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Category Archives: manufacturing
China – Future Export Base for Global Markets?
Although export volumes were stable in the last two years, the sector has experienced significant structural shifts. In 2019, non-Chinese brands accounted for 38% of the export market, compared with 30% in 2018. Data for 2010 and 2016 show that overseas OEMs accounted for just 11% and 19% of China’s exports, respectively. These figures, says LMC, indicate the growing proportion of vehicles built in China by foreign automakers being shipped overseas. Continue reading
COVID-19- Daimler Stops Most Production in Europe
Given the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the economic effects on Daimler cannot be adequately determined or reliably quantified at this time. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, manufacturing, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19 Pandemic, daimler, Kenneth Zino
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COVID-19 – Ford Suspends European Production
While it is hoped this action will only be required for a short period, the exact duration depends on a number of factors. Continue reading
Ferrari Stops Production in Maranello and Modena
Ferrari says it is now experiencing the first serious supply chain issues, which no longer allow for continued production. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, manufacturing, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19, ferrari, Kenneth Zino, Scuderia Ferrari
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COVID-19: Fiat Chrysler Starts Work from Home, Distances Workers, Prepares for Possible Temporary Factory Shut Downs
Beyond the measures already taken in support of government directives, FCA said it will act to minimize the risk of spreading the contagion between employees. These include intensive sanitation of all work and rest areas, changing rooms and washrooms. To enable greater spacing of employees at their workstations, daily production rates will be lowered to accommodate the adapted manufacturing processes. Continue reading
Posted in manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, FCA and COVID-19, Kenneth Zino
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US Trade Deficit Continues at $45 Billion a Month
The drop in imports portends shortages, which could harm both consumer and business spending. The coronavirus epidemic has upset businesses and production in China, with an extension of the Lunar Year holidays cutting output in an effort by the Chinese government to constrain its spread. This likely will be repeated in the US economy as the epidemic spreads here. It’s too soon to see the potential negative effects on the auto industry, but disruptions are likely given China, South Korea and Mexican trade in automotive goods. Continue reading
Honda Sets Monthly Record for Auto Production in China
All told Honda globally produced 4.81 million vehicles year to date. China now represents 29% of all Honda Motor production. Continue reading
Posted in manufacturing, milestones
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, china, Honda Motor, Kenneth Zino
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GM and Isuzu Diesel JV Coming at New Ohio Plant
Heavy-duty trucks comprise 25% of full-size pickup sales in the U.S. The all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HDs are expected to create GM growth in the HD pickup segment. Continue reading
McLaren Wants Tailors and Dressmakers to Build Cars
As all automakers argue, composite materials, together with future powertrain technology, will save vehicle weight, boost performance and provide more energy-efficient vehicles. McLaren has been a pioneer with ultra-lightweight, ultra-strong carbon fiber material for decades and builds every car with a carbon fiber chassis, or ‘tub’, at its core. Continue reading
Volkswagen Breaks Ground on Expanded US EV Production
Volkswagen began EV production earlier this month in Zwickau, Germany, and will then roll out assembly worldwide, including in Anting and Foshan, in China, in 2020 and in the German cities of Emden and Hanover by 2022. The Chattanooga site will be VW’s North-American hub for EV manufacturing. Continue reading
SEMA Sues U.S. DOT for Stopping Replica Car Law
Another Agency run by President Trump’s political appointees is allegedly defying a 2015 law – the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) – passed by Congress to let low-volume automakers sell up to 325 replica cars each year that resemble production vehicles manufactured at least 25 years ago. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, manufacturing, performance
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Kenneth Zino, kit cars, nhtsa, replicars
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UAW Strike Cost at GM Builds Substantially with Duration
Previously, the 1998 UAW strike on GM lasted 54 days and cost the automaker $2 billion, which would equate to $3.1 billion in today’s dollars – or over a third of their 2018 net profit. A strike lasting this long has the potential to cost GM 500,000 units in lost production, which would quickly deplete their available inventory. In this situation, GM intenders would ultimately either delay purchases or move to competitor brands, which could result in 100,000 lost US sales in the remainder of this year. Continue reading
Teamsters to Honor Picket Lines of 50,000 UAW GM Workers
“We laud the UAW for its work to ensure that its GM employees are treated with respect and dignity on the job. At a time when more and more companies are downsizing and shipping jobs out of the U.S., it is imperative that unions fight for their members. Workers should be rewarded for good work with fair wages and benefits. That’s what the UAW is demanding.” Continue reading

Ford Stops North American Production
The UAW had urged immediate closings this past weekend, but Ford executives refused to do so during the formation of a Coronavirus Task Force along General Motors and Fiat Chrysler management. Continue reading →