In this episode, Mike Colias, the Wall Street Journal's deputy bureau chief for autos, joins Jan Griffiths to talk about the messy reality of the EV transition.
Drawing from his book Inevitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable Transition to Electric Vehicles, they dive into why legacy automakers continue to struggle, what's really slowing things down, and how culture—not just technology—is the real battle.
In 2022, Ford executives gathered in a nearly empty warehouse, staring at two cars: a Mustang Mach-E and a Tesla Model 3. It wasn't just a teardown—it was an autopsy. As they examined the differences, it became clear: Tesla was years ahead in design efficiency, cost-cutting, and scale, while Ford's EV was still burdened by old-school engineering.
This wasn't just a Ford problem—it was an industry-wide issue. GM had glimpses of an EV future with the Volt, but its rigid structure forced compromises. Meanwhile, Tesla and Chinese automakers moved fast, unburdened by legacy processes and cultures resistant to change.
But the real problem isn't just technology—it's culture. The systems that perfected combustion engine manufacturing are now roadblocks to innovation in the EV era, and the old ways of working simply don't translate to EV success.
So, what happens next? With China producing high-quality, affordable EVs at an unprecedented pace and global competition intensifying, automakers can't afford to cling to the past. The shift to EVs is inevitable—but will legacy automakers evolve fast enough to stay in the race?
Listen now to get the inside story on the biggest transformation in automotive history!
🎙️Check out our podcast, THE AUTOMOTIVE LEADERS Podcast, where we interview some of the finest leadership minds on the planet.
➡️ https://theautomotiveleaderspodcast.com/
🌐 Learn more by visiting us online: https://www.gravitasdetroit.com/
Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GravitasDetroit/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GravitasDetroit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gravitasdetroit/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jangriffiths/
