The Auto Market Brief

Powered by Cox Automotive, The Auto Market Brief Podcast breaks down the latest trends and forecasts shaping the automotive industry. Hosted by Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating, the show combines expert analysis with data-driven insights from industry leaders and guest voices across the market.

The Auto Market Brief

Episode 21

Ep. 21: Post-Midterm Outlook: What’s Next for the Industry

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #21 In this Episode What could the post-midterm landscape mean for consumers, the auto market and the strategies shaping the industry? In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host and Cox Automotive Executive…

Hosted by Erin Keating, featuring Jeremy Robb

November 10, 2026 / 27 min.

Bonus Episode

Bonus Episode: Setting a New Standard for Secure Vehicle Logistics

The Auto Market Brief – Bonus In this Episode As vehicle transportation becomes more digital, one critical moment remains vulnerable: the physical handoff of the vehicle. Criminals targeting the space are becoming more sophisticated, making secure verification increasingly important across…

Hosted by Erin Keating, featuring Lainey Sibble and Jeremy Louisos

November 05, 2026 / 23 min.

Episode 20

Ep. 20: Higher Auto Loan Costs Deepen Affordability Strains

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #20 In this Episode How much are higher interest rates adding to the true cost of a vehicle, even when its purchase price has not changed dramatically? In this episode of The Auto Market…

Hosted by Erin Keating, featuring Jeremy Robb

October 27, 2026 / 29 min.

Bonus Episode

Bonus Episode: Inside Toyota’s Approach to Sales, Marketing and the Customer Journey

The Auto Market Brief – Bonus In this Episode How is Toyota adapting to a customer journey shaped by digital retailing, AI-powered discovery, and evolving consumer expectations? In this episode of The Auto Market Brief, host Erin Keating sits down…

Hosted by Erin Keating, featuring David Christ and Michael Tripp

October 22, 2026 / 28 min.

Episode 19

Ep. 19: Fuel Economy in Focus: From Resale Values to Regulations

The Auto Market Brief – Ep. #19 In this Episode How much is fuel economy shaping today’s automotive market? More than ever. From wholesale values and consumer demand to product planning, fleet investments, and federal regulations, efficiency is becoming a…

Hosted by Erin Keating, featuring Jeremy Robb

October 13, 2026 / 24 min.

Featured Experts

Erin Keating

Cox Automotive

Executive Analyst

Erin Keating is an Executive Analyst and Senior Director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. She brings 30 years of professional experience, including 14 years in the automotive industry, providing analysis on market conditions, automaker performance, and consumer demand shaping the economics of the new-vehicle market. Erin spent 10 years with Audi of America, including leading Audi Motorsport North America, informing her perspective on both commercial strategy and competitive dynamics.

Jeremy Robb

Cox Automotive

Chief Economist

As chief economist at Cox Automotive, Jeremy Robb leads Cox Automotive's Economic and Industry Insights team, working directly with clients and executive leaders in sales, strategy and finance. He draws on his background helping companies consume data and insights to make better business decisions. He has been focused on finance and strategy for large corporations in the financial services and automotive industry for the past 20 years. Jeremy joined Cox Automotive in 2018 after spending 6 years at Nissan where he led functions in finance and remarketing.

Michael Tripp

Toyota Motor North America

Group VP, Toyota Division Marketing

Michael Tripp is group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing at Toyota Motor North America, where he oversees advertising, merchandising, media, incentives, analytics and motorsports. Since joining Toyota in 1995, Michael has held a variety of leadership roles across marketing, sales, communications and customer experience. His career has also taken him around the world, including leadership positions with Lexus in the U.S., Europe and Japan focused on brand management, communications and the customer experience.

David Christ

Toyota Motor North America

Group VP and General Manager, Toyota Division

David Christ is group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division at Toyota Motor North America, where he leads sales, marketing, market representation, and guest experience and retention activities. Since joining Toyota in 1994, David has held a variety of leadership roles across Toyota, Lexus and Toyota Financial Services, spanning sales, dealer operations, customer experience and financial services. His career includes serving as group vice president and general manager of Lexus, as well as leadership positions across Toyota’s regional sales operations.

Dan Shine

Automotive News

Senior Editor

Dan Shine oversees coverage of service & parts, finance & insurance, retail technology and used vehicles/wholesale auctions for Automotive News. He previously was a reporter and editor at the Detroit Free Press and the Dallas Morning News. For more than 20 years, Shine has been an adjunct professor of journalism at area universities, including Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Shine has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University and a master's degree in strategic communications from Purdue University.

Larry Vellequette

Automotive News

Sr. Staff Reporter

Larry Vellequette covers Toyota Motor North America and Subaru of America for Automotive News, previously covering Volkswagen Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. A reporter for more than 35 years and a staff reporter with Automotive News since 2011, Vellequette is an award-winning journalist, commentator and a senior member of the Automotive News editorial board.

Molly Boigon

Automotive News

Reporter

Molly Boigon works as a technology and innovation reporter for Automotive News, where she covers vehicle software, connectivity, infotainment, autonomy, alternative fuels and electric vehicles. She has been honored for her work at Automotive News and in other roles with an Azbee award, a Deadline Club award for best business investigative reporting, the Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award, a Rockower Award and other prizes. Boigon has a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology and human development from Boston College and a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, concentrating in business and economics reporting and data journalism.

Kayla Bruun

Morning Consult

Head of Economic Analysis

As the Head of Economic Analysis at Morning Consult, Kayla leads analysis of household finance trends and the labor market, leveraging the company’s proprietary, high-frequency data. Prior to joining Morning Consult, Kayla was a key member of the corporate strategy team at telecommunications company SES, where she produced market intelligence and industry analysis of mobility markets. Kayla also served as an economist at IHS Markit, where she covered global services industries, provided price forecasts, produced written analyses, and served as a subject matter expert on client-facing consulting projects.

Erin Lomax

Cox Automotive

VP, Consumer Marketplace Operations

As Vice President of Operations for Consumer Marketplace at Cox Automotive, Erin Lomax is focused on driving the strategy and execution of the Autotrader listings, Kelley Blue Book, as well as the evolution of these businesses into a connected marketplace. Lomax has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and business innovation. Lomax has been on the forefront of the digital transformation for Cox Automotive and the automotive industry with a focus on driving better consumer experiences while enabling dealerships to seamlessly blend their online and in-store processes.

John Murphy

Murphy Automotive Partners

Founder

John Murphy has built his career analyzing the global automotive industry and advising manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and investors. His deep background in equity research and capital markets enables him to provide clients with unbiased – and now fully independent – strategic advice across the value chain. John spent more than 26 years as the senior North American automotive equity research analyst at Bank of America (previously Merrill Lynch), beginning his coverage in 1999. He played an integral role in advising investors during the landmark IPOs of General Motors, Rivian, Ferrari, and Delphi, alongside many other major capital raises, and provided strategic counsel to boards and management teams across the value chain.

Joe George

Cox Automotive Mobility Solutions

President

Joe George is the President of Mobility Solutions at Cox Automotive. He and his team are building businesses to serve as Cox Automotive’s next growth engine, where miles are managed, powered, and America’s fleets are kept moving.Through his team's leadership of Cox Fleet and EV Battery Solutions, Cox Automotive is stepping into big, fast-evolving markets at a national scale. With more than 35 years of experience driving innovation and industry transformation, George is advancing a connected strategy that keeps vehicles and batteries on the road across more of their lifecycle than anyone else.

Michelle Clark

Cox Automotive

Director of Editorial

As the editorial leader behind Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, Michelle Clark works every day to help people make smart, confident decisions when it comes to cars. With over 25 years of experience, Michelle blends technology and creativity to build innovative teams and believes that every story should help real people. Michelle’s commitment to putting people first has earned her several awards, but what matters most to her is making a positive difference in your car journey.

Alex Bland

Cox Automotive

Sr. Director, Market and Customer Research

Alex Bland is the Senior Director of Market and Customer Research at Cox Automotive. He leads research focused on dealer performance, consumer behavior, and market dynamics across the automotive ecosystem. Alex and his team are responsible for some of Cox Automotive's largest studies, including dealer sentiment, fixed operations, ownership, and service‑lane research, helping translate complex data into practical insight for dealers and industry leaders navigating a rapidly shifting market.

Stephanie Valdez Streaty

Cox Automotive

Director of Industry Insights

As the Director of Industry Insights for Cox Automotive, Stephanie Valdez Streaty is responsible for research and analysis, specializing in the transition to electric vehicles. Her focus is providing insights to clients and the industry on key trends impacting electrification. Previously, Stephanie was the Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility for Cox Automotive, where she was responsible for building and executing the sustainability strategy across the company.