The conversation begins with BYD’s latest earnings report, which shows declining profits despite massive growth in global vehicle sales. Rather than signaling collapse, Joe and Tu explain why BYD’s results reflect intense competition and structural changes in China’s auto market.

They break down:

• Why BYD’s profits declined despite selling 4.6 million vehicles globally

• The impact of China’s ongoing price war and government intervention

• How competitors like Geely, Chery, and Wuling are reshaping the market

• Why Chinese automakers are accelerating exports across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia

• Tesla’s growing challenges in China and lack of new product refreshes

• The implications of rising global gas prices due to geopolitical tensions

• How oil price spikes could shift demand back toward hybrids and EVs

• Why Western automakers may struggle to adapt to both cost pressure and technological competition

• The long-term impact of software, automation, and data on the future of mobility

Joe and Tu also explore how China’s rapid innovation cycles — from manufacturing to software — are creating a new competitive benchmark that Western automakers must match or risk falling behind.

As fuel prices rise and EV competition intensifies, the industry faces a critical question:

Can legacy automakers keep up — or will China’s speed and scale redefine the global auto market?

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⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro – Gas Prices and Road Trips

01:43 BYD Earnings Breakdown

03:06 China EV Price War Explained

05:23 BYD Growth vs Profit Decline

07:10 Tesla Challenges in China

09:38 Export Markets and Global Competition

12:57 China Manufacturing Advantage

15:56 Speed vs Quality Debate

18:58 Oil Prices and Supply Chain Risks

21:49 Impact on Auto Industry Costs

25:06 Winners and Losers from Rising Gas Prices

28:46 EV Demand vs Gas Vehicles

31:32 Future of Global Auto Competition

34:39 Final Thoughts

Alan shares firsthand stories from the earliest days of Tesla, including the company’s debut in 2006 and the pivotal investments from Daimler and Toyota that helped it survive its early financial struggles.

The discussion then shifts to Tesla’s present challenges and the rapidly changing global EV landscape.

Joe, Tu, and Alan analyze:

• Why Tesla’s EV sales are slowing despite its massive valuation

• The role of China’s EV industry and companies like BYD in reshaping the market

• Whether Tesla’s shift toward AI, robotaxis, and humanoid robots is a visionary strategy or a risky pivot

• The growing competition in autonomous driving from Waymo, Zoox, Waabi, and Chinese companies

• The economics of the robotaxi business and why it may not be as profitable as many investors believe

• Tesla’s expanding battery storage and energy business, which could become a major growth engine

• How EV supply chains, battery technology, and energy markets are becoming central to the future of transportation

The conversation also explores the broader transformation of the auto industry, where software, batteries, and energy infrastructure may ultimately matter more than cars themselves.

As Tesla evolves from an EV disruptor into a broader technology company, the question becomes:

Is Tesla still an automaker — or something entirely different?

🔎 SEO Keywords for Discoverability

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⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro – Special Guest Alan Ohnsman

00:39 The Early Days of Tesla

02:23 Tesla’s First Public Debut

04:56 Daimler and Toyota’s Early Investments

07:17 How Tesla Survived the 2008 Crisis

12:05 Tesla’s Battery Strategy Explained

16:05 Tesla’s Current EV Sales Challenges

20:19 Tesla’s $1.6T Valuation Debate

24:47 Robotaxis and Autonomous Driving Competition

29:05 Why Waymo and Others Challenge Tesla

34:36 Tesla’s Energy and Battery Storage Business

40:53 EV Supply Chains and China’s Dominance

47:18 The Future of Tesla and the EV Industry

54:11 Final Thoughts

As tensions in the Middle East disrupt global oil markets and threaten energy supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz, automakers may once again face the consequences of volatile fuel prices. Higher gasoline prices historically reshape vehicle demand and force shifts toward more efficient cars and electrified vehicles.

Joe and Tu discuss:

• How rising oil prices could reshape the global auto market

• The impact of geopolitical conflict on fuel prices and supply chains

• Why Toyota, Hyundai, and EV makers may benefit from higher gas prices

• The vulnerability of truck-heavy automakers like Ford and Stellantis

• How Chinese automakers may redirect exports as global markets shift

• BYD’s next-generation Blade battery and ultra-fast charging technology

• Why BYD’s charging speeds now rival the time it takes to fill a gas tank

• The role of battery innovation in the next phase of EV competition

• Why Chinese automakers may gain further advantages in global EV markets

The episode also explores the future of charging infrastructure, the economics of EV adoption, and whether Western automakers can keep pace with China’s accelerating innovation.

As oil shocks and technological breakthroughs collide, the auto industry faces a new question:

Will the future of transportation be driven by energy markets — or battery innovation?

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⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro – Oil Shock Hits the Auto Industry

02:32 How the Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Oil Markets

06:06 Why Asian Automakers Face Greater Fuel Risks

09:38 Rising Gas Prices and Consumer Behavior

13:03 Supply Chain Risks from Energy Markets

15:56 BYD’s New Blade Battery Explained

18:58 Ultra-Fast Charging Technology

22:16 Why BYD Is Pushing Charging Innovation

25:36 EV Technology vs Gasoline Vehicles

29:11 Western Automakers Falling Behind?

33:19 Chinese EV Expansion and Global Competition

36:53 The Future of EV Charging Infrastructure

41:17 Final Thoughts

The discussion explores one of the most important issues shaping the future of the auto industry: who controls the batteries, minerals, and technology powering the EV transition.

Henry explains how China built a dominant position across the EV supply chain — from mining and refining to battery manufacturing — and why Western governments are now scrambling to catch up.

Joe, Tu, and Henry discuss:

• How Chinese companies like CATL, BYD, and Ganfeng Lithium built global dominance in batteries

• Why China controls key processing capacity for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth magnets

• Whether the United States and Europe can realistically rebuild their own supply chains

• The challenge of competing with China’s scale and cost advantages

• How EV demand, energy storage, and AI-driven data centers are reshaping energy markets

• Tesla’s shift toward AI, robotaxis, and robotics — and what that means for the EV industry

• Why EV policy, industrial strategy, and geopolitics are now deeply intertwined

The conversation also dives into emerging battery technologies including LFP, sodium-ion, and manganese-rich batteries, and what they could mean for the next phase of the energy transition.

As governments and automakers race to secure supply chains, the future of the EV industry may depend less on cars — and more on minerals, batteries, and energy infrastructure.

🔎 SEO Keywords for Discoverability

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⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro – Special Guest Henry Sanderson

01:18 Henry Sanderson and the Story Behind Volt Rush

03:48 China’s Battery Supply Chain Dominance

07:33 Can the West Catch Up to China?

10:58 Rare Earths, Lithium and Critical Minerals

15:57 How China Controls EV Supply Chains

19:42 LFP Batteries and Cost Advantages

22:05 Sodium-Ion and Next Generation Batteries

27:20 Tesla’s Shift Toward AI and Robotics

31:14 EV Demand and Global Market Competition

36:47 Ford, GM and the Future of EVs

41:01 Geopolitics and the Energy Transition

45:23 Will the West Rebuild Its Supply Chain?

52:51 Final Thoughts on the EV Race

The headline: AI, robotics, and autonomous systems are rapidly becoming the center of the mobility industry.

At CES, companies like Nvidia, Hyundai, Boston Dynamics, and Chinese automakers such as Geely and Great Wall showcased how artificial intelligence and robotics will reshape both manufacturing and transportation.

Joe and Tu break down:

• Why AI and robotics dominated CES announcements

• Nvidia’s strategy to become the “Switzerland” of the AI ecosystem

• Hyundai’s plan to deploy 30,000 humanoid robots by 2030

• The rise of Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) as a new industrial business model

• How automation is transforming automotive factories

• Why Chinese automakers are quietly preparing to enter the U.S. market

• The potential use of Volvo’s U.S. factory as a gateway for Chinese brands

• The geopolitical tension between U.S. regulators and Chinese automakers

• The growing importance of data centers, AI chips, and silicon design

The discussion also explores whether legacy automakers risk becoming contract manufacturers in a software-defined future dominated by tech companies.

As AI, robotics, and global competition accelerate, the automotive industry may be entering one of the most disruptive decades in its history.

🔎 SEO Keywords (for Description Optimization)

AI automotive industry

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⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro – CES and the Future of Cars

00:58 CES Highlights: AI Everywhere

02:32 Nvidia’s Role in Automotive AI

03:13 Robotics and Hyundai’s Strategy

05:50 Automation in Manufacturing

07:37 Chinese Automakers at CES

09:11 Geely’s U.S. Strategy

11:13 National Security Concerns Around Chinese Cars

13:26 Detroit Auto Show vs CES

17:08 Ford’s AI Strategy and Autonomous Systems

21:29 Silicon and AI Chip Competition

26:08 Data Centers and Autonomous Driving

30:01 Robotics-as-a-Service Explained

33:19 What’s Next for the Auto Industry

36:13 Final Thoughts

The conversation begins with Ford’s stunning decision to scrap major EV programs and take a $19.5 billion write-down, signaling that the first phase of the EV transition may be over.

Joe, Tu, Steve, and Paul dive into the big questions facing the industry:

• Why Ford is resetting its EV strategy and pivoting toward hybrids and lower-cost platforms

• Whether legacy automakers are retreating from the EV race or simply regrouping

• How Tesla’s trillion-dollar valuation continues to rise despite declining vehicle sales

• The risks behind Elon Musk’s pivot toward robotaxis, AI, and humanoid robots

• China’s rapidly expanding EV industry and the global impact of Chinese automakers

• The growing importance of battery supply chains, rare earths, and silicon technology

• Why Detroit and Europe may need to completely reinvent themselves to stay competitive

As the EV transition evolves, the auto industry is facing a new reality: China’s rise, technology disruption, and changing consumer demand are rewriting the rules of global mobility.

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⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro – Special Year-End Episode

01:45 Ford’s $19.5B EV Write-Down Explained

04:04 What Ford’s Reset Means for the Industry

07:10 China’s Impact on Global Automakers

10:58 EV Market Reality Check

14:30 Tesla’s Valuation vs Real Sales

18:00 Robotaxis and AI vs Automakers

22:00 The Future of EV Demand

26:00 China’s Export Strategy

31:00 Battery Supply Chains and Rare Earths

36:00 Can Detroit Reinvent Itself?

42:00 Are EVs the Future or Just the Beginning?

48:00 Final Thoughts

Tesla’s once unstoppable growth story is suddenly under pressure. Sales are down sharply in Europe, China, and the United States, while Chinese automakers like BYD, Geely, Chery, and XPeng continue expanding both domestically and globally.

Joe and Tu break down:

• Why Tesla’s global sales growth has stalled despite strong EV market growth

• How China’s EV market is reshaping the global automotive industry

• The reality of Tesla’s idle capacity in Shanghai and Berlin gigafactories

• Why Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding into Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia

• Porsche’s dramatic sales collapse in China

• The growing pressure on legacy automakers to adapt to China’s EV dominance

• Europe’s escalating debate over phasing out combustion engines by 2035

The episode also explores how geopolitics, trade tensions, and evolving technology are reshaping the future of the global auto industry.

As China pushes toward 80% electrification of its auto market by 2040, the stakes for Tesla, Detroit, and Europe have never been higher.

🔎 SEO Keywords for Discoverability

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⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 Intro – Tesla’s Global Sales Problems

01:41 Tesla Sales Decline Explained

03:08 Tesla’s China Production Dependence

05:02 Idle Gigafactory Capacity in Berlin & Shanghai

07:10 Rising Competition From Chinese EV Makers

09:05 Why Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y Are Aging

12:08 Tesla’s Global Market Challenges

15:27 China EV Export Boom

18:03 Tesla vs China EV Companies

20:47 Michael Burry’s Tesla Criticism

24:18 XPeng’s AI Strategy

28:08 Global EV Competition Explained

31:35 Europe’s Combustion Engine Ban Debate

34:18 Legacy Automakers Under Pressure

37:07 EV Demand and Market Dynamics

40:20 Final Thoughts

The conversation begins with China’s latest long-term automotive roadmap projecting 80% electrified vehicle adoption by 2040, highlighting how the world’s largest car market could soon move beyond internal combustion entirely.

Joe and Tu discuss:

• China’s EV market projections and what they mean for global automakers

• Why companies selling fewer than 2 million vehicles a year may struggle to survive in China

• Porsche’s dramatic decline in the Chinese market

• Tesla’s shifting strategy away from EVs toward AI, robotics, and robotaxis

• GM’s new technology strategy and hiring of autonomous vehicle pioneer Sterling Anderson

• The rise of software-defined vehicles and the growing importance of data ownership

• The future of EV demand as subsidies expire in the United States

• Why legacy automakers may need to rethink product development speed and strategy

They also preview discussions from the Reuters Automotive Conference, where industry leaders are debating supply chain disruptions, AI integration, and the future structure of the global auto industry.

As electrification, AI, and geopolitics reshape the automotive sector, the question is no longer if the industry will change — but who will lead it.

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00:00 Intro – Global EV Competition

00:52 China’s EV Market Forecast to 2040

02:04 Why China Could Reach 80% EV Adoption

03:39 The 2-Million-Vehicle Rule for Survival in China

05:02 Porsche’s Collapse in the Chinese Market

07:36 Legacy Automakers Losing Ground

10:55 GM’s Technology Strategy Explained

14:12 Tesla’s Shift Toward AI and Robotics

17:35 Tesla vs Traditional Automakers

21:02 Rivian’s Cost Challenges

25:08 Global EV Sales Trends

29:32 Trade Wars and the Future of Supply Chains

33:33 The Reuters Automotive Conference Preview

37:55 AI, Data Ownership & the Future of Cars

40:56 Final Thoughts

Tu reports live insights from the Munich IAA Mobility Show, where Chinese automakers dramatically expanded their presence and showcased cutting-edge technology—from intelligent driving systems to next-generation EV platforms. With 40% more Chinese participants than in 2023, the message was clear: Chinese companies are rapidly scaling their global ambitions.

Meanwhile, Western automakers are racing to keep up. Volkswagen unveiled new affordable EV models targeting the €25,000 segment, Mercedes debuted its next-generation GLC with the updated MBOS software architecture, and BMW continues pushing its Neue Klasse platform.

But the real story may be geopolitical.

The conversation shifts to rising global trade tensions impacting the auto industry. Mexico is considering tariffs on Chinese vehicles while navigating pressure from the United States ahead of a USMCA renegotiation. At the same time, Canada is reviewing its 100% tariff on Chinese vehicles, highlighting how trade policy is reshaping global supply chains.

Joe and Tu also explore how Chinese companies are exporting not only vehicles but also software, silicon, and supply chains, which could disrupt traditional Tier-1 suppliers across Europe and North America.

Key themes include:

• The rapid globalization of Chinese EV companies

• How protectionism is reshaping the auto industry

• The battle for affordable electric vehicles

• Supply chain shifts and semiconductor competition

• What Western automakers must do to stay competitive

If you follow the future of mobility, EV technology, or the global auto industry, this episode offers essential insights into how the next decade of transportation is unfolding.

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Suggested YouTube Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to At The Wheel

01:00 Tu’s trip to Munich & the IAA Mobility Show

03:00 Volkswagen Group EV announcements

05:00 Can European EVs compete with Chinese models?

06:30 Mercedes GLC reveal and MBOS software platform

08:00 BMW Neue Klasse strategy

09:40 Chinese automakers’ growing presence in Europe

11:00 BYD’s aggressive expansion across Europe

12:00 Chinese supply chain companies entering Europe

14:00 Trade tensions reshape the auto industry

16:30 Mexico considering tariffs on Chinese vehicles

18:30 Why Mexico matters to global automakers

20:00 Hyundai investment and U.S. manufacturing tensions

23:00 The visa and talent challenge for global manufacturing

25:00 Canada reviewing tariffs on Chinese EVs

27:00 EV incentives ending and market impact

29:00 Stellantis strategy and affordable EVs

31:00 Why younger buyers are shifting away from legacy brands

33:00 The role of scale in China’s EV industry

35:00 Final thoughts on the global EV race

Nick recently traveled to China for the Shanghai Auto Show and reported on how companies like BYD, Chery, Geely, Nio, and Zeekr are reshaping the future of the automotive industry.

The conversation explores:

• Why Chinese automakers are developing vehicles faster and cheaper than Western competitors

• How companies like Chery redesigned a vehicle for Europe in weeks instead of months

• Why digital engineering, AI simulation, and software-first design are transforming product development

• How Chinese EV companies respond to customer feedback in real time

• Why Western automakers may be facing their biggest competitive challenge since the rise of Toyota

Joe and Tu also discuss the broader implications for Tesla, GM, Volkswagen, and other legacy automakers as Chinese brands expand globally and bring new approaches to engineering, software, and product development.

If Chinese automakers continue to move faster and respond more directly to consumers, the global auto industry could be entering a new competitive era unlike anything seen before.

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00:00 Intro – China’s Auto Giants

01:37 Nick Carey’s First Impressions of China

03:16 Chery’s Rapid Vehicle Redesign

05:18 How Chinese Automakers Speed Up Development

07:14 EV vs Hybrid Strategy in Europe

08:24 How Chinese OEMs Cut Development Time

11:06 The “Excessive Quality” Debate

13:20 Digital Engineering & Hardware-in-the-Loop

18:59 Rapid Software Updates in Chinese Vehicles

21:02 Customer-Focused Product Development

23:53 Chinese EVs Enter Europe

27:32 Chinese Automaker Market Strategy

30:41 Can Legacy Automakers Catch Up?

35:11 Why China Moves Faster Than the West

38:31 Tesla vs Chinese Competition

40:57 Final Thoughts

Canada has struck a new trade arrangement with China that could allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles annually into the North American trade zone. What does this mean for Ford, GM, Stellantis, Tesla, and the future of EV competition?

The discussion explores the Canada-China EV trade agreement, U.S. tariffs, USMCA tensions, Chinese automaker strategy, and how geopolitics is reshaping the global auto market.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why Canada lowered tariffs on Chinese EV imports

• The role of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the China trade reset

• How BYD, Geely, and other Chinese automakers could enter North America

• The impact on Ford, GM, and Stellantis production in Canada

• Whether Chinese EV technology will be allowed into North American vehicles

• How Tesla, Volvo, and Polestar might benefit from the new rules

• The geopolitical battle over EV supply chains and manufacturing

• What this means for USMCA and North American automotive trade

As global competition intensifies between China, the United States, and Europe, the future of electric vehicles, battery supply chains, and auto manufacturing is becoming increasingly political.

If Chinese EVs gain a foothold in Canada, could they eventually expand into the United States?

🔎 SEO Keywords (for description text)

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___

00:00 – Welcome & episode setup
01:15 – Who is David Kennedy & why this deal matters
02:15 – Canada–China relations & the Huawei turning point
03:40 – Why EV tariffs became a political wedge in Canada
04:45 – U.S. pressure, Trump tariffs & plant uncertainty
05:30 – Stellantis Brampton & GM Oshawa fallout
07:15 – Canadian auto market size & U.S. OEM exposure
09:40 – What this means for future USMCA negotiations
11:05 – Canada’s goal: Chinese tech & manufacturing investment
12:30 – Brownfield plants & JV opportunities (Magna, Stellantis)
15:10 – Chinese tech bans & U.S. connected-vehicle policy
18:45 – Data security, privacy & China hawks in Canada
20:15 – Tesla, Volvo, Polestar & who fills the 49k quota
22:45 – BYD’s prior Canada plans & dealer interest
25:30 – Canada as a testbed for Chinese OEMs
27:00 – EV affordability & Canadian consumer sentiment
29:45 – Why U.S. brands may be losing Canadian goodwill
31:45 – Tesla’s Canada struggles & product stagnation
33:15 – Battery, component & manufacturing upside for China
35:45 – Is USMCA leverage part of Carney’s strategy?
38:00 – Will China force the U.S., Canada & Mexico to compete?
41:15 – Final thoughts: risks for Detroit & what comes next

• The real state of AV deployments in the U.S. vs China

• Waymo’s strategy with Zeekr-built robotaxis

• Baidu’s sub-$50K L4 robotaxi and Why Chinese AV economics matter

• How Uber, Lyft, Waymo, and Chinese AV startups are aligning

• The next wave of trade tensions: tariffs, supply chains, and the Supreme Court

• GM’s push to “de-China” suppliers & what it means for OEM profitability

• The future of North American manufacturing & UAW influence

• Tesla and Rivian mega-pay packages (Musk + Scaringe) — what they really signal

• Whether Tesla is shifting focus from EVs to AI & robotics

• Rivian’s cost crisis and whether R2 can save the company

• Updated EV demand numbers across China, the EU, and the U.S.

• Why BYD, Geely, and Wuling are Tesla’s real global threat

This is an episode rich with insider detail on autonomous vehicles, EV demand, supply chains, and the real economic pressures shaping automakers in 2025 and beyond.

If you want the smartest take on where autonomy, EVs, and global manufacturing are headed, this one’s for you.

👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions or topics you want us to cover next time.

Joe & Tu

In this latest episode of At The Wheel, Joe () and Tu ) break down what CES 2026 actually told us about the future of the auto industry — and why the real story isn’t electric vehicles anymore, but AI, robotics, autonomy, and who controls the data.

This episode connects the dots between Las Vegas and Detroit, from Nvidia’s dominance at CES to the shrinking Detroit Auto Show — and what that contrast says about where mobility is headed next.

⸻

🤖 CES Wasn’t About Cars — It Was About AI & Robots

CES has effectively become the Nvidia show, and that matters. Joe and Tu unpack:
• Why Nvidia is positioning itself as the “Switzerland” of AI and autonomy
• The explosion of physical AI, embodied AI, agentic AI, and robotics
• Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics’ push toward humanoid robots at scale
• Why “Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS)” may quietly become a new OEM revenue stream
• How automation inside factories is finally becoming real, not hype 

⸻

🚗 Detroit Feels Smaller — And That’s the Point

While CES looked forward, Detroit looked backward.
We discuss:
• Why the Detroit Auto Show now feels analog and legacy-heavy
• The continued reliance on trucks, SUVs, and off-road branding
• How diminished global relevance reflects deeper strategic risk
• Why U.S. OEMs are running out of time to answer a simple question:
What happens when Chinese brands arrive? 

⸻

🇨🇳 Geely, Great Wall & the China Question

Chinese automakers didn’t come to CES for show — they came to test the wall.
Joe and Tu analyze:
• Geely’s very deliberate signaling around U.S. market entry
• Why Volvo’s underutilized U.S. factory matters
• How Chinese OEMs are thinking in 24–36 month localization windows
• The political tension between “foreign investment welcome” and “national security risk”
• Why dealers may flip faster than politicians once product is available 

⸻

🧠 Autonomy, Data & Capital Decide the Winners

Autonomy isn’t a feature anymore — it’s a capital game.
We explore:
• Why Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy are now a when, not an if
• Who actually has the balance sheets to run robotaxi fleets and data centers
• The growing role of Amazon AWS, Google, Nvidia, and Oracle
• Why OEMs may never own the data — only rent access to it
• How software, not manufacturing, is becoming the competitive moat 

⸻

⚠️ The Hidden Cost: Policy Whiplash

Ford, GM, and Stellantis have already written off $30B+ in stranded EV investments — and the turbulence isn’t over.
Joe explains:
• Why automakers are begging Washington for policy stability
• How USMCA uncertainty threatens North American supply chains
• Why Canada and Mexico may move faster than the U.S. to attract Chinese OEMs
• The real cost of stop-start industrial policy 

⸻

🎯 Bottom Line

The auto industry is no longer defined by engines or batteries.
It’s being reshaped by AI, data, autonomy, geopolitics, and capital access.

CES showed the future.
Detroit showed the risk.
China is testing the door.

And the next three years may decide who survives.

⸻

Podcast SEO Keywords:
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May your season be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones.

From the guys that bring you the & .

AKA the dudes.

In Episode #11 of At The Wheel, Joe (Reuters / High-Speed Rodeo) and Tu (Sino Auto Insights) tackle the three tectonic shifts reshaping the global auto industry right now — Tesla’s global collapse, China’s unstoppable EV export offensive, and Europe’s political retreat from its once-sacred 2035 combustion ban.

This isn’t just an EV story. It’s a story about industrial strategy, global competition, and massive miscalculations by some of the world’s largest carmakers and governments.

We go deep into:

🚨 Tesla’s Global Slowdown
• Sales down 40%+ in Europe, double digits in China and the U.S.
• Shanghai and Berlin Gigafactory utilization falling below profitable levels
• Tesla’s shift from “EV company” to “AI + robotics company”
• What Elon’s strategy pivot really means for Tesla’s future
• Whether political blowback is still impacting Tesla demand 

🇨🇳 China’s EV Momentum & Export Wave
• BYD, Geely, Chery, Wuling and others squeezing Tesla in every global market
• China’s price war and overcapacity pushing EV and ICE exports into SE Asia, Latin America, and beyond
• XPeng’s AI Day: humanoids, AV tech, custom silicon, and software–hardware integration
• Why China’s domestic demands + export ambitions create a structural threat for all Western OEMs 

🇪🇺 Europe’s Big Backtrack?
• EU debating delays to the 2035 combustion-engine phaseout
• German and Italian pressure, union pushback, and shrinking affordability
• Volvo + Polestar warning Europe against “letting the fox into the henhouse”
• Stellantis × CATL’s €4B EU battery plant and the politics around Chinese partnerships 

🇺🇸 U.S. Reality Check
• California’s EV adoption split: luxury surges, mainstream stagnates
• Whether U.S. consumers want EVs—or simply can’t afford them
• The coming wave of mid-priced EVs: Rivian R2, Lucid Gravity, GM Equinox EV, Slate Auto
• Why 2026–2027 could mark the next big EV demand upswing 

🤖 Autonomous Vehicles & The Coming Service Era
• Waymo’s multi-city rollout: Detroit, NYC, London
• AV safety data and whether AV adoption should be mandated
• The future role of OEMs: contract manufacturing vs. consumer sales vs. fleet operators
• Could AVs reshape car ownership, urban mobility, and automaker revenue models? 

🔥 Plus:
• Why European automakers fear becoming “bystanders in the 21st century”
• Price inflation & affordability pressures worldwide
• Why GM, Ford, Stellantis and Toyota are bracing for a brutal competitive cycle
• What this all means for 2025–2030 global auto and mobility trends

👉 Don’t forget: Our year-end show is coming on December 15. Send us the topics you want included!

In this episode of At The Wheel, () and break down one of the another important week in global mobility.

From Waymo’s aggressive expansion into four-season cities like Detroit and New York, to China’s robotaxi surge led by Baidu Apollo Go, WeRide, and Pony.ai, we dig into why autonomous driving is suddenly heating up again.

We also unpack:

• The real state of AV deployments in the U.S. vs China

• Waymo’s strategy with Zeekr-built robotaxis

• Baidu’s <$50K L4 robotaxi and Why Chinese AV economics matter

• How Uber, Lyft, Waymo, and Chinese AV startups are aligning

• The next wave of trade tensions: tariffs, supply chains, and the Supreme Court

• GM’s push to “de-China” suppliers & what it means for OEM profitability

• The future of North American manufacturing & UAW influence

• Tesla and Rivian mega-pay packages (Musk + Scaringe) — what they really signal

• Whether Tesla is shifting focus from EVs to AI & robotics

• Rivian’s cost crisis and whether R2 can save the company

• Updated EV demand numbers across China, the EU, and the U.S.

• Why BYD, Geely, and Wuling are Tesla’s real global threat

This is an episode rich with insider detail on autonomous vehicles, EV demand, supply chains, and the real economic pressures shaping automakers in 2025 and beyond.

Chapters:

00:00 The Rise of Robotaxis

08:43 US-China Trade Dynamics

19:04 Challenges in Reshoring Manufacturing

24:28 CEO Pay Packages and Market Competition

If you want the smartest take on where autonomy, EVs, and global manufacturing are headed, this one’s for you.

👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions or topics you want us to cover next time.

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• Waymo Detroit

• Waymo New York robotaxi

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• Tesla earnings breakdown

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• Rivian R2

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• Trade wars 2025 auto industry

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They dive into:

⚡ The U.S. EV market’s slowdown — and what GM’s $1.6 billion charge says about consumer demand

🇺🇸 Stellantis’ combustion-heavy U.S. plan and John Elkann’s Trump outreach

🇪🇺 Europe’s debate over delaying the 2035 ICE ban — and new IP-transfer demands on Chinese automakers

🇨🇳 China’s EV “cliff”: record exports from BYD and Chery, brutal price wars, and overcapacity pressures 🌍 Why Spain is becoming Europe’s new EV hub (BYD, CATL, VW Group)

💰 U.S. car prices topping $50K — and the growing middle-class gap

🚗 How Chinese brands like BYD, Geely, Leapmotor, NIO (Onvo), and Xpeng are taking share abroad

🤖 The rise of Waymo, Uber, Lyft, and new autonomous players like Tensor Auto — and what it means for future mobility

⚙️ Rare-earth supply chain battles between China and the U.S.

Tu and Joe connect the dots between policy, profitability, and innovation across Detroit, Beijing, and Berlin.

📺 Subscribe to At The Wheel for straight-talk analysis from two of the most plugged-in voices in global mobility.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Electric Vehicles and Market Trends

01:39 The Cliff of EV Adoption in the US

05:51 The Chinese EV Market Dynamics

11:37 Export Trends and Global Competition

18:02 The Shift in US Auto Industry Focus

26:31 The Future of Innovation and Competitiveness

35:02 Supply Chain Challenges and Geopolitical Tensions