Category Archives: economy

Variables Abound – Meet the New NAFTA

AutoInformed agrees that the text offers greater certainty about the future of North American automotive production, trade, and investments, the USMCA still must be signed, ratified, and the enabling legislation must be passed in each of the three countries before the agreement can go into effect on the target date of 1 January 2020. It’s by no means a sure bet. Continue reading

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Gimme Shelter: U.S. Home Affordability Lowest In 10 Years

Nationwide, the Q3 2018 home affordability index of 92 was down from an index of 95 in the previous quarter and an index of 102 in Q3 2017 to the lowest level since Q3 2008, when the index was 87. This could portend trouble for the Detroit Three automakers which rely on the sales of trucks, some of which are used to build and haul things instead of the fashion accessories they have become for many purchasers. Continue reading

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Western European Car Registrations Plummet -23%

September saw the downside to August’s pull-forward effect, as WLTP emissions regulations were widely implemented from 1 September. The transition to WLTP also led to the unavailability of some models that had not received approval under the new procedure. The fact that there was one fewer selling day in September 2018 than in September 2017 across the region did not help sales either. Continue reading

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US September Sales Soothsaying: Downward Trend Continues

Replacement demand and delayed purchases following Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 saw a September 2017 pace of 18.1 million, the highest pace since 2005.Vehicle sales hit an all-time high last year as well, up nearly 80,000 units above the previous two Septembers, which occurred during record sales years. Continue reading

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Pew: American Middle-Class Losing Financially to Upper-Income Families

A recent Pew Research Center analysis also found that the wealth gaps between upper-income families and lower- and middle-income families in 2016 were at the highest levels recorded. Although the wealth of upper-income families has more than recovered from the losses experienced during the Great Recession, the wealth of lower- and middle-income families in 2016 was comparable to 1989 levels. Thus, even as the American middle class appears not to be shrinking (for now), it continues to fall further behind upper-income households financially, mirroring the long-running rise in income inequality in the U.S. overall. Continue reading

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More Than 80% of US Businesses Don’t Employ People?

The three states with the largest number of non-employer establishments are Texas (79.5%), Georgia (79.4%) and Florida (79.0%). North Dakota is the only state where more than 30% of the establishments have paid employees. Continue reading

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U.S. Diversity-Visa Lottery Requests Near Record

Under a different, centuries old – and now thoroughly politicized program President Trump is and has been using rages against “chain migration” to feed his base (both the political sense and the moral sense). Trump apparently now wants to end family-preference immigration visas, after his his in-laws Viktor and Amalija Knavs were granted U.S. citizenship through the first lady’s sponsorship. Continue reading

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Canada Frozen Out of United States-Mexico Trade Agreement

According to the Center for Automotive Research’s (CAR’s) latest trade briefing, applying a Trump’s 25% tariff on all automobile and parts imports would result in 2 million fewer U.S. vehicle sales, 715,000 fewer U.S. jobs and nearly $60 billion in lower U.S. economic output. The policy would increase the price of the average vehicle sold in the United States an average of $4,400 (including both domestic and imported products). Continue reading

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Global Warming Floods Big Population Coastline Counties

“With the exception of 2005 to 2006, a year marked by an intense hurricane season that included three of the costliest hurricanes on record (Katrina, Rita and Wilma), the population in Atlantic and Gulf Coast counties grew every year from 2000 to 2016,” says Darryl T. Cohen is a geographer in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Division. Continue reading

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US DOT and EPA Want to Slash Fuel Economy Standards. Trump Administration Proposal Has Many Critics

The Trump Administration claimed that the new national automobile fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards will give the American people greater access to safer, more affordable vehicles that are cleaner for the environment. Continue reading

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Daimler Signs €11 billion Credit Line

The transaction was concluded on improved terms and was significantly oversubscribed, thereby proving once again that banks prefer to lend to people and institutions that don’t really need to borrow. Continue reading

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Auto Workers Oppose Trump Tariffs that Would Destroy Jobs

The United States directly benefits from GM’s ability to maintain a competitive edge and maximize the effectiveness of our operations on a global scale. The majority of the profits we earn from our global production and sales come back to the United States to support jobs, investments in our plants, and advanced R&D. Continue reading

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Rising Income Inequality Differs in Racial, Ethnic Groups

Asians overall are the highest-earning racial and ethnic group in the U.S., but it is not a status shared by all Asians. Continue reading

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US International Trade Deficit Drops. Maybe

The Census Bureau does not have sufficient statistical evidence to conclude that the actual change is different from zero. What this means is that the U.S. continues to run an enormous deficit as President Trump embarks on a trade war that could increase the deficit more. Continue reading

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U.S. Memorial Day Travel Primed to be a Near Record

INRIX, an analytics company, expects travel delays on major roads could be up to three times longer than normal, with the busiest days being Thursday and Friday (May 24-25) as commuters mix with holiday travelers. Continue reading

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