The Belvidere (Illinois) Assembly Plant, where the Jeep Cherokee SUV is made, is laying off 150 workers. Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep since the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot maker PSA Group, confirmed the news Tuesday. “The Stellantis plant in Belvidere, Illinois, is rebalancing its staffing levels as it realigns production to meet… Continue reading Stellantis, citing global demand, laying off 150 at Jeep Cherokee plant
Category: US Motoring Press
Magna International to open facility, invest $70.1M in St. Clair
A division of Magna International plans to open a facility in the city of St. Clair to build battery enclosures for the 2022 GMC Hummer electric pickup, which will be produced at General Motors’ Factory Zero in Detroit and Hamtramck, according to the office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The $70.1 million investment is expected to… Continue reading Magna International to open facility, invest $70.1M in St. Clair
Ford announces recall of thousands of 2021 F-150s over defect
Ford Motor Co. on Monday announced it is recalling thousands of its profit-rich F-Series trucks due to windshield defects. The Dearborn automaker said the front windshields on certain 2021 F-150 and 2020 and 2021 Super Duty trucks “are inadequately bonded to the vehicle body structure,” meaning the windshield may not stay in place during a crash. The recall affects 79,017 vehicles… Continue reading Ford announces recall of thousands of 2021 F-150s over defect
Ford can’t get parts, must shutter plants in Kentucky, Ontario
Ford confirmed Friday night that two factories in North America would shut down next week because of severe weather disruption. The Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky and the Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, will be down the week of Feb. 22 due to weather-related parts delivery issues, confirmed Kelli Felker, Ford global manufacturing and labor communications manager. In Louisville, workers… Continue reading Ford can’t get parts, must shutter plants in Kentucky, Ontario
1,666 Ford Bronco Sports recalled for suspension flaw; 154K other vehicles for air bags
Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall on its popular Bronco Sport SUV, a surprise hot seller that just launched at the end of November. The Dearborn automaker said 1,666 of the small SUVs have an issue with the suspension, where the rear suspension modules “may not be fully secured to the subframe.” Loose or missing bolts affect vehicle… Continue reading 1,666 Ford Bronco Sports recalled for suspension flaw; 154K other vehicles for air bags
Apple in talks to buy self-driving sensors, key step in car plan
Apple Inc. is in discussions with multiple suppliers of self-driving car sensors known as lidar, according to people familiar with the matter, a key milestone toward development of its first passenger vehicle. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is in active talks with a number of potential suppliers for these laser-based sensors that allow a car’s… Continue reading Apple in talks to buy self-driving sensors, key step in car plan
2021 Porsche Taycan RWD erases most differences between electric and gasoline vehicles
It’s time to stop talking about electric cars like they’re odd and radically different, a new kind of transportation. They’re cars, each developed to meet price and performance goals, each with inevitable trade-offs dictated by those factors. The 2021 Porsche Taycan, a more affordable rear-drive version of the sports car specialist’s first electric car, makes… Continue reading 2021 Porsche Taycan RWD erases most differences between electric and gasoline vehicles
Ford sells stake in Velodyne, a maker of autonomous-car sensors
Ford Motor Co. has sold off its stake in Velodyne Lidar Inc., a leading maker of sensors being used in the development of self-driving cars. Ford, which invested $75 million in Velodyne in 2016, no longer held any shares as of the end of last year, according to a regulatory filing. The automaker held almost… Continue reading Ford sells stake in Velodyne, a maker of autonomous-car sensors
Ford stops F-150, Transit Van production at Kansas City Assembly plant due to gas shortage
Ford Motor Co. is shutting down production of its highly profitable 2021 F-150 pickup trucks and Transit Vans for a full week in Missouri, the company confirmed Monday. “Due to unseasonably cold temperatures in the midsection of the United States, Ford was warned that the availability of natural gas could be restricted in the Kansas City area… Continue reading Ford stops F-150, Transit Van production at Kansas City Assembly plant due to gas shortage
General Motors settles with California for $5.75M over ignition switches
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — General Motors Co. has agreed to a $5.75 million settlement with California regarding false statements the company made to investors about problems with its deadly ignition switches, state officials announced Friday. The faulty ignition switches led to at least 124 fatalities and 274 injuries nationwide. The defect also resulted in the recall… Continue reading General Motors settles with California for $5.75M over ignition switches