Automotive Insiders
Automotive Industry expert Jason Stein presents a podcast focused on the automotive industry. It launched in 2022 and covers various industry topics, trends, and projections that are impacting the future of automotive. Jason will interview some of the industry’s key thought leaders and industry insiders. The podcast will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Pandora with new episodes that will be featured weekly.
Episodes
169 episodes
Unlocking What’s Next in Supplier M&A
On the latest Automotive Insiders, Greg Urban of Greenwich Capital breaks down the forces reshaping automotive M&A and what suppliers need to know to prepare for the next wave of deals.
Adapting to Automotive's New Production Reality
Recorded live at the MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers Southern Supplier Summit in Greenville, S.C., Jason Stein sits down with Danielle Momany of MEMA OE and Tim Morris of Tohoom to discuss shifting production forecasts, supplier profitability...
Tariffs, EV Delays and Risk: What Suppliers Need to Know Now
Tariffs. EV program delays. Contract disputes. Workforce shortages. For automotive suppliers, the challenges aren't arriving one at a time—they're colliding all at once. Today, we're joined by David DeVine of Butzel to discuss how suppliers can...
How Lucerne is Creating Opportunity in Chaos
Tariffs and supply chain disruption aren’t going away—but they can be leveraged. Mary Buchzeiger, CEO of Lucerne International, explains how suppliers can unlock cash flow, improve control, and turn volatility into opportunity.
Moving from AI Theory to AI Execution
Forget AI hype—most suppliers don’t need smarter tools, they need better workflows. William Crane of OrbAid breaks down why “CLAW” may be the real key to turning AI into results.
Solving for Scale with AI
Automotive manufacturers are still managing billions in direct spend through email and spreadsheets. Spencer Penn, co-founder and CEO of Lightsource.ai, explains how aligning engineering, procurement, and suppliers at the BOM level can unlock s...
Why Ireland is Full of Opportunity for Suppliers
The next competitive advantage for suppliers may come down to geography. Tony Hayes of IDA Ireland breaks down why Ireland is emerging as a strategic location for automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.
How AI is Affecting Risk
Today’s vehicles are as much software platforms as they are machines — and that’s changing everything for suppliers. Partners Vanessa Miller and Nicholas Ellis of Foley & Lardner LLP break down how IP, data, and AI are reshaping contracts, ...
Contracts for Today’s Reality
Automotive suppliers are facing rising costs, shifting tariffs, and contracts that weren’t built for today’s reality. Foley & Lardner LLP partners Nicholas Ellis and Vanessa Miller explain how suppliers can protect margins, find leverage, a...
The Real-World Impact of AI
AI in automotive is no longer a concept—it’s a competitive advantage, but only if you know where to apply it. On this episode of Automotive Insiders, Ajay Chawla, CEO of OnTrac AI, breaks down how OEMs, suppliers, and fleet operators are turnin...
An Inside View of Supplier M&A and Tariff Reimbursements
M&A activity among automotive suppliers is back—but the deals are more complex than ever. With tariff-driven risk and distressed transactions, Jennifer Dudley of Warner Norcross + Judd breaks down what’s really happening behind the scenes—a...
Inside the Rivian Story - Part 2
Rivian is in scale mode and, in part 2 of our interview, Chief Operations Officer Javier Varela joins Automotive Insiders to describe the landscape for the brand and the market in the future.
Inside the Rivian Story - Part 1
What does it take to scale an EV startup into a global manufacturer—without losing its DNA? Rivian Chief Operations Officer Javier Varela joins Automotive Insiders for a candid, two-part deep dive into leadership, production, and the future of ...
Finding Real Solutions in Cost Savings
Manufacturers have no shortage of cost-saving ideas — the real challenge is execution and proving the financial impact. On this episode of Automotive Insiders, Amarish Kapadia of MiNDCAN explains how the Profit+ platform is helping manufacturer...
What’s Really Changing Inside Manufacturing?
Jonathan Lane, VP of Solutions at Redzone from QAD, joins Automotive Insiders to explain how technology isn’t replacing the workforce — it’s redefining it. From AI-assisted inspection to real-time plant-floor collaboration, he breaks down the t...
Analyzing a Recalibration of the Industry
David Oakley of GlobalData is our guest on Automotive Insiders as we break down the macro forces reshaping supplier strategy in 2026 -- from tariffs and affordability pressure to the rise of a multi-powertrain future.
Connecting Margin to Execution for Suppliers
In this episode of Automotive Insiders, host Jason Stein sits down with Jason Versical of Campfire Interactive and Joe McCarthy of Cover 4 PM to unpack how unifying commercial planning with program execution is reshaping profitability for suppl...
Using Machine Learning to Transform Production
Machine learning is transforming production — but culture determines whether transformation sticks. Martinrea CEO Pat D’Eramo reveals how people and technology are advancing together.
PACE Awards: What Winning Automotive Innovation Looks Like Now
The Automotive News PACE Awards have long been a gold standard for supplier innovation—but what do judges really value most? Jason Stein sits down with Douglas Ober, head of PACE judging, to reveal how credibility, customer adoption, and clear ...
Part 2: CES 2026 — How Bosch is transforming itself
From AI in the cockpit to autonomous trucking, from agentic AI in factories to the challenge of earning public trust in technology — in part two of this episode, Automotive Insiders host Jason Stein sits down with Paul Thomas, President of Bosc...
Part 1: CES 2026 — Inside Bosch’s vision for future mobility
At CES 2026, Bosch made a clear statement: the future of mobility isn’t just electric — it’s intelligent. In part one of this episode of Automotive Insiders, Jason Stein sits down with Paul Thomas, President of Bosch in North America, to explor...
Bill Long: A Legacy of Supplier Leadership
For more than 40 years, Bill Long has helped shape the voice and future of the supplier community. In this special episode, the retiring MEMA President and CEO reflects on his legacy and the next chapter for the industry he championed.
Using AI to Get Smarter About Sourcing
Automotive procurement teams are stuck in endless firefighting and AI is offering a way out. Arkestro’s Head of Automotive, Ron Collman, reveals how smarter sourcing decisions are already transforming cost, risk, and speed.
AI-Driven Efficiency for the Modern Supplier
Suppliers are sitting on billions in stranded capital and AI is finally unlocking it. Infor’s Peter Maithel explains how smarter factories create a measurable competitive edge.
Arthur D. Little & MEMA OE Landmark Study: U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness
As a USMCA renegotiation looms, suppliers face critical choices about where future programs belong. Arthur D. Little reveals the factors that will determine whether North America remains a winning manufacturing hub.