SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Utilizing Velodyne Lidar sensors, ThorDrive, a leading autonomous vehicle (AV) startup, is introducing commercial vehicle services in the first of many pilots. The kick-off event will be attended by local government and business leaders, including Mayor Liz Kniss of Palo Alto, Mike Jellen, President and CCO of Velodyne Lidar, and Seung-Woo Seo,… Continue reading Velodyne Lidar Sensors Power ThorDrive’s Trailblazing Autonomous Driving Commercial Vehicle Services – Business Wire
Tag: Ford
Ford cuts shifts at factories in Kentucky and Michigan, but keeps jobs
Luke Sharrett | Bloomberg | Getty Images
An employee works on a Ford Expedition sports utility vehicle on the assembly line at the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ford is cutting a shift at two of its plants, but the automaker is avoiding layoffs by moving workers to other facilities, the company said Wednesday.
The automaker is shifting about 500 workers from its Louisville Assembly plant to its Kentucky Truck Plant — both in Kentucky — to increase production of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, which are both experiencing strong sales.
It will also move 500 jobs from its Flat Rock Assembly Plant to its Livonia Transmission plant, which makes transmissions for several vehicles, including its F-150 full-size pickup and the Ranger, a midsize pickup Ford is reintroducing after 8 years. Both plants are in Michigan.
Ford makes the Ford Escape and the Lincoln MKC, both compact crossover vehicles, at the Louisvile Assembly plant, and the Mustang sports car at Flat Rock.
Higher demand for pricey pickups and SUVs have helped automakers, particularly American ones, weather falling sales this year. Ford is especially strong in larger pickups and SUVs. Ford Expedition sales in October increased 36 percent from one year ago, while Lincoln Navigator rose more than 80 percent over the same month in 2017. At the same time, sales of the Escape fell 7 percent, the MKC 8.5 percent, and the Mustang 6 percent.
“Our collectively bargained contract provides for the placement of all members displaced by the shift reduction and, after working with Ford, we are confident that all impacted employees will have the opportunity to work at nearby facilities,” said United Auto Workers Union Vice President Rory Gamble.
General Motors came under fire this week after announcing it was winding down production at five plants in the U.S. and Canada and cutting 14,000 jobs. President Donald Trump was irate with GM, tweeting on Tuesday that he was “very disappointed” with the company and CEO Mary Barra for idling plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland.
“Nothing being closed in Mexico & China. The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get,” Trump tweeted. He also threatened to cut all of the company's federal subsidies, following up on Wednesday with the announcement that the administration was studying all tariffs on cars imported to the U.S. because of the “G.M. event.”
WATCH: Ford is using bionic suits to help employees work safer
Ford is using bionic suits to help employees work safer
6:24 PM ET Fri, 20 April 2018 | 02:20
Ford to shuffle hourly workers to meet SUV demand
Ford to shuffle hourly workers to meet SUV demandEven as General Motors Co. is planning to idle four U.S. plants affecting 3,300 hourly jobs, rival Ford Motor Co. is moving to trim car production without idling a plant.
The automaker plans to move 500 hourly employees from its Flat Rock Assembly Plant where it builds cars to its Livonia plant to build transmissions for in-demand trucks and SUVs. Ford said Wednesday its Flat Rock plant, where it builds the Ford Mustang and Lincoln Continental sedan, will go down to a one-shift schedule in the spring. That will displace 650 full-time hourly employees.
Five hundred of those people will be moved to Ford's Livonia Transmission. The remaining 150 will be offered jobs at other Ford plants, spokeswoman Kelli Felker said Wednesday. The automaker also will shift 500 people to its Kentucky Truck Plant to build full-size SUVs and trucks.
“We have been informed by Ford that due to sales, there will be scheduled work reductions at the Flat Rock, MI and Louisville, KY plants,” UAW Vice President Rory Gamble, head of the union's Ford department, said in a statement. “Our collectively bargained contract provides for the placement of all members displaced by the shift reduction and, after working with Ford, we are confident that all impacted employees will have the opportunity to work at nearby facilities. The UAW will be working with our members to ensure they have continuous work and help minimize, as much as possible, any hardship on members and their families.”
The news comes two days after crosstown-rival GM announced its on-going restructuring would idle three plants that make sedans, a transmission plant in Warren and one of two assembly plants in Oshawa, Ont. The Detroit automaker also plans to eliminate 8,000 salaried workers to reduce costs.
Ford is deep in a restructuring expected to cost the automaker $11 billion, including cuts to the global salaried workforce. According to an internal memo from UAW Local 3000 Chairman Larry Stewart, the UAW expects about 50 positions to open up at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant, where the automaker builds the F-150.
“Basically everybody who has a job will keep a job,” Felker said.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, in a statement said she was “deeply disturbed” that Ford is eliminating a shift in Flat Rock, but praised the automaker's move to retain jobs.
“Ford’s announcement today continues to be a warning about the strength of the auto industry in this country,” said Dingell. “We all must pay attention to what this means for workers, the industry, and the whole economy.”
The Livonia plant currently builds transmissions for Ford F-150s, Rangers, Navigators and other trucks and SUVs. The automaker is also shifting 500 jobs to its Kentucky Truck Plant from Louisville Assembly Plant in effort to increase Expedition and Lincoln Navigator production by 20 percent.
The Louisville plant, which builds Escape and the Lincoln MKC, will move to a two-shift schedule in the spring.
ithibodeau@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Ian_Thibodeau
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Ford reshuffles U.S. plants to beef up SUV, truck production
DETROIT, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co said on Wednesday it will reshuffle workers at several of its plants to meet rising demand for pickup trucks and large SUVs, a process that will require finding new positions for 150 workers displaced by the changes but not result in job cuts. The changes also will… Continue reading Ford reshuffles U.S. plants to beef up SUV, truck production
Ford moving 1,150 workers in Michigan, Kentucky, but will preserve jobs
Original Article
Top Automotive Industry News for Week of November 5 – November 11, 2018
Here is the most important news associated with the automotive industry
identified by the AEA for the week of November 5, 2018 -November 11, 2018.
We hope it helps you stay up to speed on the key developments in our
industry:
-Automotive Manufacturing News-
First ex-UAW official sentenced in FCA-related scandal; gets 1 year
(Detroit Free Press)
Ford plans construction on Michigan Central Depot by year's end
(Detroit Free Press)
Former Tesla employee charged with embezzling $9.3 million from Elon
Musk's company
(MarketWatch)
Is Toyota Next to Pare Back its Passenger Car Line?
(The Detroit Bureau)
Tesla picks an insider to be chairwoman, fueling doubt Elon Musk will
be reined in
(LA Times)
The gas engine still has a long life to live, Aston Martin CEO says
(CNBC)
VW planning $21K EV to challenge Tesla
(The Detroit News)
VW takes another shot at compact pickup market
(The Detroit News)
White House, California to discuss vehicle emissions rules next week
(autoblog)
Why GM is moving 3,000 workers from Pontiac to Warren
(Detroit Free Press)
-Automotive Evolution News-
8 concept cars that show how technology will dominate the drive of the
future
(CNBC)
Autonomous Cars Face Big Hurdles; They Will Succeed, But When?
(Forbes)
Daimler And Bosch Choose San Jose For Their Silicon Valley Robo-Taxi
Service
(Forbes)
GM's future lineup will run on electricity, drive itself — and fly
(Detroit Free Press)
Mercedes-Benz, Bosch to offer self-driving car rides in San Jose,
California
(USA Today)
Tesla Drivers Report Autopilot Disengaging While Driving Due To
Software Bug
(Forbes)
This Robot Truck Startup May Have An Edge Over Waymo In Bad-Weather
Driving
(Forbes)
Uber rival Taxify says it can grow 100 times bigger in the scooter and
ride-hailing market
(CNBC)
Uber ups its driver perks with 'Pro' program, including free college
education
(USA Today)
-Automotive Retail News-
Better inventory listings, lead management anchor more sales
(Auto Remarketing)
CarGurus Helps Dealerships Solve for Attribution with More Insight
(PR Newswire)
Dealertrack Looks to Speed Car Buying Process
(Auto Finance News)
Jumpstart: Car Buyers Want to Negotiate
(Auto Dealer Monthly)
Lithia and Shift to operate separately and share technology
(Auto Remarketing)
Luxury car owners trade up for American pickups as Ford, GM and Ram
trucks dominate market
(CNBC)
Millennials Spending Big on Cars — With Auto Loans to Match
(The Detroit Bureau)
Used car payments hit record $400 per month as prices top $20,000
(USA Today)
Used-Car Prices Reach 13-Year High in Third Quarter
(Vehicle Remarketing)
Used Vehicle Prices Rising, Pushing Buyers to Look at Leasing
(The Detroit Bureau)
-Automotive Wholesale News-
Compact Van Values Dip at Start of November
(Vehicle Remarketing)
-Automotive Ownership News-
Where your car is most likely to be stolen in every state
(USA Today)
-Automotive Enthusiast News-
Inside the World's Most Valuable Hot Wheels Collection
(Car and Driver)
With millions at stake, car collectors scour Earth for lost classics
(Detroit Free Press)
-Automotive Servicing News-
Mazda to recall 640,000 vehicles globally over diesel engine issue
(Reuters)
Subaru recalls nearly 400K vehicles to fix stalling problems
(Detroit Free Press)
U.S. agency probes 1.7 million GM SUVs over wiper failures
(Reuters)
-General Business & Executive News-
CDK Global Names Brian Krzanich President and Chief Executive Officer
(CDK)
Ford buys electric scooter startup Spin, joining competitors Bird and
Lime
(USA Today)
Harley-Davidson's electric motorcycle signals a big change for the
legendary, but troubled, company
(CNBC)
Tesla’s Booming Model 3 Sales and More This Week In The Future Of Cars
(Wired)
Time Dealer Of The Year
(Automotive News)
VW Considers Investing in Ford-Backed Autonomous Unit Argo
(Bloomberg)
-AEA Reminder-
Did we miss something? Let us know via our
Contact Us Page >>
. If you have specific important news going public soon that you would like
to share with your fellow AEA Members, submit your
PR Distribution Request >>
Have a great week,
Member Services
memberservices@automotiveexecutives.com
Automotive Executives Association
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Ford 'sweetens' deal for retirees in 2018; GM offer is less generous
Original Article
The Lincoln Aviator suggests the luxury American brand ‘has got its mojo back’
Source: Lincoln
Lincoln Aviator
The Lincoln Aviator is the latest new model from the luxury American brand, and industry watchers say it is yet more evidence that the brand has returned to its roots.
After showing off a concept version of the vehicle at the New York Auto Show in early 2018, the brand is unveiling the production version at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday.
The Aviator comes as Lincoln is still enjoying the astounding success it has had with the 2018 redesign of the Lincoln Navigator. After Lincoln introduced that vehicle, the company was selling them so fast it was having trouble keeping production up. That momentum has largely continued throughout the year. In the month of October Navigator sales were up 70 percent over the same month in 2017. Many customers are opting for the most luxurious versions, such as the Black Label, which can command prices up to $100,000.
Now the brand is aiming to repeat the trick in another segment.
The 2019 Lincoln Aviator is a smaller SUV than the Navigator, and it is the latest step Ford's luxury brand is taking in carving out a place for itself as a purveyor of spacious and comfortable SUVs that float over the pavement.
Source: Lincoln
Lincoln Aviator
The Aviator is a resurrected brand — Lincoln first sold it from 2002 to 2005. The Aviator shares some design language with the Navigator, such as the distinctive design of its wheels and its plush leather seats.
But there are several firsts here that suggest Lincoln is not simply trying to make a smaller Navigator replica. The brand commissioned the Detroit Symphony to design all the interior alert chimes for the doors. The vehicle also has the ability to “see” potholes and uneven pavement and adjust the suspension to keep the ride smooth.
“It is not overstating it to say Lincoln has got its mojo back,” said Karl Brauer, who is executive publisher for Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader. “The company in the last couple of years has made some really positive moves.”
The models Lincoln has come out with recently, including the Navigator and the Continental full-size sedan, show that the company has tried to carve more of a traditionally American niche out for itself by making vehicles that emphasize plush interiors and gentle, floating rides. This is a departure from older habits in Detroit of trying to make American versions of European brands that emphasized sportier designs and features, such as those found in BMWs.
“I think Lincoln discovered that they were much better at being Lincoln than they were at being the American version of BMW,” he said.
That said, it is perfectly fine if Lincoln wants to come out with a high-performance variant of a sedan or SUV, he added. The Aviator will offer a performance trim level of the vehicle that will come with a combination hybrid and twin turbocharged powertrain that Lincoln said is a first for the brand.
AFL-CIO worries GM job cuts are a ‘smokescreen for offshoring’
AFL-CIO’s policy director on General Motor’s decision to lay off thousands
4 Hours Ago | 05:13
The AFL-CIO labor union is worried that General Motors' decision this week to halt production at several factories and cut thousands of jobs in the U.S. could be a pretext for sending work outside the country where labor costs are significantly cheaper.
“This situation is really about whether or not GM is going to put new work into these plants or whether this is a smoke screen for offshoring work,” AFL-CIO policy director, Damon Silvers said on CNBC's Power Lunch.
GM was not immediately available for comment. The automaker said Monday it will begin phasing out the production of several vehicles at a number of factories in the United States and Canada.
GM has said it is cutting production of these vehicles in part because they are slow-selling, but Silvers said GM recently decided to start making the Chevrolet Blazer SUV in Mexico, rather than the plant in Lordstown, Ohio that it plans to wind down.
GM has a “particularly bad history” compared with Ford and Chrysler of looking to move jobs off shore he said.
Successful auto companies worldwide pay decent wages and benefits to high-skilled workers, Silvers said.
“The bottom feeders do things like exploit $2-an-hour wages, which is what GM pays in some of its factories in Mexico,” he said. “What we want them to do is to be in a first tier strategy that really takes advantage of the skills and capacity … of America's workers and America's communities.”
15 Hurdles To The Industrialization Of Driverless Cars (Part 1 Of 3) – Forbes
Photocredit: GettyGetty Will the future of driverless cars rhyme with the history of the Segway? The Segway personal transporter was also predicted to revolutionize transportation. Steve Jobs gushed that cities would be redesigned around the device. John Doerr said it would be bigger than the Internet. The Segway worked technically but never lived up to its backers’ outsized hopes for market… Continue reading 15 Hurdles To The Industrialization Of Driverless Cars (Part 1 Of 3) – Forbes