Drivetime

In this gear change episode of Drivetime, Jacqui is joined once again by legal experts Peter Jaari and Mikko Koskinen from Lexia Attorneys to explore the practical realities of consumer law and AI regulation in automotive retail. Peter shares advice for retailers selling used vehicles, highlighting the importance of transparency, managing customer expectations, and responding quickly when issues arise. Good customer service, he argues, can prevent small complaints from becoming major disputes.

Mikko demystifies the EU AI Act, explaining the difference between high-risk and low-risk AI systems, and why organisations must maintain human oversight in areas such as recruitment and credit assessments. The discussion also tackles common misconceptions around AI and consumer protection, before turning to a topic both guests believe will remain critical in the future: human connection. As technology continues to evolve, trust, relationships and personal service may become the biggest differentiators of all.

Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast powered by Keyloop.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This bonus episode of Drivetime — MOVE Monday — features Avinash Balachandran, VP of Human Interactive Driving at the Toyota Research Institute, discussing what comes next for autonomy and why the future may be less about replacing drivers and more about empowering them.
Drawing on more than a decade in autonomous vehicles, including time spent working on early self-driving programmes, Avinash shares how Toyota is rethinking the relationship between humans and intelligent machines. Rather than focusing solely on fully autonomous vehicles, the company is exploring how AI can work alongside drivers, helping them become safer, more confident and more capable behind the wheel.

The conversation explores Toyota's philosophy of human-centred automation, where technology is designed to amplify rather than replace people. From helping teenagers become better drivers to supporting motorists in difficult conditions such as ice and heavy rain, Avinash explains how AI could deliver the benefits of autonomy without taking humans out of the equation. The discussion also looks beyond vehicles into robotics, micro-mobility and physical AI, examining why the future is likely to involve humans and machines working together rather than competing for the same role.

Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast powered by Keyloop.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This bonus episode of Drivetime — MOVE Monday — features Alysia Johnson, President of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), and Ian Televik, Senior Marketing Director at the organisation. They discuss the role global standards play in making connected vehicle technology simpler, safer and more scalable. The conversation focuses on CCC Digital Key, a technology standard that allows drivers to access and start vehicles using a smartphone. Alysia and Ian explain why collaboration between automakers, device manufacturers, technology companies and suppliers is essential if connected vehicle experiences are going to work seamlessly across brands, devices and markets.

They also explore the growing opportunities for fleets, car rental operators and shared mobility providers, where digital keys can transform everything from vehicle handovers to customer journeys. With more than 300 member companies and millions of vehicles already deployed, CCC is helping create a future where digital vehicle access becomes as familiar and trusted as mobile payments. The discussion looks beyond passenger vehicles too, covering software-defined fleets, micromobility, two-wheelers and the broader challenge of creating technology that simply works, regardless of the vehicle, device or location.

Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast powered by Keyloop.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the EU AI Act mean for automotive retailers? And how can dealers balance growing consumer expectations with increasing regulatory scrutiny? In this episode of Drivetime, we’re joined by Peter Jaari and Mikko Koskinen from Lexia Attorneys to explore two of the biggest legal and operational challenges facing automotive retail today: consumer protection and artificial intelligence. The conversation covers the realities of used vehicle disputes, why transparency is becoming increasingly important in the sales process, and how retailers can better protect themselves through improved documentation and communication.

The discussion also dives into the EU AI Act, unpacking what dealers, OEMs and lenders need to know about AI-generated content, customer data, chatbot transparency and high-risk use cases such as finance and recruitment. A practical and timely discussion on regulation, risk and responsible innovation in automotive retail.

Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast powered by Keyloop.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This bonus MOVE Monday episode of Drivetime features Sam Clarke, Advisor and Brand Ambassador at GRIDSERVE, discussing one of the biggest challenges on the
road to net zero: electrifying heavy goods vehicles. With more than 20 years in the EV industry, Sam shares how a £62.7 million government-backed project is helping accelerate the adoption of electric HGVs across the UK.

From deploying 161 electric trucks and building depot charging infrastructure to creating a nationwide public charging network, he explains what it takes to turn ambition
into reality. The conversation explores the practical challenges of decarbonising freight, why collaboration across logistics, infrastructure and OEMs is essential, and whether technologies like hydrogen and synthetic fuels still have a role to play. It's a fascinating look at how the freight industry is tackling one of transport's toughest
decarbonisation challenges and building the infrastructure needed for the next generation of commercial mobility.

Drivetime is the global auto tech podcast powered by Keyloop.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.