Detroit automakers Ford, General Motors, FCA agree to close all US plants

CLOSE The CDC and a new study look at how long the coronavirus can live on surfaces. USA TODAY The Detroit Three automakers agreed Wednesday to UAW demands to shut down all North American plants as a precaution against coronavirus. During the shutdown, the union members will get paid similar to the compensation plan for when they… Continue reading Detroit automakers Ford, General Motors, FCA agree to close all US plants

Federal regulators move to make room in safety standards for driver-less cars

CLOSE See how self-driving cars prepare for the real world inside a private testing facility owned by Google’s autonomous car company, Waymo. WASHINGTON — Federal regulators on Tuesday moved to make changes in some safety standards to help pave the way for driver-less vehicles. They could give companies trying to create autonomous vehicles more leeway when approaching… Continue reading Federal regulators move to make room in safety standards for driver-less cars

Paint shop employees at FCA’s Warren Truck stop working over coronavirus fears

CLOSE Paint shop workers at FCA’s Warren Truck Assembly stopped working for a time over coronavirus concerns Monday. Paint shop work has resumed. The company said there are no confirmed cases of the virus at the plant.  (Photo: Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press) Paint shop employees workers at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plant in Warren… Continue reading Paint shop employees at FCA’s Warren Truck stop working over coronavirus fears

Ford Motor Co. closes factory in Spain after workers test positive for coronavirus

CLOSE A spokeswoman for Ford Motor Co. confirmed Sunday that while no U.S. employees have tested positive for COVID-19, a Ford factory in Spain has shut down due to three new cases within a 24-hour period. The company provided the Free Press a statement about closing the plant for one week starting Monday:  “We have had three positive… Continue reading Ford Motor Co. closes factory in Spain after workers test positive for coronavirus

GM, Ford, FCA announce work-from-home plans

CLOSE As flu season comes to an end and allergy season starts to heat up, there may be concerns about symptoms that mimic the new coronavirus COVID-19. Wochit The morning commute is starting to look much different as the coronavirus outbreak ramps up with an increasing number of employers, including Detroit automakers, directing or allowing… Continue reading GM, Ford, FCA announce work-from-home plans

Honda restarts production at Wuhan plant at center of outbreak

CLOSE As flu season comes to an end and allergy season starts to heat up, there may be concerns about symptoms that mimic the new coronavirus COVID-19. Wochit Providing a glimpse of normalcy for an auto industry and world gripped by fear of the coronavirus, Honda Motor’s car assembly plant in Wuhan, China — the city… Continue reading Honda restarts production at Wuhan plant at center of outbreak

Marelli plans new headquarters in Southfield, moving from Auburn Hills, Farmington Hills

CLOSE Less than a year after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles sold its Magneti Marelli components business, the new iteration of the supplier is planning to open a North American headquarters for 500 employees in Southfield in the old Federal-Mogul building. Marelli, the new name for the supplier, plans to consolidate its operations — currently two facilities in… Continue reading Marelli plans new headquarters in Southfield, moving from Auburn Hills, Farmington Hills

GM unveils 11 future EVs, new batteries and its plan to beat Tesla

CLOSE General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra addresses the gathering Wednesday at an event detailing GM’s electric vehicle technologies and upcoming products at the Tech Center campus in Warren.  (Photo: Steve Fecht, Steve Fecht for General Motors) General Motors wants to do better at telling the story of its electric vehicle development. So GM leaders invited about… Continue reading GM unveils 11 future EVs, new batteries and its plan to beat Tesla

GM to add 1,200 jobs to two Michigan assembly plants

CLOSE Penny Snow, 47, of Charlotte, Michigan works at adding screws underneath a Chevrolet Traverse at the General Motors Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Delta Township, Michigan on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.  (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press) General Motors is hiring about 1,200 people at its plants in Lansing. GM said the manufacturing… Continue reading GM to add 1,200 jobs to two Michigan assembly plants