Category Archives: news analysis

GM Canada Led 2018 Sales. Now Threatened by Unifor Boycott

That’s precisely the problem, ey? Canadian auto workers are not benefiting from and are being punished with layoffs and the closure of the award-wining Oshawa plant as GM sends middle-class jobs to Mexico where workers are paid $2 an hour. Continue reading

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Unifor Boycott Threatens Damage for Ontario Workers GM Says

“GM is arrogant enough to think it can rob Canada of jobs without repercussions,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who resisted the boycott at first. “GM is making a choice to increase manufacturing in Mexico while it abandons communities that have supported it for generations but make no mistake Canadian and American consumers also have a choice,” he concluded. Continue reading

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US Public’s 2019 Priorities: Economy, Health Care, Education, Security. Republicans batting .200 or Less?

This is one of the most pessimistic year-ahead outlooks over the past several administrations, matching the 71% who expected more partisan opposition in 2015, following the 2014 midterm elections. Majorities of both Republicans (78%) and Democrats (67%) think partisans in Washington will bicker and oppose one another more than usual this year Continue reading

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Significant Automotive Stories and Trends of 2018 and 2019

Journalists staring at a blank screen, the opaque prelude to upcoming 2019 deadlines and headlines, do not have the option to Tweet and Run from the responsibilities of their job. So here comes AutoInformed on significant automotive related stories of 2018-2019 and predicted future implications, with our wry awareness, as always, that AutoInformed columnists conduct their education in public. Continue reading

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In the Weeds – Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis

Marijuana’s role in crashes isn’t as clear as the link between alcohol and crashes. Many states don’t include consistent information on driver drug use in crash reports, and policies and procedures for drug testing are inconsistent. Continue reading

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No Recharging or Refueling Infrastructure for Euro Trucks Exist

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (aka ACEA) has published data on the “severe lack of recharging and refueling infrastructure suitable for electric and other alternatively-powered trucks” in the EU. AutoInformed views this under the category of “legislate in haste; repent during a long leisure” of the unemployed workers caused by ruined economies. Continue reading

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Facebook Users Unaware the Social Media Site Categorizes Their Interests and Political Leanings for Sales Use

The survey finds that a vast majority of Facebook users (88%) have their traits and interests categorized by the platform. Yet three-quarters of Facebook users (74%) report they did not know this list of categories existed on Facebook before being directed to the page during the survey. Moreover, once shown how the platform classifies their behaviors and personas, roughly half of Facebook users (51%) say they are not comfortable that the company created such a list. Continue reading

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New Michigan Transportation Projects Increase Mobility

The Challenge grants are said to address core mobility gaps for seniors, persons with disabilities and veterans across the state, with projects in Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, the Central Upper Peninsula and Southeast Michigan receiving funding in this second round. Continue reading

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Volkswagen and Ford Announce Alliance Without Cross Equity

The history of such industry collaborations is difficult and littered with road kill. The problem is whether the two global giants and hundreds of thousands of workers can walk in step together or stumble over each other. Continue reading

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GM Projects Strong Earnings, Improved Cash Flow in 2019

In 2019, despite a diminishing car market, GM expects the overall U.S. market to remain strong, projecting total industry sales in the low 17-million range. The company will benefit from a full year of volume from GM’s all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty full-size pickups. The trucks have contributed to retail market share growth in the light- duty pickup segment every month since August, with average transaction prices that have surpassed those of key competitors. Continue reading

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Ford to Restructure European Business Once Again

Near term, Ford is cutting costs by a reduction of surplus labor across all functions – salaried and hourly. A change in management structure, announced in December, already is underway through Ford’s hoeing and weeding its global salaried workforce. Continue reading

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California, Federal Fines and extended Warranties and Fixes Cost Fiat Chrysler at Least $800m for Diesel Cheating

Companies and their board of directors may not believe in global warming, but regulators backed by ruinous fines along with alarmed shareholders and customers are making them act as if they do. Continue reading

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GM Rejects Unifor Proposals for Oshawa Plant Closing

The study shows there would be an immediate fallout in 2020, with Ontario’s GDP expected to fall by $5 billion and a decline in Ontario government revenues of $330 million. In the long-term, Ontario’s economy would shrink by an average of $4 billion each year to 2030, leading to a reduction in Ontario government revenues of nearly a half billion and federal government revenues of just over half a billion a year. Continue reading

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Non-Representative Government? Religions of the 116th Congress

By a wide margin, the largest difference between the U.S. public and Congress is in the share who are unaffiliated with a religious group. In the general public, 23% say they are atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.” In Congress, just one person – Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who was recently elected to the Senate after three terms in the House – says she is religiously unaffiliated, making the share of “nones” in Congress 0.2%. Continue reading

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Corporate Raiders After Ford Motor Stock at Deep Discount

Baker Mills’ offer price of $7.00 per share in cash is approximately ~17.84% lower than the $8.52 closing price of Ford common stock on Dec. 14, 2018, the last closing price prior to commencement of the offer. The markets are closed today. Continue reading

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