--- title: "They Spent Billions. They Built the Future. Then It All Fell Apart" date: "2026-04-29" modified: "2026-04-29" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/podcast/they-spent-billions-they-built-the-future-then-it-all-fell-apart" categories: - "Podcasts" --- # They Spent Billions. They Built the Future. Then It All Fell Apart ![The Drivecast Ep. 14 Hero]() Globally, automakers are feeling the burn as billions of dollars were incinerated with the EV transition that evaporated and ended with pushback, walk backs, and finally full on retreats with cancelled programs, DOA product plans, and automakers holding the empty money bags. Now, automakers from Ford and Stellantis to GM, VW, and more are writing off unthinkable amounts of money and grappling with what comes next for today, tomorrow, and the future as everyone tries to compete both on the U.S. and the global stage. What comes next is the question with [Honda taking its first-ever loss](), [Nissan shifting gears]() with [gas-powered body-on-frame SUVs]() en route, Ford walking away from [electric family haulers]() and towards [less expensive electric trucks]() and SUVs (maybe even cars) [alongside EREVs](), and Stellantis [putting V8s back into production]() while [stalling its EVs]() while it figures out what's next. The latest episode of *[The Drivecast]()* goes behind the curtain and tackles the states of the EV union, the trials, tribulations, mistakes, promises, and what happens next. Car companies spent most of 2025 in a wait-and-see position, but now they’ve waited and seen enough, and started to make big moves. It’s a wild and wildly expensive time to be an automaker, and the decisions being made now will have long-lasting effects on the shape of the global auto industry for years. We broke it down automaker by automaker and billion by billion. New here? *The Drivecast* is *The Drive*'s weekly podcast. Episodes arrive on Wednesdays, typically. *The Drivecast* takes you behind-the-scenes on the largest controversies, stories, and characters shaping the automotive industry and the way our roads look today. *The Drive*'s inside access, original reporting, exclusives, and insights powers *The Drivecast* with the aim of making it so everyone is an insider. Listen to the latest episode and all previous episodes of *The Drivecast* via [Spotify](), [Apple Podcasts](), or [Amazon Music](). Love it? Like it? Leave a five-star review to help get *The Drivecast* in front of more people. Have a suggestion, tip, request, or feedback? Drop us a line at feedback@thedrive.com. We read every email, I promise. ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()