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Live from the Washington, DC Auto Show at Public Policy Day 2026, Kyle Mountsier and Paul J Daly sit down with Drew Ferguson, Head of the Office of Policy and Government Affairs at Hyundai Motor Group, to unpack how automakers navigate uncertainty without losing focus. As policy shifts, geopolitical pressure builds, and affordability dominates the conversation, Ferguson explains why Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have stayed steady—by doubling down on value, innovation, and long-term investment in the U.S. market.

Drawing on his experience as a former member of Congress, Ferguson offers a rare inside look at how automotive policy actually gets made—and why education matters more than lobbying theatrics. He breaks down how government affairs can advocate for consumers by helping lawmakers understand the real-world impact of regulation on choice, pricing, and the entire automotive ecosystem. From affordable innovation like the Hyundai Ioniq lineup to the $1.5 trillion economic footprint of the auto industry, the message is clear: when policy ignores the consumer, the ripple effects hit everyone—from factory floors to dealership showrooms.

Timestamped Takeaways

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

0:11 – How This Quarter Exposed the State of the Auto Industry

0:50 – Why Hyundai Hasn’t Lost Focus Despite Policy Shifts

1:37 – What Hyundai’s Value Leadership Says About the Market

1:58 – Meeting Customers Where They Are Through Innovation

2:51 – What Government Affairs Really Does for Consumers

3:22 – Why Most Policymakers Don’t Understand Auto Manufacturing

4:01 – How Policy Decisions Ripple Through the Entire Economy

5:34 – Why Education Is the Real Purpose of Policy Day

6:00 – The Auto Industry’s $1.5 Trillion Economic Impact

6:40 – Why Consumer Choice Must Stay at the Center of Policy

7:13 – How One Policy Decision Sends Shockwaves Everywhere

Connect with Drew Ferguson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hon-drew-ferguson/

Learn more about Hyundai's North American Manufacturing: https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/why-hyundai/hyundai-in-america

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

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