Monday, July 31, 2023

California to review consumer data privacy in cars

California state regulators will review the data protection policies of car manufacturers as part of the state's efforts on consumer privacy.



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SAIC says MG European plant 'will lead to higher costs'

SAIC's MG brand, which sold nearly 100,000 cars in Europe in the first half, wants European production to avoid import tariffs.



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The latest numbers on the microchip shortage: Asian factories hit hardest

Assembly plants in Asia were hit hardest by a lack of semiconductors this week, according to the latest estimate by AutoForecast Solutions.



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Sunday, July 30, 2023

Audi's Hildegard Wortmann: ‘Edutainment' needed to boost consumers' confidence in EVs

Hildegard Wortmann, head of sales and marketing for Audi, said automakers need to focus EV marketing efforts on 'edutainment' about living with an EV to ease consumer apprehension about leaving combustion vehicles.



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Saturday, July 29, 2023

Detroit 3's EV growing pains temper big Q2 profits

While GM, Ford and Stellantis continue to make billions from gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs, their electrification goals are proving harder than expected to reach.



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Friday, July 28, 2023

Alphabet's Waymo unit slows self-driving trucking

Waymo, the self-driving unit owned by Alphabet Inc., is slowing the development of autonomous trucking that's being done by its Via subsidiary.



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Dana sees strong Q2 profits

Auto supplier Dana Inc. said net income rose strongly in the second quarter, offset somewhat by currency headwinds, customer demand volatility and supply chain disruptions.



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NHTSA proposes 58 mpg standard for new vehicles by 2032

NHTSA on Friday said its new standards for the 2027-32 model years would require a 2 percent per year improvement in fuel efficiency for cars and a 4 percent per year improvement for light trucks.



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Jeep Girl Mafia's retail chain partnership opens doors for women Jeep owners

A partnership between Jeep Girl Mafia, an all-women club for Jeep owners, and 4 Wheel Parts, a national chain of retail stores and service centers has brought the company thousands of new customers and given female Jeep owners a safe place to ask questions.



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GM warns new U.S. emissions rules could cost industry at least $100B billion in penalties; Biden administration disagrees

NHTSA will release its proposal to hike CAFE requirements for 2027 and beyond on Friday, Reuters reported. GM estimated the auto industry as a whole could face $100 billion to $300 billion in total penalties from 2027 to 2031.



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Cargo ship ablaze off Dutch coast carrying nearly 500 EVs

The Dutch coastguard said the cause of the fire was unknown, but an emergency responder is heard in a recording released by Dutch broadcaster RTL saying "the fire started in the battery of an electric car."



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Thursday, July 27, 2023

Automakers' charging JV to improve experience, not challenge Tesla scope

The joint venture is another step toward broadening the charging network and gives legacy automakers a bigger stake in charging infrastructure.



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Senate committee advances bill requiring AM radio in new cars

The Democratic-led Senate Commerce Committee advanced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which directs the Transportation Department to require automakers to keep AM radio receivers in new vehicles as standard equipment.



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Hertz revenue rises in Q2 despite lower used-car prices

Hertz said travel demand rose in the quarter as the company reported an increase in transactions and kept more of its cars rented out to travelers.



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The cellphone, a source of distracted driving, could also be a tool to fight it

Smartphone cameras could be used for forward-collision warning and even driver monitoring.



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Tesla created secret team to suppress thousands of driving range complaints, report says

About a decade ago, Tesla rigged the dashboard readouts in its EVs to provide “rosy” projections of how far owners can drive before needing to recharge, a source told Reuters. The automaker became so inundated with driving-range complaints that it created a special team to cancel owners’ service appointments.



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Tekion buys vehicle registration technology company Five64

The dealership management company wants to simplify interstate vehicle purchases for dealers. Five64 filed for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection in April.



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Column: Barbie girls in a GM world

The presence of the Chevrolet Corvette, GMC Hummer EV and Chevy Blazer — from the only major automaker led by a female CEO — works well in a movie that is also statement about empowerment.



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Magna inks silicon carbide deal with semiconductor maker Onsemi

Magna said it entered a 10-year supply agreement for silicon carbide microchips from semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi. Silicon carbide chips are in high demand for EV components.



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Tavares says EV 'sweet spot' is $25K, criticizes labor strikes as 'destructive'

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, who has warned that the middle class will be priced out of the EV market if automakers can't absorb the additional production costs they require, said the sweet spot for affordable EVs is "around $25,000."



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Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Nissan eyes exporting more from China as sales slump

CEO Makoto Uchida says Nissan had not yet decided on an export plan or determined a target market for China-made product. But he says Nissan must consider emergency measures to boost business in China, where sales slumped 46 percent in the quarter.



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Lithia says Q2 net income slipped 11% while new stores lifted revenue 12%

Lithia Motors reported second-quarter revenue of $8.1 billion, up 12 percent from a year earlier, but net income fell 11 percent to $301.1 million.



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Penske Automotive Q2 earnings fall on record revenue

Premium brands represented 71 percent of Penske's retail automotive sales in the second quarter, with BMW and Mini accounting for 25 percent of the total.



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Nissan will invest up to $663M in Renault's Ampere EV spinoff

The agreement to finalize the terms of their partnership caps months of sometimes tense negotiations over issues such as the sharing of future intellectual property.



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Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Auto safety, consumer advocates push back on efforts to revive AV legislation

The criticism comes ahead of a House hearing scheduled for Wednesday to consider separate draft legislation on AVs from Reps. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.



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Reeves Callaway, Callaway Cars founder and CEO, dies at 75

Performance auto giant Ely Reeves Callaway III died July 11 after sustaining injuries in a fall. The Callaway Cars founder, whose company held a world speed record for more than 20 years, was 75.



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Next-generation Chevy Bolt to have Ultium battery

The automaker announced the next-generation product just three months after saying the current model would be discontinued at the end of 2023. It's unclear when the next-generation model will launch or where it will be built.



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How Ford hopes to win new buyers with 2024 Mustang

Expanding the pool of potential buyers will be key to the seventh-generation Mustang's continued relevance, officials say, as fans of the soon-to-be-discontinued Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger could be tough to win over.



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JLR sees U.S. as key to success for reborn Jaguar brand

JLR CEO Adrian Mardell plans to target U.S. millionaires with the reinvented Jaguar brand but admits 'there is a lot of work to do to build brand equity.'



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Monday, July 24, 2023

Hyundai stages mobile service center to speed up anti-theft software update

Hyundai Motor Co. wants to expedite completion rates of a software patch meant to protect its vehicles from theft following a national social media-driven crime wave.



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Live talk Thursday at noon: UAW-Detroit 3 contract negotiations

Arthur Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell University, will join Executive Editor Jamie Butters and Staff Reporter Michael Martinez for a live discussion on the labor negotiations.



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Chevron considers lithium production in latest EV bet by big oil

The price and availability of lithium is crucial to whether EVs can scale up.



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Unifor seeks a non-adversarial approach to Stellantis contract talks compared with UAW

Unifor President Lana Payne signaled that Canada’s auto union will take a different approach to this summer’s contract negotiations than the UAW in the U.S.



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Tesla starts offering 84-month car loans as interest rates rise

The company now includes seven-year loans as an option on its U.S. order pages, after previously offering loans as long as 72 months. In Canada, Tesla is offering 96-month loans.



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Sunday, July 23, 2023

GM's OnStar service takes on expanded tech role in new ads

The campaign launching Monday gives OnStar a new tagline — "Better Never Stops" — and promotes the brand as linking GM's safety, connectivity and entertainment features.



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MDX, RDX, TLX: Soon out of gas?

Acura MDX, RDX and TLX might be switching the automaker's new e: Architecture.



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Saturday, July 22, 2023

Supplier ZF finds Tesla, Nio, Lucid are hot for new technologies

ZF CEO Holger Klein finds that speed is king for new automakers like Tesla, Lucid and Nio.



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Friday, July 21, 2023

Automotive News adds data researcher

Data researcher Grace Rochelle previously worked at a market research firm, with a focus on automotive insurance.



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2023 Automotive Hall of Fame members honored

Honorees included GM CEO Mary Barra, Gentex co-founder Fred Bauer, racer Juan Manuel Fangio, Honda co-founder Takeo Fujisawa, Ford designer McKinley Thompson Jr. and Hot Wheels designer Larry Wood.



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Appeals court to reconsider ruling on Elon Musk tweet about unions

A federal appeals court said it will reconsider its recent decision that Tesla's Musk violated federal labor law when he tweeted that employees would lose stock options if they joined a union.



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Self-driving company Aurora Innovation closes $820M capital raise

The critical capital raise will help Aurora launch its autonomous trucking business by the end of 2024.



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Hail strikes Michigan dealership

A hailstorm damaged vehicles at a dealership in Davison, Mich., on Thursday



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AutoNation's Q2 net income drops nearly 30%

The auto retail giant saw gains in service and parts revenue, while used-vehicle sales declined.



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UAW seeks Washington backing to pressure Detroit 3 in labor talks

Part of the approach includes a decision by the UAW to hold off on endorsing U.S. President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, in a move to pressure the administration.



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Stellantis unit loses case as Mahindra's Jeep copy allowed to sell in U.S.

Fiat complained the Mahindra Roxor is a “nearly identical copy” of the Jeep, with shared design elements such as “boxy body shape with flat-appearing vertical sides and rear body ending at about the same height as the hood.”



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Thursday, July 20, 2023

Carvana to launch celebrity ad campaign yet remains cautious toward advertising

The used car brand has had to cut back on its ad budget in order to stave off losses.



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GM plans Detroit EV parts warehouse in former AMC Building

General Motors Co. is working to open a warehouse for electric vehicle parts at the former American Motors Corp. site in Detroit to serve its nearby Factory Zero assembly plant.



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Stellantis unit official pleads guilty to felony in U.S. diesel emissions probe

The Justice Department said the guilty plea by Emanuele Palma accompanies the earlier conviction of Fiat Chrysler, now part of Stellantis, for defrauding the EPA and customers.



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Nissan preps an old engine plant to make solid-state EV batteries

In a symbolic move for Japan's auto industry, Nissan is prepping its oldest factory, the sprawling Yokohama engine plant, for pilot production next year of cutting-edge solid-state batteries, the holy grail of next-generation EVs.



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Monday, July 17, 2023

Redesigned Mercedes-AMG GLC is brand's first performance hybrid crossover

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance pairs a 2.0-liter turbo engine with an electric motor to create a combined 671 hp.



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German union calls for better staffing at Tesla plant amid expansion plans

Tesla is cutting staff even as it plans to double annual production capacity at its European plant near Berlin to 1 million cars.



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Chevy Traverse gets first off-road trim, more tech on 2024 model

The third-generation Traverse crossover is designed to be more SUV-like, with a more rugged exterior, a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a Z71 version designed to conquer unpaved terrain.



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EV registrations cool for once-hot brands

The EV market is growing but brands including Ford, Kia and Nissan are underperforming as Tesla soaks up most of the new volume, according to new registration data.



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Sunday, July 16, 2023

2 military families get new Chevys

GM gave the vehicles to deserving recipients identified by Operation Homefront and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.



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Editorial: ChatGPT can be a good tool, but not an employee

Dealers are dipping their toes in ChatGPT. That's as deep as they should go.



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Friday, July 14, 2023

UAW bucks tradition as contract talks begin

As contract talks begin, the UAW is showing a willingness to try new strategies and discard the status quo as it seeks meaningful gains for members.



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EV newcomer VinFast sees just 128 registrations in 5 months

Vietnamese startup VinFast is facing headwinds with its plans for a U.S. stock listing to raise funds for global expansion



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Tesla's Shanghai factory workers welcome bonus increase after record deliveries

The workers welcomed the award after the EV maker had cut bonuses for many staff in the previous quarter.



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Tesla will attend this year's Munich auto show

Tesla's participation is a big plus for the show's organizers as the attendance of some well-known automaking groups is less certain.

 



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Oregon general manager shows power of Lithia Partners Group

Lithia Motors' decentralized business model has allowed a Honda dealership in Southern Oregon to specialize in used-truck sales.



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Mazda's North American EV production may happen in Mexico, new CEO says

Mazda is planning two varieties of full electrics. One will be an EV based on an existing architecture that also accommodates internal combustion and hybrid powertrains. The other will be a dedicated EV platform.



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Thursday, July 13, 2023

Michigan Supreme Court opinion has 'wide implications' for supplier contracts, supply chain

The Michigan Supreme Court issued a key opinion this week in a case about supply chain contracts that clarifies uncertainty over terms and conditions and likely gives sellers more leverage at the negotiation table.

In MSSC Inc. v. AirBoss Flexible Products Co. — a local case stemming from a typical pricing dispute between a tier 1 and tier 2 supplier — the high court indicated that supply agreements are not requirements contracts by default, according to the opinion led by Justice Elizabeth Welch.

What it means is that buyers must be explicit in their contracts about what they intend to buy from sellers, rather than keeping the terms vague and therefore more flexible, often to the benefit of buyers. It levels the playing field for buyers and sellers, said Michael Brady, executive partner at Warner Norcross + Judd in Detroit and lead counsel to AirBoss in the case against its buyer.

"This case will have wide implications in the supply chain world," Brady said.

"As the court found, it was muddled in this area of law. The way the law had been, it gave buyers, whether it's an OEM or a supplier doing business with another supplier, a bit more bargaining power," Brady said. The court's new opinion does the opposite. "It puts everyone on the same level playing field during negotiations of a contract so everyone knows what they're signing up to."

The dispute between MSSC and AirBoss arose in mid-2019 when AirBoss began to experience losses on parts it was supplying to MSSC for suspension systems being built for Stellantis. The tier 2 supplier AirBoss attempted to pass on the roughly $1 million in annual losses to its tier 1 customer. While MSSC eventually agreed to a price increase, AirBoss continued to lose money on the business and ceased taking orders in 2020. MSSC sued as a result.

At the center of the lawsuit was the "blanket" purchase order between the two companies. MSSC argued that the blanket order was a requirements contract binding AirBoss to fulfill its orders. AirBoss argued that because there was no quantity listed, it was a "release-by-release" contract and not binding long-term.

The Oakland County Circuit Court in Michigan sided with MSSC, as did the Michigan Court of Appeals. But in December, the case was sent to the state Supreme Court, whose opinion set a new precedent.

"Without a quantity term, the parties could not have entered into a requirements contract under MCL 440.2306(1)," the justices said in their opinion. "We reverse the Court of Appeals opinion and remand this case to the Court of Appeals for further proceedings that are consistent with this opinion."

While the case began before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the supply chain crisis and ensuing flurry of contract disputes since have significantly elevated the importance of Tuesday's ruling. By far the biggest issue of the supply base for the past three years has been increased prices and attempting to pass them up to customers.

"Every supplier and every OEM will want to take a hard look at their terms and conditions, their purchase order, their contracting documents," Brady said. They'll need to assess based on this opinion — do they have a legally appropriate requirements contract."

Jason Killips, attorney at the law firm Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco PLLC in Southeast Michigan, said he has been flooded with calls from clients wondering what the ruling means for their business. Killips, who wrote an amicus brief for the AirBoss case on behalf of 14 automotive clients, said he is pleased with the opinion and believes it will benefit both sides to a contract, as well as judges hearing future supply chain disputes.

"For our clients it means increased clarity and increased certainty," he said.



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Shift Technologies reduces work force 34 percent in midyear restructuring

The company said it also decided to eliminate investment in its dealer marketplace business to focus on its core operations.



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Former Porsche U.S. top executive said to be jumping to Rivian

With a marketing, operations and strategy background at established auto brands, Gruner could help the electric upstart in various capacities.



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Ineos lineup expands in 2024 with four-door pickup

The Quartermaster, powered by a BMW engine, will likely be very expensive due to the 25 percent tariff on imported trucks.



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Bosch launches production of fuel cell power modules for Nikola trucks

Bosch began production of fuel cell power modules for Nikola and plans to generate $5.5 billion from hydrogen technology by 2030.



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Bigger isn't always better, IIHS says

An IIHS study found that larger, newer vehicles remain safest for their drivers, but they might increase danger to drivers of older, smaller vehicles in a collision. Midsize choices could offer the best of both worlds.



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Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Kia to invest $200 million in U.S. plant, build EV9 crossover in 2024

Kia said on Wednesday it will invest more than $200 million in its assembly plant in the U.S. state of Georgia to begin production of its electric EV9 SUV next year.



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BMW targets 50,000 in U.S. EV sales this year as luxury sales rise

Premium-brand sales tallied 676,906 vehicles in the second quarter, a 21percent gain



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UAW leaders visit Detroit 3 plants to begin bargaining

UAW President Shawn Fain said members want him to fight for an end to the two-tiered wage system and to temporary workers, and for reinstatement of benefits like cost-of-living adjustments and pensions.



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BorgWarner spinoff Phinia sees growth in ICE, alternative fuels

While the legacy company has eyes only for electric, the newly independent suburban Detroit supplier of fuel systems and aftermarket parts is unapologetically all in on gasoline and alternative fuels.



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Robotaxis progress comes at slow-and-steady pace. Emphasis on slow.

The demise of self-driving startup Argo AI has overshadowed the ongoing efforts of others who are pushing for wider deployment of robotaxi networks. Waymo, Cruise and Baidu already have commercial operations.



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Ford 'does not rule out' reviving Fiesta as an EV with VW platform

Ford is using VW's MEB platform for two compact electric cars. A smaller Fiesta-sized model based on VW's upcoming ID2 is a possibility.



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Hyundai union stages strike in South Korea for first time in five years

The government has pushed for reforms in labor unions and vowed strong responses to any illegal demonstration that disrupts public order.



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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Denso may sell some ICE-related operations to Niterra

Toyota affiliate Denso is negotiating a possible sale of some internal combustion engine-related operations to Niterra Co.



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Hyundai hires women auto technicians for the first time in Korea

The world’s third-largest automaker hired six women out of 200 new technicians.



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Nio has been at the brink before. Can the EV maker rally again?

A just-in-time share sale to CYVN Holdings LLC, an investment entity controlled by the government of Abu Dhabi, may get Nio off the immediate hook.



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Ford Escape probed in U.S. following reports of doors opening while driving minor injuries

NHTSA said it received 118 reports from U.S. vehicle owners alleging "a failure of the spot welds in the check arm bracket for the front doors" on 2020-21 Ford Escape vehicles, according to a federal document released Tuesday.



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Toyota to make hydrogen fuel cells in Kentucky in December

Toyota ramps up hydrogen fuel cell production for trucks in Kentucky in December and is already planning a new and improved next-generation system that will debut in 2026.



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Monday, July 10, 2023

Calif. Ariz. dealer Abraham Razick dies in plane crash

Dealer Abraham Razick, who died in a plane crash on July 8, was an Automotive News Notable Veteran and an Automotive News 40 under 40 honoree.



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Toyota Stellantis blast Bidens plan to boost electric car sales

The automakers warned that proposed emission curbs for cars and light trucks are overly optimistic and discriminate against plug-in hybrid vehicles. 



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Ex-VW CEO Winterkorn among executives ordered to testify in German investor suit

VW's main line of defense since the scandal broke in 2015 has been to blame a small group of engineers that it said colluded to rig the software and hid their tricks from company leadership.



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Toyota's SmartPath to close big hole in process with digital F&I

Toyota Motor North America will further expand its SmartPath and Monogram digital retailing suites this year to begin incorporating F&I operations, allowing customers to potentially finish a full deal at home.



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Sunday, July 9, 2023

Rolls threatens to blacklist EV flippers

The upcoming Spectre has been so popular that Rolls-Royce wants to stop buyers from flipping the car for profit.



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Saturday, July 8, 2023

UAW wants EPA to soften vehicle emissions plan

The United Auto Workers union on Friday called on the Biden administration to soften its proposed vehicle emissions cuts that would require 67% of new vehicles to be electric by 2032.



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Friday, July 7, 2023

Slowly but surely auto dealers test ChatGPT waters

ChatGPT is drawing interest as a way to enhance dealership management systems and other platforms. Vendors predict wide adoption within months as users iron out kinks.



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McLaren delays Artura plug-in hybrid an average of four months

In a memo to U.S. retailers obtained by , McLaren said deliveries of the plug-in hybrid are delayed on average about four months as the British automaker institutes "enhanced testing procedures" to improve quality.



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Dealership groups ranked by service call effectiveness according to Pied Piper study

Efficiency measurements generated 62 percent of a dealership's score, while quality measurements determined the remaining 38 percent.



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Rivian must face lawsuit claiming it defrauded IPO investors over vehicle prices

U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton in Los Angeles said shareholders could try to prove that Rivian knew it would have to raise prices because of higher materials costs, to avoid even bigger losses.



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Union workers cry foul over safety at GMs Ultium battery plant

The UAW union and Ultium Cells LLC are battling over wages, and the union wants better safety protections following multiple accidents at the plant.



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Mercedes-Benz to access Tesla Superchargers in N. America from 2024

German automaker Mercedes-Benz said its drivers will get access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers in North America starting in 2024.



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Tesla looking to conquest dangles cash bonus in key markets

In China, EV maker offers new buyers of top-selling EVs a cash bonus equivalent to almost $500 if they have a referral from an existing owner, deepening a price war.



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Biden taps a Michigan native to smooth upcoming UAW talks

Michigan native Gene Sperling, a senior adviser to President Joe Biden, is being tapped to coordinate the administration's bid to facilitate smooth contract talks between the Detroit Three automakers and United Auto Workers union.

Sperling is the White House's coordinator of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package enacted in 2021. He directed the National Economic Council under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, making him one of the defining economic policymakers of the past several decades.

"As a White House point person on key issues related to the UAW and Big 3, Sperling will help ensure administration-wide coordination across interested parties and among White House policymakers. Gene will work hand-in-glove with Acting (Labor) Secretary Julie Su on all labor-related issues," a White House official said in a statement to Crain's Detroit Business. The official requested anonymity to confirm the move that was first reported by Politico.

Contracts with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, which together employ about 150,000 auto workers, expire on Sept. 14. Negotiations are to start sometime in mid-July, but no specific dates have been released.

New UAW President Shawn Fain has vowed to take a more confrontational stance in negotiating and has warned there could be strikes. In a video released Wednesday, he expressed concern about the transition to electric vehicles, saying the automakers are taking billions of dollars in government subsidies "but those benefits aren't trickling down to UAW members."

GM spokesperson Jeannine Ginivan, while not commenting on Sperling's appointment, said in a statement: "Like General Motors, the White House understands the importance of our workforce and their contribution to the U.S. economy and their local communities. The General Motors team is committed to work with newly elected UAW president Shawn Fain and UAW International vice president Mike Booth. We are focused on building a working relationship based on trust and mutual respect, operating in the best interest of our employees and stakeholders."

The UAW, Ford and Stellantis did not respond to requests for comment on Sperling's role.

Sterling, 64, grew up in Ann Arbor. He visited Detroit last week for the reopening of a renovated Roosevelt Park in front of Ford's Michigan Central Station redevelopment. American Rescue Plan funds were used to boost the park.



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Thursday, July 6, 2023

Automakers assembling a diverse supplier ecosystem

GM, Ford and Stellantis are among automakers, through their supplier development programs, that are opening doors for diverse automotive suppliers.



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TeraWatt has designs on providing juice EV trucks need

Neha Palmer, the CEO and co-founder of TeraWatt Infrastructure, details the company's plans to open fleet-focused charging stations across the Interstate 10 corridor and beyond.



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Nissan prepares Mississippi assembly plant for an electric age

According to a supplier production schedule, assembly on a pair of electric sedans begins in Canton in 2026. A couple of battery-powered crossovers follow in 2027 and 2028.



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GM: Q2 sales up 19% on commercial SUV gains

GMC had its highest-volume first half since 2005, and Cadillac had its best second quarter since 2019.



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EV charging firms oppose Texas' 'premature' plan to mandate Tesla standard

Five EV charging companies have written to the Texas Transportation Commission, calling for more time to re-engineer and test Tesla's connectors.



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Toyota Land Cruiser returning to U.S. teaser images confirms

Toyota has dropped a pair of teaser images confirming the return of the iconic Land Cruiser nameplate to the U.S. after a two-year absence.



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Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Stellantis EV battery plant construction resumes after financial deal with government

Construction of a $5-billion electric-vehicle battery plant jointly owned by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution has resumed, the automaker said July 5.



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Stellantis targets 2 million units per year from STLA Medium EV platform

The group's platform for compact and medium EVs will have a range of up to 700 km, and will use a 400-volt system rather than 800 volts.



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TOYOTA-LEXUS: Toyota jumps 14% on hybrid strength; Lexus up 18%

Toyota sales rose 14 percent and Lexus jumped 18 percent on strong sales of the brands' line of hybrid, fuel cell and battery-electric vehicles.



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Mercedes-Benz plans coupe to stretch midsize segment

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe will arrive in the U.S. early next year. A convertible variant will follow.



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Lamborghini buyers race to own carmakers first plugged model

The 1,015-horsepower Revuelto has sold out until the end of 2025.



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Tesla regains China momentum as clouds over EV sector disperse

Deliveries from Tesla’s Shanghai plant, which was its first outside the U.S., rose almost 20 percent from a year earlier in June to 93,680 vehicles.



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Chinese automakers to grab majority share of domestic sales for first time forecast says

Competitive pricing, faster rollouts of new models and the rise of domestic electric carmakers have changed the dynamic for made-in-China auto brands.



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Tuesday, July 4, 2023

EV batteries on the way

Automakers plan to launch dozens of electric vehicles in the second half of this decade and beyond. That's why the industry has come alive with new battery projects.



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Toyota may share Tesla-fighting next-gen EV tech with partners

Toyota says its push into next-generation EVs will bring new hyper-efficient manufacturing techniques that the company may even supply to partners to help drive scale and cut costs.



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Monday, July 3, 2023

KIA: Double-digit growth in Q2

Kia America posted strong second-quarter and June results, and set a best-ever record for the first half of 2023, mostly on strong crossover sales and recovered production for some sought-after models.



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SUBARU: Outback Crosstrek Forester deliver another 28% gain

Subaru sales soared 28 percent in June as its most popular nameplates — Outback, Crosstrek and Forester — all jumped at least 24 percent.



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Audi of America CMO Tara Rush is leaving

Rush ends four-year stint with the luxury auto brand, which included time as chief communications officer.

 



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Stellantis sales slump ends; Honda rebounds again; Hyundai Kia advance 11th straight month

U.S. ligh-vehicle deliveries are forecast to rise 16 percent to 23 percent in June, forecasters say, capping a stronger-than-expected first half, fueled by pent-up retail demand and robust fleet deliveries.



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Honda sales rebound again; Hyundai Kia U.S. advance 11th straight month

U.S. ligh-vehicle deliveries are forecast to rise 16 percent to 23 percent in June, forecasters say, capping a stronger-than-expected first half, fueled by pent-up retail demand and robust fleet deliveries.



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Sunday, July 2, 2023

Tesla tops expectations as price cuts lift deliveries to record

Tesla Inc. delivered a record 466,140 cars worldwide in the second quarter, outpacing Wall Street estimates.



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On the bright side no more gray Fiats

The Italian automaker declared it will no longer produce gray cars. Instead, the brand's palette will be inspired by the Italian sea, sun, earth and sky.



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Wrangler allocation creates opportunity for Bronco

While the die-hard Jeep enthusiasts are unlikely to switch brands and won't mind exercising a little patience until their new Wrangler is shipped, analysts say there's a chance those on the fence could be swayed if they need to wait.



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The latest numbers on the microchip shortage: Asian factories cut production

Most of the losses are in China. Meanwhile, North American factories are stepping up their short-term output.



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Saturday, July 1, 2023

Tesla turns 20 years old: How Elon Musk transformed the auto industry

Elon Musk broke industry conventions with Tesla's EVs, smart production, direct sales and autonomous driving — without legacy issues and without copying others. It's dawned on the competition that Tesla should be taken seriously.



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Peter Horbury 'giant in car design' who shifted Volvo styling dies

At Ford, where he was executive director of design, Horbury and design head J Mays created a global 'One Ford' styling language for the automaker’s next-generation cars. He was 73.



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Ford granted favorable ruling on EV program for dealers

After a favorable ruling in South Dakota, Ford faces additional challenges around the country on a retail strategy CEO Jim Farley describes as key to the company's future competitiveness.



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