In this GlobalAutoIndustry.com Audio Interview “2026 Global Automotive Study: Powertrain Preferences Hold Amid Evolving Expectations” Ron Hesse speaks with Lisa Walker, Principal, Vice Chair and U.S. Automotive Sector Leader of Deloitte Consulting LLP. Lisa is responsible for Deloitte’s Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Dealership, and Auto Supplier-related services across the organization. For more than 20 years, she has supported clients across the manufacturing, consumer and retail industries, helping drive financial and operational performance improvement through supply chain strategy, cost reduction and operational efficiency programs. She has deep experience in supply management and procurement transformation, including global supply chain operating model design, global sourcing strategy, and inventory management and optimization.
In the 7-minute Audio Interview, Ms. Walker discusses these questions:
- At a high level, what does Deloitte’s latest Global Automotive Consumer Study reveal—and what should leaders pay most attention to?
- EV interest in the U.S. remains muted while hybrids hold steady. How are powertrain preferences shifting globally, and what does that say about how consumers weigh cost, convenience, and sustainability?
- Charging is often blamed for slow EV adoption, but your data suggests a more complex picture. What are consumers really concerned about in the U.S., and how does that compare with other markets?
- Brand loyalty is changing. What’s driving how U.S. consumers choose their next vehicle today—and how does that differ globally, especially around trust and the dealer experience?
- Consumers want connected features, but not always the subscriptions. How are software, OTA updates, and digital services reshaping expectations of vehicle ownership?
- And provides her Final Thoughts.
