In a moment when many companies are cooling on diversity, Kimatni Rawlins remains committed to steering The Driving Force Internship, a program that exposes HBCU students to a wealth of opportunities across the automotive industry. In this episode of The Culture Lane, the Automotive Rhythms founder talks about what it takes to keep the program moving forward amid a shifting—and often uncertain—landscape for diversity initiatives.

Auto insurance has become the biggest speed bump in the car-buying journey—Polly’s latest study shows buyers are spending hours comparing policies, with many delaying their purchase altogether as premiums climb, especially younger shoppers. In this episode of The Culture Lane, Polly’s vice president of distribution, Christopher Pres, breaks down what’s driving the crunch, how dealers and embedded insurance tech are stepping in, and what it all means for the future of buying a car.

Car buyers are rewriting the rules—rethinking what they’ll pay, how loyal they feel to brands, what they expect from in-car tech, and which powertrains they’ll consider next. Deloitte’s 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study brings those shifts into focus. In this episode of The Culture Lane, we talk with Lisa Walker, vice chair and U.S. automotive sector leader at Deloitte, about how changing consumer expectations are reshaping the way automakers show up in the market.

ChargePoint has spent nearly two decades at the forefront of EV charging, powering billions of electric miles through a vast network of public and private ports and a growing ecosystem of software, hardware, and services. In this episode of The Culture Lane, we talk with Rob Newton, senior director of marketing at ChargePoint, about how the shifting EV landscape is shaping the company’s business—and what it reveals about the future of electric vehicles and charging.

In a market obsessed with luxury models, performance cars, and pickup trucks, the Toyota Corolla has remained one of the world’s best-selling nameplates, with more than 50 million sold and continued strength even in the crossover era. In this episode of The Culture Lane, we talk with Blake Williams, marketing planner at Toyota, to explore how the Corolla has managed to stay so consistently popular.

Culture keeps revealing new layers—especially when technology enters the mix. In this episode of The Culture Lane, we talk with Lawrence Edmondson, founder of Eat Big Digital and veteran of Barbarian, VaynerMedia, and Squarespace, about how companies often miss the mark at the intersection of culture and tech—and what that means for automakers, dealerships, agencies experimenting with AI, and anyone trying to find their lane in the space.

More drivers are treating their vehicles as a personal escape—using time in the car to unwind, recharge, and tune out daily stress—which is reshaping what the in-cabin experience looks and feels like. In this episode of The Culture Lane, we talk with Lincoln Harmony Engineer Justine Nestorowich about Rejuvenate, the brand’s multi-sensory “spa on wheels” experience, and how it’s helping define the future of Lincoln’s luxury identity.

Kia may be an 80-year-old brand, but its story in North America is still actively unfolding. In this episode of The Culture Lane, we sit down with James Bell, head of corporate communications at Kia America, to explore how the company is shaping its message amid major wins and some challenges. James also shares how his team is sharpening Kia’s positioning in the U.S. market as the brand looks to its future.