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- Goodyear Posts Q2 2026 Net Loss of $204 Million
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- Council on Foreign Relations on Iran and Strait of Hormuz on AAA – Pump Gasoline Prices Still Soaring
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Category Archives: labor issues
J.D. Power – Dealer Service Satisfaction High, But…
“While it’s no surprise that customers gravitate to operations that serve them well, the study clearly shows that good service leads to loyal customers,” said John Tenerovich, director of automotive retail at J.D. Power. “This phenomenon proves true across all service types – oil changes, repair, tires and brakes. While complimentary maintenance programs drive strong retention, the level of intent to return for actual customer-paid service depends on the service experience delivered by the dealer.” Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, labor issues, news analysis, shows and events
Tagged auto dealership customer trust, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Customer Service Index, John Tenerovich, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, X @KenAutoinformed
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Legal Tariffs – Detroit Diesel to Add Third Shift, Recall Laid Off Workers
“Strategic, targeted tariffs are an important tool in the toolbox to undo the damage of our free trade disaster and bring back good union jobs to the U.S.,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Companies like Detroit Diesel, and their parent company Daimler Truck North America, need to step up to reinvest in the workers who make the product and stop laying off American workers while making billions in profit. We applaud this first step in the right direction.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, transportation, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Detroit Diesel Axle unit, Detroit Diesel Components, IEEPA, International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Supreme Court, Tariffs and the U.S. Constitution, UAW President Shawn Fain, UAW Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volvo Cars to Increase EX60 SUV Production to Meet Demand
“That so many customers ordered the EX60 in the first month has surpassed our expectations, and it’s a good ‘problem’ to have,” said Erik Severinson, chief commercial officer at Volvo Cars. “We are very encouraged to see such strong demand for our game-changing electric SUV, and we are now reviewing our production plans for 2026, as we gear up for the start of customer car production next month. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, labor issues, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, electric EX60 SUV, Erik Severinson, Geely Holding, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Torslanda plant in Sweden, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump Tariff Flops – December Goods Trade Deficit Up $15.7B
“The U.S. trade deficit for goods hit a record in 2025 despite Trump’s claim his signature tariffs would reduce it, new data shows. Trump declared the country’s goods trade deficit a national emergency last year and pledged to shrink it as part of efforts to revive U.S. manufacturing. Yesterday’s numbers add to previous data suggesting U.S. companies have generally not brought production back home—all while Trump’s tariff policy is being challenged in a Supreme Court case,” The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) said. [The U.S. Supreme Court today in a 6-3 ruling said tariffs that Trump imposed under an emergency powers law were unconstitutional. This also covers so-called “reciprocal” tariffs that he levied. – AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in economy, labor issues, manufacturing, news, news analysis, opinions, results, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brad Setser, goods and services trade deficit, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, The Council on Foreign Relations, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. manufacturing jobs, U.S. trade deficit for goods, X @KenAutoinformed
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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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American Axle – UAW Demands Released Before Contract End
“As a Tier 1 parts supplier to General Motors, American Axle has generated $2.9 billion in profits since 2022. Over that time, the company’s CEO has been paid $47.9 million, with the top five executives receiving nearly $100 million in compensation. Meanwhile, UAW members working at the Three Rivers plant struggle to afford basic needs, with some even forced to sleep in their cars, the UAW said. Continue reading →