AlixPartners' Dan Hearsch: A whole new world for auto industry executives

AlixPartners' Dan Hearsch: A whole new world for auto industry executives

Author: Automotive News February 22, 2026 Duration: 21:15
Dan Hearsch, global co-leader of the automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners, joins Automotive News reporter Molly Boigon on the “Shift” podcast to talk about how AlixPartners’ 2026 Disruption Index found the auto industry is the most disrupted in the world — for the second year in a row. He explains why that disruption is leading executives to fear for their jobs as the ground shifts beneath their feet.

Shift: A podcast about mobility cuts through the hype surrounding the future of transportation. Hosted by Automotive News tech and innovation lead Pete Bigelow, each episode digs into the practical realities behind the headlines-from electric vehicles and autonomous driving to shifting ownership models and supply chain revolutions. Pete brings the authority of the industry's leading publication while maintaining a balanced, inquisitive tone, equally enthusiastic about potential and clear-eyed about pitfalls. This isn't just speculation; it's grounded analysis for professionals and curious observers who want to understand the actual forces reshaping how we move. The conversations go beyond mere announcements, examining the business strategies, technological hurdles, and societal impacts that will define the next era. As a production of Automotive News, this podcast offers direct access to the reporters and thinkers at the center of this transformation. Tune in for a nuanced exploration where optimism meets healthy skepticism, providing a essential guide to the complex world of modern mobility.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Shift: A podcast about mobility
Podcast Episodes
Michael Dunne shares China’s playbook for automotive supremacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:49
Michael Dunne, CEO and founder of advisory firm Dunne Insights, details how Chinese automotive startups like BYD asserted dominance over Detroit’s legacy carmakers. He explores Ford CEO Jim Farley’s effusive praise of Ch…
MIT’s Bryan Reimer proposes a rethink on highly automated driving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:51
The founder and co-director of MIT’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Consortium, Bryan Reimer, says the auto industry has been distracted by the allure of highly automated driving and should place short-term focus on develop…
Oshkosh’s Jay Iyengar forges industrial-strength autonomy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:59
The executive vice president and chief technology officer at Oshkosh Corp. details the company’s efforts to infuse automated driving technology into work vehicles with niche applications. Those applications range from ai…