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

Sep 1, 2022

20 min

We are in year two of the great supply chain crisis. There are a handful of factors — from chip supply to impacts from climate and conflict — as to when "normal" production will return. Here is what we do know now: profit margins are near historic highs for OEMs while consumer loyalty scores are near historic lows. Listen to this podcast and learn important data signals for automotive marketers. Join Mike Wall, Executive Director of Automotive Analysis, Amber Daniel, Director of Product Strategy for Polk Automotive Solutions, and Cheryl Woodworth, Consulting Associate Director as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Sep 1, 2022

20 min

Jul 27, 2022

18 min

Navigating the opportunities within the comparatively nascent EV industry will see winners and losers emerge. But how real are the concerns around the battery upstream market and could this genuinely be the next automotive supply chain crisis? In what way can automakers achieve economies of scale while feasibly navigate fluctuating commodity prices to deliver competitively priced EV offerings? Join Kristen Balasia, VP, Advisory Services, Jay Hwang, Sr Technical Research Analyst and Anoop Desai, Consulting Director as they share their thoughts on this topic.

Jul 27, 2022

18 min

Jun 28, 2022

22 min

Although financial markets grab headlines when fear and volatility are highest, the same markets do also function rationally, and are a window into an ongoing re-evaluation of companies' prospects and risks. So, what can we learn from the state of the markets today? Join Kristen Balasia, VP, Advisory Services, Michael Robinet, Consulting Executive Director and Demian Flowers, Product Management Executive Director as they share their thoughts on what capital markets tell us about the automotive industry?

Jun 28, 2022

22 min

May 24, 2022

19 min

The automotive electrification outlook is a component of many intertwined factors from vehicle technologies and infrastructure availability to consumer sentiments and OEM partnerships. Many propose this to be a "Chicken and Egg" paradox, though S&P Global believes the vehicle (demand side) and charging stations (supply side) can be, and will be, developed and deployed largely at the same time. While there will be momentary shifts toward an oversupply of vehicles or an excess demand for charging, in the long run an equilibrium will emerge in most markets globally. Listen in as Mark C. Boyadjis, Global Technology Lead, Consulting Services and Claudio Vittori, Associate Director, Supply Chain & Technology share their thoughts on this subject.

May 24, 2022

19 min

Apr 26, 2022

23 min

Kristen Balasia, Tom DeVleesschauwer and Mark Boyadjis talk about Pace of Change: Energy & mobility, climate and innovation. The global energy and mobility industry is at a critical inflection point. Meeting ambitious emissions targets while also delivering energy and mobility for a growing world economy will require new thinking, innovation and a transformation of a system that supports the $90 trillion world economy. Are our current systems ready for the transformation? What are the innovations necessary to support this new world and what can we do to get there?

Apr 26, 2022

23 min

Mar 21, 2022

19 min

Kristen Balasia, Treffen White and our special guest, Chris Potgieter from automotiveMastermind talk about EVs and the dealer of tomorrow. Nearly every major automaker in the United States has announced significant investment commitments to transition a substantial percentage of their product portfolio from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to EVs. But what will this transition mean for the average US franchised dealer? What changes will be required to the traditional sales process? Will service revenue be at risk?

Mar 21, 2022

19 min

Feb 22, 2022

24 min

Mike Wall, Vijay Subramanian and Suraj Ghosh discuss India's decarbonization goals and the market's EV challenges. The discussion looks at why India is so critical in the global efforts to decarbonize, how regulations align with India's long-term net zero goals, how OEMs are gearing up to achieve compliance in India, which leaders are emerging, how decarbonization goals play into companies' ESG goals, how India's goals align with other markets, and how likely India is to achieve these goals.

Feb 22, 2022

24 min

Jan 17, 2022

27 min

Kristen Balasia, Colin Bird Martinez and Mark Boyadjis talk about Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Recap 2022, which provided some foresight on where the mobility industry is headed next on a technical, theoretical, and commercial basis. The automotive industry theme for 2022 is electrification and all the subsequent impacts it has on product, services, digitalization, and distribution.

Jan 17, 2022

27 min

Jan 17, 2022

20 min

The IHS Markit team is joined by special guest Jon Morrison CEO of J&M Strategic Insights and former president of WABCO Americas as they discuss how technology and data are transforming the heavy-duty commercial vehicle industry.

Jan 17, 2022

20 min

Dec 15, 2021

20 min

Kristen Balasia, Mike Wall and Phil Amsrud talk about Automotive 2022 outlook, diving into possibilities of recovery and potential pandemic impacts, and what to expect in 2022 for light and electrical vehicles.

Dec 15, 2021

20 min

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