Automotive Insiders

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, RFQ strategy, commercial issue management, and the tools suppliers need to navigate an increasingly volatile automotive landscape. 

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 navigate one of the most complex operating environments the industry has faced in years.

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.

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.

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 speed, efficiency, and cost savings.

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.

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, risk, and ownership in the automotive industry.

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, and rethink their approach in a volatile market.

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 turning AI into real-world results—and why adoption is now the missing link.

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—and what buyers and sellers need to know now.

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. 

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 the brand.

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 manufacturers turn hundreds of improvement initiatives into measurable profit.

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 tools suppliers must prioritize now to stay competitive over the next decade.

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.

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 suppliers. 

Machine learning is transforming production — but culture determines whether transformation sticks. Martinrea CEO Pat D’Eramo reveals how people and technology are advancing together.

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 storytelling define today’s top automotive breakthroughs.

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 Bosch in North America for an exploration of what’s to come.