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☆ Why your next new car could very well cost more than $50,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Americans paid a whopping $47,612 on average for a new car in October, according to data from Edmunds. That means new car prices have risen much faster than most goods and services. But much of the reason Americans are paying nearly $50k for a car is that automakers decided to go all-in on expensive cars. The combination of higher interest rates and higher car prices, along with the biggest average loans ever taken out to buy them, lifted the average monthly car payment to $742 in October. And that would make every car built in America more expensive, because no vehicle is made with 100% American parts.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, That’s, Buyers, ”, Ivan Drury, “, didn’t, Charlie Chesbrough, Drury, –, ” Drury, Donald Trump, Jeff Schuster, GlobalData, They’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, Cox Automotive, Nissan, Infiniti, General Motors, Ford, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, GM, Federal Reserve Locations: New York, Edmunds, American, United States, Stellantis, Mexico, America

☆ Elon Musk bet big on Trump. Here’s what he stands to gain — and lose — from his win
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New York CNN —No single business leader did more to support former President Donald Trump’s candidacy than Elon Musk. Musk has donated nearly $119 million so far to a political action committee he set up to support Trump, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Elon Musk steps onto stage as Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump addresses a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on October 5. It will only help Tesla,” Musk posted on X in July. It’s not likely Trump would want to cut that support, and the promise of jobs in those states, even if they will eventually provide competition for Musk and Tesla.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Elon, Trump, Musk, He’s, ”, Daniel Ives, Tesla, Kamala Harris, “, Biden, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Anna Moneymaker, he’s, ” Musk, Ives, ” Ives, It’s, Jim Farley, Jeff Schuster, we’re, Jade Gao Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump, Wedbush Securities, SpaceX, —, Treasury Department, Republican, EV, Tesla, EPA, Industry, Getty, Boeing, NASA, International Space Locations: New York, Tuesday’s, America, United States, Butler , Pennsylvania, Trump’s, Europe, Asia, California, China, Shanghai, Beijing, AFP, Tesla

☆ Why U.S. auto factories are so unproductive
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Robert Ferris | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A record 17.5 million cars sold in the U.S. in 2016, according to forecasting firm GlobalData. High prices are keeping customers away or sending them to used markets, said GlobalData's Global Vice President of Automotive Research Jeff Schuster. "We have all these plants that are ready to build 200,000 or 300,000 electric vehicles and nobody to buy them. For more than a century, nearly all cars ran on gasoline. Automakers were hoping for a clean jump to a world where all cars ran on batteries.

Persons: hasn't, Automotive Research Jeff Schuster, Sam Fiorani, I've, Michael Robinet Organizations: Global, Automotive Research, AutoForecast Solutions, P Global Mobility Locations: United States, U.S

☆ Shawn Fain, CNN Business’ labor leader of the year, plans to keep automakers sweating
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-27 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

New York CNN —The longest US auto strike this century is over after a pretty clear win for the United Auto Workers union at all three unionized automakers. “I don’t like what I’ve seen in my work career with the UAW leadership, where they were too damn close to the companies,” UAW President Shawn Fain told CNN earlier this month. So I like to let the body of work speak for itself.”The success of those contracts is the reason that Shawn Fain is CNN Business’ labor leader of the year. All told nearly 800,000 union members got raises of 10% or more during 2023. The plant will be be reopened under the agreement reached between Stellantis and the UAW to end the union's strike at the company.

Persons: Shawn Fain, there’s, Fain, “, ”, I’ve, Sean O’Brien, Fran Drescher, Ted Pappageorge, Bill Greenblatt, Wheaton, Jeff Schuster, It’s, Stellantis, Bianca Flowers, Reuters “, Ray Curry, GlobalData’s Schuster, ” Shawn Fain, we’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Auto Workers, UAW, CNN, CNN Business, UPS, SAG, Writers Guild of America, Culinary, Kaiser Permanente, General Motors, Ford, Motors Wentzville, GM, UPI, Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, GlobalData, Jeep, Reuters, Justice Department, Chrysler, Facebook, UAW International Union Locations: New York, Las Vegas, Stellantis, Wentzville , Missouri, Kokomo , Indiana

☆ US new vehicle sales to rise in November on strong demand - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 22 (Reuters) - New vehicle sales in the United States are expected to rise in November, a report from industry consultants showed on Wednesday, as demand for the latest models remains strong and inventories improve. U.S. new vehicle sales, including retail and non-retail transactions, are estimated to reach 1,236,000 units in November, a 10.2% jump from a year earlier, according to the joint forecast report by J.D. "Sales growth is being enabled by improving vehicle availability," said Thomas King, president of the data and analytics division at J.D. Inventory pile-up, however, led to a 1.9% year-on-year decline in transaction prices with an average price of new retail vehicles at $45,332. Power and GlobalData have also raised the annual forecast for global light-vehicle sales to 89.3 million units, up 10% from last year, on strength in China demand.

Persons: Carlos Barria, J.D ., Thomas King, J.D, Jeff Schuster, Ananta Agarwal, Shweta Agarwal Organizations: REUTERS, J.D, Thomson Locations: Port of Richmond, San Francisco , California, United States, ., China, Bengaluru

☆ Here’s why saving this Illinois auto plant is a ‘gigantic deal’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Now the United Auto Workers union can add one more. Illinois is not a political battleground state like Michigan or Ohio, which have far more auto plants. But that plant is now due to reopen as an assembly plant in 2027, building a new midsize pickup truck. President Joe Biden speaks to the United Auto Workers union in Belvidere, Illinois, on Thursday. And it’s what happened with the last GM assembly plant in Detroit, its Hamtramck Assembly plant, that as part of the 2019 labor deal was closed in early 2020 and re-tooled to make electric pickups, reopening in November 2021.

Persons: Joe Biden, Shawn Fain ., “, ”, Jeff Schuster, Fain, Biden, ” Fain, Evan Vucci, ” ‘, Dawn Sims, Stellantis, Schuster Organizations: New, New York CNN —, Motors, Stellantis, Ford, United Auto Workers, UAW, Stellatis, GM, Workers, GlobalData, Chrysler, Hamtramck Assembly Locations: New York, Belvidere , Illinois, Shawn Fain . Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Belvidere, Illinois, Chicago, Stellantis, Delaware, Edmunds, Sterling Heights , Michigan, Detroit, Hamtramck, Spring Hill , Tennessee, Orion Township , Michigan, Lordstown , Ohio, Warren , Michigan, Baltimore

☆ Job security provisions could be the key to ending the auto strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —As important as wages and benefits are in the unprecedented United Auto Workers strike against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, nothing is more important than job security. When Fain announced an expansion of the strike against GM and Stellantis, he specifically exempted Ford because of that progress. The UAW hasn’t disclosed more details on job security discussions with Ford. And much of the job losses are due to the drop in US market share by the three unionized automakers. “One thing that’s most important is job security,” General Motors CEO Mary Barra told CNN the day the strike started, “When I talk to employees…they want to know their facility is getting a new product.”

Persons: Shawn Fain, Fain, Ford, ” Fain, ” Ford, “, ”, Stellantis, Jeff Schuster, Mary Barra Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Auto Workers, General Motors, Ford, UAW, GM, Labor, GlobalData, Big, ” General, CNN Locations: New York, Belvidere , Illinois, Edmunds

☆ Ford also faces strike at Canadian plants Monday night
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Unifor, the union that represents autoworkers in Canada, is preparing to go on strike against Ford on Monday night. The 3,400 Unifor members at the plant produce the Ford Edge and the Lincoln Nautilus SUVs. The two plants have a total of 1,700 Unifor members. It has not had a US strike since 1978, nor a Canadian strike since 1990. But Payne said her members at Ford are prepared to strike Monday night if the company doesn’t step up to its demands.

Persons: Ford, Lana Payne, “ We’re, ” Payne, –, Jeff Schuster, ”, Payne, she’s, Unifor, ” Ford Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Auto Workers, Ford, CNN, UAW, Ford Edge, Lincoln Nautilus, Nautilus, – Ford, General Motors, North American, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, GlobalData, GM, Canadian, US Locations: New York, Canada, Toronto, Oakville , Ontario, Windsor , Ontario, Detroit, Windsor, Warren , Michigan, United States, Mexico, America

But not all of the 146,000 UAW members at company plants are walking picket lines, at least not yet. Top-scale assembly plant workers make about $32 per hour, plus large annual profit-sharing checks. The Ford plant that's on strike employs about 3,300 workers, and it makes Bronco SUVs and Ranger midsize pickup trucks. Under the UAW strategy, workers who go on strike would live on $500 per week in strike pay from the union, while others would stay on the job at full pay. It’s unlikely the companies would lock the remaining workers out of their factories because they want to keep building vehicles.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, ”, Liz Shuler, Shawn Fain, Britney Johnson, It’s, Candace Bowles, “, Bowles, I’m, Fain, ” Fain, “ We’re, Ford, didn’t, Marick, ” Masters, “ They’re, Mary Barra, you’ve, Farley, Jeff Schuster, Stellantis, Schuster, ____ Williams Organizations: DETROIT, United Auto Workers, General Motors, Ford, “ Workers, AFL, UAW, GM, Fiat Chrysler, Toledo Jeep, Bronco, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC, Chevrolet Express, Wayne State University, U.S, CNBC, Global Locations: Wentzville , Missouri, Wayne , Michigan, Detroit, Toledo , Ohio, Toledo

☆ Autoworkers strike: What to watch for as the clock ticks down
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Here’s what to watch as the clock ticks down:Which plants would go on strike? One advantage of a targeted strike for the union is the potential to save resources and extend a possible walkout. Striking union members are eligible for $500 a week from the union’s strike fund. Ford has not had a national strike since 1976 and has not had a strike of any kind at its US plants since 1978. Sometimes after talks break down, the parties can return to the table and reach a deal without a strike.

Persons: Jeff Schuster, ”, Schuster, Shawn Fain, Fain, We’re, –, ’, Ford, Wheaton, Will Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Auto Workers, General Motors, Ford, GlobalData, UAW, GM, Stellantis, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Cornell University’s Industrial, Labor Relations, Warehouse, Writers Guild of America, Alliance, Television Producers, UPS, Teamsters Locations: New York, America, Kokomo , Indiana, Toledo , Ohio, Livonia , Michigan, Stellantis, Buffalo, West

But there’s a good chance at least some of them, at a mix of plants and companies, will walk out. Those limited, targeted strikes could be enough to grind production to a halt at America’s three unionized automakers. One advantage for the union of a targeted strike is the potential to save resources and extend a possible walkout. Striking union members are eligible for $500 a week from the union’s strike fund. The companies did not respond to questions Wednesday about their plans if faced with the targeted strikes Fain described on Wednesday.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Fain, Jeff Schuster, ”, Schuster, Jim Farley, Farley, Bill Ford, ” Farley, “, ” Ford, can’t, “ We’re, Patrick Anderson, Anderson, That’s, Ford Organizations: Detroit CNN, General Motors, Ford, United Auto Workers, UAW, America ’, GlobalData, GM, Detroit Auto, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Anderson Economic Group, Fiat Chrysler, PSA Group Locations: America, Detroit, North America, Michigan, Edmunds, That’s, European

A targeted strike could shut operations for each company, depending on which plants and facilities are struck. One advantage for the union of a targeted strike is the potential to save resources and extend a possible strike. The union members who are on strike are eligible for $500 a week in strike benefits from the union’s strike fund. With targeted strikes, it’s possible that the companies will shut down operations and lay off members who are not technically on strike. GM’s statement did not address what it planned to do if their operations are disrupted by a targeted strike.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Fain, Jeff Schuster, ”, “, ” Fain, Patrick Anderson, John Hatline, Hatline Organizations: Detroit CNN — United Auto Workers, General Motors, Ford, GlobalData, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, UAW, Anderson Economic, CNN Locations: America, Michigan, Detroit

☆ General Motors' China business is hurting, and it's not just because of Covid
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

He purchased his Nio over models from rival Chinese automakers Xpeng , Li Auto and IM Motors. GM's operations in the country are much larger than those of its crosstown rival Ford Motor, for example. Equity income from GM's Chinese operations and joint ventures has fallen 67% since its peak of more than $2 billion in 2014 and 2015. And the rising quality of domestic-made electric vehicles helped support — and tap — growing nationalistic pride among China's consumers. In February, Ford named Sam Wu, a former Whirlpool executive who joined the automaker in October, as president and chief executive of its China operations, starting March 1.

☆ Elon Musk wants Tesla to be the biggest car company ever by 2030. Experts say there's no way.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Elon Musk wants Tesla to sell 20 million electric cars in 2030. Another lofty goal that the billionaire entrepreneur has kicked around: Sell at least 20 million Teslas in 2030, effectively transforming the young firm into the largest car manufacturer the world has ever seen. Last year, Tesla delivered a record 1.3 million cars, making it the leader in electric-vehicle sales. Indeed, if you ask Musk, Tesla isn't merely a carmaker, but rather a tech company that could soon be worth trillions more than Apple. Even if it managed to crank out 20 million cars, Musk's firm would still need to find buyers for them, which isn't a given.

☆ U.S. auto sales to fall in 2022, GM set to reclaim top spot from Toyota
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Full-year U.S. auto sales are forecast to be about 13.9 million units, down 8% from 2021 and 20% from the peak in 2016, according to industry consultant Cox Automotive. Inventory shortages, caused by surging material costs and persistent chip shortage, spilled into 2022, hobbling production at many automakers. Reuters GraphicsGM's 2022 U.S. sales are set to rise 2.3%, while Toyota's is expected to fall 9%, according to Cox Automotive. Both automakers are set to report sales figures on Wednesday. Some industry observers fret that price hikes by automakers to blunt inflationary pressures and rising interest rates will take a toll on new vehicle sales in the new year.

☆ U.S. new vehicle sales to fall in December as high prices deter buyers - report
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 21 (Reuters) - U.S. total new vehicle retail sales are expected to decline in December as high vehicle prices and rising borrowing costs pushed consumers to cut back spending, a report from industry consultants J.D. The average monthly payment for a new vehicle loan in December was $718, up $47 from a year ago, per the report. Retail sales of new vehicles this month are expected to touch over 1.04 million units, down 2.8% from last year. The consultants expect retail sales in the United States to increase next year, with improving inventory levels. Globally, vehicle sales are projected to end at 80.7 million units this year, a 1% contraction from 2021.

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