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And now, Shawn Fain is representing nearly 150,000 auto workers in one of the biggest labor strikes in decades. Referring to Biblical scripture, Fain asked union members: "Are you willing to have faith and move that mountain? The Wednesday before contract expiration, he said UAW members must fight for a better contract "by any means necessary" - one of Malcolm X's most quoted phrases. That six-week strike cost GM $3.6 billion and stressed the finances of UAW members. Company executives have said the UAW's demands will make them uncompetitive as the shift to EVs offsets the profits delivered by the combustion trucks UAW members build.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Rebecca Cook, Malcolm X, Detroit carmakers, Fain, handshakes, Bernie Sanders, they’ve, “, ”, Darwin Segers, Mack, Malcolm X's, Garrett Nelson, Jim Farley, Joe White, Ben Klayman, Eric Cox, Bianca Flowers, David Shepardson, Matthew Lewis, Diane Craft Organizations: United Auto Workers, Ford Motor Michigan, REUTERS, Detroit, Ford Motor, General Motors, Detroit Three, Wall, UAW, GM, CFRA, Teamsters, United Parcel Service, UPS, Hollywood, Company, Ford, CNBC, Thomson Locations: Wayne , Michigan, U.S, Detroit, Hollywood, Chicago, Washington

Autoworkers put down their toolsThousands of autoworkers walked off the job on Friday morning at three Midwest plants in an unprecedented strike, as the United Automobile Workers and Detroit’s three big carmakers remained miles apart on contract talks. A lengthy strike could dent the Big Three’s profits, analysts say, at a time when the companies are investing heavily in electric vehicles to catch up to Tesla and Chinese rivals. Mary Barra, G.M.’s chief, warned that meeting all or most of the union’s demands could hobble the company’s prospects. “Make no mistake: If we don’t continue to invest, we will lose ground, and it will happen fast,” she said. “Nobody wins in a strike.”

Persons: Autoworkers, autoworkers, Biden, Ford, Mary Barra, ’, “, ” Organizations: United Automobile Workers, General Motors, Dodge, Chrysler Locations: Stellantis, Amsterdam, G.M

☆ U.A.W. Strike Hits 3 Plants as It Seeks Big Raises and Other Gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Jack Ewing | More About Jack Ewing | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Autoworkers walked off the job on Friday at three factories that produce of some of the Detroit carmakers’ most popular vehicles, the opening salvos in what could become a protracted strike that hurts the U.S. economy and has an impact on the 2024 presidential election. Nearly 13,000 members of the United Auto Workers at plants in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri joined early Friday in what the union described as a targeted strike that could expand to more plants if its demands for pay raises of up to 40 percent and other gains were not met. The union’s four-year contracts with three automakers — General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, Jeep and Ram — expired Thursday, and the companies and the union remained far from striking new deals. The U.A.W.’s president, Shawn Fain, used sweeping language on Thursday to describe why his members were going on strike against all three automakers at the same time — something the union had never done in its nearly 90-year history.

Persons: Autoworkers, Ram —, ’, Shawn Fain Organizations: Detroit, United Auto Workers, —, Motors, Ford Motor, Chrysler, Jeep Locations: U.S, Ohio , Michigan, Missouri

☆ As prices fall, two thirds of global car sales could be EVs by 2030- study
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A parking bay reserved for electric car charging can be seen on display in London, Britain, October 19, 2018. Batteries are expensive and account for around 40% of an EV's price tag, a cost that has so far made them unaffordable for many consumers. But those prices are steadily coming down as carmakers invest in new battery chemistries, materials and software to make more efficient EVs, RMI senior principal Kingsmill Bond told Reuters. EV sales in the European Union jumped almost 61% in July versus the same month in 2022, accounting for 13.6% of all car sales. The European Union aims to ban the sale of new fossil-fuel models from 2035.

Persons: Simon Dawson, Kingsmill Bond, RMI's Bond, Nick Carey, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Rocky Mountain Institute, RMI, European Union, Union, United, Reuters, Research, Exeter University's, Energy Innovation, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Europe, U.S, China, United States, California, New York, Exeter, India

Still, it could hurt perceptions of Chinese EV makers as they expand abroad, Bernstein analysts said in a client note. Nio and Geely declined to comment on the EU probe, while BYD, Xpeng and SAIC did not respond to requests for comment. Shares in European carmakers were also among the biggest fallers on the euro zone stock index (.STOXXE50) in early trading. STRAINED RELATIONSThe anti-subsidy probe, initiated unusually by the European Commission and not from any industry complaint, comes amid broader diplomatic strains between the EU and China. It accounted for 40.25% of EV exports from China between January and April 2023.

Persons: Annegret, Ursula von der Leyen, Bernstein, BYD, CATL, Cui Dongshu, EVs, Donny Kwok, Brenda Goh, Ryan Woo, Anne Marie Roantree, Tom Hogue, Jamie Freed, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, China, EV, EU, European, Ministry of Commerce, Eurasian Group, Reuters Graphics, Reuters Graphics Hong Kong, HK, Geely, SAIC, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes, European Commission, China Passenger Car Association, EVs, for Strategic, Internal Studies, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe, China, SHANGHAI, BEIJING, Beijing, EU, Brussels, Southeast Asia, Reuters Graphics Hong, Shanghai, Xpeng, Shenzhen, SZ, Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, U.S, Hong Kong

☆ Detroit Three strike deadline nears as sides remain far apart
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] "UAW on strike" picket signs lay on a pile of wood outside the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly in Hamtramck, Michigan, U.S. October 25, 2019. "To win, we're likely going to have to take action," UAW President Shawn Fain said on Wednesday. Fain said it was still possible that at a later date all of the auto workers could strike. Some losses could be recouped by boosting production schedules after a strike, but that possibility fades as a strike extends to weeks or months. That is less than half the pay hikes the union has sought, but higher than companies initial offers.

Persons: Rebecca Cook, we're, Shawn Fain, Fain, Joe Biden, Jared Bernstein, Stellantis, Ford, Bernie Sanders, David Shepardson, Peter Henderson, Jamie Freed Organizations: UAW, General Motors Detroit, Hamtramck, REUTERS, U.S ., United Auto Workers, Detroit, Deutsche Bank, Biden, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, GM, Thomson Locations: Hamtramck , Michigan, U.S, Detroit

☆ 'Blatantly protectionist': China sharply rebukes EU probe on Chinese EV subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesChina has accused the European Union of "blatant protectionism" after its executive arm unexpectedly launched an "anti-subsidy" investigation into China's electric vehicle makers. The Chinese Commerce Ministry urged dialogue to safeguard the interests of Chinese companies and commit to global efforts to address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality. If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing. "If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing." EU members are demanding the regional bloc shield European carmakers from Chinese EVs that they say are heavily subsidized by the Chinese government.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: Visual China, Getty, European Union, Chinese Commerce Ministry, CNBC, EU, Beijing . Eurasia, of, Eurasia Group Locations: Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, EU, Brussels, Beijing, U.S, Europe, Strasbourg

☆ The UAW doesn't have to strike at every automaker or factory to shut down most of the auto industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Alexa St. John | Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The UAW can strike in a few ways, but typically, members have gone on strike against just one of the three Detroit automakers rather than all three at once. "We're going to hit where we need to hit and when we need to hit, we're going to hit to move mountains." If the UAW cuts off the Detroit auto companies' precious money-making factories, that could have a broader impact. AdvertisementAdvertisementIf the UAW strike takes down Detroit 3 production, that will impact the hundreds of suppliers that provide parts to these companies. Suppliers struggled after the last UAW strike, during which workers halted production at GM for 40 days.

Persons: Stellantis, Shawn Fain, Fain Organizations: United Auto Workers, Service, Ford, General Motors, Detroit, GM, UAW, Suppliers Locations: Wall, Silicon, Mexico, Detroit

☆ Tata Motors tests export markets for EVs, to roll out EV-only dealerships in India
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Aditi Shah | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Tata Motors' Nexon and Nexon.ev cars are seen parked for display outside a hotel ahead of its launch in New Delhi, India, September 14, 2023. Chandra said it was too early to discuss details of the export markets and there would be more clarity next year. Sales of EVs globally have been growing as tighter emission regulations push carmakers to increase the share of electric cars in their portfolio. Growing sales and the new Nexon EV have become the catalyst for its plan to launch EV-only dealerships, Chandra said. Tata has a country-wide dealership network for its gasoline and diesel cars through which it currently also sells its EVs.

Persons: Anushree, Shailesh Chandra, Chandra, Tata, Tesla, Aditi Shah, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Tata Motors, REUTERS, India EV, Reuters, Tata, China's, Mahindra, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, BYD, Mumbai

☆ German carmaker stocks dip amid China-EV probe dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Alternatively, punitive tariffs on imports from China could accelerate Chinese EV makers' plans to build in Europe, analysts said, raising competition for domestic carmakers. "Volkswagen could gain from lower mass-market competition, but is the most exposed ... premium OEMs ...face the risk of retaliation and might see their China-export plans sent awry," he added. By 1210 GMT, the STOXX Europe 600 Auto (.SXAP) index was down 1.46%, while the broader market was steady. BMW, which exports the iX3 from China and plans to export the Mini from 2024, fell 2.08%, with Mercedes-Benz down 1.56% and Volkswagen down 1.83%. Stocks of carmakers Renault and Stellantis, which are less exposed to the Chinese market than their German counterparts, saw smaller dips of 1.33% and 0.81% respectively.

Persons: Annegret, Emmanuel Macron, Daniel Roeska, Bernstein, Danilo Masoni, Victoria Waldersee, Josephine Mason, Thomas Leigh, Michel Rose, Sharon Singleton, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, EV, HK, European Commission, Renault, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Benz, Porsche, carmakers Renault, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Beijing, China, Europe, France

☆ As UAW strike looms, Biden admin considers aid for small suppliers -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A General Motors assembly worker pickets outside the General Motors Bowling Green plant during the United Auto Workers (UAW) national strike in Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S., October 10, 2019. Aid for suppliers has been discussed "since the minute it became clear there could be a strike" but those talks are "premature and fluid," the source said. Auto suppliers held recent discussions with the White House about the potential impact of a strike and possible options that the Biden administration could tap to help suppliers weather a prolonged strike. Small suppliers are critical to automakers' supply chains. Automakers have spent much of the past three years dealing with supply chain disruptions, and are still working to recover.

Persons: Bryan Woolston, Joe Biden's, Biden, Nandita Bose, David Shepardson, Paul Grant, David Ljunggren, Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler Organizations: General Motors, United Auto Workers, UAW, REUTERS, Detroit Three, U.S, Auto, House, Washington Post, Labor Department, Small Business Administration, White, SBA, Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association, Thomson Locations: Bowling Green , Kentucky, U.S, Michigan , Ohio, Canadian, Ontario

WASHINGTON (AP) — Efforts by the Biden administration to limit pollution from automobile tailpipes — a major source of planet-warming emissions — face a crucial test as legal challenges brought by Republican-led states head to a federal appeals court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will hear arguments Thursday and Friday on three cases challenging Biden administration rules targeting cars and trucks. The cases before the appeals court will test a 2021 Environmental Protection Agency rule that strengthened tailpipe pollution limits and a 2022 EPA decision that restored California’s authority to set its own tailpipe pollution standards for cars and SUVs. The court cases come as the Biden administration pushes the auto industry to quickly adopt electric vehicles as part of its climate agenda. “Far from doing something unexpected or novel'' in the tailpipe pollution rule, "EPA merely tightened existing standards,'' Kim wrote.

Persons: Biden, Ken Paxton, Joe, ”, Paxton, Dave Yost, Peter Zalzal, ″, Pete Huffman, Todd Kim, “, Kim, Zalzal Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, U.S, Appeals, District of Columbia, Biden, Transportation, Supreme, Environmental, Agency, EPA, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Texas, GOP, Texas Senate, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, NHTSA, Justice Department's, Natural Resources, General Motors, Ford, GM, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, EV, Auto Innovators, Department, EDF Locations: U.S, California, Russia, Ukraine, Texas, Ohio, West Virginia

"We are preparing to strike these companies in a way they have never seen before." Fain said the Detroit Three automakers had offered 146,000 U.S. autoworkers pay raises of as much as 20% over four and a half years but called the hikes inadequate. Coordinated strikes would mark the first-ever simultaneous labor stoppage at all three Detroit automakers and one of the largest U.S. industrial labor actions in recent years. The UAW is considering initially targeting only some specific plants for work stoppages at the Detroit automakers, two sources briefed on the matter said, adding the strike plan could still change. Targeting strategic plants could quickly force automakers to halt U.S. production and could extend the time before the UAW's $825 million strike fund is exhausted.

Persons: we're, Shaw Fain, Fain, Stellantis, Joe Biden, Jared Bernstein, Biden, Bernstein, Liz Shuler, Reuters autoworkers, Shuler, Bernie Sanders, David Shepardson, Nick Zieminski, Deepa Babington, Chris Reese Organizations: United Auto Workers, Detroit Three, UAW, Detroit, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Anderson Economic Group, AFL, Reuters, GM, Detroit automakers, Thomson Locations: Michigan, United States, DETROIT

☆ UAW president says union is still seeking big pay hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sept 13 (Reuters) - United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain said on Wednesday the union is still seeking significant pay hikes as talks continue with the Detroit Three automakers, a day before four-year labor deals are set to expire. Reuters reported late on Tuesday that the union may opt to strike at targeted auto plants if they fail to reach new contracts covering 146,000 U.S. auto workers. The UAW initially sought a 20% wage hike upon ratification and four annual 5% hikes, but had offered trim those hikes to around 36% in total, three sources told Reuters. Fain said the union was still seeking 40% hikes in total. Coordinated strikes would mark the first-ever simultaneous labor stoppage at all three Detroit automakers and one of the largest U.S. industrial labor actions in recent years.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Fain, We've, Stellantis, We’re, Joe Biden, Jared Bernstein, Biden, Bernstein, Liz Shuler, Shuler, Bernie Sanders, David Shepardson, Christina Fincher, Nick Zieminski Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit Three, ABC News, General Motors, Ford Motor, Chrysler, Reuters, GM, Detroit, Anderson Economic Group, AFL, CNBC, Ford, Thomson Locations: Michigan, United States, DETROIT

☆ UAW president says union still seeking big pay hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sept 13 (Reuters) - United Auto Workers (UAW) union President Shawn Fain said on Wednesday the union is still seeking significant pay hikes as talks continue with the Detroit Big Three automakers, a day before four-year labor deals are set to expire. The UAW initially sought a 20% wage hike upon ratification and four annual 5% hikes, but had offered trim those hikes to around 36% in total, three sources told Reuters. Fain said the union was still seeking 40% hikes in total. Ford last week hiked its offer to a 10% wage hike and lump sum payments after offering a 9% wage increase through 2027 and 6% lump sum payments. Coordinated strikes would mark the first-ever simultaneous labor stoppage at all three Detroit automakers and one of the largest U.S. industrial labor actions in recent years.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Fain, We've, Bernie Sanders, Stellantis, David Shepardson, Christina Fincher, Nick Zieminski Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit Big, ABC News, GM, General Motors, Ford Motor, Chrysler, Reuters, Detroit, CNBC, Ford, Anderson Economic Group, Thomson Locations: Michigan

☆ EU to investigate 'flood' of Chinese electric cars, weighing tariffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"Global markets are now flooded with cheaper electric cars. It is also unusual in that it is brought by the European Commission itself, rather than in response to an industry complaint. GRINDING GEARSThe influx of cheaper Chinese electric vehicles has already prompted some European carmakers to take action. At the same time Von der Leyen stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the EU's ambitious environmental objectives. The founder of Nio warned in April that Chinese EV makers should brace for the possibility that foreign governments would impose protectionist policies.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, BYD, EVs, Nio, Mercedes Benz, Stellantis, France's, Tesla, VDA, Von der Leyen, Simone Tagliapietra, Kingsmill Bond, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop, Kim Miyoung, Brenda Goh, Anne Marie Roantree, Nick Carey, Kate Abnett, Gabriela Baczynska, Louise Heavens Organizations: EU, Investigation, European EV, European Commission, European Union, Renault, BMW, HK, China Passenger Car Association, Dynamics, Volvo, EV, VW, France's Renault, Japan, Rocky Mountain Institute, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Brussels, China, Moscow, Ukraine, Germany, France, Europe, U.S

☆ EU to assess whether to hit Chinese electric cars with tariffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The European Commission started an investigation on Wednesday to assess whether the European Union needs to impose tariffs to protect itself against Chinese electric vehicle producers benefiting from state subsidies. And their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the bloc's parliament. Von der Leyen stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the EU's ambitious environmental objectives. "So I can announce today that the Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, Von der Leyen, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop, Gabriela Baczynska Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, Rights, European Commission, Thomson Locations: Strasbourg, France, Rights BRUSSELS, China, Europe

Brussels/London CNN —The European Union is launching an investigation into China’s state support for makers of electric vehicles as soaring imports of their cars stoke fears for the future of European auto manufacturers. “So I can announce today that the commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.”Europe levies a duty of 10% on cars imported from China. That compares with duty of 27.5% in the United States, and China’s manufacturers have taken advantage to carve out a significant and rapidly growing foothold in the European market. And in the last five years, EU imports of Chinese cars have quadrupled. The European Commission investigation could lead to the imposition of tariffs on Chinese EV imports, and von der Leyen’s announcement rattled the stocks of China’s biggest EV companies listed in Hong Kong.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, “, ” von der Leyen, von der, Warren Buffett, Nio, Li Yunfei, Oliver Zipse, Luca de Meo, ”, Sigrid de Vries, Laura Organizations: London CNN, China Passenger Car Association, UBS, The, EV, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, Senior, EU, Jato Dynamics, BMW, Renault, European Locations: Brussels, London, Europe, China, United States, Hong Kong

[1/2] Logo of British Petrol BP is seen at a petrol station in Pienkow, Poland, June 8, 2022. BP plans to spend $55 billion to $65 billion on its new transition businesses between 2023 and 2030, when the sum will equal its investment in oil and gas. BP recently opened a new office in Hamburg which will oversee its offshore wind expansion. BP operates two refineries in Germany -- Lingen and Gelsenkirchen -- as well as Aral, Germany's largest petrol station network. Looney had defended the offshore wind bid, saying he expected strong demand for clean energy.

Persons: Kacper, Patrick Wendeler, Bernard Looney, Wendeler, Looney, Christoph Steitz, Ron Bousso, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: British, REUTERS, EV, BP, Reuters, Reuters Graphics BP, Volkswagen, BMW, Rivals, Shell, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Pienkow, Poland, FRANKFURT, LONDON, Germany, BP Europe, Hamburg, Lingen, Gelsenkirchen

Petrol vehicles have been the top sellers in recent years - increasing their market share to around 68.4% in January-July 2023 from 42.5% in 2014, according to data from automotive market intelligence provider JATO Dynamics. Cost-conscious Indians are preferring to buy petrol cars as they are cheaper than diesel, even though diesel cars offer better fuel efficiency. DIESEL VEHICLES:Tuesday's warning from minister Nitin Gadkari targeted diesel carmakers, whose market share has seen a steady decline to nearly 18% of passenger vehicles in January-July this year from 47.9% in 2014. But when it comes to luxury cars, diesel variants remain in vogue, with their market share rising to 33% so far this year from 31% in 2021. Among automakers, Mahindra and Mahindra (MAHM.NS) has the highest diesel car market share with 47% of unit sales so far this year, up from 28% in 2021.

Persons: Maruti Suzuki, Nitin, Tesla, Aditi Shah, Aditya Kalra, Mark Potter Organizations: Maruti, Tata Motors, Volkswagen, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, JATO Dynamics, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Mahindra, Hyundai, Kia, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, China, United States, India

☆ Wall Street analysts tore down a Chinese Tesla rival and say it's exactly why Elon Musk should be worried about China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Chinese electric car maker BYD might be the closest thing to a true Tesla competitor. Experts say the auto company's Seal electric sedan is comparable to the Tesla Model 3. UBS analysts tore down the Seal and found it's a great Model 3 alternative for less. AdvertisementAdvertisementInterestingly, unlike Tesla, BYD seems to be steering clear from autonomous driving technology, and instead, is opting for a standard, Level 2, advanced driver assistance system. "Given the Chinese EV development cycle is still faster than that of the foreign brands, we believe Chinese brands' market share gains from foreign brands will be structural and continuous."

Persons: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Elon, Tesla, Li Auto, it's Organizations: Tesla, UBS, Service, EV, Tesla's, Getty Images Locations: Wall, Silicon, China, Europe, Munich, German

☆ US auto labor talks intensify near strike deadline
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Talks between the Detroit Three automakers and United Auto Workers union are nearing a Thursday night deadline to reach a deal on a new contract before a potential walkout by 146,000 U.S. autoworkers. Coordinated strikes would mark the first-ever simultaneous labor stoppage at all three Detroit automakers and one of the largest U.S. industrial labor actions in recent years. LAST DAYS BEFORE DEADLINEThe UAW on Friday had rejected revised offers from Stellantis, General Motors (GM.N) and Ford Motor (F.N). GM said Tuesday CEO Mary Barra decided not to attend Business Roundtable meetings in Washington on Wednesday and Thursday because of the labor talks. "She changed her plans in order to stay close to the labor negotiations process," GM spokesperson Jeannine Ginivan said.

Persons: Rebecca Cook, Shawn Fain, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, Fain, We've, Bernie Sanders, Mark Reuss, Mary Barra, Barra, Jeannine Ginivan, Stellantis, David Shepardson, Ben Klayman, Nick Zieminski, Deepa Babington Organizations: UAW, General Motors Detroit, Hamtramck, REUTERS, Rights, Detroit Three, United Auto Workers, autoworkers, General Motors, Ford Motor, Chrysler, Detroit, Anderson Economic Group, GM, Ford, CNN, Automotive, Business, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Hamtramck , Michigan, U.S, Stellantis, Michigan, Detroit, Washington

☆ China is bitter medicine for Europe’s EV pivot
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Neil Unmack | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

LONDON, Sept 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - China can offer a bitter medicine for Europe’s bold electric vehicle pivot. That has prompted carmakers to develop premium e-cars for richer punters, rather than mass market vehicles. More competition from Chinese carmakers should help bring down prices of electric vehicles in Europe. It will force Western players to keep cutting costs to avoid losing too much market share, boosting overall e-car adoption. Sales of EVs picked up in August, with Jefferies analysts estimating a total market share across Europe of 23%.

Persons: Oliver Zipse, Olaf Scholz, carmakers, Morgan Stanley, Encouragingly, BYD, ”, EVs, Lisa Jucca, Oliver Taslic, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Volkswagen, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, HK, Norway, BMW, Reuters Graphics, Jato Dynamics, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, BYD, Renault, UBS reckons, Financial, Electric, European Union, Jefferies, Thomson Locations: China, Europe, Italy, Europe’s, Germany, Norway, Latvia, Bulgaria, Britain, Polo . China, Western, EU

☆ Seat massages, smartphones and driverless features: Automakers turn to tech to take on Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The presence of Amazon, Qualcomm, Samsung and other tech giants underscores how traditional automakers are looking to bolster the tech in their cars. Ramping up technology features is also essential to meet buyer expectations in China. Driverless features pushA big part of the focus of Tesla technology has surrounded its Autopilot ADAS. No car can operate autonomously — at least from a legal perspective — but automakers are ramping up the driverless features and capabilities. watch nowMore traditional automakers are looking to catch up in the area of driverless features.

Persons: Arjun Kharpal, You'd, Tesla, Mohit Sharma, That's, Xingji, Lucid Organizations: Amazon, IAA, Qualcomm, Samsung, CNBC, CCS Insight, Benz, Swedish EV, Polestar, BMW, Neue Locations: Munich, China, Swedish, U.S

☆ Auto workers reject Detroit Three contract offers, ready to strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Contract talks between the UAW and the Detroit automakers have gone to the strike deadline and beyond in years past. Stellantis said on Friday it offered U.S. hourly workers a 14.5% wage hike over four years but no lump sum payments. The UAW said the GM and Ford offers would change the formula for calculating profit-sharing, and if it had been in effect last year GM workers would have received 29% less and Ford workers 21%. A UAW strike that shuts the Detroit Three manufacturers could cost carmakers, suppliers and workers over $5 billion, the Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group estimated. GM recorded a $3.6 billion pre-tax loss in 2019 after UAW members went on strike for six weeks, the longest walkout against a Detroit automaker since 1970.

Persons: Rebecca Cook, Shawn Fain, Fain, it's, Ford, Stellantis, Mark Stewart, David Shepardson, Joseph White, Jonathan Oatis, Will Dunham Organizations: REUTERS, United Auto Workers, Detroit, Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Facebook, UAW, Detroit automakers, GM, Anderson Economic Group, Thomson Locations: Auburn Hills , Michigan, U.S, America, Stellantis, Michigan, Washington, Detroit

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