Larry P. Vellequette and Michael Martinez break down Honda’s plans for a new U.S. plant, Volkswagen’s slashed profit forecast and why record diesel prices are rattling truck dealers heading into the third quarter.

Sept. 26, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Honda’s next U.S. plant; VW’s profit warning

Automotive News Daily Drive

Welcome to this Automotive News Daily Drive edition of Daily Drive for the fourth week of September, 2026. I'm Kellen Walker in Las Vegas. This week, Honda's new plant takes shape. Volkswagen slashes its profit forecast to razor-thin margins, and record diesel prices put new pressure on Q3 sales. Joining me as always is Larry Veloquette, who covers Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru for us at Automotive News. Larry Legend, what's up, sir? Happy weekend, Kel. Hope you're well.

I am, sir. And Toledo, Ohio's favorite son, Michael Martinez, who covers Ford in the UAW for us. Hey, wait a minute. He can't be the favorite son. Thanks, I guess. That's where you're from, though. You're technically from there, though, right? I was here first. Allegedly.

Oh, it's so great to have both of you guys. So let's start with Honda. Mike, a person briefed on plans told our owner, Irvash Krakaria, this week that Honda's finalizing a new hybrid assembly plant, likely in Ohio, that would build the next-gen Acura MDX in two new flagship three-row crossovers. What's your take?

Smart move, right? The three-row crossover space is booming, super profitable. You need to be putting your best foot forward, so to speak, with your product offerings there.

Honda needs more capacity, and it looks like Ohio is the spot. It makes a whole lot of sense geographically. They have other locations nearby. There's a strong supply base. In Arvash's story, they quoted an Ohio sort of economic developer saying that Ohio was on fire right now, and I don't think he was just talking about the rivers.

Sept. 26, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Honda’s next U.S. plant; VW’s profit warning

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.

Sept. 26, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Honda’s next U.S. plant; VW’s profit warning

Read the full transcript

The candid version is on a podcast, not the earnings call.

The candid version is on a podcast,
not the earnings call.