Category Archives: manufacturing

Global Automotive Capacity Too High for Demand?

“With the current high-price environment as a backdrop, the progression of the Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and the potential for other external shocks, we can’t help but raise the caution flag about the prospects for the medium-term forecast and a recovery in demand to pre-pandemic levels. We had recently already trimmed the global LV forecast by an average of 7.5 million units a year throughout the forecast horizon, citing pricing pressure as the main driver. However, additional cuts to the outlook post-recovery could be on the horizon if pricing isn’t addressed,” Schuster said. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls Super Duty F-Series Trucks

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect the front wheel hub extender retaining nuts. If the retaining nuts are loose, dealers will replace the wheel hub extender, retaining nuts, and hub assembly. Continue reading

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Stellantis and CATL MoU for Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries

Stellantis and CATL are considering the possibility of a joint investment in the form of a joint venture with equivalent contributions. Stellantis aims to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to assist making its Dare Forward 2030 electrification targets. LFP has a long service life and high thermal stability. Continue reading

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UAW Sweep – Stellantis Contract Approved by Members

“The members have spoken. After years of cutbacks, months of our Stand Up campaign, and weeks on the picket line, we have turned the tide for the American autoworker,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The Stand Up Strike was just the beginning. The UAW is back to setting the standard. Now, we take our strike muscle and our fighting spirit to the rest of the industries we represent, and to millions of non-union workers ready to Stand Up and fight for a better way of life.” Continue reading

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Ford CEO Jim Farley on UAW Contract Ratification

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) President and CEO Jim Farley said this morning, “We are pleased the agreement has been ratified and we are very happy for our more than 57,000 UAW-represented employees and their families.” (AutoInformed: Bill Ford Asks … Continue reading

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October Global Light Vehicle Sales at 94 Million Annually

The Global Light Vehicle (LV) selling rate for October was largely in line with an upwardly adjusted September figure, at 94 million units annually. Year-over Year (YoY) the market was up nearly ~11% last month, and up more than 10% YTD, according to data just released by the GlobalData Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting Team. Continue reading

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Polestar 4 Production Starts at Geely Hangzhou Bay Plant

“Polestar 4 stands out in design and performance, a remarkable SUV coupé in many ways. It is the first Polestar to feature a virtual rear window with world-class digital rear-view mirror. This car plays a very important role in our growing line-up of exclusive performance EVs. It illustrates the value of our diversified and asset-light approach, making use of our partner and major shareholder’s development and manufacturing expertise,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. Continue reading

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UAW Freeloaders – Hyundai Ups Wages of US Factory Workers

Hyundai today announced wage increases for its production team members at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) and Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia. HMMA has been producing vehicles in Montgomery, Alabama since 2005. HMGMA, Hyundai’s EV-dedicated plant in Bryan County, Georgia, is scheduled to begin production in early 2025. In a move mirroring similar ones by non-unionized Toyota Motor and Honda in the US following the UAW Detroit Three contract sweep, wages will increase ~25%. There are ~ 4000 production workers at HMMA. Continue reading

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GM Announces Niron Magnetics Partnership for EV Motors

Niron’s proprietary Clean Earth Magnet® technology is based on iron nitride, a plentiful and affordable material with “real potential for commercial use in future EVs,” GM said. The permanent magnets in EV motor rotors are typically made from rare earth minerals such as terbium, dysprosium, praseodymium and neodymium, which are expensive and currently processed almost entirely overseas. A late model car can use hundreds of magnets. This technology can cut their material cost in half it’s claimed. Continue reading

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Kia America Recalls all 2015-19 Soul Hybrids for Software Bug

All owners of 2015-2019 model year Soul hybrids will be notified by first class mail telling them to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Dealers will update the Electronic Control Unit software for the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) logic so that the EPB automatically activates when the gear shift lever is in the “P” (Park) position regardless of whether the vehicle is powered ON or OFF. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred as required by US law. Continue reading

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Unifor and Stellantis Contract Ratification in Process

Unifor said its bargaining team met all of its priorities in negotiations and obtained an historic wage package, stronger pensions, protections for autoworkers in the EV transition, and secured investments to lock in a pattern agreement for all Canadian autoworkers. Continue reading

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Toyo Tire Blowout Recalls – Open Country and Extensa Tires

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas is recalling Open Country and Extensa tires made in Serbia because of blowouts. The tires may have been produced using the wrong mold, which can result in the tread or tire sidewall suddenly detaching. The tires were produced on various dates from December of 2022 through April 2023. Continue reading

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China Vehicle Dependability Same in 2023 as 2022

“Although manufacturers regard quality above everything else, some do not pay enough attention to quality after the warranty period,” said Elvis Yang, general manager of auto product practice at J.D. Power China. “However, such problems directly affect owners’ concerns about the long-term dependability and durable quality of their vehicle. Manufacturers need to pay more attention to long-term quality and improve quality management standards.” Continue reading

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Toyota Posts FY2024 Q2 Net Income of $18.4 Billion

“We are grateful for the support of many stakeholders, from production to logistics, sales, and services, including suppliers. As a result of selling each car meticulously at prices that match the product appeal refined through Toyota’s ‘making ever-better cars’ initiative, operating income increased from the same period of the previous fiscal year,” Toyota said. Continue reading

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Chinese Vehicle Market Sales Strong in September

“We expect sales to remain strong in the coming years. This month we have again increased our full-year 2023 forecast, this time by 300,000 units, bringing the full-year forecast to 28.9 million units, a year- on-year increase of 8%. However, it should be noted that near-term downside risks exist, mainly from the liquidity crisis in the real estate sector – said to directly and indirectly account for 25% of GDP-  declining exports, and high youth unemployment,” said the GlobalData Forecast Team. Continue reading

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