The auto industry was already facing financial headwinds. But new challenges courtesy of the coronavirus may take auto manufacturers and suppliers years to overcome, says a new outlook detailed Thursday by Alix Partners LLP, an industry consultant. “We were already on the backside of the (global sales) peak, but (the coronavirus) accelerated this in a very… Continue reading Auto recovery may take years, with $72 billion in new debt to pay off amid projected sales slump
Author: Detroit News Online
Nissan recalls nearly 1.9M cars for pesky hood latch problem
Tom Krisher, Associated Press Published 4:14 p.m. ET June 5, 2020 | Updated 4:18 p.m. ET June 5, 2020 Detroit – For the fourth time, Nissan is recalling hundreds of thousands of midsize cars in the U.S. and Canada to fix a nagging latch problem that may allow the hood fly open while cars are… Continue reading Nissan recalls nearly 1.9M cars for pesky hood latch problem
GM eyes move forward with EV delivery van
Detroit — Detroit’s automakers are pushing ahead to stake their claims on the development of all-electric delivery vans, a segment whose growth potential is likely to rise as consumers spend less time in vehicles and more time ordering online. General Motors Co. is developing an electric delivery van aimed at commercial customers, sources told Reuters this week. The… Continue reading GM eyes move forward with EV delivery van
Most GM plants to operate through summer shutdown
General Motors Co. on Monday confirmed with its employees that most of the companies’ U.S. plants will operate through its usual two weeks of summer downtime. Truck and SUV plants will run during the weeks of June 29 and July 6 to “meet strengthening customer demand and strong dealer demand,” the company said in a… Continue reading Most GM plants to operate through summer shutdown
GM’s idled Warren Transmission plant finds a new purpose during outbreak
Warren — The COVID-19 pandemic brought the Warren Transmission plant back from the dead. Equipment used to make transmissions still stands inside the General Motors Co. factory, but the automaker is no longer making those here. There are still assembly lines, but workers are instead making personal protective equipment including face masks to supply front-line workers and GM… Continue reading GM’s idled Warren Transmission plant finds a new purpose during outbreak
Renault, Nissan abandon race for growth to focus on costs
Renault SA and Japanese partners Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. unveiled a plan for deeper cooperation in developing and building vehicles as they seek to salvage their strained alliance and weather a collapse in car demand. The measures will help deliver savings of as much as 40% in model investments for jointly developed… Continue reading Renault, Nissan abandon race for growth to focus on costs
Debt and coronavirus push Hertz into bankruptcy protection
Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer Published 11:41 p.m. ET May 22, 2020 Hertz filed for bankruptcy protection Friday, unable to withstand the coronavirus pandemic that has crippled global travel and with it, the heavily indebted 102-year-old car rental company’s business. The Estero, Florida-based company’s lenders were unwilling to grant it another extension on its auto… Continue reading Debt and coronavirus push Hertz into bankruptcy protection
GM working on semi-autonomous Ultra Cruise to operate on all roads
General Motors Co. is working on a comprehensive Tesla-fighting Ultra Cruise semi-autonomous system for its passenger cars. And its fully autonomous Cruise Origin vehicle may moonlight delivering packages in addition to delivering people to their destinations. The revelations came from global product development chief Doug Parks, as he promised that GM’s vision for self-driving transportation is on track during the COVID crisis. GM’s Super… Continue reading GM working on semi-autonomous Ultra Cruise to operate on all roads
Lordstown Motors moves forward with motor production line amid COVID-19 outbreak
The electric-vehicle startup that acquired General Motors Co.’s idled Lordstown Assembly plant in northeast Ohio is moving forward with a motor production line that could be in operation within six months, despite challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Lordstown Motors Corp. on Tuesday said it made an exclusive licensing agreement with Slovenia-based Elaphe Propulsion Technologies Ltd. Elaphe will… Continue reading Lordstown Motors moves forward with motor production line amid COVID-19 outbreak
Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he has restarted California factory
Fremont, Calif. — Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed on Twitter Monday that the company has restarted its California factory in violation of local government orders. Musk asked in the afternoon tweet that he be arrested if authorities take anyone into custody. The plant in Fremont, California south of San Francisco had been closed since March… Continue reading Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he has restarted California factory