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- Acura to Enter IndyCar. “Pause” IMSA GTP
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- 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
- Nissan in Survival Mode Sheds Models for Next Gen Products
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- 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
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.”
Continue reading
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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UAW Endorses Sherrod Brown for US Senate
The UAW today officially endorsed Sherrod Brown for US Senate. Approximately 100,000 active and retired UAW members live and vote in Ohio. The UAW Ohio CAP (Community Action Program) Council formally voted to endorse Brown and said it will mobilize hundreds of thousands of working-class Ohioans to elect Brown to the US Senate.
“Sherrod is more than an ally of the UAW; he is an honorary union brother,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Ohioans don’t need another representative who leaves us wondering whose side they’ll be on when it matters. We know exactly where Sherrod Brown stands, because he has been in the fight with the UAW and the working-class time and time again. I am proud of our members for committing to elect working-class fighters like Sherrod.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, 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, Shawn fain, Sherrod Brown, Sherrod Brown for US Senate, uaw, UAW Ohio Community Action Program Council, UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green, 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 →