Fuel For Thought

Fuel for Thought is a monthly podcast that turns fast-moving automotive change into practical direction for OEMs and suppliers. Each episode brings Mobility Global (formerly S&P Global Mobility) experts to break down what’s driving the market—from geopolitical disruptions to production, sales, and supply chain shifts—and how those forces translate into real planning decisions.

Listeners gain data-backed perspectives to stress-test forecasts, spot emerging risks early, and prioritize actions across sourcing, capacity, and regional strategy. The result: clearer choices, faster responses, and more confident moves in an increasingly volatile industry.

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Episodes

Mar 28, 2024

24 min

In this episode of Fuel for Thought we discuss the future of trucking. Disruption is coming to the medium and heavy commercial vehicle industry and an increased focus on climate change, strict regulations, and technological innovations are expected to change the future landscape. Hear from S&P Global Mobility experts as we identify and address major questions the truck industry faces. Mike Wall - Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, S&P Global Mobility Andrej Divis - Executive Director of Global Heavy Truck Research, S&P Global Mobility Greg Genette - Senior Research Analyst for Heavy Trucks, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here.

Feb 28, 2024

20 min

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, we discuss what's likely to shape our industry in 2024 and beyond. Learn about the softening of the EV market, as well as increasing media coverage concerning sustainability, and the associated future pressures that this could bring to your business. With the upcoming S&P Global CERAWeek and Innovation Agora event in Houston (TX), we will preview some of the panel discussions that will be held there with several industry leaders.  Join us as we dive into the topic of the mobility and energy transition. Tom De Vleesschauwer - Senior Director, Future Mobility, S&P Global Mobility Anoop Desai - Executive Director of Sustainability, Consulting, S&P Global Mobility Greg Genette - Senior Research Analyst, MHCV, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here.

Dec 19, 2023

24 min

The automotive industry is reaching an inflection point that will reshape its near-term future, precipitated by the connected car era – also known as software defined vehicles or "SDVs." This will affect every aspect of future mobility, from Generative AI implications in Level 2+ autonomy to the HMI of the cockpit domain software. Tune in to this episode of Fuel for Thought and hear from our industry experts as we dive into the topic of connected cars and the automotive revolution... Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, S&P Global Mobility Phil Amsrud - Associate Director, Automotive Supply Chain & Technology, S&P Global Mobility Tawhid Khan - Software Research Director, Automotive Supply Chain & Technology, S&P Global Mobility To read the Fuel for Thought article, click here.  

Nov 29, 2023

16 min

Average transaction prices for new vehicles are through the roof. But affordability has also been crimped by many automakers shifting away from traditional entry-level segments, both in the US and Europe. But as legacy OEMs depart the 'cheap-and-cheerful' arena, white space opportunity emerges for new manufacturers to enter the fray.  In the past decade, it was possible to find an entry-level new vehicle for less than $20,000. But pricing in the US market has recently increased dramatically to where $25,000 or even $30,000 is the lowest possible transaction price for a "low-priced" vehicle.   Tune in to this episode of Fuel for Thought and hear from our industry experts as we dive into the topic of vehicle affordability... Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, S&P Global Mobility Julie Choate - Senior Consultant, Automotive Advisory, S&P Global Mobility Constantin Gerner - Senior Consultant, Automotive Advisory, S&P Global Mobility  

Oct 25, 2023

21 min

Five years ago, hype surrounding "autopilot" cars peaked. But S&P Global Mobility's updated forecast offers a reality check of careful, limited adoption of self-driving technology through 2035. Learn more about the future of autonomous vehicles in this episode of Fuel for Thought. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Jeremy Carlson - Associate Director of the Autonomy Practice, and Own Chen - Senior Principal Analyst at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Sep 27, 2023

22 min

The consumer is already inundated by more than 450 vehicle nameplates to choose from in the US market. With automakers rapidly adding EVs to their product portfolios, that number will soar even higher. How are OEMs, dealers, and agencies going to adjust their marketing messaging and media spend with this onslaught of products? Learn more in this episode of Fuel for Thought. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Joe Kyriakoza - Vice President and General Manager of Polk Automotive Solutions, and Jason Jordhamo, Director of Polk Automotive Solutions at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Aug 30, 2023

33 min

In this episode of Fuel for Thought we are going to expand the conversation of electrification. Rosy sales projections aside, global adoption of battery-electric vehicles still faces huge obstacles to cross the chasm, an updated forecast from S&P Global Mobility shows. Raw materials shortages, supply chain snarls, mainland China's dominance, and charging-network snafus are showing the transition from ICE to EV will take much more than wishful thinking and government mandates.   Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Graham Evans - Director of Supply Chain and Technology, and Calum MacRae - Director of Supply Chain and Technology at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Jul 26, 2023

16 min

In this episode of Fuel for Thought we discuss how the commercial vehicle fleet is accelerating toward ZEV adoption. How many electrified medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles can we expect to see delivering packages and plying US highways? And how soon? S&P Global Mobility recently upgraded its forecast to 140,000 ZEV MHCVs annually, starting in 2030. But potential potholes to adoption remain. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Andrej Divis - Executive Director of Global Truck Research, and James Martin - Consulting Director at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Jun 27, 2023

20 min

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, S&P Global Mobility experts discuss the transformation of auto retail. Automakers and dealers need to change rapidly if they want to survive in the digital age. The recent  S&P Global Mobility Vehicle Buyer Journey survey showed consumers were willing to drive further to buy a car if a dealer engaged more online. With disruptor automakers now playing heavily in the omnichannel retail transformation space, what are legacy OEMs to do about it?  Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Tanja Linken - Executive Director of Dealer Network Development, and Grant Gitre - Associate Director of Consulting at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

May 31, 2023

24 min

In this episode of Fuel for Thought, S&P Global Mobility experts discuss auto safety systems. As more ADAS systems are installed in new vehicles, consumers, automakers and repair shops will have to ensure cars stay safe after modifications and repairs are performed. A slight modification or accident to a vehicle could make its driver-assist and crash-avoidance technology not work properly – or at all. And as more ADAS vehicles enter the fleet, the service and repair industry is struggling to keep pace. Join Mark Rechtin - Executive Editor, Nishant Parekh - Senior Research Analyst of Auto Technology & Aftermarket, Jeremy Carlson - Associate Director of Autonomy, and Todd Campau - Associate Director of Aftermarket Solutions at S&P Global Mobility as they share their thoughts on this topic.

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