Category Archives: news analysis

GM to Provide Financial Support to Fired Union Workers

GM’s November announcement impacts 2,600 hourly workers and approximately 340 salaried or contract workers at the Oshawa Assembly Plant once a crown jewel in the GM collection for its productivity, flexibility and quality. GM Canada will continue to discuss its announcements regarding Oshawa Assembly with Unifor, the union it has a no close contract with in force until the end of 2019. Continue reading

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No Deal Brexit to Cost UK Auto Sector £9 Billion Per Year

It’s not only angry Trump voters who are self-destructive, the UK under the Brexit fiasco is about to lose £9 Billion a year due to a conservative Republican-like temper tantrum that will materially hurt middle class workers, as well as society as a whole. Continue reading

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NADA 2019 Light Vehicle Sales Projected at 16.8 Million

Based on a strong November, new-vehicle sales are expected to reach 17 million units in 2018, which would mark the fourth straight year of U.S. auto sales above 17 million units. (see AutoInformed: Auto Loans – Payments Higher, Subprime Lending Lower. The Federal Reserve Board is likely to raise rates in December 2018. More rate increases are likely during the early half of 2019 and then rates are expected to hold.) Continue reading

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IndustriALL Pressures Volkswagen Group to Engage with UAW or Else Face Suspension of its Global Contracts

However, instead of entering into bargaining with the union, Volkswagen has repeatedly taken legal action against the vote, including an appeal against the ruling of the National Labor Relations Board during August 2016, which ruled in favor of the UAW. Continue reading

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Making the Budget Deficit Great Again. November at $203 billion. Interest for Debt up $5 Billion

Not that it matters according to traditional Republican double-speak, such gigantic deficits are only a problem if they occur when the Democrats are in power. When Republicans cut taxes for the wealthiest and run up huge deficits it’s – don’t laugh – good for the economy. Worse, the federal budget deficit was $303 billion for the first two months of fiscal year 2019, says CBO. Continue reading

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Ghosn, Kelly and Nissan Motor Corp. Indicted for Violating The Japan Financial Instruments and Exchange Act

Thus – as predicted – this case, besides from revealing the rift between Nissan and its European partner Renault that saved it from bankruptcy, has cast a cold beam of light on Japanese corporate governance – or is that non-governance? – practices. Continue reading

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TV Remains News Source for Almost Half of Americans

Overall, 47% of Americans prefer watching the news rather than reading or listening to it. That is unchanged from 46% in 2016 and outpaces the 34% who prefer to read the news and 19% who prefer to listen to it – both of which also remain on par with 2016 figures. Continue reading

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Ford First Automaker to Outline UN Human Rights Issues

Ford claims to be the first automaker to complete this assessment, thought to be key in identifying the issues that are at risk of the most severe negative impact through activities or business relationships. Continue reading

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BMW Group Threatens Trump on US Jobs

Buried at the bottom of the release was the following threat clearly aimed in AutoInformed’s view at President “tariff” Trump and his owning trade bluster and politically motivated policies that are threatening US jobs. Continue reading

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Cruise and GM Closer to Sale of Self Driving Vehicles

“These appointments further demonstrate our commitment to transforming mobility through the safe deployment of self-driving technology and move us closer to our vision for a future with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. Continue reading

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GM Canada to Train, Help Find Jobs for Fired Workers

GM Canada will also join with Durham Region educators and governments to train and transition Oshawa Assembly employees to new careers in Durham Region. “These efforts will help address the significant open requirements for talented workers from other regional employers,” GM said. Continue reading

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Unifor Blasts GM Canada Closings

AutoInformed notes that since its announcement this week, GM now says that the “unallocated” plants in the U.S. will not be closed but rather “idled,” subject to negotiations with the UAW next fall. Unifor says that is a first step in Canada as well. Continue reading

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Fully electric Audi e-tron and e-tron GT concept at Los Angeles

Audi e-tron is the first all-electric production model from the brand. It’s a five-seater, electric mid-sized crossover SUV that will arrive in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2019. ALA Tesla it’s is available now for U.S. customers to place reservations. Continue reading

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Luminar and Volvo Show Full Autonomy Sight System that Reads Pedestrian Body Language and Predicts Movement

Pose estimation is used to understand and predict pedestrian body language, behavior and intention, but has traditionally only been achieved with dense 2D data from cameras. Continue reading

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Female Drivers Only W Series Racing Qualifier List Released

“We are thrilled, but perhaps not surprised by the response,” said Catherine Bond Muir, CEO of W Series. “Even today there is a massive gender imbalance in motorsport and W Series is making the first step to correct that. Drivers from all over the world have stepped forward, so it’s clear that with the right framework we can make the changes this sport desperately needs.” Continue reading

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