In this episode of At The Wheel, Joe White and Tu Le explore the accelerating global competition in electric vehicles, autonomy, and automotive AI.
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
