General Motors Co. is halting production of its light-duty trucks at the Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana for two weeks next month — marking the first time this year the Detroit automaker has shut down a plant because of the semiconductor shortage. All of GM’s North American assembly plants have been on regular production schedules since Nov.… Continue reading Chip woes: GM to halt truck production at Fort Wayne for two weeks
Author: Detroit News Online
Hurricane watch: New inline-6 engine replaces V-8s as Stellantis manages EV regulations
The gas engine is dead, long live the gas engine. In a nod to the uncertain road ahead for electric-vehicle adoption, Stellantis announced an all-new internal-combustion engine line Friday, even as the automaker targets 50% EV sales in the U.S. by 2030. Called Hurricane, the high-performance, 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, inline-6 cylinder will replace V-8 powerplants for the… Continue reading Hurricane watch: New inline-6 engine replaces V-8s as Stellantis manages EV regulations
Ford hires two new execs, moves top HR official to new role in internal combustion engine business
Ford Motor Co. on Monday announced the hiring of two new executives as well as the appointment of a longtime company leader to a new role. Kiersten Robinson, Ford’s top human resources executive and a 27-year employee of the company, has been tapped to lead the family vehicles division of Ford Blue, the automaker’s new… Continue reading Ford hires two new execs, moves top HR official to new role in internal combustion engine business
GM to create new import business in China
General Motors Co. is forming a startup within the automaker that will import premium vehicles to China, the company confirmed Monday. “The new business is being built from the ground up and will enjoy a high level of autonomy,” GM spokesman David Barnas said in a statement. “We are inviting talent from across industries to join… Continue reading GM to create new import business in China
Cadillac launching Lyriq production next week, adding Super Cruise updates over the air
Cadillac, General Motors Co.’s luxury brand, on Tuesday confirmed that production of its first-ever battery-electric vehicle, the Lyriq, will begin Monday at GM’s Spring Hill plant in Tennessee. Brand executives said the Lyriq has garnered 233,000 “hand raisers” — or, people who have expressed interest and are receiving regular updates on it — ahead of the May 19 opening… Continue reading Cadillac launching Lyriq production next week, adding Super Cruise updates over the air
Mercedes opens Alabama battery plant, adding up to 600 jobs
Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Mercedes-Benz has opened a new electric vehicle battery factory near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, that will create up to 600 new jobs. The German automaker said Tuesday that the plant in Bibb County opened a few months before Mercedes plans to start making two all-electric SUVs at a large assembly plant in Tuscaloosa. The… Continue reading Mercedes opens Alabama battery plant, adding up to 600 jobs
Chip shortage: Ford to sell some Explorers without rear-seat temperature controls
Ford Motor Co. will sell some Explorer SUVs without rear temperature controls as part of a bid to complete transactions and get vehicles into customers’ hands sooner amid the lingering global semiconductor shortage. The number of vehicles this will apply to wasn’t immediately clear, as Ford spokesperson Said Deep explained that it depends on the specifications… Continue reading Chip shortage: Ford to sell some Explorers without rear-seat temperature controls
GM, partner POSCO announce plans for Quebec battery material site
General Motors Co. and POSCO Chemical are planning to build a facility in Quebec to produce material for GM’s future electric vehicle batteries, the companies said Tuesday. GM and South Korea-based POSCO are working with the governments of Canada and Quebec to construct the new facility in Bécancour. The investment cost is estimated at $400 million (C$500… Continue reading GM, partner POSCO announce plans for Quebec battery material site
Stellantis CEO: Ford’s EV, legacy restructuring is ‘HR challenge’
Stellantis NV CEO Carlos Tavares says Ford Motor Co.’s restructuring to separate the company’s legacy business from its electric-vehicle operations is a way to impress investors — not consumers who should be the priority. Ford Motor Co. this week said it’s creating two “distinct, but strategically interdependent” businesses: Ford Blue, home of the legacy business whose profits and… Continue reading Stellantis CEO: Ford’s EV, legacy restructuring is ‘HR challenge’
Piston Group to keep minority certification amid legal battle
Auto supplier Piston Group LLC gets to keep its certification as a minority business as it continues a legal battle with the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided in a Thursday opinion. The court affirmed a decision made by the Wayne County Circuit Court in June 2021 ordering the council to reinstate the… Continue reading Piston Group to keep minority certification amid legal battle