The auto industry was already facing financial headwinds. But new challenges courtesy of the coronavirus may take auto manufacturers and suppliers years to overcome, says a new outlook detailed Thursday by Alix Partners LLP, an industry consultant. “We were already on the backside of the (global sales) peak, but (the coronavirus) accelerated this in a very… Continue reading Auto recovery may take years, with $72 billion in new debt to pay off amid projected sales slump
Category: US Motoring Press
Nissan recalls nearly 1.9M cars for pesky hood latch problem
Tom Krisher, Associated Press Published 4:14 p.m. ET June 5, 2020 | Updated 4:18 p.m. ET June 5, 2020 Detroit – For the fourth time, Nissan is recalling hundreds of thousands of midsize cars in the U.S. and Canada to fix a nagging latch problem that may allow the hood fly open while cars are… Continue reading Nissan recalls nearly 1.9M cars for pesky hood latch problem
GM eyes move forward with EV delivery van
Detroit — Detroit’s automakers are pushing ahead to stake their claims on the development of all-electric delivery vans, a segment whose growth potential is likely to rise as consumers spend less time in vehicles and more time ordering online. General Motors Co. is developing an electric delivery van aimed at commercial customers, sources told Reuters this week. The… Continue reading GM eyes move forward with EV delivery van
Ford, GM, FCA to keep many white-collar employees working remotely
CLOSE Non-manufacturing salaried workers at the Detroit Three are not returning to their office jobs anytime soon. At Ford, the majority of U.S. non-manufacturing employees won’t return to the office before September, a Ford spokesman told the Free Press Thursday. That’s pushed back from Ford’s previous plan to bring them back in July. The Ford Motor Company World Headquarters on Michigan Avenue in… Continue reading Ford, GM, FCA to keep many white-collar employees working remotely
FCA prepares to cut third shift at Windsor Assembly, end production of Dodge Grand Caravan
CLOSE Windsor Assembly Plant is scheduled to lose one of its three shifts beginning next month, a move that will affect about 1,500 people, as the plant adjusts its production, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles prepares to stop making the Dodge Grand Caravan at the end of August. In a departure from most recent automotive news,… Continue reading FCA prepares to cut third shift at Windsor Assembly, end production of Dodge Grand Caravan
Hertz, Car Rental Pioneer, Files for Bankruptcy Protection
Hertz, which started with a fleet of a dozen Ford Model T’s a century ago and became one of the world’s largest car rental companies, filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday after falling victim to its mountain of debt. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated Hertz by grounding business travelers and tourists, making it impossible for… Continue reading Hertz, Car Rental Pioneer, Files for Bankruptcy Protection
FCA says almost 90% of North American hourly workforce back on job
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says almost 90% of its hourly workers in North America are back on the job this week. The automaker released a breakdown this week of the return to work following the lengthy manufacturing shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The company said 48,145 of 54,940 hourly workers, or 88%, have returned to work in… Continue reading FCA says almost 90% of North American hourly workforce back on job
Most GM plants to operate through summer shutdown
General Motors Co. on Monday confirmed with its employees that most of the companies’ U.S. plants will operate through its usual two weeks of summer downtime. Truck and SUV plants will run during the weeks of June 29 and July 6 to “meet strengthening customer demand and strong dealer demand,” the company said in a… Continue reading Most GM plants to operate through summer shutdown
FCA picks CEO, chair for Comau robotics unit on way to PSA Group merger
CLOSE Fiat Chrysler Automobiles continues making plans for its expected merger with Peugeot-maker PSA Group. On Monday, the company announced another piece in that process — two key appointments — as it prepares to spin off its robotics unit, Comau, a move highlighted in its merger announcement in December. Paolo Carmassi, a former Honeywell executive,… Continue reading FCA picks CEO, chair for Comau robotics unit on way to PSA Group merger
Ford restarts all its operations south of the border, FCA adds shifts
CLOSE Ford knew its decision to build a new plant in Mexico would create a political firestorm on Tuesday, yet it forged ahead anyway. (Photo: Paul Sakuma, AP) Ford Motor Co. has restarted its plants in Mexico after weeks of shutdown due to the coronavirus, it said Monday. The automaker offered little detail on exactly… Continue reading Ford restarts all its operations south of the border, FCA adds shifts