Here are highlights from the latest episodes of ‘Daily Drive’, Automotive News‘ weekday podcast, May 30-June 1 hosted by Jamie Butters with Kellen Walker.

“I’m looking at growth as, let’s make sure that we understand how to localize our own cell production. Then let’s make sure we have a supply chain that is building around it. Then let’s accelerate the market.”Mujeeb Ijaz, CEO of Our Next Energy, on the EV battery startup’s growth strategy.
 
“We’re still learning and growing like everybody else. So, just because we’re a Black-owned company and a majority of our employees are Black and brown does not mean that we have it all figured out.”Ron Hall Jr., CEO of Bridgewater Interiors, on the supplier’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts 

“It has a huge impact. So, I would like for both sides to think about that as they’re coming together that this is real. This is people. This is not just numbers on a sheet. This is how people feed their families.”Lisa Lunsford, CEO of GS3 Global, on how she and other suppliers are preparing for the possibility of at least one big UAW strike this year 
 
“We do know that it’s more capital-efficient for us to utilize facilities like Flint Assembly that we already have as we make this transformation (to EVs). And wherever possible, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”Gerald Johnson, GM executive vice president of global manufacturing and sustainability, on the automaker’s aim to build EVs within its existing factory footprint, including at Flint Assembly in Michigan, where the automaker plans to invest more than $700 million

— Listen to these and other shows at autonews.com/dailydrive.