The CAR Podcast

Join Center for Automotive Research researchers, subject matter experts, and guests as they discuss the latest news from the automotive industry.

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QAD joins the CAR Podcast

June 1, 2023: Confronting the Challenges of Automotive’s Future: A Preview of MBS 2023.

Get ready for an inside look at the highly anticipated 58th Annual Management Briefing Seminars (MBS) hosted by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) from July 31-August 3, 2023.

Join us as we explore what’s in store for attendees, and the exciting changes this year, and hear exclusive previews from key organizers. Discover the latest trends in electric infrastructure, trade & policy, autonomous vehicles, and more, as industry leaders share their insights. Don’t miss this captivating preview of the event happening this summer that is shaping the future of the automotive industry.

QAD joins the CAR Podcast

January 19, 2023: Adopting the Changes from ICE to ACE Ride Sharing Vehicles – Featuring Carter Lloyds of QAD.

CAR Research Fellow Brett Smith is joined by QAD Chief Marketing Officer Carter Lloyds. Brett and Carter discuss the rapid growth of the EV industry in the last 2-3 years both in terms of consumer acceptance and investment of the industry. They take a closer look at how manufactures can adopt changes from ICE to ACE Ride Sharing Vehicles and leverage the disruption for competitive advantage.

October 6, 2022: Hot Topics – September Sales Results and Inflation Reduction Act Cont.

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Bernard and Edgar take a look at September sales results and what they bode for the coming year. They also continue the conversation on the Inflation Reduction Act and its implications for investment levels the industry is likely to see.

September 20, 2022: Hot Topics – Inflation Reduction Act: Consumer and Industry Implications

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Bernard welcomes CAR Senior Industry Analyst Edgar Faler for a discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act related to EV adoption. They cover implications for both the consumer and the producer.

August 31, 2022: Hot Topics – Inflation Reduction Act and MBS 2022 Recap

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard take a moment to recap the 2022 Annual CAR Management Briefing Seminars (MBS) and the most prominently discussed themes. They also share their thoughts on the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and what it means for EVs.

July 13, 2022: Hot Topics – Q2 sales and San Francisco Cruise accident

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard dive into the latest sales numbers, including the increase in EV penetration and how inflation is impacting sales globally. They also discuss the recent accident in San Francisco involving a Cruise Robotaxi and recent news about Elon Musk’s Twitter deal.

July 5, 2022: Laser blanking – featuring Justine Fonteyne of Schuler Group GmbH

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla welcomes guest speaker and CAR Affiliate, Justine Fonteyne, Area Sales Manager of the Americas at Schuler Group GmbH, to discuss laser blanking. They take a closer look at what laser blanking is and the various benefits of implementing laser blanking solutions.

June 11, 2022: Hot Topics – Lordstown Motors plant sale and EcoMotion Week 2022

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard cover insights into the recent $230M sale of the Lordstown Motors plant to Foxconn. They also discuss EcoMotion Week 2022 and the vast presence of innovative start-ups at the event.

June 6, 2022: Auto industry economic impact and supply chain crises – featuring John Bozzella of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by Alliance for Automotive Innovation President and CEO and veteran auto industry executive John Bozzella. Carla and John explore the overall impact of the auto industry and automotive manufacturing on the economic engine in the US, and they also discuss the various supply chain crises the auto industry is battling.

June 3, 2022: Automation and robotics – featuring Jeff Burnstein of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by guest speaker Jeff Burnstein, the President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Carla and Jeff dive into automation and robotics and the implications they bring to the future of manufacturing. They also discuss the 2022 Automate Show, taking place June 6-9 in Detroit, Michigan.

May 31, 2022: Building a data ecosystem for EVs – featuring David Knight of Terbine

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, CAR Director of Technology Brett Smith is joined by Terbine Founder & CEO David Knight to tackle big data management and data monetization as the auto industry transitions to an electrified and autonomous future. They also discuss Silicon Valley and why some companies are choosing to grow in other cities.

May 17, 2022: Electrification and data – featuring Bill Newman of SAP

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by SAP Chief Industry Executive Advisor Bill Newman to tackle electrification. They discuss how data can help maintain manufacturing quality and how data can improve the consumer EV charging experience.

May 11, 2022: Hot Topics – Q1 earnings and 2022 earnings guidance

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by CAR Senior Industry Analyst Edgar Faler to discuss automaker and supplier Q1 earnings. They also review key industry trends discussed on earnings calls and 2022 earnings guidance.

April 14, 2022: Hot Topics – EV investments, inflation trends, and semiconductors

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard review recent EV investments made by automakers. They also discuss inflation trends and risk of recession as well as the semiconductor outlook.

March 28, 2022: The future of work – featuring Jan Griffiths of Gravitas Detroit

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by podcast guest Jan Griffiths, the President and Founder of Gravitas Detroit, to discuss the future of the workplace and the need for new management styles in a remote world.

March 23, 2022: Hot Topics – NADA Show highlights and economic outlook

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard cover highlights and news from the 2022 NADA Show. They also discuss the global economic outlook.

March 11, 2022: Hot Topics – Ukraine crisis and fuel prices

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard tackle the evolving Ukraine-Russia crisis and its potential impacts on the industry, including the rising cost of fuel.

February 23, 2022: Hot Topics – The Great Resignation and Ambassador Bridge closure

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard discuss The Great Resignation and its implications for the future of the workplace. They also cover the recent closure of the Ambassador Bridge and subsequent protests and how they relate to the resiliency of the supply chain.

February 9, 2022: Discussion with CAR Affiliate Draper

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by CAR Affiliate, Draper, to discuss one of Draper’s latest technologies. They discuss the process of how this patented electric motor came to life, the motor’s technical and innovative differentiators, and finally, potential applications for the motor in automotive and beyond.

January 24, 2022: Hot Topics – Subscription services and the latest EV investments

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard discuss subscription services and what they mean for the industry and for consumers. They also review the latest automaker investments in the EV space.

January 13, 2022: Hot Topics – NACTOY Awards and new ways of buying cars

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla and Bernard share their thoughts on the recently announced North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards. They also discuss VinFast and other new ways consumers are buying cars.

December 15, 2021: Hot Topics – Sustainability round-tables

Brett Smith joins Carla to discuss what they learned during the recent sustainability round-tables held with affiliate companies focused on understanding what manufacturing companies’ sustainability targets mean for suppliers.

December 2, 2021: Hot Topics – Economic development, investment, and material shortages

Join us for the latest episode of the CAR Podcast as Carla and Bernard discuss how different states are preparing for the EV push and what they can do to improve the process of potential investments and economic development. They also discuss the latest in material shortages affecting the industry.

November 16, 2021: Hot Topics – Custom-ordered vehicles, the Infrastructure bill, Rivian IPO, and MotorTrend’s car of the year

In this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by Bernard Swiecki to discuss the shift to custom-ordered vehicles and the implications it brings for customer loyalty and dealerships. They also discuss the recently signed Infrastructure bill, Rivian IPO, and MotorTrend’s car of the year.

October 26, 2021: Hot Topics – Tesla, magnesium shortage and forecasting

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, Carla is joined by Bernard Swiecki to discuss current news surrounding Tesla, including the recently pulled Autopilot beta and the strong performance of the Model 3 across Europe. They then discuss the latest material shortage of Magnesium and how such shortages are hindering forecasts for 2022.

October 5, 2021: Hot Topics – Ford’s latest investment announcement, supply chain and sales figures

Bernard Swiecki joins Carla to discuss the latest Ford investment announcement, including the implications for economic developers and states in securing future investments. They also discuss supply chain issues and their effect on the latest sales figures.

September 21, 2021: Hot Topics – European EVs and Infrastructure, workforce, inflation, and the full-size pick-up market

Bernard Swiecki joins Carla to discuss what’s happening with EVs in Europe and the infrastructure needs. They then talk about what they have heard from our Automotive Communities Partnership and Affiliate organizations about workforce shortages and inflation issues. They wrap up with a discussion about the full-sized pick-up market.

September 13, 2021: Hot Topics – Propulsion systems, consumer acceptance, and it’s impact to design and manufacturing

In today’s podcast, Carla is joined by Brett Smith, Director of Technology, to discuss the variety of propulsion systems in the market and how consumers feel about all of those options. They then discuss the impact on manufacturing and design the shift to EVs could have, and finally, they discuss when we will see fuel cells.

September 1, 2021: Hot Topics – Infrastructure, workforce crisis, and inflation

Carla is joined by Bernard Swiecki as they discuss the progress of the infrastructure bill, the global workforce crisis and it’s affect on the supply chain, and they end the episode discussing the growing inflation rate.

August 11, 2021: Hot Topics – CAR MBS and Announcements from the Biden Administration

Carla sits down with Kristin Dziczek, Senior Vice President of Research, Brett Smith, Director, Technology, and Bernard Swiecki, Director, Research, to recap the discussions and topics covered at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars, as well as the recent announcement by the Biden administration.

July 29, 2021: Hot Topics – EV Market Growth, Supply/Demand

On this episode of the CAR Podcast, we discuss electrification, market growth and OEM strategies. We then get into new and used vehicle supply and demand, and how are we going to handle all of those vehicles sitting on the lots. Finally, BlueCruise vs. Super Cruise.