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
Gartner’s Mike Ramsey sorts through the Cruise rubble (episode 280) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:25
The vice president at consulting firm Gartner, Inc. analyses General Motors’ decision to abandon robotaxi development and pivot its Cruise subsidiary toward personally owned vehicles. Further, he discusses the steep chal…
How a ‘mobility czar’ could bolster transportation innovation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:25
Mobility strategist Selika Josiah Talbott and Michigan chief mobility officer Justine Johnson detail the prospect of a ‘mobility czar’ overseeing policy for autonomous and electric vehicles. Further, they discuss the rol…