Author: Detroit Free Press Online

GM to shutter Missouri pickup plant, extend Lansing plant shutdown due to chip shortage

General Motors will idle its profitable midsize pickup plant in Missouri for two weeks and extend the shutdown at Lansing Grand River Assembly into April due to the ongoing global shortage of semiconductor chips used in various car parts. In a memo to the 3,500 workers at Wentzville Assembly in Missouri, where GM builds its Chevrolet Colorado… Continue reading GM to shutter Missouri pickup plant, extend Lansing plant shutdown due to chip shortage

Ford unearths $100K in leather during demolition at Dearborn facility

Few, if anyone, had any idea what was in the basement. With demolition underway at the Ford Product Development Center in Dearborn, rooms and closets filled with old furniture and automotive materials that have been out of sight and out of mind for years are being discovered. Most recently, Ford unearthed about 250 cowhides valued at $450 to… Continue reading Ford unearths $100K in leather during demolition at Dearborn facility

GM to move hundreds of salaried workers in Southeast Michigan locations

General Motors is shifting hundreds of salaried workers among its southeast Michigan locations and declaring where some new hires will work as it prepares to bring its remote workforce back to the office starting this summer. The location shifts, GM leaders say, will improve collaboration among teams. “The moves also reflect adapting to post-pandemic workplaces where the future will be more… Continue reading GM to move hundreds of salaried workers in Southeast Michigan locations

UAW accuses Ford of ‘greed,’ violating contract with plan to send jobs to Mexico

Ford Motor Co. “has decided it will not honor its promise” to add new product to the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake and, instead, the autoworker intends to farm out jobs to Mexico, wrote a top UAW leader to union officials in an angry two-page letter dated Friday. “Ford management expects us to hang our heads and accept… Continue reading UAW accuses Ford of ‘greed,’ violating contract with plan to send jobs to Mexico

GM builds pickups without fuel economy modules due to chip shortage

General Motors said it will build certain 2021 light-duty full-size pickups without a fuel management module starting Monday until the end of the model year in late summer. The goal is to keep pickups rolling off the assembly line despite a global shortage of semiconductor chips used in the modules. But the result is those affected pickups will not achieve top fuel… Continue reading GM builds pickups without fuel economy modules due to chip shortage

Edsel Ford is retiring and 2 Ford family members will get new roles on board of directors

The great-great grandchildren of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Co., are planning to step into key roles as members of the influential board of directors this year, the company announced Friday. Alexandra Ford English and Henry Ford III have been nominated by the company to stand for election to the board at its virtual annual shareholder meeting… Continue reading Edsel Ford is retiring and 2 Ford family members will get new roles on board of directors

GM confirms plans for the RenCen and its workers’ return to the office

After a year plagued with uncertainty amid a pandemic that sent white-collar workers home and shuttered car factories, Detroit’s top occupant reaffirmed its commitment Thursday to its world headquarters in the Renaissance Center along the riverfront.  “After 25 years of our involvement in the transformation of Detroit’s riverfront, our commitment to the city is steadfast,” GM President Mark Reuss… Continue reading GM confirms plans for the RenCen and its workers’ return to the office