USMCA will lead automakers to choose US: Former Ford CEO

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) could lead to automakers deciding to move production to the United States.Under the USMCA’s rules of origin, 75 percent of auto content must be produced in North America for the finished car to be considered a North American product and therefore be subject to agreement’s tariff exemptions.Current NAFTA rules stipulate that only 50 percent of a car’s value is required to be produced in North America to be subject to the agreement’s free trade protections.

Auto workers OK labor deal at Fiat Chrysler

New York (CNN Business)Auto workers at Fiat Chrysler have ratified a new four-year contract, closing the door on the possibility of another strike like the one that shut down rival General Motors for six weeks.Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) made far greater use of those relatively new hires and their lower pay scale than its rivals did, giving the company a competitive cost advantage over GM (GM) and Ford (F).The 40-day walkout at GM earlier this fall cost the automaker an estimated $2.9 billion, but despite inflicting those costs on GM the strikers did not convince the automaker to drop plans to close three US factories.

Honda Cars India launches Any Time Warranty program for 10 years

Honda Cars India has launched the annual Any Time Warranty program that a customer can buy till 10 years of vehicle usage from the time of its initial purchase.The Any Time Warranty program will reduce the total ownership cost of the vehicle and also increase the resale value.The Any Time Warranty program provides coverage of one year or 20,000 km.

Japan regulators recommend $22 million fine on Nissan

Japanese securities regulators are recommending that automaker Nissan be fined 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over the under-reporting of compensation of its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn.Nissan Motor Co. said it accepted the penalty and had corrected its securities documents in May, although its final decision will come after it receives official notice.Nissan was charged earlier with under-reporting Ghosn’s compensation.