-
Recent Posts
- First Look – Genesis GV60 Magma Performance EV
- Revised Auto Forecasts Assume Slight Iranian War Effects?
- Sudden Power Loss – Ford Motor Recall Parade Persists
- GM Expands Owners’ Manual Recalls
- Andretti Global Rules Inaugural Java House Grand Prix
- American Axle – UAW Demands Released Before Contract End
- J.D. Power – Dealer Service Satisfaction High, But…
- Legal Tariffs – Detroit Diesel to Add Third Shift, Recall Laid Off Workers
- Porsche AG Reorganization 2.0 or The New Strategy 2035
- Hit-And-Run Crashes at Record High
- Honda Heritage Parts Program Debuts
- IndyCar – Freedom 250 to Run Past U.S. Capital
- Instrument Panel Display Failures – Honda, Acura Recalls
- Ford Recalls 850,000 Bronco, Edge SUV Rear View Cameras
- Ford Recalls Escape, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Corsair SUVs
Recent Comments
- Autocrat on Stellantis Subordinated Perpetual Hybrid Bonds on Stellantis Posts Full Year 2025 Loss of €22.3B
- Michigan Governor Whitmer on Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies
- Porsche Motorsport Daytona Victory on Daytona 24 Hours – Old and New Stars Getting Ready to Run
- UAW Ford Department Director VP Laura Dickerson on Trump's Ford Plant Visit on Whitmer Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump at Detroit Auto Show
- Ken Zino on Ford Fuel Injector Leak Recall Now at ~694,000
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: people
Alexandra Ford English to Join Rivian’s Board of Directors
The announcement comes at crucial point for Ford Motor as analysts are speculating that future of a challenged Ford – operational competence, liquidity, as well as quality and warranty issues – will require a merger with another global automaker, perhaps Volkswagen. (Bill Ford has been quoted – second hand – by insiders as saying “No.” Then after a pause “Hell No.”) Continue reading
COVID-19 – 2020 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Cancelled
With the cancellation of this year’s event, the 70th Pebble Beach Concours will now take place on Sunday, August 15, 2021. Continue reading
After Worst Collapse Since the 1930s, The Recovery is?
For many of the consumer-facing service sectors, a U- or even L-shaped recovery seems more likely, given the expected reluctance of people to engage in activities that put them in contact with groups of other people (travel, entertainment, etc.). Continue reading
GM Expands Medical Projects, Hospital Charitable Deliveries
These projects are led by employee volunteers looking to apply their automotive-production skills – from 3D printing to sewing upholstery – to help those fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Initially, these projects were grassroots efforts, with employees delivering handmade samples to hospitals for feedback and tweaking prototypes based on feedback, which fed into the final designs. Continue reading
Most Say Trump Too Slow in Coronavirus Response
With the Trump administration and many state governors actively considering ways to revive the stalled U.S. economy, the public strikes a decidedly cautious note on easing strict limits on public activity. About twice as many Americans say their greater concern is that state governments will lift restrictions on public activity too quickly (66%) as say it will not happen quickly enough (32%). Continue reading
Social Distancing Time Frames: How Our Expectations Affect Compliance
“We said, ‘There’s something wrong here in the news,’” Briscese says. “Someone from the government says one thing and then another thing and you had conflicting messages from epidemiologists saying, ‘We are here for the long run. This is a marathon, not a sprint.’” Continue reading
COVID-19 – GM Gives $2.65 Million to 40 Non-Profits
Included in these efforts is a $1 million grant to the DonorsChoose Keep Kids Learning plan, which provides $1,000 credits to 1,000 teachers in high-need school districts to help send basic resources like books, pencils, notebooks, food and cleaning supplies to students’ homes. Continue reading
Teamsters, CtW Investment Group Demand Amazon Reveal Workplace Safety Record
The request comes after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allowed Amazon to exclude a shareholder proposal that the two investors had filed to be voted on at the online retailer’s annual meeting of shareholders, scheduled for May 27. It’s the latest example of government agencies suppressing democracy under the current administration. The investors are appealing the SEC’s staff decision to the full Commission today. Continue reading
US Trade Deficit $39.9 Billion in February
March, given an economy in free-fall, will see a bigger decrease in the deficit, but that’s not good news. Roughly two-thirds of the US economy comes from consumer spending. Yesterday, the Labor Department reported that a record number of 6.6 million people applied for unemployment last week. During the last two weeks more than 10 million people in the US were out of work. That should take your breathe away – sadly like Corona virus. Continue reading
Posted in economy, milestones, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19 denials, COVID-19 Pandemic, Kenneth Zino
Leave a comment
Data Point: 2020 Census Paid Temporary Workers Released
Data will help sorting out the mess created by the US’s unpreparedness for what is now a Global Pandemic with the US a leader in cases, illnesses and deaths. Continue reading
Ventec Life Systems and GM to Mass Produce Ventilators
Under Trump Administration do-nothing policies that refused until this morning to invoke the Defense Production Act (while criticizing GM? Insiders say that GM was waiting for Government Agency approvals). There are now clearly global back-orders of critical care ventilators capable of supporting patients fighting COVID-19. Nonetheless, companies are adding thousands of units of new capacity with a significantly expanded supply chain capable of supporting high volume production. GM is contributing its resources at cost. Continue reading
FCA Expands Coronavirus Relief – 1 Million Meals for Kids
FCA said publicly yesterday its plants across the U.S. and Canada, as well as headquarters operations and construction projects, are to remain closed only until 14 April, dependent upon the various states’ stay-in-place orders and the readiness of each facility to return to production. (FCA to Restart of North American Operations?) The UAW is apparently not pleased with the decision that threatens the health and safety of its members. (UAW Balks at Reopening Workplaces) Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, labor issues, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19 Pandemic, fca, Kenneth Zino, Mike Manley
Leave a comment
FCA to Restart of North American Operations?
Note the irony of an Italian owned company where COVID-19 is raging unabated, assuming a business as usual approach to the global pandemic where the untied sates is now leading in the rate of diagnosis of the virus. Continue reading
Posted in economy, environment, labor issues, manufacturing, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, COVID-19, fca, Kenneth Zino, uaw
1 Comment
UAW Balks at Reopening Workplaces
“The only guideline in a boardroom should be management asking themselves, “Would I send my family — my own son or daughter — into that plant and be 100% certain they are safe?” – UAW President Rory L. Gamble Continue reading

Ford to Begin Phased Restart in North America 18 May
Ford initially refused a UAW request to shut down over to weekend of 16 March. Bowing to pressure from the UAW and with a belated portion of common sense and awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford Motor Company on 18 March said it would stop production at U.S., Canadian and Mexican manufacturing facilities after Thursday evening’s shifts through March 30 to thoroughly clean and sanitize the company’s plants. Continue reading →