WardsAuto Podcast

NHTSA is amidst rule-making that will mandate systems in cars to detect when a driver is drunk. This eventual rule begs many questions, such as whether a vehicle would be disabled if it detects a drunk driver. Senior Editor David Kiley talks with Bosch North America's expert at CES2024 about the technology and issues.

The entire auto industry is transitioning to software-based vehicles. Yes, there is hardware that we will be driving around town and on the highways. But all the controlling functions of the car will be managed by software, with repairs and updates coming via Over-The-Air. Host David Kiley and WardsIntelligence principal software-vehicle analyst Maite Bezerra talk about the latest issues around this monumental shift to software-based vehicles from the floor of CES 2024.

Much has transpired in 2023 witrh regard to the transformation of the auto industry from a century-plus of being centered around the internal combustion engine to the era ahead of electrification. There is pain and growing pains. Host David Kiley and Wards Intelligence Sustainability and Digital Economy Analyst Christie Schweinberg talk about the stories and what's ahead in 2024.

Lotus is a brand that has been part of the automotive scene since theb early 50s. It has been loved by collectors, designers and engineers. Today, Lotus is owned by Chinese auto group Geely. And while Lotus has been primarily known in recent years for the Elise roadster, today it is charting a growth plan around EVs that includes a new CUV and sporty sedan, with a new roadster on the horizon. Today, we chat with Lotus Chief Creative Officer Ben Payne.

It looks like it was sketched by Marvel Comics artists, and cast as a menacing robo-character in a blockbuster film. In reality, Tesla Motors' Cybertruck, which Founder and CEO Elon Musk began delivering to customers on Nov. 30, is just a wacky, difficult to manufacture, question mark. You have seen the picctures and the videos. Now, WardsAuto Podcast Host David Kiley discusses the truck everyone is talking about with Stephanie Brinley, principal automotive analyst and associate director of research at S&P Global. Tune in and hear how we see Cybertruck and its possible threat to Detroit.

EV sales will top one million this year, and that's a 50% gain from 2022. But that growth is not fast enough to match the production plans and investments made by automakers and suppliers. Host David Kiley talks with Cox Automotive's industry analyst Michelle Krebs about what is holding back consumers.

Auto Shows aren't what they used to be, but the LA Auto Show '23 had a decent share of debuts including the Toyota Camry, Lucid Gravity, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe and more. Plus a bonus look at Karma Automotive's new hyper-car EV Roadster in Las Vegas on the eve of the F1 race in Sin City. Host David Kiley talks to some of the executives behind these important models.

Dealer inventories of EVs are swelling, so discounting is kicking in and production plans are being rethought. But government and corporate fleets keep buying because they have mandates and zero-emission vehicle goals that aren't impacted by consumer adoption rates. That has opened up opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-ups like Lightning eMotors, which manufactures EV coaches, buses, etc., as well as Plug, which is brokering used EVs for dealers and fleets. Our guests this week are Plug CEO Jimmy Douglas and Lightning eMotors CEO Tim Reeser.

Nearly 40% 9f consumers surveyed are ready to consider an EV for their next purchase. But even with those folks, there is a certain amount of anxiety and trepidation over making a radical transition from an ICE vehicle to an EV. John Possumato is Founder and CEO of driveitaway.com, which is a company that works with dealers to allow customers rent to own vehicles. We can use the service for any type of vehicle, but in this week's episode Possumato talks about how appropriate and useful this service is to would-be EV buyers, and also how both dealers and consumers can take advantrage of the Federal tax credits vailable for many EVs.

The U.S. government is putting $7 billion into building hydrogen hubs across the country. There is more than $50 billion in additional investments in hydrogen production and applications: cars, hydrogen production, trains, planes, stationary power and even ships. The first big push, set to happen over the next ten to fifteen years, is converting diesel-powered semi-trucks and generators to hydrogen fuel-cells. Despite the promises of how the cleanest burning energy on the planet can mitigate carbon emissions, there is plenty of controversy and debate around whether we should or can develop a hydrogen economy. Thomas Stephenson--Founder, Chairman and CEO of Pajarito Powder--a New Mexico-based supplier to the hydrogen industry, and one of the most knowledgable advocates for hydrogen power, joins us to chew over the latest news about hydrogen.