Autology

IHS Markit is now part of S&P Global. Autology is a weekly podcast series from the experts at AutoTechInsight.

CAM Jam: The Cathode Race 04/02/2026

CAM Jam: The Cathode Race Today's episode of Autology dives deep into the pivotal role of cathode active materials (CAM) in shaping the future of global battery manufacturing and electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The speakers break down why CAM is the most expensive and performance-critical component in EV batteries, how it influences cost, energy density, and cycle life, and what this means for automakers and consumers worldwide. Key highlights include: CAM Overview: CAM, comprising materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, accounts for up to 45% of battery cell costs and is central to battery performance. The episode explains the chemistry behind CAM, its impact on battery affordability, and the technical trade-offs between LFP and NCM chemistries. Industry Momentum: China currently dominates the CAM and LFP supply chain, holding over 80% market share, but new government policies are reshaping the landscape by tightening standards and restricting advanced technology exports. Meanwhile, Europe and North America are accelerating efforts to localize CAM production, with new investments and projects aiming to reduce reliance on imports. Policy Support & Future Outlook: The discussion covers recent policy moves, such as [mainland] China’s anti-involution measures and export controls, changes in VAT rebates and Europe’s Industrial Accelerator Act, all of which are influencing supply chain strategies and investment. The future of CAM will be shaped by ongoing innovation in battery chemistries, regional policy shifts, and the race to build resilient, cost-competitive supply chains outside [mainland] China. This episode offers a front-row seat to understanding the global race for battery supremacy, revealing how CAM supply chains are at the heart of EV affordability, innovation, and geopolitical strategy. Tune in to hear expert insights on market trends, policy impacts, and what’s next for the world’s battery makers. Speakers: Ali Adim, Manager, Battery Research, Supply Chain & Technology, S&P Global Mobility. Eileen Wu, Senior Research Analyst, Battery, S&P Global Mobility. Amit Panday, Host and Senior Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode at , and you can find much more at autotechinsight.ihsmarkit.com. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and like to stay updated with the latest Autology podcasts! /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/40708360

Supplier Soundbytes: When software takes the wheel 03/09/2026

Supplier Soundbytes: When software takes the wheel In the automotive industry, some technologies spend decades in the realm of promise before quietly becoming inevitable. Steer-by-wire is one of them. For years, the idea of removing the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the road wheels felt more like a concept-car talking point than a near-term engineering reality. Yet in the latest episode of Supplier Soundbytes, S&P Global Mobility’s concise Autology podcast series, that assumption is challenged. Our guest is Jake Morris, portfolio director for steer-by-wire at ZF Group, and his message is straightforward: The conditions that once delayed steer-by-wire have largely disappeared. The key shift lies in the rapid emergence of the software-defined vehicle. Modern electric platforms increasingly rely on centralized computing architectures, advanced electronics and integrated control systems. In such an environment, the steering system is no longer an isolated mechanical device but part of a broader digital ecosystem that governs how a car moves. That change matters. Traditional steering relies on a physical column linking the steering wheel to the front axle. Steer-by-wire replaces this connection with electronic signals, sensors and actuators. For decades, concerns about safety, redundancy and reliability kept the technology at bay. Today, Morris argues, those concerns have largely been addressed. Production-ready systems now feature redundant safety architectures and high-integrity actuators designed to meet stringent global standards. If the technology itself is largely solved, the real challenge has shifted elsewhere: integration. For carmakers, adopting steer-by-wire is less about replacing a single component than about rethinking how multiple vehicle systems interact. Steering must work seamlessly with braking, propulsion and suspension control. The aim is not simply functional integration but coordinated vehicle dynamics — what suppliers increasingly describe as “motion control.” This shift carries strategic implications for manufacturers. Carmakers must ensure that their vehicles retain a distinctive driving character even as control systems become more software-driven and modular. In other words, the digitalization of steering should not erase brand identity. Achieving that balance requires common control architectures that allow scale across platforms while preserving the nuances that differentiate one brand from another. Yet the most striking implications of steer-by-wire may lie beyond the engineering department. Once the mechanical steering column disappears, designers gain freedoms that were previously impossible. Without a shaft running from the cockpit to the front axle, vehicle packaging becomes more flexible. Crash structures can be re-engineered, cabin layouts reconsidered and interior design reimagined. The driver experience changes as well. Steering characteristics — such as ratio, responsiveness and feedback — can be tuned entirely through software. At low speeds, the system can prioritize manoeuvrability; at high speeds, stability. Over-the-air updates may even allow manufacturers to refine steering feel long after the vehicle leaves the factory. In the longer term, steer-by-wire also aligns neatly with the ambitions of automated driving. A steering wheel that is no longer mechanically connected can retract, remain stationary or operate differently depending on the driving mode. For Morris, the conclusion is clear. Steer-by-wire is not merely a technical upgrade but a foundational element of the next generation of vehicles. As deployments begin across major automotive markets this year, the technology will generate real-world data and feedback, accelerating further development. In that sense, the real story is not about removing a mechanical linkage. It is about transforming the chassis from a collection of components into an intelligent, software-coordinated system — one that promises new levels of adaptability, efficiency and design freedom. And after years of anticipation, the industry appears ready to steer in that direction. Jake Morris Image source: ZF We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Reach out to us at , and discover more insights at autotechinsight.spglobal.com. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe, follow and like buttons to stay updated with the latest episodes of Autology. Subscribe: /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/40329830

Supplier Soundbytes: Rare earths, real politics 03/02/2026

Supplier Soundbytes: Rare earths, real politics For years, rare earth elements were the wallflowers of the electric vehicle revolution: chemically exotic, geopolitically awkward and largely ignored. Lithium and cobalt stole the limelight. Rare earths — essential to the permanent magnets that power electric motors — were treated as a niche sustainability concern, a footnote to the main act. No longer. As supply chains fray and industrial policies harden, rare earths have been recast as instruments of national security. Control over them increasingly shapes trade policy, investment screening and corporate strategy. Carmakers that once asked how “green” their materials were now ask how secure they are. The shift is subtle but profound: from carbon accounting to strategic resilience. That is the backdrop to the latest episode of Supplier Soundbytes, part of S&P Global Mobility’s Autology series. In it, Ahmad Ghahreman, founder and chief executive of Cyclic Materials, argues that the future of electromobility may depend less on what is mined than on what is recovered. The numbers explain the anxiety. The bulk of rare-earth mining — and an even greater share of processing — takes place in a single country. Deposits elsewhere are often deep, dispersed or environmentally fraught. Even when ores are dug up outside Asia, they are frequently shipped back there for separation and refining. The result is a supply chain that is efficient in calm times, but brittle in turbulent ones. Ghahreman’s contention is that recycling offers not merely an environmental salve but a strategic hedge. Unlike mining, which is hostage to geology, recycling is governed by product cycles and policy choices. End-of-life motors, wind turbines and electronics constitute what he calls an “overground deposit” — a stock of material already extracted, processed and embedded in goods now reaching obsolescence. In North America and Europe, that urban mine is growing quietly each year. Particularly striking is the distinction between light and heavy rare earths. The latter, vital for high-performance magnets, are more geologically concentrated and more tightly controlled. Yet over decades of importing finished products, Western economies have effectively accumulated sizeable above-ground reserves of these same heavy elements. Well-executed recycling can tap that stock far faster than a new mine can be permitted, financed and built. Still, bottlenecks abound. Mining is constrained by geology and permitting; processing by capital intensity and technical know-how; end-of-life recovery by fragmented collection systems and products never designed for disassembly. Asked where the pinch point will be as EV volumes rise, Ghahreman’s answer is disarmingly comprehensive: all of the above. That breadth of constraint sharpens the case for circularity. A local recycling loop, he says, shortens supply chains and anchors value domestically. It also alters the calculus for carmakers choosing motor technologies. A magnet that is marginally more efficient but dependent on a precarious supply may look less attractive once strategic risk is priced in. Yet, redesigning every vehicle for easy rare earth recovery is unrealistic. Global platforms, tight margins and long development cycles conspire against bespoke recyclability. Cyclic Materials has instead pursued what Ghahreman calls a “feedstock-agnostic” approach: technology capable of handling mixed materials — copper, aluminum, steel, plastics and magnets — without demanding that manufacturers reengineer their products first. The implication is pragmatic. Waiting for perfect design standards may delay circularity for a generation, while building robust, adaptable processing capacity could accelerate it within this decade. The message is clear enough. In the contest for clean mobility, rare earths have moved from the margins to the center, and the winners may be those who treat yesterday’s waste as tomorrow’s strategic reserve. Ahmad Ghahreman Source: Cyclic Materials We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Reach out to us at and discover more insights at autotechinsight.spglobal.com. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe, follow and like buttons to stay updated with the latest episodes of Autology. Subscribe: /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/40281085

Supplier Soundbytes: When cars learn to reason 03/02/2026

Supplier Soundbytes: The car is learning to talk back 02/17/2026

Supplier Soundbytes: The car is learning to talk back The modern car is already a rolling computer. Now it is being taught to converse. In Supplier Soundbytes, S&P Global Mobility’s new concise podcast series, industry executives dissect the forces reshaping the automotive supply chain. In this episode, Dr Moritz Neukirchner, Senior Director, Head of Cross-Portfolio Growth and Strategic Alliances for Elektrobit, argues that AI agents are poised to become the organising interface of the software-defined vehicle (SDV)—not a decorative add-on, but a functional necessity. At the 2026 CES in Las Vegas, carmakers and suppliers showcased AI copilots designed not merely to chat, but to manage the growing complexity of the modern vehicle—adjusting drive modes, configuring advanced driver-assistance systems, personalising cabin settings and navigating increasingly layered infotainment menus through natural conversation. The ambition is less about booking dinner than orchestrating the car itself. Yet, as Dr Neukirchner observes, the leap from demonstration to dependable deployment is slower than the hype suggests. The obstacle is not only technical. It reflects the awkward realities of regulation, computing power and trust. Privacy regimes differ sharply between Europe, America and China. Carmakers must decide which data may leave the vehicle and which must remain within it. The emerging answer is “edge AI”: inference performed inside the car. Processing on board reduces latency, limits data-transfer costs and helps satisfy regulators wary of cloud dependency. Yet the cloud will remain indispensable. Training models, pushing updates and handling compute-intensive workloads will continue to rely on remote infrastructure. The likely outcome is a hybrid architecture, with responsibilities divided between vehicle and server according to use case and jurisdiction. Beneath the technical debate lies a larger shift. As vehicles become more software-driven, their functionality grows more intricate. Without a new interface, complexity risks overwhelming the driver. AI agents, argues Dr Neukirchner, may become the layer that renders the SDV usable. In that sense, they are less a novelty than a necessity. Dr. Moritz Neukirchner We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Reach out to us at , and discover more insights at autotechinsight.spglobal.com. Don’t forget to hit the subscribe, follow, and like buttons to stay updated with the latest episodes of Autology. Subscribe: /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/40138710

Bidirectional charging technologies and their role in global EV adoption 02/17/2026

Bidirectional charging technologies and their role in global EV adoption Today's episode of Autology attempts to discuss and examine the critical role of bidirectional charging (BDC) in enhancing the adoption of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) globally. The speakers discuss what are the different types of bidirectional charging technologies, and why are they key to grid stability amid increasing vehicle electrification. Key highlights include: BDC Overview: BDC allows EVs to both receive and send electricity, transforming them into energy storage solutions that can help balance supply and demand on power grids. Use Cases: The technology supports various applications, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) for grid services, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) for backup power, and broader Vehicle-to-X (V2X) functionalities. Industry Momentum: Major automakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen are advancing BDC capabilities, with Nissan recognized as a pioneer in V2G technology. Policy Support: Regulatory frameworks in the EU, US, and Australia/New Zealand are promoting standardization and cybersecurity for BDC deployment. Future Outlook: By 2035, over 40% of EVs are expected to feature BDC capabilities, creating opportunities for charger manufacturers and utility partnerships. This episode underscores the potential of BDC to facilitate a sustainable energy ecosystem while boosting EV adoption. Tune in to this episode of Autology to hear about an in-depth discussion about the bidirectional charging technology, the benefits and potential challenges and S&P Global Mobility’s outlook on its adoption. Speakers: Diana Quezada, Senior Research Analyst, Charging Technologies, S&P Global Mobility Amit Panday, Host and Senior Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode at our  email, and you can find out much more across the autotechinsight.ihsmarkit.com website. Don’t forget to hit all the subscribe, follow and like buttons to stay on track with the latest Autology podcasts! /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/40135425

The Steel Deal: Lightweighting the Future of EVs 12/11/2025

Exploring the dynamics of automotive software development 11/19/2025

Light up the night: ADB in North America – Challenges and opportunities 10/31/2025

The mobility makeover: NVIDIA, AI, and the changing face of the car 09/18/2025

Rethinking automotive architecture through Mobileye's lens 09/15/2025

Navigating the SDV landscape 09/08/2025

Navigating Mobility with Qualcomm 09/05/2025

Risk analysis of building gigafactories in Europe 07/31/2025

Mapping the market – What direction are navigation systems heading? 06/24/2025

Steering into the future – Insights from NIO and ZF 06/20/2025

Bright ideas - The future of automotive lighting 05/27/2025

Current Trends: The Shift in EV Charging Infrastructure 04/15/2025

CERAWeek 2025 04/03/2025

InterBattery Seoul 2025 – Key Takeaways 04/02/2025

Navigating the AI Highway: Roundtable Insights from Industry Experts 03/18/2025

Navigating the AI Highway: Roundtable Insights from Industry Experts Navigating the AI Highway: Roundtable Insights from Industry Experts Today’s podcast is about the use of artificial intelligence in the automotive industry, and you are here with me, Matthew Beecham, senior research analyst at S&P Global Mobility and an incredible lineup of experts from leading companies who will share their insights and experiences in this rapidly evolving field. Joining us are representatives from Monolith, Phyron, and Geotab - each bringing a unique perspective on the role of AI in their own areas of the automotive sector. Jens-Peter Sjöberg is a seasoned creative professional with extensive experience in visual effects and digital innovation. Early in his career, he contributed to the visual effects teams for notable films such as "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001), the "Harry Potter" film series, “Blood Diamond" (2006), and "Superman Returns" (2006). In 2019, Jens-Peter co-founded Phyron AI, where he serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Creative Director. Phyron specializes in leveraging artificial intelligence for video production, particularly in the automotive industry, enhancing vehicle presentations and marketing strategies. Abhinav Vasu is the Associate Vice President (AVP) of Solutions Engineering for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region at Geotab, a leading provider of telematics and fleet management solutions. Based in London, he leads a high-performance team that collaborates across various business aspects - from commercial to technical - to develop AI-driven solutions for customers. In his role, Abhinav emphasizes the importance of data in addressing complex challenges, particularly in enhancing fleet efficiency and sustainability. He has been involved in initiatives that utilise connected vehicle data to support fleet managers in reducing emissions and operating costs. Sam Emeny-Smith is the Head of Automotive, Defence, and Motorsport at Monolith, a company specialising in applying artificial intelligence to engineering challenges. In his role, he leverages his expertise to drive innovation and efficiency across these sectors, focusing on integrating AI solutions to enhance product development and performance. In today’s human-generated episode of Autology, we’re going to explore the transformative role of AI in research and development, customer experience, telematics, and fleet management. First, we’ll look at how AI is reshaping the automotive landscape, enhancing everything from R&D processes to personalizing the customer journey and optimizing fleet management. We’ll also discuss how AI-driven predictive models are streamlining battery testing and boosting vehicle reliability, thanks to some clever analytics and machine learning. Then, we’ll shift gears and talk about the retail side of things, exploring how AI is enhancing the customer experience. We’ll touch on AI-generated videos and personalized marketing, which are changing the way consumers interact with automotive brands and making the buying process more engaging and tailored to individual preferences. Finally, we’ll dive into telematics and fleet management, where AI is making a big impact on efficiency and safety. Our panellists will share how machine learning is helping predict maintenance needs, optimize routes, and monitor driver behaviour, leading to cost savings and improved operational performance. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode at our email, and you can find out much more across the autotechinsight.ihsmarkit.com website. Don’t forget to hit all the subscribe, follow and like buttons to stay on track with the latest Autology podcasts! /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/35750225

The Charge to Change: Embracing the Electric Future of Transportation 02/24/2025

CES 2025- What to expect? 01/03/2025

The Rise of India’s Automotive Components Industry 12/18/2024

The Rise of India’s Automotive Components Industry Today's episode of Autology is all about the rise of India’s automotive components industry. With a mammoth size of $74 billion, India’s auto components sector continues to grow at an average of 10%-11% year-on-year. While India’s automotive industry contributes about 49%-50% of the country’s manufacturing GDP, the emerging components space is a successful example of the Government’s flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative. Key factors such as strengthening export volumes and increasing localization have led the industry to achieve a trade surplus, which marks a long journey for India’s automotive supply chain that began taking shape barely 40 years ago. Narrating the remarkable growth story of India’s automotive components industry, Mr Vinnie Mehta, the Director General at Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) highlights how the tier one suppliers have matured from using OEM blueprints to produce parts to now investing in own R&D operations to close the gaps. In addition, he talks about the policy framework India is laying down, with a focus on local manufacturing of semiconductors, power electronics and batteries. Tune in to this episode of Autology as we discuss the fast-paced growth of India’s automotive components industry, rising global stature, advancements in manufacturing and R&D capabilities, government support and the ongoing transition to electric mobility. Speakers: Vinnie Mehta, Director General, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) Amit Panday, moderator and Senior Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode at our autology@spglobal.com email, and you can find out much more across the website. Don’t forget to hit all the subscribe, follow and like buttons to stay on track with the latest Autology podcasts! /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/34507240

Chassis Matters: On a roll with ZF 11/22/2024

The Price of Lithium-ion Batteries: Trends and Forecasts 11/12/2024

The Price of Lithium-ion Batteries: Trends and Forecasts Today's episode of Autology is based on a recently published battery report, which aims to forecast the evolution of battery prices by analyzing the historical data. EV batteries account for about 30% to 40% of the total cost of a battery electric vehicle (BEV), making it the single most strategic component that is not only keeping the prices of BEVs more than their ICE counterparts but is also pushing the carmakers to rework their respective global supply chains. As a result, the price of an EV battery and the factors contributing to it remains one of the key topics of interest for the vehicle manufacturers globally. For long, it was believed that battery electric and ICE cars will achieve price parity once the price of a lithium-ion battery pack gets to a $100 per kWh, resulting into a widespread adoption of BEVs globally. Our battery experts try to explain the relevance of this riddle by using S&P Global Mobility data sets and factoring in the volatility of battery material prices. The podcast also gives an insight on the difference in battery production costs in mainland China and Europe and North America and factors contributing to these dynamics. Tune in to this episode of Autology as we discuss the evolution in the price of batteries, most favored battery chemistries and new innovations and the impact of global BEV slowdown on the supply chain. Speakers: Ali Adim, Manager of Battery research, Supply Chain & Technology, S&P Global Mobility. Hugo Cruz, Senior Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility. Amit Panday, moderator and Senior Research Analyst, S&P Global Mobility. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode at our autology@spglobal.com email, and you can find out much more across the autotechinsight.ihsmarkit.com website. Don’t forget to hit all the subscribe, follow and like buttons to stay on track with the latest Autology podcasts! /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/33896497

Holograms in Motion 08/22/2024

Navigating the Software Highway 07/16/2024

Shifting dynamics in the lithium iron phosphate battery market 06/27/2024

Shifting dynamics in the lithium iron phosphate battery market In this episode, we are discussing the growing adoption of lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP). LFP batteries are highly regarded for their stability, long lifespan, and resistance to heat degradation. While they have been popular in China, they are now gaining traction in North America, with automakers like Tesla, Ford, and Rivian already planning to incorporate them into their electric vehicles. As technology continues to advance, the performance gap between LFP batteries and other battery types is expected to narrow. However, there are supply chain challenges that need to be addressed for wider adoption in the low-cost sector. Join us to gain insights into the current state and prospects of the LFP market. Speakers: Ali Adim, Manager, Battery research, Supply Chain & Technology at S&P Global Mobility. Dan Blondal, CEO, Director and Founder of Canadian battery materials maker Nano One. Matthew Beecham, moderator and research manager, S&P Global Mobility. Key takeaways: Striking a balance between protecting domestic industries and fostering healthy competition is paramount for the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the battery market. Governments must create economic conditions and environmental incentives to nurture companies and support innovation for cleaner, greener, and diversified supply chains. Collaboration is key in diversifying the supply chain from China and creating independent know-how and supply chains in North America. China's dominance in the battery industry presents a challenge, but there is still huge growth potential in the EV and energy storage sectors in North America. Demand for batteries, battery materials, and critical minerals exceeds supply, indicating a strong market opportunity. Governments must foster growth, opportunity, and competitiveness with policy that levels the support for LFP and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries. Americans should add phosphorus and iron to the list of critical minerals to incentivize supply chain diversification. Support for innovation that addresses the need for cleaner, greener, and diversified supply chains is crucial. Collaboration between governments, investors, and the battery sector is essential to support innovation and foster growth in the industry. This collaboration should focus on developing economic conditions and environmental incentives that nurture companies and promote competitiveness. By learning from other expert nations and restricting ownership, North America can develop its own independent know-how and supply chains. Customization of supply chains for the region's specific needs and conditions is crucial for success. This approach will enable North America to compete with China's dominance in the battery market and achieve a secure and cost-competitive supply chain. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode at our email, and you can find out much more across the autotechinsight.ihsmarkit.com website. Don’t forget to hit all the subscribe, follow and like buttons to stay on track with the latest Autology podcasts! /episode/index/show/5e11482f-d2af-4ee3-98fb-0b874e1b1e81/id/31913582

Consumer Survey Results: what ADAS features drive consumer spending 05/30/2024

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