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- Hybrids Rule New EU Car Registrations in March and Q1 2026
- VinFast Auto Posts March Sales of ~28,000 EVs
- Acura to Enter IndyCar. “Pause” IMSA GTP
- Canada and U.S to Co-Host Global Vehicle Safety Conference
- April 2026 Light Vehicle Production Forecast Drops Globally!
- First Look – Mercedes-Benz 2027 C‑Class EV
- IMSA and IndyCar – Acura Wins 2026 Long Beach Grand Prix!
- IMSA Street Fight – 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
- Mustang GTD Runs Record Nordschleife Lap at 6m 40.835s
- Honda Fastport eQuad Vehicles Link to Bird and Spin
- Bosch Group Plans Sales, EBIT Growth after a So-So 2025
- Stellantis Q1 2026 Shipments Up 12% at 1.4 Million
- Light-Duty Fuel Cell Trucks – Isuzu, Toyota Collaboration!
- Airbag Malware – Honda Recalls ~440,000 Odyssey Vans
- Trumped – Used Car Prices Spike after Hitting 12-Month Low
Recent Comments
- Council on Foreign Relations on Iran and Strait of Hormuz on AAA – Pump Gasoline Prices Still Soaring
- Autocrat on Stellantis Subordinated Perpetual Hybrid Bonds on Stellantis Posts Full Year 2025 Loss of €22.3B
- Michigan Governor Whitmer on Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies
- 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
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Category Archives: labor issues
EV Battery Gold Rush – GM and Element 25
General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Element 25 (ASX: E25) announced today in Detroit and Perth, Australia an agreement for Element 25 to supply up to 32,500 metric tons of manganese sulfate annually to support the annual production of more than … Continue reading
EV Politics – Biden versus the UAW
AutoInformed notes that this is a UAW contract year and an election year. Biden’s endorsement by the UAW is by no means assured, although we understand trade offs are unappetizing, but not as bad as endorsing a Republican candidates? Ford Motor is also opening a $3.5 billion manufacturing plant in 2026 in Marshall, Michigan, using technology licensed from Chinese CATL. Continue reading
Ford Reshuffling with Retirements, and a Defection Announced
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said in Dearborn this morning that corporate officers are retiring after three-decade careers, an executive is returning to the auto industry to lead global supply chain operations, and an under warranty new Ford Blue executive is departing to become CEO of a major transportation and logistics business. Continue reading
NHTSA – Wheels Falling Off 2023 Ford Bronco, Ranger Trucks
In the required federal filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford said the lug nut tightening machine was out of service and that a manual – translation human – backup was in place. Continue reading
Ford – Most Hourly Workers, US-Assembled Vehicles, Exports
“Ford has bet on American workers, including the UAW, more than any other automaker. This commitment combined with great product and innovation, has earned us the loyalty of customers and returned Ford to America’s best-selling brand so far this year. We could make different decisions, as many others have done to reduce costs, but Ford is different. We will find ways to be lean and competitive while investing in our home market,” claimed Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. This is, of course, a UAW contract negotiation year starting this summer with many recent Ford jobs going to Southern states hostile to unions. Continue reading
Ford Motor BlueOval City – 6000 Jobs go to Tennessee
BlueOval City will make Ford’s second-generation electric truck, code-named Project T3 with the capacity of 500,000 EV trucks a year at full production. Tennessee is a “right to work” (for less?) state, which means workers don’t have to be unionized. Tennessee sent at least $500 million in incentives from its taxpayers to close the deal announced back in September of 2021.
It’s ironic that the state of Michigan today repealed the state’s right to work law – the birthplace and longstanding home of Ford Motor. “Today, we are coming together to restore workers’ rights, protect Michiganders on the job, and grow Michigan’s middle class,” Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer said when signing the legislation. Continue reading
Mazda Exporting US-made CX-50 to Mexico from Toyota JV
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced it has begun to export its US-assembled CX-50 crossover to Mexico, where it only has 18 years of operation. The CX-50 is assembled at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), a joint venture in Huntsville, … Continue reading
Honda Shows New Prototype Autonomous Work Vehicle
Honda aims to commercialize its AWV. Honda looking for partners to participate in field testing, as well as to improve functions and enhance services, especially in the areas of: Product distribution Product support and aftermarket sales, as well as software and attachment development. The AWV use Honda’s mobility technologies, and common components from its automobiles and other products. Continue reading
Michigan Opens New EV Jobs Academy Website
The EV Jobs Academy is devised to provide Michiganders with tuition assistance and supportive services, including “earn while you learn” opportunities through a Registered Apprenticeship, to support and streamline “on-ramps to high-wage, in-demand careers. ” With more than 100 partners including employers, industry stakeholders and education institutions, the EV Jobs Academy is driving the state’s advanced mobility talent development for the future. It’s the latest example of a growing progressive awakening to make America great again by creating high-paying jobs for blue collar workers. Continue reading
US December Unemployment at Record Low of 3.5%
Nevertheless, the Federal Reserve seems determined to send the US economy into a deep recession. The Fed has done this in the past with reckless interest rate increases from an ideology that thinks it is good when people lose jobs to keep demand and inflation down. However, consider that during December, average hourly earnings for all employees on private non-farm payrolls rose by 9 cents, or a mere 0.3%, to $32.82. During the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.6%. In December, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and non-supervisory employees rose by 6 cents, or 0.2%, to $28.07. AutoInformed doesn’t consider the latest data as cause for inflationary worries, let alone more interest rate increases. (Autoinformed.com: Federal Reserve Chair Powell Says Inflation Remains Too High) Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz Outlines EV Drive Systems Production Sites
The new Mercedes-Benz powertrain production network was achieved following what were likely dicey discussions with German employee representatives. Mercedes says this resulted in agreements to further increase flexibility and efficiency at the various locations, paving the way for securing the future of the plants. In line with the implementation of the Mercedes-Benz Business Plan, the company is investing a mid-single-digit billion-euro amount in its European powertrain production locations. Thus far worker protest or strikes are apparently non-existent. Continue reading
Biden Administration Prevents Nationwide Rail Shutdown
Once again the President appears to have out-foxed unwitting Republican obstructionists. In response to a question about paid sick leave, he said, “As soon as I can convince our Republicans to see the light.” Thereby once again using success to highlight opposition policy failures.
Biden also took the opportunity to reiterate the economic progress the Administration continues to make after the unending disasters and corruption of the previous Republican Administration. Republicans were thumped in the mid-term elections of course. Continue reading
Auto, Other Industries Pushing for Rail Strike Intervention. Biden Asking for Action from Do Nothing Senate Republicans
President Biden: “Let me say that again: without action this week, disruptions to our auto supply chains, our ability to move food to tables, and our ability to remove hazardous waste from gasoline refineries will begin. The Senate must move quickly and send a bill to my desk for my signature immediately.” Continue reading
US EV Market Growing – Problems Growing Too
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation today released its analysis of the US electric vehicle (EV) market for Q1 2023. More than 305,000 EVs sold in U.S. During Q1, an increase of 56% compared to Q1 2022. This means that EVs represent 8.6% of new light-duty vehicle sales in Q1 2023, up slightly from 8.5% in Q4 2022 and 5.9% in Q1 2022. While this is relatively good news, supply constraints still hinder growth. This might not be as bad as it sounds for consumers since Q1 2023 public charging data show that the installation of US public chargers is not keeping up with current and – above all – projected EV sales. Continue reading →