logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
27m 35s

Michael Dunne: When Every Car is Made in...

David Spisak
About this episode

Is the electric vehicle (EV) revolution facing an unexpected twist? Why are major automakers hesitating and what role does China play in the global EV market? 

Tune in as we dive deep into these pressing questions with Michael Dunne, the global authority on EVs. Discover why "everyone other than Tesla should be terrified of BYD" and what it means when every car is made in China.

What We Discuss In This Episode

We start by addressing the unexpected drop in EV sales penetration globally. Countries like Germany and Sweden have scaled back their incentives, and even OEMs who have invested billions are reconsidering their commitments due to declining demand. What caused this shift, and is it a temporary blip or a long-term trend?

A significant portion of our conversation focuses on the strategic implications of the automotive supply chain. As Western automakers increase their reliance on Chinese manufacturing, they inadvertently weaken their own supply chains. Dunne outlines the risks associated with this dependency, particularly in terms of battery production and the refining of essential minerals, which are dominated by China.

This episode also explores the pivotal roles played by industry leaders and governments in this dynamic. From Elon Musk’s influence on the electric vehicle movement to China's strategic policies encouraging innovation and investment in the EV sector, these elements have collectively steered the global market towards a new reality.

Connect with David Spisak to Achieve Exponential Growth:

Like this show? Please leave us a rating and review where you're listening right now!

Up next
Jul 3
The Brutal Truth About AI, Advertising, and the Future of Dealerships with Diana Lee
In this episode, I’m sitting down once again with Diana Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Constellation, and honestly, it probably won’t be the last time. Every time we talk, the conversation evolves. The insights deepen. The game changes.We talk about why dealers must innovate now—not ... Show More
55m 57s
Jun 26
The Hidden Forces Shaping the Future of Car Buying with Glenn Mercer
In this episode, my guest is Glenn Mercer, one of the most respected automotive researchers in the business. Glenn’s ability to break down complex industry trends into practical, real-world insights is second to none.We talk about the surprising connection between SUVs, pickup tr ... Show More
57m 56s
Jun 19
How to Compete With CarMax and Carvana on Your Own Turf with Rob Ruth
In this episode, my guest is Rob Ruth, Dealer Principal at Bob Ruth Ford in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania — a town of just under 3,000 people — and yet he’s moving over 350 used cars a month.We talk about how that’s even possible. Not in theory. In practice. Rob breaks down how his tea ... Show More
50m 49s
Recommended Episodes
May 6
Meet the CEO Bill Gates backs to beat Tesla: Alex Kendall, Wayve.AI
In this episode of Secret Leaders, we sit down with Alex Kendall, co-founder & CEO of Wayve AI — the $1B+ British startup taking on Tesla in the race to build a driverless future. From raising $1.05 billion from Microsoft, SoftBank, and NVIDIA, to reimagining cities with AI-power ... Show More
1h 14m
Sep 2024
How can EVs accelerate toward market growth?
After decades of anticipation, electric vehicles are becoming the mainstream – as more hit the roads globally, despite bumps along the way.   EVs are on the rise, driven by greater affordability, environmental concerns and a shift in consumer preferences.   But with geopolitics, ... Show More
23m 42s
Nov 2024
Bold Names: Why This Tesla Pioneer Says the Cheap EV Market 'Sucks'
Tesla, and its CEO Elon Musk, are the big names in electric vehicles, but a lot of competitors are nipping at their heels, including one led by a former top Tesla engineer. Peter Rawlinson is the CEO of Lucid, a billion-dollar auto startup he says has better technology than its r ... Show More
27m 43s
Dec 2024
Is Europe’s car industry at a crossroads?
The car industry across the European Union employs over thirteen million people, both directly and indirectly, that’s around six percent of the bloc’s workforce. But in recent years, Europe’s manufacturers have been struggling to cope with issues like economic downturns, clean en ... Show More
22m 58s
Oct 2024
What is new in the auto industry?
Theo Leggett reports on the latest trends and concerns preoccupying the automobile industry at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have established that they can manufacture vehicles more cheaply than their European counterparts, and now they are ... Show More
17m 39s
Nov 2024
Bold Names: Why Elon Musk’s Battery Guy Is Betting Big on Recycling
JB Straubel was Elon Musk’s battery guy. Now he’s trying to turn what some see as trash into power for the electric vehicle revolution. Straubel was there at the earliest days of Tesla, and in his 15 years with the electric vehicle company, he played an integral role: he develope ... Show More
28m 12s
Jun 2024
Electric Cars: Made in China?
China produces more than half the world's electric vehicles and is scaling up exports, but there are concerns its manufacturers would have an unfair advantage in the UK, which could spell disaster for domestic firms.Evan Davis and guests discuss the UK's dilemma around Chinese EV ... Show More
32m 40s
Oct 2024
3053: The Future of Electronics Supply Chains: Challenges and Innovations
In this episode, I sit down with Richard Barnett, Chief Marketing Officer at Supplyframe, a leader in Design-to-Source Intelligence for the global electronics value chain. Richard brings decades of expertise in semiconductor supply chains and shares insights on the challenges and ... Show More
44m 27s
Jan 2025
Four Key Investment Themes for 2025
Our Global Head of Fixed Income & Public Policy Research Michael Zezas discusses how Morgan Stanley’s key themes – deglobalization, longevity, the future of energy, and artificial intelligence – will evolve in 2025 and beyond. ----- Transcript ----- Welcome to Thoughts on the Mar ... Show More
5m 16s
Feb 2025
What the EV Industry’s Challenges Reveal About Innovation and Regulation
Many consumers are buying electric vehicles, thanks to sportscar-like performance, government incentives, and personal motivations to minimize climate change. But the EV industry overall has revved and sputtered in unpredictable ways and offers a case study in managing innovation ... Show More
26m 24s