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The auto industry is discovering that building the future is much harder than promising it. From EV factories struggling to meet production targets to dealerships testing AI systems that fail basic customer interactions, the gap between innovation and execution is growing.

Today's episode breaks down federal fuel-economy targets dropping to 34.9 MPG, Volvo's EX60 production bottleneck at just 200 vehicles per week, Volkswagen's $61,545 ID. Buzz pricing problem, Penske Automotive Group's reported move to go private with Mitsui, and five critical stress tests dealerships should run before adopting AI-powered BDC software.

Today's Key Headlines

~Federal CAFE targets drop from 50.4 MPG to 34.9 MPG by 2031 as automakers gain flexibility to sell trucks and V8s

~Hybrid market share is projected to climb from 14% to approximately 34% by the end of the decade

~Volvo's Torslanda plant produces just 200 vehicles weekly against a 2,000-unit target, threatening EX60 availability

~Volkswagen's $61,545 ID. Buzz faces an affordability problem, with U.S. model years 2026 and 2027 being skipped ~Penske Automotive Group is reportedly moving toward private ownership with Mitsui, while dealers are urged to test AI BDC systems against five real-world scenarios

00:06 Volvo's 200-car production problem opens the episode

01:14 Federal CAFE rules reshape automaker strategy

04:25 Volvo's EX60 megacasting bottleneck delays production

07:09 Volkswagen's $61,545 ID. Buzz faces an affordability crisis

09:41 Penske's reported move to private ownership with Mitsui

11:10 Five real-world AI BDC stress tests for dealerships

13:35 Big takeaway: innovation means nothing without execution

14:51 Outro: watch what automakers stop promising

To keep up with the latest headlines — plus explore our Marketplace, Vendor Directory, and Job Listings — check in daily at AutoNewsTalk.com

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The auto industry is abandoning growth at all costs. Dealerships are cutting unprofitable brands, automakers are rethinking billion-dollar technology investments, and AI-powered systems are being pushed to prove their financial value.

Today’s episode breaks down CDK's push for connected dealership workflows, Amazon advertising verification and CRM matchbacks, Chorley Group dropping Hyundai and Kia while improving gross profit, GM redirecting its autonomous-driving investment away from Cruise robotaxis, and automakers balancing futuristic electric vehicles with powerful combustion engines.

Today's Key Headlines

~CDK promotes 15-minute AI strategy sessions focused on connecting dealership CRM, service, parts and accounting workflows

~Amazon Ads verification and CRM matchbacks become critical tools for measuring dealership advertising performance

~Chorley Group drops Hyundai and Kia, raises gross profit to £18.5 million and reduces its pre-tax loss to £995,000

~GM redirects autonomous-driving development after investing more than $10 billion in Cruise, targeting premium consumer vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade IQ

~GM teases an 8.3-liter Mongoose diesel V8 while Dodge explores bringing a 6.2-liter Hemi V8 to the Charger

00:06 Welcome to Auto News Talk

01:46 CDK targets dealership software silos with AI workflows

04:25 Amazon Ads verification and CRM matchbacks challenge marketing ROI

07:16 Chorley Group drops Hyundai and Kia to protect profitability

10:14 GM pivots from Cruise robotaxis to Cadillac autonomous driving

12:22 Automakers hedge between electric vehicles and powerful V8 engines

13:53 Big takeaway: proven ROI replaces growth at all costs

16:27 Outro: are dealers selling the future or what pays the bills?

To keep up with the latest headlines — plus explore our Marketplace, Vendor Directory, and Job Listings — check in daily at AutoNewsTalk.com

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New EVs are struggling without subsidies, but used EVs are moving faster than gas cars once depreciation brings prices back to earth.

Today’s episode breaks down EV market share falling from nearly 10% to roughly 6% after the loss of up to $7,500 in federal tax credits, GM EV sales falling about 27%, Ford rethinking the F-150 Lightning with an extended-range setup, Volkswagen leaning on the Tiguan name, Brazil posting 797,470 vehicle registrations in one quarter, and used EVs selling 4.7 days faster than the overall market average.

Today's Key Headlines

~EV market share falls from nearly 10% to roughly 6% after federal tax-credit support disappears

~The repealed federal EV incentive was worth up to $7,500

~GM EV sales fall about 27% over a comparable reporting period

~Brazil records 797,470 vehicle registrations in a single reporting quarter

~Used EVs sell 4.7 days faster than the overall market average

00:07 Welcome to Auto News Talk

01:31 EV demand drops after subsidies disappear

04:42 Automakers lean on legacy names and combustion profits

06:26 Brazil shows how BYD can pressure legacy brands

08:14 Engineering and regulatory growing pains hit new models

09:55 Used EV demand exposes the real pricing issue

11:41 Big takeaway: pricing, policy and global disruption decide the pace

13:27 Outro: watch EV pricing without subsidies

To keep up with the latest headlines — plus explore our Marketplace, Vendor Directory, and Job Listings — check in daily at AutoNewsTalk.com