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Live from the Washington, DC Auto Show at Public Policy Day 2026, Paul J Daly sits down with John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, to unpack the rapidly shifting landscape of U.S. auto policy. With fuel economy rules under revision, autonomous technology advancing, and affordability under pressure, Bozzella shares what he’s most focused on ahead of an upcoming conversation with Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy—and why the stakes for consumers, dealers, and manufacturers have never been higher.

The conversation expands into global competitiveness, with a sharp focus on China, tariffs, and the ripple effects of Canada opening its market to Chinese vehicles at dramatically lower rates. Bozzella offers context on why a “6% tariff” now sounds shockingly low, how this move could influence USMCA negotiations, and why election-year politics complicate long-term auto policy decisions. The episode closes with a look ahead to the NADA Show, where collaboration—not surprises—remains the guiding principle between policymakers, OEMs, and dealers.

Timestamped Takeaways:

0:00 – Live From the DC Auto Show at Public Policy Day 2026

0:34 – What John Bozzella Wants to Ask the Secretary of Transportation

1:20 – Fuel Economy Rules and Their Impact on Price and Choice

1:51 – What the Alliance’s Merge Conference Set in Motion

2:15 – Why Competitiveness Became the Core Auto Policy Theme

3:29 – Chinese Vehicles Enter Canada at Low Tariff Rates

3:57 – Why a 6% Tariff Now Sounds “Ridiculously Low”

4:35 – Is Canada Testing the Waters Ahead of USMCA Review?

5:30 – How This Could Affect U.S. Negotiating Leverage

5:50 – What Bozzella Focuses On at the NADA Show

6:20 – Coordinating With Dealers, OEMs, and State Associations

6:52 – Why Better Questions Lead to Better Auto Policy

Connect with John Bozzella: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bozzella/

Learn more about the Alliance for Automotive Innovation: https://www.autosinnovate.org/

Public Policy Day 2026 is brought to you by Saferide. Learn more at Saferide.ai: https://www.saferide.ai/

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