Category: US Motoring Press

New union at GM Mexico plant could benefit US autoworkers

It may be too soon to know if car buyers will see a boost in prices for full-size pickups after workers at a General Motors plant in Mexico voted to form the first independent labor union earlier this week but U.S. autoworkers are cheering the move, saying it makes them more competitive with that nation’s workforce. The union, called the… Continue reading New union at GM Mexico plant could benefit US autoworkers

GM to end Spark production after summer 2022

General Motors Co. is discontinuing the Chevrolet Spark, its entry-level model and one of the few cars it has left in the lineup.  Production of the South Korean-built hatchback will end after August 2022, Chevrolet confirmed Thursday. Car and Driver reported the news Wednesday. “Customers seeking comfort, function and style at an approachable price still have strong… Continue reading GM to end Spark production after summer 2022

As Lincoln marks 100 years at Ford, challenges, opportunities loom in brand’s 2nd century

An “epoch in Detroit’s industrial history,” as The New York Times put it at the time, was written 100 years ago on Friday when Ford Motor Co. bought Lincoln Motor Co. for $8 million. The sale, the Times reported in a February 1922 article, came together after automotive entrepreneur and engineer Henry Leland, who founded the… Continue reading As Lincoln marks 100 years at Ford, challenges, opportunities loom in brand’s 2nd century

Ford takes downtime at Chicago, Metro Detroit plants amid chip crunch

Ford Motor Co. will take downtime starting Thursday at two of its U.S. plants due to the ongoing semiconductor shortage that has hampered auto production worldwide over the last year, the Dearborn automaker confirmed to The Detroit News. Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant — which employs about 5,800 people and builds the Ford Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility and… Continue reading Ford takes downtime at Chicago, Metro Detroit plants amid chip crunch

VW finance arm Kuwy, announces online platform

Kuwy, a majority-held subsidiary of Volkswagen Finance announced the launch of KUWYLaas, a lending as a service platform for online sales of new and used cars. The block chain and artificial intelligence-driven platform will bring together buyers, sellers, aggregators together on a single platform which the company claims will be able to  process an entire transaction digitally within less… Continue reading VW finance arm Kuwy, announces online platform

GM banks $2 billion windfall from record used-car prices

There’s a big upside to record used-car prices: Auto lenders like GM Financial are cashing in. General Motors Co.’s lending unit booked a $2 billion gain last year reselling the vehicles that came back from expired leases and anything the company repossessed, according to a regulatory filing Wednesday. That helped GM Financial to nearly double… Continue reading GM banks $2 billion windfall from record used-car prices

Leaders of Troy EV startup resign after investigation into equity purchase

Two top leaders at Troy-based Electric Last Mile Solutions Inc. have resigned after an investigation found they purchased equity in the company “at substantial discounts to market offer” before ELMS went public.  Both former CEO James Taylor and Jason Luo, former executive chairman of the board, will maintain consulting roles with the electric commercial vehicle… Continue reading Leaders of Troy EV startup resign after investigation into equity purchase

Black gay woman sues Tesla, alleges ‘unchecked’ racism at plant

A Black gay woman who worked at a Tesla Inc. factory accused the electric-vehicle maker in a lawsuit of “festering” racism by ignoring the racial and homophobic slurs and physical harm she endured. Kaylen Barker, a former contract worker who inspected brake parts, is the latest to complain that Tesla ignores discrimination based on race,… Continue reading Black gay woman sues Tesla, alleges ‘unchecked’ racism at plant

GM issues firm warning to dealers tempted to overcharge on hot new vehicles

In a straight-talking memo to dealers, General Motors warns: Tack on a hefty surcharge to one of its new launch vehicles and GM will be “forced to take action.”  On Monday, GM confirmed the correspondence it sent to dealers on Jan. 18, telling the Free Press if any customer has a problem with a GM dealer, they are encouraged to contact their respective brands’ customer assistance… Continue reading GM issues firm warning to dealers tempted to overcharge on hot new vehicles