Category Archives: people

President Biden to Attend GM Factory ZERO Grand Opening

The so-called “Internet of Things” is changing manufacturing plants, enabling connected devices to deliver benefits to quality and safety. Countless systems and equipment rely on connectivity, such as robotics, sensors and the Automated Guided Vehicles that deliver materials across the factory floor. Continue reading

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GM Plant Workers Face Threats After Voting Out Corrupt Union

On 17 and 18 August, workers at the General Motors (GM) plant in Silao, Mexico, voted against the current collective bargaining agreement, which since 2008 has been controlled by Tereso Medina, general secretary of the Miguel Trujillo López union, affiliated the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM). A total of 6,480 workers cast their ballot. There were 2,623 votes in favor of the agreement, 3,214 against, and 39 spoiled ballots. As a result, the current collective agreement is in the process of being scrapped. Workers will not lose any of their rights, and their benefits and working conditions will remain the same until new representatives are elected. Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce ‘Boat Tail’ Makes Global Debut

Boat Tail marks a retrograde moment in the archives of Rolls-Royce, “demonstrating the brand’s commitment to coachbuilding as a central part of its future direction and portfolio. It continues and accelerates a contemporary coachbuilding movement that began with Sweptail, the first Coachbuild Rolls-Royce of the modern era, which also made its first public appearance at Villa d’Este back in 2017.” Continue reading

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Mazda, Toyota Building 2022 Corolla Cross in Alabama

Alabama, aside from its history of racism and white supremacy, is a right to work*” (for less?) state, which means workers don’t have to be unionized.** Want to bet the Mazda will be a crossover, with maybe a sub-line for a hybrid and or EV? Toyota is vehemently lobbying against the Biden Administration’s ambitious Build Back Better plan that has a provision for made in American by union workers to be eligible for substantial taxpayer-subsidized EV subsidies. This is part of a forward-thinking strategic plan to create middle-class jobs and benefits from the Administration that was put in place by a majority of voters to rid our democracy of the treasonous former Administration still being led from Trump Castle in Mar-a-Lago (Mar-a-Lardo?) that promoted the January 6 insurrection attempt to take over the US Capital and overturn the Presidential election, aka Big Lie that is the ongoing core (rotten) of the Republican party.
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Palou Driving a Honda is 2021 IndyCar Series Champion

Several crashes marred the Long Beach race – consistent with the season as several IndyCar drivers demonstrated the idiocy of making moves that were almost always likely to hurt theirs and other driver’s chances. Reigning 2020 champion Simon Pagenaud finished fifth with a decent run. Other drivers in contention weren’t so lucky or level headed. Josef Newgarden finished second and Scott Dixon, the six-time and reigning champion, finished third. Palou took the championship by 38 points over Newgarden. Continue reading

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FAA – Unruly Passenger Rate Remains Too High

As of last week, unruly passenger incidents were occurring approximately six times per every 10,000 flights. That’s a ~50% drop from early 2021, when Republicans were promoting the “big Lie” about voter fraud, which was the cause of the January 6th insurrection at the US Capital. However, it’s more than twice as high as the end of 2020. Since the FAA launched its public awareness campaign with memes and two public service announcements, the rate has fallen ~30%.  Continue reading

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Carlos Tavares to Step Down from Airbus Board

“This personal decision should allow Carlos to dedicate his full professional time to leading Stellantis to success, together with the leadership team, through this critical transformation period in the automotive industry,” Stellantis said in a statement. Continue reading

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GM Defense – $36.4M Development Contract for HD Surburbans

GM says the commercial vehicle architecture designed for full size pickup trucks and large SUVs – already paid for –  will use significant commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior and brakes for the government, purpose-built HD Suburban. Continue reading

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Christine Feuell New Chrysler Brand CEO at Stellantis

Stellantis said today that Christine Feuell will join Stellantis as Chrysler Brand CEO on September 13, reporting to CEO Carlos Tavares. Previously Feuell was Chief Commercial Officer at Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS). SPS claims “to provides products, software … Continue reading

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Lyft Starts Driver Legal Defense Fund vs Abortion Vigilantes

In the latest, but by no means the last development supporting democracy in the face of mob rule, Lyft has created a Driver Legal Defense Fund to cover 100% of legal fees for drivers sued under SB8. Continue reading

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Labor Day – Majorities of Americans Say Unions Good

As of July, 55% of U.S. adults say labor unions have a positive effect in the U.S., unchanged from August 2019, the last time the Center asked this question. While the overall figure has remained the same, Democrats have become more likely – and Republicans less likely – to say unions have a positive effect. Continue reading

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GM Workers in Mexico Reject Corrupt Union to Form New One

Workers at General Motors plant in Silao, Mexico, have formed a new union – the national union of automotive workers, SINTTIA. The union seeks to represent GM workers and negotiate a new collective employment agreement. In a crucial vote on … Continue reading

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FAA Data Show Trends in Dangerous Aircraft Laser Strikes

“Pointing a laser at an aircraft can temporarily blind a pilot and not only affects the crew but endangers passengers and the communities they fly over every night,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. Continue reading

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Santiago Chamorro now President GM South America

Chamorro will relocate from Michigan, where he held his most recent position as GM vice president, Global Connected Services – to São Paulo. Jeff Massimilla, GM executive director, Connected Customer and Mobility Services, replaces Chamorro. Continue reading

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Toyota e-Palette Hits Pedestrian at Paralympic Games

On Thursday 26 August 2021, a Toyota e-Palette, an autonomous vehicle used to support mobility within the Athletes’ Village at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo, collided with a visually impaired person about to cross at a pedestrian crossing. At … Continue reading

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