential Reads: "From Strategy to Action - Implementing the EU Black Sea Strategic Approach"

Robert Forrester warns against potential ‘Motability tax' as he hits out at ‘gimmick' approachSeat to become ‘entry' brand within Volkswagen Group as ‘clear' future is mapped outCar dealers risk losing customers as slow responses drive buyers towards rival firmsWeekly Briefing: Behind the scenes of yet another Chinese brand launch as Geely lands in UKJohn Clark Motor Group saw turnover rise last year but profits took a battering

FOLLOW UP: UK DIESELGATE TRIAL BEGINSA trial has begun in the UK High Court to decide if some manufacturers used software to pass emission tests but then acted differently outside of test conditions. The brands all deny the charge. To read more, click this Motor Trader article link here. FOLLOW UP: JLR RESTARTS ALL PRODUCTION LINESJLR has now started the last of their production lines following the chaos from the cyber attack at the start of September. Halewood was the last facility to get back up. If you wish to find out more, click this Autocar article link here. PORSCHE FINDS A NEW BOSSFollowing the announcement that Oliver Blume would relinquish his role as CEO of Porsche the company has been searching for a replacement. Ex-McLaren CEO Michael Leiters returns to the brand to lead it, allowing Blume to focus on his Volkswagen Group role. You can learn more, by clicking this Autocar article link here. TOYOTA GB FINDS A NEW BOSSToyota GB has announced that Luigi Ksawery Lucá will be the new prsident and managing director of the company, as Scott Thompson will be returning to Toyota Australia. Lucá starts in the role from 1 January 2026. For more, click this Motor Trader article link here. CARDIFF PARKING PLANCardiff Council has announced how they will be revamping parking within the city. Unfortunately, nearly all of the reporting on the matter has been shockingly bad thanks to equating weight with size. There are no restrictions to the size of a car, being introduced only the weight. Cars over 2400kg revenue weight (gross weight) will face a surcharge for a parking permit. This includes EVs. However, they plan to phase in a reduced weight for the surcharge, of 2000kg revenue weight that will exempt EVs. Do residents actually know what cars will be charged extra? In all likelihood they are going to be surprised, especially when the reduced limit comes into force. To read one of the better articles out there on this story, click this Motoring Research link here. To read the Cardiff City Council parking plan, click this link here. QUICK FIRE CATCH UP ON EV RELATED NEWSTo read about the new funds for Cornish Lithium, click this electrive article link here. To read about Duracell entering the ultra-rapid charging network space, click this electrive article link here. To read about Blink Charging being engaged in a West Yorkshire charging infrastructure project, click...

Wolfgang Bremer shares a candid look at design leadership, the weight of trust, and why real impact goes far beyond pixels

According to a report published in Autocar, Bentley is the latest company to back pedal on plans to go fully electric – the luxury brand said to be planning pure petrol successors to its Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga SUV. The move reverses the decision it announced in 2022 that it would move to pure electric production by the end of the decade. Porsche and Audi have already announced similar plans with the three companies under the Volkswagen Group sharing platforms, drivetrains and other componentry. It appears the decision by Bentley reflects a dip in demand from key markets including North America and the Middle East where there is a lack of support for an all-electric strategy. Other luxury manufacturers delaying an all-electric strategy include Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes-Benz no word yet on whether Jaguar will do likewise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FOLLOW UP: JLR WOES STILL CONTINUE BUT SOME PROGRESSWhilst JLR is still battling against the hack that caused them to shut all their systems down on the 2 September, there is some positive progress. The company has started a phased process of turning back on some systems and they expect to begin limited car production later this week. On top of that, the Government has guaranteed 80% of a loan the company is seeking to take out to help cover the costs resulting from the shutdown. To find out the latest, click this Autocar article link here. Link to Professor David Bailey's piece explaining about the loan JLR has taken out and the UK Government has guaranteed a portion of, can be clicked here. VW GROUP PAUSING EV PRODUCTIONDue to a lower demand than anticipated, the Volkswagen Group is pausing EV production in several factories. The factories in Zwickau and Emden in Germany, as well as Tennessee in the US, will pause production of various electric models in the coming weeks. Tariffs are also impacting the finances of the company which is already struggling to cut costs. Click this InsideEVs article link here to read more. STELLANTIS PAUSING PRODUCTION ACROSS EUROPEStellantis is another company that is pausing their car production facilities due to cost savings, lacklustre sales figures and the impact of the tariffs. Pomigliano factory, in Italy, is currently not making the Fiat Panda and Alfar Romeo Tonale. The Poissy site, in France, will pause production for the middle of October. On top of that facilities in Poland, Spain and Germany are also expected to follow suit. If you want to find out more, click this Carscoops article link here. BENTLEY TO FOLLOW PORSCHE AND KEEP ICE IN LINEUPIn what should be no surprise to anyone, Bentley will be keeping combustion engine powertrain options in their cars contrary to the previous ‘Beyond100' plan, just as Porsche has announced. You can read more, by clicking this Autocar link here. BOSCH CUTS JOBSBosch is cutting up to 13,000 jobs on top of the previously announced 9,000. This is a result of trying to save €2.5 billion. Of note, Bosch is the world's largest automotive supplier. For more on this story, click the link here to an electrive article. FRANCE REVIEWING NISSAN SUPPLIER PAYMENTSThe French Government has asked to see Nissan's payments to suppliers. There is no indication as to why this has occurred nor is there a suggestion Nissan has done anything wrong. In France companies have to pay invoices within 60 days. Click this Yahoo!Finance article to read more. CHANGES IN MERCEDES MANAGEMENTCTO Markus Schäffer is leaving Mercedes-Benz, after 30 years service. Jörg Burzer will move from head of production, quality and supply chain management to replace him. That means Michael Schiebe will move on from being in charge of Mercedes-AMG to take up Burzer's old role. A new head...

Welcome back to the podcast, welcome to a bonus show, the first of a two-part documentary investigation into the effect ‘dieselgate' had on the EV industry. On September 18, 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Violation to the Volkswagen Group, a document that would detonate a crisis of unprecedented scale in the global automotive industry. The allegation was simple yet devastating: the German automotive giant had deliberately programmed its "Clean Diesel" vehicles with sophisticated software to cheat on emissions tests. This was not a technical miscalculation or a minor compliance issue; it was a conscious, years-long deception. The event, which quickly became known as 'Dieselgate', publicly shattered a multi-billion-dollar corporate strategy built on the promise of environmentally friendly diesel technology. A reminder our bonus shows are exclusively for our Patreon supporters. For the first 7 days, only Patreon insiders get early access, their name on the list of legends for Executive Producers and above, and the power to shape future shows. If being in the know and recognised as a supporter sounds like you, join us now at patreon.com/evnewsdaily and become part of something special.

FOLLOW UP: JLR WOES STILL CONTINUEJLR have put back their proposed production restart from 24 September to 1 October as they continue to try and deal with the hack on their systems where the effects became apparent on 1 September. What has only started to be appreciated is the knock-on effect the closures have had on suppliers to the company. Staff have been told to apply for Universal Credit, due to stopped wages, and many are calling on a furlough scheme to be instigated by the Government. To read more about the ongoing issues for JLR, click this Autocar article link here. To gain an understanding of the affects down the supply chain, click this article link from The Record. CITROËN ISSUES NEW NO-DRIVE WARNINGCitroën UK has issued a new no-drive warning, covering the C3, ë-C3, C3 Aircross and ë-C3Aircross, due to potential brake failure. This no-drive notice is on top of the other two the company is already dealing with. Click this Autocar article link here to read more. PORSCHE DELAY EV MOVE GIVING VW GROUP $6BN PROFIT HITPorsche has announced that they are delaying their move to EVs as had been expected. The Panamera and Cayenne will have ICE and hybrid options into 2030, rather than going all electric. Likewise the new 718 models. The projected hit to Volkswagen Group profits is a smidgen under $6 billion, following this move. You can read more by clicking this Yahoo! Finance article link here. NISSAN SHRINKS LONDON DESIGN STUDIO AND CLOSES OTHERSNissan cost cutting efforts have been turned to the design studios across the globe. Those in California and Brazil will be shut, with the Paddington studio expected to lose some staff numbers too. Click this Autocar article link here. FORD CUTS JOBS IN GERMANYDue to much weaker than expected sales of the Explorer and Capri, Ford has announced that it is cutting up to 1,000 jobs at their Cologne factory. This is on top of the previous 2,900 jobs that went at the end of 2024.If you wish to read more, click this Autocar article link here. TOM MATANO HAS PASSED AWAYTom Matano was the designer of the first two generations of the Mazda MX-5 and has sadly passed away on 20 September 2025, aged 76. He had a long career where he worked for GM, BMW and then onto Mazda. To learn more about him and his career, click this Classic & Sports Car article link here. BUFFETT SELLS ENTIRE BYD STAKEWarren Buffett, the renowned investor, has sold his entire stake in the Chinese EV maker BYD. This is the first time since 2008 that Berkshire Hathaway did not hold any stock in the company. Click this article link from Fortune for more information. TOYOTA AE86 ENGINE BLOCKS BEING BUILT AGAINToyota is building the parts...

It's EV News Briefly for Tuesday 16 September 2025, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show. Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily CUPRA TINDAYA IS VW'S ANSWER THE CHINESE RANGE EXTENDERS https://evne.ws/3KopUgD GEELY LAUNCHES EX5 ELECTRIC SUV IN UK https://evne.ws/4n4e0ae VW DELAYS ID. GOLF AND ID. ROC TO 2030 https://evne.ws/4pH14Jp TESLA BERLIN PLANT RAISES OUTPUT DESPITE SALES DROP https://evne.ws/3IdI1p2 ALL-ELECTRIC AUDI RS6 E-TRON FUTURE UNCLEAR https://evne.ws/3I32pJw HONG KONG PURSUES LOCAL EV ASSEMBLY BASE https://evne.ws/41RwmTA LUCID TO EXPAND IN ASIA, BUT NOT CHINA https://evne.ws/41UAceF EXTENDING AUSTRALIAN EV TAX EXEMPTION ADDS 1.5 MILLION TO ROADS https://evne.ws/3JXn5mR NISSAN AND CHARGESCAPE LAUNCH V2G PILOT https://evne.ws/464rMUm FORD'S MOVE TO LFP BATTERIES https://evne.ws/46ofcy6 TOYOTA UK PROFIT FALLS TO £462,000 https://evne.ws/4goz5K1 USED EV CREDIT WORTH $4,000 ENDING SOON https://evne.ws/4mfAZxS UK REQUIRES LOCK UPGRADES FOR CHINESE CARS https://evne.ws/3K58IN8 CUPRA TINDAYA PREVIEWS EV FORMENTOR REPLACEMENT AND RANGE EXTENDER PLANS Cupra unveiled the Tindaya concept at the Munich motor show, hinting at a Formentor successor and showcasing Volkswagen Group's SSP platform with range-extender EV capability for increased market flexibility, especially in China. The sporty, composite-bodied SUV pairs dual motors and a petrol engine for 300 km range, with a production debut expected around 2027 or 2028. GEELY LAUNCHES EX5 ELECTRIC SUV IN UK Geely has launched its EX5 electric SUV in the UK, starting at £31,990 and offering up to 267 miles of range on a lithium-iron-phosphate battery with rapid charging. Featuring trims up to £36,990, the EX5 targets fleet buyers, includes a six-year warranty, and will begin deliveries in late October. VW DELAYS ID. GOLF AND ID. ROC TO 2030 Volkswagen has postponed production of its ID. Golf and ID. Roc EVs to 2030, with the ID. Roc debuting first on the new SSP platform, followed by the ID. Golf. The delay triggers a reshuffle of its plant allocations, with related internal combustion and EV model moves now set for clarification in annual planning later in the year. BERLIN PLANT RAISES OUTPUT DESPITE SALES DROP Tesla's Berlin Grünheide factory is increasing its production targets in response to anticipated market strength, despite ACEA reporting a 44% sales drop in the EU and a 39% decline in German registrations through August. Tesla attributes the downturn to Model Y design updates disrupting sales, with Norway showing strong growth and production revised upwards for Q3 and Q4. ALL-ELECTRIC AUDI RS6 E-TRON FUTURE UNCLEAR The fully electric Audi RS6 e-tron may be canceled, even as prototypes continue road testing, with Audi expected instead to launch a plug-in hybrid RS6 alongside its traditional combustion model. Both vehicles were planned to share RS6 design cues but sit on different platforms, and initial plans had the EV debuting before the plug-in hybrid's 2026 arrival. HONG KONG PURSUES LOCAL EV ASSEMBLY BASE Hong Kong is negotiating with multiple Chinese carmakers, including FAW Group, to establish local EV production facilities as part of a push for strategic industry and international expansion. High local costs and China's overcapacity drive suppliers to Hong Kong's financial sector, with major players like Contemporary Amperex Technology already setting up headquarters and listing on the city's stock exchange. LUCID TO EXPAND IN ASIA, BUT NOT CHINA Lucid Motors plans expansion into Asian markets but will avoid China, citing heavy subsidies and overcapacity as reasons for staying out. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff expressed confidence in Lucid's technology and competitiveness while focusing future models on the $50,000 segment and higher, not the low-cost market. EXTENDING AUSTRALIAN EV TAX EXEMPTION COULD ADD 1.5 MILLION TO ROADS Extending Australia's EV fringe-benefits tax exemption to 2035 could add 1.5 million electric cars to Australian roads, according to Electric Vehicle Council modelling. The policy has driven over 100,000 additional EV sales since 2022, with further benefits possible for plug-in hybrids and the second-hand market. NISSAN AND CHARGESCAPE LAUNCH V2G PILOT Nissan and ChargeScape have launched a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot in Silicon Valley, using Nissan EVs and Fermata Energy bidirectional chargers to support grid demand for local data centers. The project aims to set a model for broader V2G integration through California's virtual power plant network and beyond. FORD TOUTS MOVE TO LFP BATTERIES Ford will manufacture lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries at its BlueOval Michigan plant from 2026, using CATL technology for future vehicles including a mid-size pickup. LFP batteries offer lower cost and better safety, though less energy density, and Ford remains open to evolving battery chemistry based on market needs and possible new plants. TOYOTA UK PROFIT FALLS TO £462,000 Toyota Motor UK's pre-tax profits fell sharply to £462,000 with revenues down over £135m, attributed to fleet mix management and compliance with tighter ZEV mandates. Despite a drop in market share, Toyota will expand its EV offering next year, including the all-electric Urban Cruiser SUV debuting in late 2025. USED EV CREDIT WORTH $4,000 ENDING SOON The U.S. federal Used Clean Vehicle Credit, worth up to $4,000 for electric or plug-in hybrid cars priced under $25,000, expires September 30. The credit drove significant price declines and saw models like the Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt become notably affordable, making immediate purchases attractive for eligible buyers. UK REQUIRES LOCK UPGRADES FOR CHINESE CARS UK insurers have required Chinese car manufacturers to improve their vehicles' anti-theft devices and locking systems to better meet local standards amid rising theft rates, now at 102,000 annually. Brands like BYD have worked with regulators and added advanced technology to boost security as Chinese car sales surge in Britain.

Tu Le and Lei Xing bring you inside Europe's biggest auto show where Chinese EV makers and global legacies collide.We break down: • Volkswagen Group's push into €25K EVs (Cupra, ID Polo, Skoda Epiq) • BMW's Neue Klasse iX3 vs. Mercedes' all-new GLC EV • Polestar 5 sedan launch — is it too late? • BYD's massive European push (Seal 6 DMI Touring, Dolphin Surf, Denza flash-charging) • XPeng, Changan, Leapmotor and the “second wave” of Chinese OEMs storming Europe • Partnerships everywhere: Valeo–Momenta, Bosch–WeRide, Qualcomm–QCraft • The rise of Chinese lidar (Hesai, RoboSense) and chipmakers (Horizon, Black Sesame)00:00 Introduction to Mobility Munich Special Edition01:44 Volkswagen Group's New Electric Vehicles05:22 BMW vs. Mercedes: Competing Electric Models10:26 Chinese OEMs Making Their Mark in Europe15:35 Reflections on Day One of the Event20:40 The Future of EVs and Industry Partnerships25:37 Closing Thoughts and Future Events

Driving a Spanish newcomer today – The Cupra Tavascan, the maker’s secondelectric model retains its Spanish flair despite being built in China. Cupra, part ofthe Volkswagen Group, and having a better year, sales up 40 percent on 2024.The Tavascon a sporty striking coupe style SUV in two models, the rear drive210kW Endurance and the sportier 250kW all-wheel drive VZ - I drove the VZ withdual electric motors, a 77kWhour battery and 499km range – it gains an adaptiveelectronic suspension, power heated front seats, a fixed glass sunroof, leathertrim, large 21-inch alloy wheels with copper accents and 12 speaker sound. All upa sporty mid-sized SUV, $79,990 drive-away, different and distinctive in severalareas – especially inside with a central V-design central spine that extendsrearwards – practical and highlighted with Cupra’s signature copper inlays.Underneath this central flyover there’s excellent storage and phone charging –the layout with large central touchscreen and a small instrument binnacle in frontof the driver, all very user friendly, apart from a lack of buttons for air-conditioning and radio. A frustration, like so many EVs and the ability to usesafely only when stationary. Warranty, five years, unlimited km, Battery, eightyears, 160,000kms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a former automotive executive pivots into e-commerce logistics and builds one of the fastest-scaling fulfillment companies in the world? You'll find out in this revealing conversation with Abel Horvath. In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, Abel Horvath, Founder and CEO of Fulfillment Hub USA joins the conversation. Starting out in Miami just months before the pandemic, Abel scaled his business to include facilities across the U.S., Europe, and South America—all while navigating global supply chain chaos, customer needs, and explosive e-commerce demand. Abel shares what it takes to lead a fast-growing logistics company, why customization is the future of fulfillment, and the unexpected lessons he's learned along the way. If you're in the business of physical products or curious about global entrepreneurship, this is a must-listen episode packed with operational wisdom, leadership insights, and inspiring grit.   Here are highlights: -Abel's Journey from Volkswagen to Founder: He left a corporate job at VW to start his own fulfillment business beginning with package forwarding and expanding into global e-commerce logistics. -Global Growth in Just a Few Years: Fulfillment Hub USA now has facilities in Miami, New York, LA, San Francisco, Poland, Germany, Colombia, India, and more. -Helping Clients Sell More, Not Just Ship: The company offers product customization, website setup, and marketing support to help clients grow, not just store and ship products. -Adapting to Tariffs and Changing Margins: When tariffs increased, Abel noticed which clients could absorb the cost and which couldn't. This helped shape new strategies to serve different types of businesses. -Hard Lessons from Rapid Scaling: Abel shares the importance of cash reserves, having multiple backup plans, and building a team that's willing to grow with you even during 14-hour workdays.   About the guest: Abel Horvath is the visionary founder and CEO of Fulfillment Hub USA, a rapidly scaling e-commerce logistics company. With a Ph.D. in economics and years of experience at Volkswagen Group, Abel pivoted during the early days of the pandemic to build a global fulfillment network—from Miami to Europe and South America. Under his leadership, the company has grown to include multiple U.S. hubs and international operations in Poland, Germany, Colombia, and India, with new facilities on the horizon. Passionate about innovation, Abel empowers clients with value‑add services like product customization, marketing support, and full business setup. A relentless problem‑solver, he advocates for strong cash reserves, agility, and a loyal, dedicated team to support fast-paced growth.   Connect with Abel:   Website: https://fulfillmenthubusa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelhorvath/   Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Connected, Greg's talking with Joe Pytel, general manager of LaFontaine Volkswagen of Dearborn and LaFontaine Hyundai of Dearborn. Greg and Joe caught up after a recent launch event at the Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) office in Auburn Hills, MI, where a GoMoto kiosk was installed and LaFontaine began providing mobile service to VWGoA employees. Joe summed up the purpose of mobile service perfectly: "It makes things seamless, convenient, and efficient for the customer." He and Greg explored that and other topics like: -LaFontaine's journey with mobile service so far. -Mobile service as a training tool for new technicians. -Partnering with rental car companies as a mobile service opportunity.

Tired of boring, lookalike crossovers? The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce is the answer to that issue. It and the all-new 2026 Toyota Corolla FX are our road test vehicles this week. Host Jack Nerad found himself at the controls of the Tonale, a compact SUV that brings Italian luxury and performance to a pretty ho-hum segment. With its sharp design, 268-horsepower turbo engine, adaptive suspension, and upscale interior, it offers a distinctive alternative in a crowded class. The Veloce trim that Jack Nerad tested features adaptive dampers, optional 20-inch alloy wheels, and performance-tuned steering for sharper handling. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine is teamed with standard with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the Tonale offers leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. With its distinctive styling, including the test car's optional Verde Fangio green paint and signature LED lighting, the Tonale Veloce brings premium European character to the compact SUV segment. At a special Toyota event in Plano, Texas, guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo took the wheel of the all-new 2026 Toyota Corolla Hatchback FX Edition. The colorful trim builds on the SE model with unique visual and functional upgrades that nod to the original 1980s-vintage FX16. It features a black vented sport wing for added aerodynamic flair, 18-inch gloss white alloy wheels, and retro FX badging on the rear hatch. Inside, it offers suede-trimmed sport seats accented by orange contrast stitching, a seven-inch digital gauge cluster, and standard wireless charging. The FX is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower, and offers a sporty suspension setup and a manufacturer-estimated 33 mpg combined. Only 1,600 units will be offered in the U.S., and it will come in three vibrant color choices: Inferno, Ice Cap, and Blue Crush Metallic. In our news segment, we will discuss Cadillac's debut of the 2026 Optiq-V, a performance-oriented electric SUV boasting 519 horsepower, an estimated 275-mile range, and Cadillac's first use of the North American Charging Standard. With dramatic styling, launch control, and a 33-inch LED display, it's yet another move in General Motors' EV strategy. That strategy might take its lumps as the Trump Administration takes steps to roll back Biden-era fuel economy regulations, citing legal issues with the way EVs were factored into earlier targets. While immediate changes are limited, this signals a broader shift in auto policy that could ease pressure on automakers but potentially slow progress toward emissions reduction. Speculation swirled this week about Porsche manufacturing cars in the U.S., but the company denied any such plans, citing low volumes and high costs. Despite that, ongoing tariff talks and Volkswagen Group's broader American investment strategy suggest the door may not be fully closed. Matt DeLorenzo and Jack Nerad will share their thoughts on those prospects. Tesla also made headlines with the resignation of Milan Kovac, head of its Optimus robot project. Kovac played a major role in developing Tesla's humanoid robotics program, and his departure raises questions about the future of the bold, still-developing initiative. In Los Angeles, the Petersen Automotive Museum has launched its *“Totally Awesome! Cars and Culture of the '80s and '90s”* exhibit. With standout vehicles like the McLaren F1, Audi S1 E2 rally car, and Ferris Bueller's Ferrari replica, the show is a nostalgic and immersive look at two transformative automotive decades. Our special guest this week is Doron Levin, a longtime automotive journalist and editor at BetterInvesting, who joins us to share his insights on where the industry is heading. Jack caught up with him at a Toyota event in Texas. Finally,

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1065: Today we're breaking down Rivian's big win with VW, a wild scene in LA as Waymo vehicles go up in flames, and how back-to-school shopping is creeping into summer.Show Notes with links:The tech partnership between EV upstart Rivian and legacy automaker Volkswagen just took a major leap forward. Rivian's upcoming R2 SUV platform won't just support Rivian's own vehicles—it's about to become the backbone of every new EV under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.All VW brands—Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Scout, Skoda, Seat—will share the R2 tech stack.VW's ID Every1 will be the first to launch using Rivian's off-the-shelf zonal architecture.The partnership helps VW replace its troubled Cariad software division with a proven modular platform.Rivian's Chief Software Officer confirmed all VW EVs will use the same scalable architecture, calling it “the digital brain” of the portfolio.Each brand keeps its unique identity via custom UI, tuning, and features, but the tech core is unified.At least five Waymo self-driving I-Pace EVs were destroyed during violent protests in Los Angeles over the weekend—representing a possible 5% loss of its local fleet.The unrest followed ICE raids and escalated into clashes with police and vandalism.Rioters reportedly summoned Waymo vehicles, slashed tires, smashed windows, and set them on fire.Fire crews couldn't access the scene in time, and the vehicles burned completely.Waymo operates about 100 cars in LA and over 1,500 nationwide.Waymo has suspended service in the area, saying, “We will not be serving any rides in the protest area until it is deemed safe,”Back-to-school deals have crept into early summer, with brands and retailers scrambling to catch up to shifting consumer habits—and to tariff-driven inventory pressures.Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair kicked off fall prep as early as Memorial Day.Prime Day in the middle of July now marks the unofficial start of the back-to-school shopping season.This year's shoppers are favoring essentials and budget-friendly items over big-ticket dorm splurges“Consumers are looking for the best discount, the best sale, the best value...” — Kassi Socha of GartnerJoin Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

FOLLOW UP: GERMAN COURT SENTENCES DIESELGATE EXECSOver nine and a half years after dieselgate first hit the news, a court in Germany has sentenced four ex Volkswagen Group executives for their part in the scandal. Two were given prison time, with the others being given suspended sentences. Former Group CEO, Martin Winterkorn, is still awaiting trial after several health issues. Click this article link from DW for more. FOLLOW UP: FRANCE CANS ZFES DUE TO COMPLEXITYFrench politicians voted to end low emission zones, as it was part of a wider proposal to make daily life in France more simple. Alan predicted this would be the case, as he had just bought passes for his cars. Statues are being erected in honour of the man bringing a better life to the ordinary people of France. They will know Alan Bradley's name and they will honour it! To read more, click this Connexion article link here. FOLLOW UP: STELLANTIS GET A NEW CEOAfter months of searching, Stellantis have named the ex-Jeep boss, Antonio Filosa, as the new chief executive officer. Also announced is that the leadership team for the 14 brands of the group will be confirmed next month. You can find out more, by clicking this Autocar article link here. APRIL UK CAR PRODUCTION THE WORST FOR 73 YEARSApart from 2020, which was hit by Covid lockdowns, April 2025 was the worst for production since 1952. SMMT suggests that the Easter date and reduced export demand is to blame. Obviously, the call went up to demand UK based incentives to encourage more to buy. Click this Autocar article link here, for more. TOYOTA BRINGING GR COROLLA PRODUCTION TO THE UKOn more positive production news, Toyota is bringing GR Corolla production to the UK. Expected production levels are yet to be announced. To read more, click this Autocar article link here. VOLVO CULLING MORE JOBSVolvo has announced big cuts at it's Swedish bases, with 2200 roles to be made redundant. On top of that, a further 800 jobs will go across the global network. If you wish to find out more, click this Autocar article link here. VAUXHALL GETS A NEW BOSSSteve Catlin will be returning to Vauxhall, where he started his journey in the automotive journey, via Audi, Seat, VW Group and latterly Volvo UK where he headed up the Financial Services division. To read more, click this Car Dealer article link here. UK EV CHARGER PLANNING REQUIREMENTS REMOVEDLillian Greenwood, the Future Roads Minister, has announced that the requirements of planning permission for private and public chargers is to be removed. The hope is that this will help speed up the installation of chargers across the country. For more on this story,

It's Friday, May 9th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Second anniversary of brutal violence in India Christians of Manipur State, India marked the second anniversary of the brutal ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, reports International Christian Concern. Shockingly, 258 people were killed, 1,000 injured, and 60,000 people were displaced. Plus, 4,786 houses were burnt and 386 religious structures were vandalized, including temples and churches. India is the 11th most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. Cardinals selected first American Pope On the fourth vote, the College of Cardinals, referred to as the Papal Conclave, chose the first-ever American Pope.  Robert Prevost has taken the name of Pope Leo XIV, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Born in Chicago, educated at Villanova University, and a missionary to Peru, Prevost selected the name Leo for a reason. On ABC News, Catholic Pastor James Martin said this. MARTIN: “Historically, it's a name that would signal his alignment with workers, labor, and the poor.” Catholics claim that Peter, the fisherman disciple of Jesus, was the first pope. In fact, Scripture does not teach that Peter was in authority over the other apostles at all or over the church. Indeed, Ephesians 2:19 says, “So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Catholics also claim that the pope is infallible when he acts or speaks as Christ's representative on Earth. That assertion is not Scripturally supported either. Pope critical of Trump/Vance, pushed COVID vaccine, & removed conservative bishops In terms of positions on the issues, Prevost has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump's administration and has consistently used his X account to promote material hostile to Trump's immigration policies.  In one instance from February 3, Prevost reposted an article by the National Catholic Reporter entitled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others.” The article criticizes the U.S. vice president for correctly arguing that we owe more immediate responsibility to our own family members and country than to those overseas – a position taught by St. Thomas Aquinas – and reiterated in the “social encyclicals” of the nineteenth- and twentieth-century popes.  As head of the Congregation for Bishops, Prevost was instrumental in the removal of conservative Bishop Joseph Strickland in 2023 from Tyler, Texas, and the removal of the leading French conservative bishop, Dominique Rey, from his diocese of Fréjus-Toulon.   Prevost also reposted a call for the abortion-tainted COVID-19 vaccines to be “available for all” and a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops post that called getting vaccinated “an act of love.”  In 2012, a year before the election of Pope Francis, Cardinal Prevost expressed disappointment that some Western media held “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel,” in particular, the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.” Trump's trade deal with U.K. nets U.S. $5 billion opportunity On Thursday, President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced they had reached a trade agreement that lifted some — but not all — U.S. tariffs on British goods, reports National Public Radio. Trump said it would give U.S. companies better market access for beef, ethanol, other farm products, chemicals, machinery, and industrial products — new opportunities his administration said were worth $5 billion. 2nd largest automaker making splash in America Speaking of the positive impact of Trump's tariffs, Volkswagen Group, the second largest automaker in the world in 2024, is preparing to join the growing list of automakers looking to re-equip its US factories in response to the tariffs, reports The Daily Mail.  The German automaker's luxury brand, Audi — which assembles most of its lineup in its home country, Hungary, Mexico, Slovakia, Spain, and China — is planning to make some of its crossover and SUV models now in America. ‘Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer regrets ex-girlfriend's abortion Frasier star Kelsey Grammer opened up about his profound regret over his ex-girlfriend's abortion in his newly released memoir, reports People Magazine. This tragedy closely preceded another in the actor's life: the 1975 rape and murder of his younger sister, which is the main subject of his memoir Karen: A Brother Remembers.  In his new book, Grammer wrote, “I know that many people do not have a problem with abortion, and though I have supported it in the past, the abortion of my son eats away at my soul.” Just months before his sister's death, he explains that his then-girlfriend became pregnant and decided to abort their baby. While he said he was “willing” to keep the baby, he “did not plead with her to save his life.” Grammer admits he “volunteered to have my son's body vacuumed out of his mother's.” As Live Action reports, abortionists use “vacuums 10-20 times more powerful than a household vacuum cleaner to tear (babies) apart alive.”  Grammer added, “I regret it.” Despite his harrowing regret over his own son's death by abortion, the TV star ironically says he still believes abortion should be legal. Proverbs 31:8 says, “Open your mouth for the voiceless.” Over 7,750 baptized in largest single-day baptism in US history And finally, on Saturday, 7,750 people were baptized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Huntington Beach, California, an event organizers say marked the largest single-day baptism in American history, reports The Christian Post. Hosted by Oceans Church and led by Pastor Mark Francey, the event dubbed "Baptize California" drew approximately 30,000 attendees from more than 300 churches across the Golden State. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, May 9th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

CleanTechnica's Jose Pontes and Zachary Shahan talk EV sales trends in Europe, the US, China, and the world as a whole. In particular, they spend a lot of time talking about BYD's growing leadership, Volkswagen Group's fresh rise in the EV market, and Tesla's sales trend, business approach, and potential crises around the world.

CleanTechnica's Jose Pontes and Zachary Shahan talk EV sales trends in Europe, the US, China, and the world as a whole. In particular, they spend a lot of time talking about BYD's growing leadership, Volkswagen Group's fresh rise in the EV market, and Tesla's sales trend, business approach, and potential crises around the world.

Winston is the Chief Brand & Experience Officer at GALE, leading the creative, production, and experience design team. In 2024, GALE was named Campaign UK US Advertising Agency of the Year. He works with with companies like the National Basketball Association (NBA), Delta Air Lines, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Cotopaxi, MilkPEP, Pella, Santander, Bain & Company, Fogo de Chão, and others. Over the past twenty years, he's helped leading global brands craft their narratives and create innovative campaigns and experiences that harness the marketing potential of the digital and social age. His diverse client portfolio includes Domino's, Michaels Stores, American Express, Target, Burger King, Nike, Vail Resorts, Taco Bell, Pandora, AB InBev, and Volkswagen Group. Before GALE, he was a brand consultant and Chief Digital Officer of Deutsch North America.

Live from World Hydrogen North America, H2Tech sat down with Jared Obraske, Vice President of North America at Quest One, formerly known as H-TEC Systems. In this episode, Jared provides an insider's look into Quest One's strategic role in the H2 value chain as part of MAN Energy Solutions and the Volkswagen Group.

On this episode of Inside Content, Hayley Bull, Vice President at 3Vision, is joined by Sven Eckoldt, who leads partnerships at CARIAD – the software arm of Volkswagen Group. They explore how CARIAD is redefining the in-car entertainment experience through video, gaming, and contextual content. Sven shares insights into the evolving role of vehicles as digital platforms, how major streaming services like DAZN are joining the ecosystem, and why scalability, seamless integration, and personalisation are key to the future of automotive media.Stay in the content world loop

In a bonus podcast, this week Autocar Meets Damien O'Sullivan, the managing director of the UK's biggest car company, the Volkswagen Group.In his first interview since taking the role last December, O'Sullivan meets Autocar's Editor, Mark Tisshaw, to discuss the state of the UK car market, how he juggles the management of so many brands and, although this pod was recorded before the government revised the rules around the zero emissions mandate, how things will look in future. You can make sure you never miss an Autocar podcast by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. And if you'd be wiling to rate and review the Pod, we'd appreciate it more than you know, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found Click On Picture To See Larger PictureCEO Jamie Dimon is calling it, recession is coming. We are already in a recession, Trump will pull us out of it. Ds trying to stop Trump's tariffs. Countries ready to negotiate, Trump pauses tariffs for those countries. China and the EU fight back with reciprocal tariffs, this will not end well for them. Trump main target is the Fed. The [DS] is still trying to use judges to stop Trump's agenda, in the end this will fail. They are trying to use judges in the correct jurisdiction. Trump has set the timeline for the [DS] treasonous acts. Trump will show how the [DS] committed treasonous against the US. In the end Trump will have the final move, checkmate.   (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); Economy https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1909947842845614115   https://twitter.com/WallStreetMav/status/1909935573772738708 Schumer: We Want to Take Tariff Authority from Trump We Allowed Biden to Have Because Trump's ‘Going So Overboard'  Chuck Schumer (D-NY) r  “Congress has always had the power to deal with tariffs, and we've always had these fights in the past on some of the tariff issues as well. But now that Trump is going so overboard, Congress can, has every legal authority to take those powers back, and that's what we aim to do.”  Source: breitbart.com https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1909961646929301808 China is the Auto Capital of the World  China is the world's largest car producer and exporter. A little-known fact is that China first became the world's largest car exporter back in 2023, with low-cost EV companies BYD and Chery in the spotlight. The nation's auto sector has been steadily expanding since then, with Chinese brands reaching an all-time high of 69.4% of domestic passenger vehicle market share in Q1 2025. Overall, China exported 5.86 million vehicles in 2024, a 19.3% annual increase. Mexico, Russia, Brazil, and the UAE were the top buyers. China sold 4.96 million passenger vehicles (19.7% YoY increase), 900,000 commercial vehicles (17.5% YoY increase), and 1.28 million new energy vehicles, as well as 987,000 battery-electric vehicles. Japan is the world's second-largest car exporter, exporting 4.22 million vehicles in 2024. This marked a -4.5% decline from 2023. Toyota remains Japan's leading vehicle, accounting for $312.28 billion in revenue and 830,048 million vehicles. Germany is holding onto third place in auto exports. In 2024, Germany exported 3.4 million passenger cars, marking a 2.5% annual increase. Around 25.9% of all vehicles exported from Germany last year were electric. Volkswagen Group remains Germany's star, generating $354.86 billion in revenue for the year. Source: armstrongeconomics.com Scott Bessent Reminds China They Need Access To US Market Far More Than America Needs Access To Their Economy Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that China's decision to retaliate against President Donald Trump's tariffs will ultimately backfire. China announced it is raising tariffs on American goods from 34% to 84% in response to Trump hiking tariffs on Chinese goods from 54% to 104%,   Bessent  thats because China exports far more to the U.S. than it imports, it has more to lose in a trade war. China exported $438.9 billion worth of goods to the United States in 2024 while the U.S. exported $143.5 billion to China, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. Consumer spending in America makes up nearly 70% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Shoot us a Text.With 2 days left in January, that means there are only 2 days left to get discounted tickets to ASOTU CON! Today, we're talking about VW potentially bringing manufacturing to the US to avoid tariffs, Honda planning to introduce a sub $30K EV in the US, and how iPhones can now text on the SpaceX Starlink satellite network.Show Notes with links:Volkswagen Group is exploring plans to build Audi and Porsche models in the U.S. if President Donald Trump imposes high tariffs on vehicle imports from Europe and Mexico. This proactive move aims to safeguard the brands from potential trade barriers that could significantly impact profitability.Unlike the VW brand, which already has U.S. production, Audi and Porsche models sold in the U.S. are currently imported, making them vulnerable to tariffs.VW's Chattanooga plant, which produces the VW Atlas and ID.4, has excess capacity and could be expanded for luxury models.Another option is VW's upcoming South Carolina plant for the Scout brand, which could also accommodate Audi production.A 10% tariff on European imports could reduce VW Group's profits by 5-10%, while a 25% tariff on Mexican imports could result in a 15% hit, according to Moody's.Honda is stepping into the affordable EV space with a sub-$30,000 electric vehicle that could hit U.S. dealerships as early as 2026. A third of Honda's global sales are EVs and it aims to boost its U.S. EV presence.The new EV will be locally built in Ohio, starting with battery production, to reduce costs.It will be a part of the new Honda 0 Series and will follow Honda's higher-end 0 Series SUV and sedan, expected to cost $50K–$60K.Honda sold over 33,000 Prologue SUVs last year, outperforming the Chevy Equinox and Cadillac Lyriq, despite sharing GM's Ultium platform.The affordable EV could compete directly with GM's next-gen Chevy Bolt, also slated for a 2026 launch at a similar price point.Apple's latest iPhone update gives T-Mobile users access to SpaceX's Starlink network, marking a new era of connectivity.iOS 18.3 introduces support for SpaceX and T-Mobile's direct-to-cell satellite texting, meaning text messaging via satellite in areas without cellular coverageThe feature was previously limited to select Android devices, including Samsung models.Beta testers have begun receiving texts confirming access to satellite messaging.Future updates aim to add voice and data capabilities for complete off-grid connectivity.Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

FOLLOW UP: GOVERNMENT INTERVENES OVER FINANCE SCANDALThe Chancellor of the Exchequer has written to the Supreme Court to ask them to not penalise car dealers and finance companies too much, for breaking common law. To read more, click this AMOnline article link here. For more context on how we are at this point, click this link here, from The Conversation. FOLLOW UP: WESTERN AND CHINESE EV MAKERS TAKE EU TO COURTBMW and Tesla has joined with BYD, SAIC and Geely to challenge the tariffs imposed on EVs made in China that are brought to Europe. They are arguing that the rates imposed are unfair. If you wish to read further on this, click this AMOnline link here. FOLLOW UP: NHTSA BLUECRUISE INVESTIGATION SHOCKSThe investigation into Ford's hands-off eyes-on driving system, called BlueCruise, by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US, has found that the system does not detect stationary vehicles when the car is going over 62mph. This has been implemented to try and prevent false positives being sensed and thus “phantom braking”. Click this Autoevolution article link for more. FOLLOW UP: GOVERNMENT BACKS GREATER MANCHESTER PLANSThe UK Government has assessed and approved the proposed plans from Greater Manchester, to reduce the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air. This will take place without the need to charge drivers for a Clean Air Zone, as so many other cities have chosen. If you would like to learn more, click this article link from BBC News, here. VW GROUP DITCHES AGENCY MODEL FOR EVSIn the UK, the Volkswagen Group will end its use of the agency model, where they sell directly to customers, for their electric vehicles. They are the latest in a number of companies to make this move. Click this Auto Retail Agenda article to read more. SUBARU HACKEDEthical hackers found a vulnerability in Subaru's StarLink connected service that allowed them to access incredible amounts of data and even control some functions of cars remotely. This has now been patched and we have only found out after the fix was deployed by Subaru. If you want to learn more, click this link to Sam Curry's post detailing what he did and found. WAYMO HACKEDJane Manchun Wong, a security researcher, found a hidden element of the Waymo app that allowed her to change what the top dome, on the roof of their vehicles, displayed. Waymo have now closed this off to ‘normal users'. If you want to learn more, click this TechCrunch article link here. MANY THINGS HACKEDPwn2Own Automotive 2025 took place over three days last week and found 49 unknown vulnerabilities in software for head units and EV chargers, including...

Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title:

Automotive News Staff Reporter Jack Walsworth talks about the biggest news for Volkswagen Group of America in the past 12 months. Plus, Luca Ciferri, associate publisher and editor of Automotive News Europe, recaps developments in the European auto market in 2024.

Shoot us a Text.The clock is about to run out on 2024, but that doesn't stop the grind of the retail auto industry! Today we're covering the latest awkwardness from the potential Honda-Nissan merger, how California dealers are threatening to sue Scout over their DTC plans, and over-priced fast food.Show Notes with links:Honda's CEO Toshihiro Mibe faced an awkward press moment when asked why Nissan would make a good business partner, candidly admitting, “That's a difficult one,” when trying to explain the rationale. The comment highlights broader skepticism and questions surrounding the partnership.Honda has a solid hybrid lineup but struggles with EV development after parting ways with GM. Meanwhile, Nissan faces financial instability and a declining EV market share despite its history as an early leader with the Leaf.Nissan's robust manufacturing network and supply chain might align with Honda's hybrid expertise. However, overlapping product offerings could limit potential benefits.Nissan's shares initially soared over 60% after the deal's announcement but have since plunged by 13% over two days, signaling investor doubts.Both companies face uphill battles, with AlixPartners estimating any meaningful results from a merger might take three to five years.“Ideally, it would've been a healthy and financially sound company, rather than Nissan,” said analyst Julie Boote, echoing doubts about the merger's feasibility.California's new-car dealers are pushing back against Volkswagen Group and Scout Motors, accusing them of violating state law by taking direct-to-consumer refundable deposits for their upcoming electric Scout models.California's amended Vehicle Code, effective Jan. 1, 2024, prohibits automakers or their affiliates from direct-to-consumer sales if they already have franchised dealerships in the state. Tesla is exempt, as it has never operated through franchisees.Dealers argue Scout's sales model excludes VW's 50 franchisees in California, cutting them out of Scout's EV sales opportunities.Scout insists it's independent from VW, designing a unique electric platform, and claims the direct sales model aligns with their “customer-first vision.”A recent study has named Shake Shack and Five Guys as America's most overpriced fast-food chains, sparking debate over whether premium pricing for burgers and fries is really worth it.Preply analyzed over 57,000 Google Reviews, highlighting Shake Shack as the most overpriced chain, followed by Five Guys and Sugar Factory. Key terms like “expensive” and “not worth the money” dominated customer feedback.A viral receipt showing $22 for a Five Guys burger, soda, and fries led to widespread backlash, with one post asking, “What is the right amount these days?”Despite the criticism, Shake Shack posted strong Q3 earnings, with a 14.7% revenue surge and 17 new locations. CEO Rob Lynch said, “We are proud of the resuHosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

MotorTrend's Ed Loh & Jonny Lieberman sit down with Cupra CEO, Wayne Griffiths! After much success in the European market, Cupra will be heading to the U.S.! 0:35 - QOTD - Why aren't Independent Gas Stations adding EV Chargers? 5:19 - About Cupra8:55 - Introducing Cupra! Success in Europe and Plans for the US.13:12 - Understanding the US Market and Consumer Preferences.22:36 - Cupra's Product Strategy and Future Offerings.25:58 - Volkswagen Group.31:20 - Cupra's Unique Product Strategy.34:00 - Understanding the U.S. Market Dynamics.35:05 - Building Brand Desirability Over Awareness.39:47 - Lessons from Past Automotive Launches.44:00 - Flexibility in Powertrain Strategy.45:00 - Rollout of Electrification.48:34 - Designing for the Driver Experience.51:46 - Wayne Griffith: A Journey Through Cars.

Welcome back to a bonus edition of the podcast, as we take a look at what the recent $5.8bn deal between Rivian and Volkswagen Group will mean for each business, the cars we can buy in the future and indeed the wider EV industry. On November 13, 2024, Rivian and Volkswagen Group launched a groundbreaking joint venture named "Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC."  This business partnership marks a significant milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, with a total deal size of up to $5.8 billion. The collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to fix each other's weaknesses. They say the union will drive innovation, scale, and cost efficiency in EV production.

Shoot us a Text.Today's the day when we release More Than Cars episode 4: Mohawk Chevrolet at 1PM! Oh and we're also talking about Rivian and VW's finalized joint venture, how the UAW is struggling to gain momentum following last year's big wins and how Dodge is adjusting its EV and ICE muscle car plans.Show Notes with links:Rivian Automotive and Volkswagen Group have finalized a significant joint venture worth up to $5.8 billion to advance electrical architecture and software for future EVs, utilizing Rivian's current tech.Since the venture was announced in June, VW's investment in Rivian has grown from an initial $5 billion.Rivian brings its advanced EV technology, while VW contributes its vast manufacturing scale.The initial phase includes deploying Rivian's system in VW vehicles, launching Rivian's R2 by 2026 and VW's Scout brand vehicles by 2027.The partnership focuses on electrical architecture and software, not hardware, though Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh hinted Scout's EVs will leverage the tech.“By combining complementary expertise, we aim to reduce costs and accelerate new tech,” VW's Oliver Blume stated.This venture is crucial for Rivian's financial strategy, as it faced a $1.1 billion Q3 loss amid slowed revenue and production.Outspoken UAW President Shawn Fain is facing mounting obstacles in organizing nonunion U.S. factories owned by Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes, and others amid a shifting political and corporate landscape.Following historic labor deals with the Big 3, Fain aimed to build on momentum, targeting new factories, especially in the South.Despite a spring win at VW, recent efforts at Toyota and Hyundai encountered resistance, as these automakers raised wages to counter unionization drives.Initially focusing on a rapid approach, Fain encouraged online union pledges and fewer traditional one-on-one meetings. At Mercedes in Alabama, a quick vote resulted in a narrow loss, with 56% against unionizing.“It wasn't like we got annihilated there,” Fain said. “That was a very, very close election.”Fain emphasized the importance of the UAW's first contract with VW in Chattanooga, saying, “We won in a place where no one said we could win. Now, the argument is, ‘We're not winning fast enough,' when initially it was, ‘We can't win.'”Dodge is moving up the launch date of its gas-powered Charger Sixpack to early summer 2025, five months ahead of schedule, in response to strong demand for traditional internal combustion muscle cars.The decision was influenced by anticipated regulatory shifts under President-Elect Donald Trump, potentially easing EV mandates.Originally planned for late 2025, the ICE Charger Sixpack is now set to arrive ahead of Dodge's all-electric Charger Daytona.The Charger Sixpack will feature a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six Hurricane engine, with up to 550 horsepower in the high-output variant.Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

FOLLOW UP: EU CHINA TARIFFS UPDATEOn the 31 October, the EU tariffs for China made EVs went live. Click this electrive article link here to read more. This has caused SAIC to take the European Commission to court over the amount it has been charged. You can read more via this electrive article link here. China, it is claimed, has instructed home grown EV makers to not build plants in the EU to get around the extra charges. Once again, electrive have an article link here for you. Additionally, they now want to know the lifecycle of rare earth minerals in Western supply chains. Check out this link to a China Digital Times link here. FOLLOW UP: FINANCE INDUSTRY THROWN INTO TURMOILFollowing a court ruling regarding commission on finance agreements, the industry has been thrown into turmoil as there are questions on what they need to do in order to be compliant. Some companies have halted all offerings for car finance until the situation is clarified. You can find out more, by clicking this AMOnline article link here. FOLLOW UP: AUDI TO CLOSE BRUSSELS PLANT IN 2025As listeners will be aware, Audi plans to close their Belgium plant in early 2025. However, they have been unable to find a suitable buyer to take on the property and run it. To learn more about this, click the electrive article link here. LABOUR'S FIRST UK BUDGET Labour has revealed their first budget, since being voted into power. Fuel duty and the extra relief, is staying in place. However, there are big changes for VED rates, Benefit in Kind (BiK) thresholds, classification for double cab pickups and more. Click this AMOnline article link here to read more. For more on fuel duty and first year VED rates, click this Autocar article link here. To read about the BiK changes, click here for an Autocar article. If you wish to learn more about the changes to taxation for double-cab pickups, click this link from Professional Pickup. VW GROUP PROFITS DOWN €3billion Volkswagen Group profits plunge €3 billion in the latest financial report. The VW brand itself is causing heavy drag thanks to an operating margin of just 2%. The information comes out at a key time when the company is...

Tu and Lei discuss BYD's continued success and marvel at their ability to break record after record. Tu points out that their operation efficiency is one big reason they're able to continue this blistering growth. This leads to a larger conversation about October sales and the sales drops of the European automakers (BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen Group, Porsche) and how much they should be worried about their future prospects. This leads to a discussion about both Stellantis and Volkswagen Group and their recent outwardly vocal pleas to get smaller to shed costs. The podcast closes out with a tariff discussion and how the EU and China may be able to avoid a trade war since both sides really don't want that.  Rumi.aiAll-in-one meeting tool with real-time transcription & searchable Meeting Memory™

FOLLOW UP: VW CONSIDERS RADICAL COST SAVING PLANSInformation has come out as to the extent that Volkswagen Group are considering how to save the $4 billion they state they need to. This includes closing up to three German plants, reducing wages, reducing bonuses and more. Unions have reacted angrily whilst VW has not commented on the claims. To find out more, click this Reuters link here. FOLLOW UP: JLR STILL HAVING REPAIR ISSUESA year ago the CEO of JLR, Adrian Mardell, apologised for how long it was taking to repair their customer's vehicles. This situation is still not resolved. Problems with their supply chain, which not all are their fault, as well as the supply hub they switched to has meant that around 10,000 customer cars are off the road. Click this Autocar article to read more. RADFORD MOTORS FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCYThe car company co-founded by Jenson Button, Ant Antsted and Dan Bednarski, to build a low volume supercar based on a modern interpretation of the Lotus Type 62, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. This is a debt restructuring move and does not mean the company is folding. There are also two court cases being brought against Ansted and Bednarski over financial matters related to the company. In order to find out more, click this Road & Track article link here. CHINA DEPORTS VW EXEC OVER DRUG ALLEGATIONSChina has deported a senior Volkswagen executive, Jochen Sengphiehl, over claims he failed a recreational drug test. He was held by authorities for 10 days before the action was taken. Many questions come from this, is it real or China flexing? You can read more, by clicking this Reuters article link here. RIVIAN AND BOSCH TAKE EACH OTHER TO COURT Bosch has sued Rivian for breach of contract, which caused Rivian to counter sue. Rivian cancelled their contract for electric drivetrains from the supplier as they will use their own in-house developed ones. Bosch are, understandably, unhappy at the loss of business, whilst Rivian state that this issue is why they did not deliver as many cars as expected previously. Click this electrive link to find out more. NEW PHEV BATTERY GIVES CLAIMED 249 MILE RANGECATL has released information on a plug-in hybrid battery, that gives a claimed electric only range of 249 miles. This has the chaps confused. Why is it PHEV only? Sounds almost too good to be true, but is it? What are Alan and Andrew missing? You can read more on this, by clicking this Autocar article link here. STELLANTIS TO ROAD TEST SOLID STATE BATTERIES IN 2026Stellantis are the latest company to announce when they will be road testing their solid state batteries. Using a fleet of Dodge Charger Daytonas, for some reason, they will be trying them out on the roads in 2026. To read more on this, including the list of others who have claimed they will have...

Freeman Thomas is an American automobile and industrial designer who has worked for Porsche, Volkswagen Group, DaimlerChrysler and Ford. He had his hand in some pivotal cars of our time, including: the VW Concept 1 (it became the new Beetle); the Audi TT, A4, and A6; Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle; and he oversaw the design of numerous vehicles at Ford and Jeep. Now he's the CEO of Meyers Manx, the original dune buggy company that has been brought back to life. https://meyersmanx.com/ Recorded September 20, 2024 Get Maine LobsterHead over to GetMaineLobster.com – Promo Code TIRE – 15% off all orders store-wide  MyBookieDouble your first deposit up to $2,000 (100% deposit bonus) at https://bit.ly/joinwithTIRE Delete MeTake control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for DeleteMe. Now at a special discount for our listeners. Today get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/tire and use promo code "TIRE" at checkout New merch! Grab a shirt or hoodie and support us! https://thesmokingtireshop.com/ https://www.noduswatches.com/design-lab-shop/p/canyon-by-matt-farah-night-sky Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TSTPOD for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to http://www.offtherecord.com/TST. Watch our car reviews: https://www.youtube.com/thesmokingtire Tweet at us!https://www.Twitter.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Twitter.com/zackklapman Instagram:https://www.Instagram.com/thesmokingtirehttps://www.Instagram.com/therealzackklapman

Shoot us a Text.We're brimming with energy on this Tuesday morning, as we discuss VW's decision to originate its US auto loans through Wells Fargo. Plus we talk about the growing gap between car buying expectations and car buying reality and how auto debt just continues to grow.Show Notes with links:Volkswagen is ceasing to originate U.S. auto loans for Audi and VW through its in-house finance division, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS). Starting in April, Wells Fargo will take over this responsibility.Wells Fargo will be responsible for processing all loan applications, underwriting, and servicing loans for VW and Audi customers.VWFS will shift its focus to consumer leasing, usage-based products, and new mobility solutions, aligning with Volkswagen Group's broader growth strategy in the U.S. market.The transition is part of a "multi-year co-branded agreement" aimed at offering improved retail financial solutions for VW, Audi, and Ducati.VWFS will continue managing current loans on its books after the April transition.Ernst Jan van Eijkelenburg, CEO of VW Credit: “This is a union of great strengths... supporting our brands, dealers, and customers.”A new report from Edmunds highlights the growing disconnect between what car shoppers want to pay and the prices they're encountering in the market today.According to Edmunds, the average trade-in age for new vehicles is six years, meaning many shoppers returning in 2023 last bought in 2018.64% of used car buyers aim to spend under $20,000, and 50% target $15,000 or less, but only 5% of transactions were below $10,000, with the average used car costing $26,936. Similarly, 48% of new car buyers want to spend $35,000 or less, but the average new car price in July was $47,716, with almost no vehicles under $20,000.Over 73% of respondents have delayed buying a vehicle due to high prices, 62% due to high interest rates, and more than half are cutting other expenses or working extra hours to afford one.Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' head of insights: "Consumers are likely being forced into trade-offs, selecting different brands, older vehicles, or even postponing purchases.”A new report from the Financial Times highlights the growing burden of auto loan debt, which now accounts for 9% of household debt, second only to mortgages and surpassing student loans.Auto loan delinquencies are nearing record-high levels set during the 2009 financial crisis, as many struggle to keep up with large payments.Buyers who purchased vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic at inflated prices now face significant negative equity, owing more than their cars are worth as values decline.While fewer prime borrowers are losing their vehicles compared to 2009, auto debt continues to swell, with total automotive debt reaching $1.6 trillion as of September 2023.Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

Mary Ann, Haje and Kirsten are back on the mic for this week's episode, which was is jam-packed with deals, hot topics, and the latest dramaaaaaa in the tech world. For Deals of the Week, Haje wanted to chat about Formation Bio, an AI-focused drug development startup that just raised a whopping $372 million in Series D funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz. Next, Kirsten broke down the surprising partnership between Volkswagen Group and Rivian and how its initial $1 billion investment could grow up to $5 billion. To wrap up our deals, Mary-Ann highlighted Nubank's acquisition of Hyperplane, an AI-for-banks startup. Moving onto our themes, Haje took us on a deep dive into the fediverse, a decentralized network of social media platforms like Mastodon, Threads, and even Trump's Truth Social. The fediverse has seen a surge in popularity, especially after Elon Musk acquired Twitter (now X). Mastodon, for example, has just about tripled its user base since Musk took over. The appeal lies in its decentralized nature, offering users more control and niche communities. Whether you're a photographer, a journalism enthusiast, or just someone fed up with traditional social media, the fediverse has something for you.Last but not least, we discussed the ongoing debate around DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) in tech in a more controversial segment. Scale AI's founder Alexandr Wang recently sparked a debate by advocating for MEI (Merit, Excellence, Intelligence) over DEI. This has drawn support from big names like Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey but also significant criticism.The stats are troubling: new women recruit levels in the U.S. data industry have dropped dramatically, and DEI-related job listings are down.Equity will be back on Wednesday with a new interview episode, so stay tuned!Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast. Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.