CLOSE Alexandra Ford English, director of corporate strategy at Ford Motor Company, has taken a seat on the board of directors for Rivian, the high-profile electric vehicle startup. Alexandra Ford English, daughter of Bill Ford Jr., has just been named to the Rivian board of directors, the companies announced jointly on May 1, 2020. (Photo: Ford… Continue reading Alexandra Ford English, daughter of Bill Ford Jr., replaces Joe Hinrichs on Rivian board
Author: Detroit Free Press Online
Ford says it expects to call salaried workers in North America back to the office by late June, early July
CLOSE Ford continues to dominate the heavy-truck market, with F-Series truck sales at a 12-year high. For salaried Ford employees wondering when it’ll be time to get out of their pajamas and leave home on a workday, the answer is likely by late June or early July in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Pointing to that time frame,… Continue reading Ford says it expects to call salaried workers in North America back to the office by late June, early July
Ford kills Rivian deal with Lincoln (for now) amid economic challenges during pandemic
CLOSE Ford and Rivian put their plans on ice to jointly develop a Lincoln-brand electric vehicle, a Lincoln spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday. Ford said the current economy has created new and unexpected challenges, so this particular project is being postponed, said Angie Kozleski, Lincoln spokeswoman. The environment is changing rapidly. Just as any prudent business would do, we… Continue reading Ford kills Rivian deal with Lincoln (for now) amid economic challenges during pandemic
UAW president: ‘It’s risky’ to send factory workers back to auto plants in early May
CLOSE Michelle Voineag knew her brother Eric Dubke was sick, but no one could have prepared them for how quickly COVID-19 took his life. Detroit Free Press UAW President Rory Gamble said Thursday the labor union does not support sending factory workers back into the plants in early May, as some automakers have suggested. “We feel… Continue reading UAW president: ‘It’s risky’ to send factory workers back to auto plants in early May
GM to end Maven car sharing service after four years
CLOSE General Motors’ car sharing service, Maven, provides access to vehicles for short-term rental. (Photo: John F. Martin, John F. Martin for General Motor) General Motors is ending its app-based car sharing service, Maven, after four years in operation. The automaker alerted its 230,000 customers Tuesday that, “Effective immediately, Maven Car Sharing will no longer be available.”… Continue reading GM to end Maven car sharing service after four years
Car dealers reinvent car-buying in the coronavirus era
Forget about fancy showrooms and free doughnuts. Car buyers now must take delivery of their new ride at home, at work or, sometimes, sitting near a dealership parking lot at a makeshift office. “We’re trying to be sensitive to what’s going on and yet facilitate a transaction in a safe and respectful manner,” said Paul Zimmermann, partner… Continue reading Car dealers reinvent car-buying in the coronavirus era
FCA worker based at Chelsea Proving Grounds dies as COVID-19 toll climbs
CLOSE Scenes from Detroit as residents learn to live and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and find their new normal. Detroit Free Press A Fiat Chrysler Automobiles worker based at the Chelsea Proving Grounds and diagnosed with the novel coronavirus died Thursday morning, the UAW said. This is the 12th confirmed death of an FCA employee… Continue reading FCA worker based at Chelsea Proving Grounds dies as COVID-19 toll climbs
VW Atlas Cross Sport has what it takes to run with the best 5-seat midsize SUVs
CLOSE Midsize SUV delivers style, value, features Detroit Free Press Volkswagen hit a trifecta with the Atlas Cross Sport five-passenger SUV: Looks, value and features. After struggling to cash in on the SUV boom for years, VW’s model line has caught up with the American customer. SUVs accounted for 52% of 2019 US vehicle sales,… Continue reading VW Atlas Cross Sport has what it takes to run with the best 5-seat midsize SUVs
Fiat Chrysler pushes back manufacturing restart to May 4
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plans to restart its production plants on May 4. The announcement Monday caps speculation that the plants would remain closed longer than initially envisioned as the COVID-19 outbreak has continued to expand. FCA, which has experienced numerous deaths related to the coronavirus, said employee health is a top priority. The Free Press… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler pushes back manufacturing restart to May 4
Ford CEO Jim Hackett earns $17.4M in 2019, executive team gets pay raises
CLOSE Ford CEO Jim Hackett received total compensation of nearly $17.4 million in 2019, slightly down from nearly $17.8 million in 2018, according to documents the company released Friday. The Dearborn-based carmaker reported Hackett’s pay was 157 times more than the median compensation for all U.S.-based Ford employees. Jim Hackett, CEO of Motor Company, is pictured here… Continue reading Ford CEO Jim Hackett earns $17.4M in 2019, executive team gets pay raises