Automotive News Canada Podcast

Chinese EVs are closer; Honda halts $15B plan; Tesla’s cheap Model 3 Plus, Infiniti Canada Managing Director Ken Hearn talks about the QX65, tariffs, the brand’s expanding lineup, affordability, and more.

Used EVs lose value; GM invests in Canada; Stellantis suggests regulatory change. Plus, Boston Consulting Group’s Eric Jesse discusses how automakers can find “white space” to win in different powertrain segments.

Genesis’ hybrid plan; Leapmotor idea panned; CADA’s warning. Plus, Nissan Chief Performance Officer Guillaume Cartier talks about profitability, new product, SUVs, and more.

BYD brand recognition; Stellantis Brampton stalled; Q1 sales recap. Plus, new Chrysler and Dodge brand CEO Matt McAlear talks about what Canadian dealers and consumers can expect from the two brands. He also discusses new product, affordability, and more.

401 Group’s AI buy; Clutch expands; slow trade talks. Plus, Australian Automotive Dealer Association CEO James Voortman offers a glimpse of what might lie ahead for Canadian dealers and consumers once Chinese brands land in Canada.

On this Automotive News Canada Podcast Replay from Feb. 20, 2026, Hyundai Canada CEO Steve Flamand sits down with Automotive News Canada for a lengthy fireside chat.

Tariff relief program; Groupe Park Avenue’s plan; EV security concerns. Plus, Automotive News Canada Toronto Bureau Chief David Kennedy speaks with Tony Weber, CEO of Australia’s Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. He discusses China’s sudden dominance of the Australian new-vehicle market.

EV sales slide; Chery eyes Canada; Sigma expansion. Plus, Automotive News Canada Toronto Bureau Chief David Kennedy explains in detail the Canada-China compromise that sees more China-made EVs on the way to Canada. He also explains the quota limits, who might sell them, and at what cost.

VW’s firm line; Chinese brands eye launch; Pacifica refresh on tap. Plus, Unifor President Lana Payne talks Canadian auto investment and gives her thoughts on the Government of Canada’s approach to tying new factories to a $12-billion submarine deal.

February’s flat sales; Linamar’s Q4 profits; EV rebates return. Plus, Dan Hearsch, global co-leader of the automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners, explains how the latest military conflict in Iran could affect the auto industry. 

Brampton’s murky future; a warning amid trade talks; auto investment for sub deal. Plus, Canadian International AutoShow GM Jason Campbell talks about the record-setting event, looks ahead, and talks about a possible Chinese presence in 2027. 

GM spends in Oshawa; Toyota to deploy humanoid robots. Plus, Hyundai Canada CEO Steve Flamand sits down with Automotive News Canada for a lengthy fireside chat.

Trump’s latest threat; Chinese EV demand; More EV infrastructure. Plus, Canadian Automobile Dealers Association President Tim Reuss talks about Canada’s new auto strategy, 2025 sales and what’s ahead in 2026, and Chinese EVs.

EV rebates return; Canadians support Chinese EVs; Strong January sales. Plus, Canadian International AutoShow General Manager Jason Campbell sets the table for the 2026 event.

RAV4 output ramps up; GM Oshawa cuts a shift; Century Auto expands. Plus, Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell talks about the resurgence of minivans, the future of the Chrysler brand, affordability, and the brand’s plan to enter the car market.

Chinese EVs are coming, Changes to AutoTrader.ca; David Adams retiring. Plus, Cadillac Canada Managing Director Mike Speranzini talks about record sales, winning new customers, digital marketing, the Luxury market, image programs, new product, and more.

Canada courts VW, Hyundai plants; no Ford Escape; Tesla sales sink. Plus, AutoTrader.ca Vice-president of Insights and Intelligence Baris Akyurek talks about affordability, Canadian buying behaviour, the used market, EVs, tariffs, and more.

2025 sales were up; a better way to defrost; 401 Group expands in Ontario. Plus, new Nissan Canada President Steve Rhind talks about his new role, his priorities, dealer relations, affordability, product mix, new Canadian buyers, and more.

In this replay of the June 6, 2025 episode, former Senior Vice-President of Automotive Finance at Scotiabank Canada John Hiscock talks affordability, dealership health, fraud, and retirement.

In this replay of the May 30, 2025 episode, Google Strategic Insights Lead Nisha Hariharan offers some insight into Gen Z car buyers. She tells us who they are, what they want and need, and most importantly, how they shop for new vehicles.

Hybrid sales surge; AutoCanada’s new COO; hope for Stellantis Brampton. Plus, Stellantis Canada President Trevor Longley on his new role and what he learned while at Nissan Canada. He also discusses affordability, product, tariffs, Canadian manufacturing, and more.

GM preps CAMI payout; dealers spend big on EVs; 2026 EV pricing. Plus, Nissan Chairman of the Americas Christian Meunier on dealer relations, the merger of Infiniti and Nissan brands under single rooftops, sales projections, new product and more.

November sales slide; New Charger output starts; USMCA under scrutiny. Plus, Zanchin Automotive Group Principal and Executive Director Laura Zanchin talks EV investment, sales, rebates and more.

GM pressured over CAMI; trades when ‘appropriate’ | Leading Women Roundtables. Plus, Canadian International AutoShow General Manager Jason Campbell talks electric vehicles, consumer choice, and about the 2026 show.

B.C. scraps EV mandate; NACTOY finalists announced; Jeep Recon EV. Plus, Head of Turo Canada Bassem El-Rahimy talks about the car-sharing company’s core mission, the future of auto ownership, affordability, mobility, access over ownership, and more.

Aquilina leaves GM Canada; Volvo safety head on regulations; VW gets Supercharger access. Plus, Director of Lexus Canada Martin Gilbert talks about the Lexus LS Concept, the Century luxury brand, how luxury brand extensions get consumers and dealers engaged, and more.

Federal budget breakdown; OpenRoad buys into NewRoads; October sales. Plus, NextStar CEO Danies Lee talks about why the Stellantis-LG Energy Solution joint venture is now making energy storage systems instead of EV batteries in Windsor, Ont.

Honda adjusts production; hope for Brampton; exports lack U.S. content. Plus, Clarify Group co-founder and President Darren Slind discusses the latest findings in a survey about auto shows.

GM kills BrightDrop; QX60 imports start again; Best Dealerships to Work For. Plus QNX Chief Operating Officer John Wall talks about cybersecurity and how software recalls are changing vehicle tech development.

Stellantis changes Brampton plans; ZEV sales show life; Lyft expands. Plus, Head of the PBV Business Division at Kia Sangdae Kim talks about Kia’s new PV5 midsize passenger van, its Platform Beyond Vehicle concept, and the van's uses beyond just being a passenger vehicle.

Carney, Trump talk tariffs; Linamar’s big European buy; Jeep drops Wagoneer. Plus, Magna Vice-president of Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Todd Deaville explains how the supplier is leaning on artificial intelligence to improve manufacturing and to gain supply chain insights amid shifting trade policy.

Canadians choose hybrids; Australia’s Eagers buys into CanadaOne; NextStar battery plant complete. Plus, Stellantis Canada Head of Product Planning Mike Szymkiewicz on tariffs, Jeep Cherokee, EVs, affordability and more.

U.S. tariff collection spikes; Vip Palladino dies; 13 Porches damaged. Plus, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association CEO Brain Kingston talks about the federal ZEV sales mandate, the potential return of the iZEV program, tariffs, and more.

The reason behind third shifts at GM, Stellantis; Premier Moe changes his EV tariff tune; AI saves Martinrea millions. Plus, Assistant Vice-president of Honda Canada Sales and Marketing Emile Korkor talks about the Prelude’s return, sports coupes, powertrains, and more.

GM Oshawa extends third shift; Stellantis to add shift in Windsor; Canada’s oldest Toyota store is sold. Plus, Canadian Automobile Dealers’ Association CEO Tim Ruess talks ZEV sales mandates, tariffs, sales and more.

August sales slump; EV maintenance money; Honda Prelude returns. Plus, Subaru Canada Car Line Manager Brad Evans talks about the automaker’s EV strategy, new product, Canadian sales and more.

Suppliers see reshoring efforts; BMW to resume imports; Tim Hortons adding EV chargers. Plus, a replay of the May 16 conversations with Kia Canada Chief Operating Officer Elias El-Achhab, who talks about Kia’s electrification strategy, EV incentives, affordability and more.

CAMI’s cloudy future; Glencore buys Li-Cycle; ZEV sales tank again. Plus, Ontario's Representative in Washington D.C. David Paterson talks tariffs, the trade war and negotiations.

Santa Cruz imports paused; Hyundai Canada's sales goals; Clutch returns to B.C. Plus, Plug 'N Drive CEO Cara Clairman assesses the current EV landscape and talks charging infrastructure. 

Dilawri buys the Ritz; July sales surge. Plus, Unifor National President Lana Payne talks tariffs, retaliation, and gives an update on Ford and Stellantis retooling at Ontario assembly plants.

AutoCanada hires Car Gurus; Quebec battery investment audited; Champions of diversity nominations. Plus, a replay of the July 11 interview with Nissan Chair of the Americas Christian Meunier, who talks about the Canadian market, dealer relations, electrification, and more.

EV instability; U.S. marketshare down; Unifor’s NextStar agreement. Plus, Policaro Group CEO Francesco Policaro talks about the company’s new deal with Tedson Motors.

Flo layoffs; Assembly survives tariffs; Used exports flow to U.S. Plus, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association President Flavio Volpe details what it would it take — and mean — to create an all-Canadian automaker.

Nissan pauses some imports; Mayors want ZEV mandate changes; Tedson comes to Canada. Plus, Nissan Chair of the Americas Christian Meunier talks about the Canadian market, dealer relations, electrification, and more.

U.S. trade talks resume; Award-winning Canadian factories. Plus, Director of Lexus Canada Martin Gilbert talks about the luxury automakers growing portfolio, electrification, the dealer network, the importance of Canadian manufacturing, and more.

Canadian r&d doing well; Cadillac Optiq’s new charger; Ford Explorer gets Tremor trim. Plus, Volvo Canada Managing Director Matt Girgis talks about what Canadian consumers want when it comes to vehicle safety.

Toyota adds Canadian battery assembly; ZEV mandate to stay; Buzz Hargrove remembered. Plus, retiring Mazda Canada CEO David Klan on his replacement, ZEV sales mandates, the trade war and more.

ZEV sales mandate questioned; EcoPro halts construction; Military production in auto. Plus, Porsche Cars Canada CEO Trevor Arthur details the new Porsche Experience Centre in Toronto.

May sales surge; Hemi returns to Ram; Tariffs hammer auto output. Plus, Senior Vice President of Automotive Finance at Scotiabank Canada John Hiscock talks affordability, dealership health, fraud, and retirement.

Stellantis names a new CEO; Genesis sees luxury growth; Plus, Google Strategic Insights Lead Nisha Hariharan offers some insight into Gen Z car buyers. She tells us who they are, what they want and need, and most importantly, how they shop for new vehicles.