German brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi built their reputations on being purveyors of precise engineering cars, luxurious interiors, cutting-edge technology, and above all, pretty high sticker prices. But increasingly, they are selling cars with prices that are quite average. In their quest to grow volumes and reach a broader chunk of the new… Continue reading Why BMW and Mercedes made cheap cars that failed and why they keep trying
Author: CNBC Online news
GM, Ford studying whether auto factories can be used to make medical supplies in coronavirus fight
GM CEO and Chairman Mary Barra and LG Chem Vice Chairman and CEO Hak-Cheol Shin at the automaker’s battery lab in Warren, Mich., where the companies announced a new $2.6-billion joint venture on Dec. 5, 2019. GM General Motors and Ford are studying whether they can use their auto factories to support production of ventilators… Continue reading GM, Ford studying whether auto factories can be used to make medical supplies in coronavirus fight
Volkswagen to suspend production in Europe, warns of ‘very difficult’ year
Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images German carmaker Volkswagen has announced it is preparing to temporarily shut down most of its European plants in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chief Executive Herbert Diess said the company would shut down production at factories operated by the group’s… Continue reading Volkswagen to suspend production in Europe, warns of ‘very difficult’ year
Fiat Chrysler plant workers walk out over coronavirus concerns in Canada
An employee at Fiat Chrysler’s Windsor Assembly Plant works inside the chassis of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid in December 2016. Fiat Chrysler Fiat Chrysler’s minivan plant in Canada has halted production following workers refusing to work amid concerns of an employee contracting the coronavirus. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the plant, however there… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler plant workers walk out over coronavirus concerns in Canada
Fiat Chrysler idling Italian plants as coronavirus outbreak intensifies
A Jeep Renegade rolls down an assembly line at Fiat Chrysler’s Melfi assembly plant in Italy in 2015. Michael Wayland / CNBC Fiat Chrysler said Wednesday that it will “intensify measures” against the spread of the coronavirus in Italy, including temporarily closing plants there, where the government has implemented a national quarantine. The shutdowns are… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler idling Italian plants as coronavirus outbreak intensifies
General Motors tightens travel protocols as coronavirus spreads
Flags fly outside the General Motors world headquarters building. Bill Pugliano | Getty Images General Motors is tightening its travel protocols for employees as global cases of the coronavirus top 100,000, including at least 233 in the U.S. Domestic and international travel for GM employees effective Friday “requires senior leader approval,” a company spokesman told CNBC.… Continue reading General Motors tightens travel protocols as coronavirus spreads
Project Blackjack: GM’s top-secret redesign of its mid-engine Corvette was disguised in an Australian pickup truck
The eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette started its life as a Frankenstein test vehicle that parts of the previous generation sports car and Australian-made pickup called the Holden Ute, codenamed internally as “Blackjack.” That included exterior features of the pickup. Michael Wayland / CNBC LAS VEGAS – General Motors took unprecedented steps in an attempt to hide… Continue reading Project Blackjack: GM’s top-secret redesign of its mid-engine Corvette was disguised in an Australian pickup truck
Ford expects $2.2 billion pretax hit due to pension plans, retirement benefits in Q4
An employee works on the assembly line installing parts on the Duratech 35 V6 engine at the Ford Motor Co. Engine Plant in Lima, Ohio, U.S. on Friday, March 28, 2014. Ty Wright | Bloomberg | Getty Images DETROIT — Ford Motor expects to take a pretax hit of about $2.2 billion in the fourth-quarter… Continue reading Ford expects $2.2 billion pretax hit due to pension plans, retirement benefits in Q4
Fiat Chrysler, UAW reach new tentative labor deal
UAW President Gary Jones (left) and FCA North America Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart opened 2019 contract talks with a ceremonial hand shake during an event on July 16, 2019 at the company’s North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Fiat Chrysler DETROIT – Fiat Chrysler and the United Auto Workers union have reached a… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler, UAW reach new tentative labor deal
Alphabet’s self-driving car project Waymo is shuttering its Austin operations
John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo speaks at a press conference at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, January 8, 2017. Geoff Robins | AFP | Getty Images Waymo, Alphabet‘s self-driving car project, is shuttering its operations in Austin, Texas. The Alphabet subsidiary is removing employees at the facility and says it… Continue reading Alphabet’s self-driving car project Waymo is shuttering its Austin operations