Inevitable EV Disruption: Mike Colias on Auto Industry’s Future

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The auto industry is at a crossroads. Legacy automakers have poured billions into electric vehicles but are still trying to catch up. Why? Because breaking free from the systems built for gas-powered cars isn't easy.

In this episode, Mike Colias, the Wall Street Journal's deputy bureau chief for autos, joins Jan Griffiths to talk about the messy reality of the EV transition. 

Drawing from his book Inevitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable Transition to Electric Vehicles, they dive into why legacy automakers continue to struggle, what's really slowing things down, and how culture—not just technology—is the real battle.

In 2022, Ford executives gathered in a nearly empty warehouse, staring at two cars: a Mustang Mach-E and a Tesla Model 3. It wasn't just a teardown—it was an autopsy. As they examined the differences, it became clear: Tesla was years ahead in design efficiency, cost-cutting, and scale, while Ford's EV was still burdened by old-school engineering.

This wasn't just a Ford problem—it was an industry-wide issue. GM had glimpses of an EV future with the Volt, but its rigid structure forced compromises. Meanwhile, Tesla and Chinese automakers moved fast, unburdened by legacy processes and cultures resistant to change.

But the real problem isn't just technology—it's culture. The systems that perfected combustion engine manufacturing are now roadblocks to innovation in the EV era, and the old ways of working simply don't translate to EV success.

So, what happens next? With China producing high-quality, affordable EVs at an unprecedented pace and global competition intensifying, automakers can't afford to cling to the past. The shift to EVs is inevitable—but will legacy automakers evolve fast enough to stay in the race?

Listen now to get the inside story on the biggest transformation in automotive history!

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The messy and expensive reality of the EV transition for legacy automakers
• Why the shift to EVs is inevitable, despite industry resistance
• Why traditional car companies struggle to match Tesla’s speed and efficiency
• How legacy automakers' old ways of working are slowing down EV progress
• How Chinese automakers are producing cheaper, high-quality EVs at scale
• The growing threat of Chinese EVs and what it means for U.S. automakers
• How leadership decisions at Ford, GM, and others shape the future of EVs

Featured guest: Mike Colias

What he does: Mike is the deputy bureau chief for autos at The Wall Street Journal, covering the auto industry’s shift to EVs, self-driving cars, and emerging technologies. Based in Detroit, he writes and edits stories on Ford, GM, and the challenges facing legacy automakers as they navigate change.

He’s also the author of Inevitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable Transition to Electric Vehicles (2025), a book that examines the EV transition and what it means for all of us.

Before WSJ, Mike covered GM at Automotive News and reported on healthcare at Crain’s Chicago Business and The Associated Press.

Mentioned in this episode:

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