Toyota&#x27;s Koji Sato wants parts standardization among Japanese automakers to combat China. UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the Department of Justice. Plus, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume outlines up to 50,000 job cuts to hit savings goals. Michael Martinez and Larry Vellequette break it all down on this edition of Weekend Drive.

July 18, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Koji Sato wants parts standardization; UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the DOJ

Automotive News Daily Drive

Welcome to this Weekend Drive edition of Automotive News Daily Drive for the third week of July, 2026. I'm Kellen Walker in Las Vegas. Today on the show, Toyota's Koji Sato wants parts standardization to combat China. The U.S. Justice Department launched a grand jury investigation into UAW President Shawn Fain and VW CEO Oliver Bloom outlined up to 50,000 more job cuts to hit savings goals.

Joining me this week, as always, to break it all down, Michael Martinez, who covers Ford in the UAW for us at Automotive News. Mike, welcome back to Weekend Drive. Welcome back yourself, Kel. Thanks, Mike. Appreciate it. And Larry Velaquette, who covers Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda for us. Larry Veloquette, how you doing, sir? I'm doing well, Kel. Happy 40th birthday to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't look a day over 30, but I'll take it. No, you don't. You don't crack at all.

We don't do that. We don't do that at all over here. No one at Automotive News does, yeah. No one does. No, not at all. All right, so let's jump right in. Japan's automakers are facing what Toyota's Koji Sato calls a once-in-a-century challenge. And his solution is something most of the industry outside of China hasn't embraced in a big way before.

Working together. As chairman of Japan's Auto Industry Association, Sato wants rival automakers to standardize common parts like wire harnesses, steel, and plastics to cut costs and improve efficiency. The idea is to free up time and money to invest in technologies and manufacturing needed to compete in a rapidly changing global market.

July 18, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Koji Sato wants parts standardization; UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the DOJ

Read the full transcript

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

July 18, 2026 | Weekend Drive: Toyota’s Koji Sato wants parts standardization; UAW President Shawn Fain is under investigation by the DOJ

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.