A year of poor planning led to carmakers’ massive chip shortage
Carmakers with more software and chip expertise are set to face a smoother ride, while those whose traditional strength is metal-bending are potentially more prone to supply hiccups.
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Late sales rebound helps U.S. automakers avoid 2020 disaster
Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. fell 14.6% last year, but the 2020 performance was better than most forecasters had expected when the pandemic forced auto factories and many dealerships to shut down in April and May.
Automakers prepare for tougher mileage standards under Biden
Less-strict Trump fuel-economy regulations were supported by most auto makers, many of which were having trouble meeting escalating efficiency standards set when Barack Obama was president. Now, they recognize that change is coming.
Daimler AG to pay $1.5B to settle emissions cheating probes
The U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency and the California attorney general’s office say Daimler violated environmental laws by using so-called “defeat device software” to circumvent emissions testing.
GM, Ford complete U.S. contracts to build breathing machines
The Department of Health and Human Services contracted with GM to build the ventilators at a converted auto electronics plant in Kokomo at a cost of $489.4 million.
AAA: Partially automated driving systems work inconsistently
Researchers said little had changed from a test of four other vehicles in 2018, prompting the recommendation that automakers stop including the technology on more models.
GM alleges Fiat Chrysler spent millions to bribe UAW leaders
General Motors is asking a federal judge to reconsider his dismissal of a lawsuit based on new allegations that Fiat Chrysler bribed union officials and GM employees with millions stashed in secret foreign bank accounts.
Ex-UAW president pleads guilty to living high life on dues
Gary Jones acknowledged that he falsified expenses from 2012 to 2017 when he was a regional UAW director. He was promoted to president in 2018 but quit after 17 months as the federal investigation intensified.
Infected workers, parts shortages slow auto factory restarts
For some automakers, the return to full production has been delayed, or it’s been herky-herky, with production lines stopping and starting due to infected workers or parts shortages from Mexico and elsewhere.
UPDATE: Trump seeks to force General Motors to produce ventilators
General Motors said it is scheduled to start shipping ventilators as soon as next month from an automotive electronics factory in Kokomo.
Automakers preparing to produce ventilators, respirators
General Motors—which hopes to make ventilators in Kokomo—and Ford Motor Co. are among automakers that are throwing their design and production prowess behind two other manufacturers’ efforts to build more ventilators and respirators for health care workers and first responders.
UPDATE: Major automakers agree to close all factories
The United Auto Workers union has been pushing for factories to close because workers are fearful of coming into contact with the coronavirus.
Honda shutting down plants for a week due to coronavirus
The closures involve six plants in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including the company’s Indiana plant in Greensburg.
Subaru to expand Lafayette plant, add up to 350 jobs
The automaker says it will invest $158 million to build a new service parts facility and add a transmission assembly shop. The 4.7-million-square-foot plant produces about 410,000 vehicles each year.
Automakers in China gradually reopen after virus shutdown
Local officials have orders from the ruling Communist Party to get businesses functioning again while still enforcing anti-disease curbs that have shut down much of the world’s second-largest economy.
GM scrambles to shield U.S. plants from virus disruption
A United Auto Workers union member said the threat of parts shortages at GM facilities is growing, but the automaker doesn’t expect to have to pause production at plants in Indiana, Michigan and Texas, according to spokesman.
Startup’s solution to back pain gaining traction with auto industry
Comfort Motion Global has five patents on a software-based system that uses algorithms to make periodic micro adjustments to automobile seats.
Holcomb announces $400M Fiat-Chrysler investment, teacher pay plan in speech
According to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s prepared remarks, Fiat-Chrysler will invest $400 million in its Kokomo facility and hinted that an announcement will be made on Friday from Toyota in Princeton.
Ford to add 3,000 jobs in the Detroit area, invest $1.45B
Ford needs to make the investment in new products in an effort to increase market share and prepare for a shift to new propulsion and autonomous vehicle technologies.
UAW workers ratify new contract with Fiat Chrysler
The ratification means the United Auto Workers union has settled with all three Detroit automakers. Fiat Chrysler has a workforce of 8,156 in Indiana at four plants in Kokomo and one plant in Tipton.