New auto sales up in 2021, but long way before full recovery
Although there are plenty of customers who want to buy new vehicles at hefty prices, there still aren’t enough computer chips available for the industry to fully crank up its factories.
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Regulators step up probe into Hyundai-Kia engine failures, fires
Engine failures and fires have dogged the Korean automakers’ vehicles since September 2015 when the company issued an engine failure recall.
Indiana’s RV industry sets annual production record
Factories shipped about 49,000 recreational vehicles in November alone, a record number for the month and a 15% jump from November 2020.
Biden administration unveils plan for electric vehicle charging network
The Biden administration released an ambitious federal strategy Monday to build 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles across the country and bring down the cost of electric cars with the goal of transforming the U.S. auto industry.
GM venture picks Michigan for 3rd U.S.-based EV battery plant
General Motors and a joint-venture partner plan to build an electric vehicle battery factory in Lansing, Michigan. They say the plant would cost up to $2.5 billion and employ as many as 1,700 workers.
GM chief exec says making ventilators in Indiana changed company’s culture
CEO Mary Barra said General Motors now uses the same approach it learned making ventilators at a Kokomo factory for its own electric vehicles, software and partially automated driver-assist systems.
UAW votes for direct election of leaders in wake of scandal
Members of the United Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly approved picking their leaders by direct ballot elections, rejecting a system that many blamed for a bribery and embezzlement scandal in the union’s top ranks.
GM venture to build North American battery chemical plant
The plant will employ hundreds of people and will start making materials in 2024, said Doug Parks, GM’s global product development and supply chain head.
U.S. industrial production rebounded 1.6% last month
U.S. industrial production rebounded as automakers posted strong increases and the adverse effects from a hurricane that struck the nation’s energy complex in the Gulf of Mexico faded.
Justices turn away VW appeals over emissions scandal lawsuits
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected appeals from Volkswagen that sought to stop state and local lawsuits related to the 2015 scandal in which the automaker was found to have rigged its vehicles to cheat U.S. diesel emissions tests.
Wild bidding wars erupt at used-tractor auctions across the U.S.
The used tractor business is quickly becoming a crucial marketplace that’s allowing farmers to keep harvesting corn, wheat and soy day and night at a time of insatiable demand from buyers.
RV company plans Indiana expansion, 500 jobs
Forest River expects to start production at the new site by the end of November, with the first travel trailer expected to come off the production line in early December.
Congress mandates new car technology to stop drunken driving
It’s one of the mandates along with a burst of new spending aimed at improving auto safety amid escalating road fatalities in the $1 trillion infrastructure package that President Joe Biden is expected to sign soon.
VW, Stellantis chime into chip optimism with U.S. peers
Both carmakers said they had moved past the worst of the availability issues that have snarled production lines globally. Their views contrasted with those of Samsung Electronics.
Ford, GM profits fall as sales drop due to chip shortage
The global computer chip shortage cut into third-quarter profits at both Ford and crosstown rival General Motors, with both companies having to temporarily close factories, pinching supplies on dealer lots.
Hertz orders 100,000 electric vehicles from Tesla
The deal likely is worth around $4 billion. Mark Fields, Hertz’ interim CEO, said that Teslas are already arriving at the company’s sites and should be available for rental starting in November.
Toyota planning to build $1.29B U.S. battery plant employing 1,750
The Toyota plant location wasn’t announced, but it will likely be near one of the company’s U.S. assembly plants in Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama or Texas.
Carmel used-car auction company sold to New York firm
Detroit-based private equity firm Huron Capital has sold XLerate Group—a company it formed in 2014— to a firm in New York.
Stellantis to spend nearly $230M to build electric car transmissions in Kokomo
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. said it would offer Stellantis up to $19.5 million in conditional tax credits based on the company’s investment and its plan to retrain and retain 660 employees.
GM sets goal to double revenue, lead U.S. in electric vehicle sales
The company also teased upcoming new electric vehicles including a Chevrolet small SUV that will cost around $30,000, as well as electric trucks from Chevrolet and GMC, SUVs from Buick, and luxury vehicles from Cadillac.