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- Tennessee Triumph – VW Workers Ratify UAW Contract!
- Sting Operations Hit ~550 CDL Training Schools
- Average Gallon Price for Gasoline Drops Slightly, But…
- February 2026 U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast is Down Again
- Sustainable Energy in America – Mixed Progress in 2025
- GM Canada – C$63M Outlay in Oshawa Assembly
- EV Owner Satisfaction at New High Amid Sales Slump
- Audi Revolut F1 Team and Fanwear Launched
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- CAFE Regs Intact Post Trump Endangerment Finding Repeal
- First Look – 2027 Volkswagen Atlas Prototype
- Park Outside – More Jaguar I-PACE Battery Fire Recalls
- Magna Posts 2025 EBIT of $2,364 Million
- Trump’s EPA Kills Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding
- IndyCar Stays Green – New Hybrid Engines Coming in 2028
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- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
- UAW Ford Department Director VP Laura Dickerson on Trump's Ford Plant Visit on Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
- Ken Zino on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
- Laverne Oliver on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
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Category Archives: labor issues
Ford Motor Posts 2025 Loss of $8.2B on Record Revenue
Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) today announced its disappointing Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results. Q4 and full-year revenue reached $45.9 billion and $187.3 billion, respectively. This was the fifth consecutive year of full-year revenue growth. However, Q4 and full-year net losses of $11.1 billion and $8.2 billion, respectively, reflected impact of special items, some of them such as Trump tariff chaos and a shortage of aluminum because of a supplier fire were largely out of Ford management’s control.
“Ford delivered a strong 2025 in a dynamic and often volatile environment,” claimed Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We improved our core business and execution, made significant progress in the areas of the business we control – lowering material and warranty costs and making real progress on quality – and made difficult but critical strategic decisions that set us up for a stronger future. Moving forward, we’ll continue building on our strong foundation to achieve our target of 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, mobility company, news analysis, results, sales, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Blue, ford credit, Ford Model e, Ford Pro, Jim Farley, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Sherry House, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis €22.2B Charges. Dividend Cancelled. Stock Tanks
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI) on Friday announced a vast overhaul of its business and as it prepares for the communication of its new strategic plan in May of this year. In a release it claimed that “it has conducted a thorough assessment of its strategy and related costs required to align the Company with the real-world preferences of its customers.”[Translation – STLA is hemorrhaging cash and will take charges and add debt while it tries to return to profitability. The capital markets did not take a wait and see view. STLA dropped ~24% by the time the markets closed – AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, financial results, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, results
Tagged Antonio Filosa, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Citroën C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross, dodge charger, Fiat 500 Hybrid, Fiat Grande Panda, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI, Ram 1500, Stellantis N.V., X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Southern Advance – Tentative VW Chattanooga Contract
“For years, Chattanooga workers were told to settle for less while Volkswagen made record profits. So, the workers stood together and won their union—and now they’ve secured a life-changing first agreement,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This deal proves what happens when autoworkers stand up and demand their fair share. People said Southern autoworkers could never form a union or win a union contract. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga said, ‘Watch this.’” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, results
Tagged Atle Høie, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, IndustriAll Global Union, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Shawn fain, Steve Cochran, VW Chattanooga Contract, VW Chattanooga UAW Contract, X @KenAutoinformed
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U.S. Jobs – Trump Slump Continues
During the week ending 31 January 2026, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 231,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 209,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,250, an increase of 6000 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 206,250, according to the latest statistics published by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today. Total insured unemployment at 2,153,637 increased from 2,136,751 one year ago. Moreover, a key measure – vacancies, aka open or available jobs – dropped to 6.5 million in December, down from 6.9 million in November and the lowest since September 2020. Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, news, news analysis, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, job openings, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Trump economy, U.S. Department of Labor, unemployment, X @KenAutoinformed
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GM to Layoff 500 Employees at Oshawa Assembly
General Motors (NYSE:GM) conformed today that Oshawa Assembly will return to two shifts of production beginning 2 February. However approximately 500 employees will be placed on layoff.
“Preparations continue at Oshawa Assembly to build the next generation of gas-powered full-size pickups, supported by a $280 million investment that reinforces Oshawa’s future in GM’s key full-size truck program,” GM said in a release. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, gm canada, GM Canadian manufacturing, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Oshawa Assembly, unifor, X @KenAutoinformed
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Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke at the Detroit Auto Show today, discussing the impact of tariffs on Michigan’s economy, the importance of innovation and collaboration, and actions the state must take in 2026 to continue attracting business and creating good-paying local jobs amidst what was respectfully termed “national uncertainty.”
Unlike President Trump’s treatment of an autoworker during his Ford Motor River Rouge Plant visit in Dearborn, Michigan this week, where The Man Who Would Be King was caught on video flipping off a Ford worker [with the map of Manhattan – AutoCrat] while using gutter profanity, Whitmer was poised, pleasant, well-informed and inarguably committed to helping workers with a track record that proves it. Whitmer even had an announcement that will be good for all Michiganders, notwithstanding social status, wealth or power. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, economy, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged American manufacturing, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, automotive research, Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, detroit auto show, geologic hydrogen, incentivizing R&D, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, President Trump’s treatment of an autoworker, USMCA, X @KenAutoinformed
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December U.S. Vehicle Sales Forecast Down. Global Sales Up
U.S. new-vehicle sales for December 2025, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,454,000, a 7.5% decrease year over year, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and GlobalData released today. December 2025 has 26 selling days, one more than December 2024. Comparing the same sales volume without adjusting for the number of selling days shows a decrease of 3.8% from 2024. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total U.S. new-vehicle sales is forecast at 15.9 million units, down 1.1 million units from December 2024 as the Trump slump continues.
“December caps a year marked by volatility, as the industry continues to deal with the consequences of import tariffs and changes to electric vehicle legislation. To say it’s been a sales roller coaster of a year would be an understatement,” said Thomas King, president of OEM solutions at J.D. Power. “Fears of future tariff-related price hikes caused sales to jump by 173,000 vehicles between March and April, followed by a sales slowdown in subsequent months. Another sales jump occurred between August and September as 304,200 electric vehicle shoppers made purchases before the September 30th expiration of federal EV tax credits, followed by another sales slowdown whose effects are still being felt in December.”
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Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, results, sales, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Oakley, J.D. Power and GlobalData, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Thomas King, Trump slump, X @KenAutoinformed
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Ford Motor Eliminates Model E in Profit Seeking About Face
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* effectively abandoned its Electric Vehicle strategy this week in an attempt to stop the hemorrhaging of billions of dollars in shareholder money. Ford announced a series of actions to improve its so-called Ford+ plan, reassigning capital to meet what it described as customer demand and drive profitable growth. Ford will write off $19.5 Billion as it attempts to do this.
“This is a customer-driven shift to create a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford,” said (claimed?) Ford president and CEO Jim Farley. “The operating reality has changed, and we are redeploying capital into higher-return growth opportunities: Ford Pro, our market-leading trucks and vans, hybrids and high-margin opportunities like our new battery energy storage business.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, financial results, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, marketing, milestones, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, F-150 Lightning, Ford battery energy storage systems, Ford Blue, Ford Pro, Ford Universal EV Platform, Ford+ plan, Jim Farley, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Lightning EREV, Louisville Assembly Plant, Model e, Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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September 2025 Unemployed People and Rate Up Under Trump
Both the unemployment rate, at 4.4%, and the number of unemployed people, at 7.6 million, changed little in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics posted yesterday. These measures are higher than a year earlier under Trump 2.0, when the jobless rate was 4.1%, and the number of unemployed people was 6.9 million. Job losses occurred in transportation and warehousing and in federal government. Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, news, news analysis, people, results, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, September 2025 U.S. Employment trends, Trump Administration 2.0, Trump Economics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Visiting Capitol Hill on 2026 USMCA Renewal
This week, UAW members from the Agricultural Implements sector went to Capitol Hill to talk about “the devastating impact of bad trade deals, and fight layoffs and plant closures across the agricultural implements and construction equipment sector.” “The American taxpayer … Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged 2026 review of the USMCA, Agricultural Implements Department of the UAW, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brandon Campbell, Caterpillar, CNH, John Deere, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Laura Dickerson, Marcques Derby, X @KenAutoinformed
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Michigan – Tariffs Cause Higher Grocery Prices, More Expensive Housing, Put Jobs at Risk
In response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive directive to gauge the impact of federal tariffs on Michigan’s economy, several State of Michigan departments submitted reports pointing to higher prices and costly delays that would ultimately impact Michiganders. Today, the U.S. … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, AutoInformed Editorial, customer satisfaction, economy, environment, fools 'n frauds, labor issues, manufacturing, milestones, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, auto insurance, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, DIFS, Ford, GM, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, MDOT, MI Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Stellantis, Whitmer-Gilchrist administration, X @KenAutoinformed
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Stellantis Factory Booster Day Held in Detroit
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA. STLAM.MI)* held today the 10th annual edition of its Factory Booster Day at the Conner Center – aka Conner Avenue Assembly – in Detroit. This year’s event saw 80 invited participants showing more than 100 “solutions” aimed at transforming the future of industrial operations.
“Factory Booster Day is not just an event, it’s a reflection of our manufacturing culture and global collaboration,” said Tim Fallon, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Stellantis Production Way. “By empowering our teams and partnering with startups and suppliers, we co-create smart solutions that drive quality, agility and sustainability across Stellantis.
“Together, we are building the future of manufacturing. Through an Open Challenge process, plant leaders invited suppliers and startups to pitch ideas for improving manufacturing processes, making Factory Booster Day a global showcase for practical, forward-thinking solutions delivered through both physical and virtual demonstrations,” said Fallon. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, awards, labor issues, manufacturing, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson, KCF Technologies, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, predictive maintenance, Stellantis Factory Booster Day, Stellantis Production Way, Sterling Heights Michigan Assembly Plant, Tim Fallon, virtual reality for retooling production lines, X @KenAutoinformed
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Tennessee Triumph – VW Workers Ratify UAW Contract!
Volkswagen workers have voted by a 96% margin to ratify their first union contract. The UAW contract – the first at major Southern auto plant comes with 20 % wage increases, healthcare cost reductions, job security guarantees, an enforceable grievance procedure, among other things, that make the UAW a formidable rival for wealthy global corporations. The final tally was announced last night.
“Volkswagen workers have moved yet another mountain,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “From having the courage to stand up and form their union, to having the backbone to authorize a strike and hold out for a contract that honors their worth, VW workers are leading the way for the entire labor movement and non-union autoworkers everywhere. Welcome to the UAW family.” Continue reading →