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☆ Lack of electric vans opens door for Chinese, other EV makers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/3] Tristan Thomas, CEO of Packfleet, demonstrates charging an electric van made by Chinese brand Maxus at the fully-electric package delivery firm's headquarters in London, Britain, October 27, 2022. Packfleet grew tenfold in 2022 and CEO Tristan Thomas said most of the company's 53-vehicle fleet are Maxus vans. SAIC said it sold 18,000 mostly electric Maxus brand vehicles in Western Europe and Scandinavia last year, including buses and pickup trucks. Fleet manager Sean Clifton has 50 additional Ford vans and 20 Maxus vans on order, but will need more soon as Asda electrifies its 1,300 delivery vans. There is no difference in delays for conventional and electric vans at Renault, said commercial vehicle marketing director John Cleworth.

Ford officials declined to say whether the plant will assemble five EV models, as agreed with Unifor during the 2020 contract talks. The Oakville plant currently builds combustion Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus SUVs. Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley has said Ford will have the ability to assemble 2 million EVs globally by 2026. Ford officials said Oakville will build the automaker's next-generation EVs, which Ford executives have said will have to be more efficient, easier to assemble and more competitive with the Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) vehicles that currently lead in North American market EV sales. Battery cells for the Oakville-built EVs will come from a factory Ford and battery partner SK On plan are building in Kentucky, Nowicki said.

☆ Stellantis unveils Ram EV pickup, to debut late in 2024, at New York auto show
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The EV truck will go on sale in one of the most important segments of the North American electric vehicle market. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the truck will be built in the U.S. and the location would be announced soon. He told reporters on the sidelines of the auto show that consumers will choose the Ram over other EV trucks because it will exceed other trucks' performance on range, speed of charge, towing and other factors. The Ram truck's launch late in 2024 will come more than two years after similar EV trucks like the Rivian (RIVN.O) R1T electric pickup and Ford's (F.N) F-150 Lightning electric truck. The RAM EV truck will be built on a new body-on-frame architecture designed for full-size EVs, capable of towing up to 14,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,700 lbs.

Stellantis NV and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG are talking to Panasonic Holdings Corp. about teaming up to build electric-vehicle battery plants in North America, people familiar with the talks said. Panasonic specializes in cylindrical batteries, which resemble an oversize version of the AA batteries commonly used in consumer devices. Over the past decade, Japan-based Panasonic has churned out billions of cylindrical cells for its main car-making customer, Tesla Inc.

☆ Stellantis' Portugal plant to produce large series fully battery electric compact vans
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 31 (Reuters) - Carmaker Stellantis NV (STLAM.MI) said on Friday its Portugal plant would become the first assembly plant in the country to produce large series fully battery electric compact vans by 2025. Stellantis's Mangualde Production Center, which has made over 1.5 million vehicles, will produce battery electric light commercial vehicles for Citroën, Fiat, OPEL and Peugeot, the company said in a statement. Stellantis, the world's third-largest automotive group by sales, planned to spend over 30 billion euros ($32.53 billion) through 2025 to electrify its vehicle lineup and boost its software content to catch up with rivals, including Tesla Inc (TSLA.O). Stellantis was created through the $52 billion merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA in 2021. ($1 = 0.9223 euros)Reporting by Chandni Shah and Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"You're going to see a lot more aggressive UAW," Fain told reporters late Monday after a day-long meeting with local union officials. Those contracts could be models for the UAW's goals in talks with the Detroit automakers beginning this summer, analysts said. The Detroit automakers have reported robust profits during the past four years from their North American operations, mainly thanks to the pickup trucks and SUVs that UAW members assemble. Securing UAW jobs as the Detroit automakers shift toward electric vehicles is a "top priority," Fain said. The UAW and Detroit automakers will begin bargaining toward new contracts this summer.

☆ UAW Members Elect Reform Candidate as President
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Nora Eckert | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

UAW President-elect Shawn Fain, who talked to employees outside a Michigan plant earlier this year, has vowed to be tough in contract negotiations. The United Auto Workers elected reform candidate Shawn Fain as its next leader, according to Mr. Fain and his opponent, marking an upheaval in the union’s top ranks and creating a wild card for auto makers ahead of contract talks in Detroit. Mr. Fain, a 54-year-old who started his career as an electrician and rose through the UAW ranks while working at factories now owned by Stellantis NV, has struck a more strident tone ahead of negotiations later this year. His reform group has vowed to not give any concessions to the car companies and raised the possibility of a strike when contracts expire this fall.

☆ Challenger wins UAW labor union presidency, vows reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - Shawn Fain on Saturday won the race for United Auto Workers president, narrowly defeating incumbent head Ray Curry in a shakeup for the Detroit-based labor union. Labor contracts with Detroit's Big Three automakers expire in September and Fain has vowed to take a tough line with them. The UAW is working to organize new battery plants and members worry that shifting to electric vehicles will cost jobs. The UAW won a key victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union. The union has unsuccessfully sought to organize workers at foreign-based U.S. auto plants including Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and Nissan (7201.T).

☆ Challenger wins United Auto Workers presidency vowing reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - Shawn Fain narrowly won the race as United Auto Workers president, narrowly defeating the current union head Ray Curry in a shakeup for the Detroit-based union. Curry said in a statement Fain will be sworn in Sunday, a day ahead of the start of the union's bargaining convention. Fain has vowed to take a tough line in contract talks with the Detroit Three automakers. The UAW won a key victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors (GM.N)-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union. Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Marguerita Choy and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ United Auto Workers Union Elects Reform Candidate as Next President
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Nora Eckert | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

UAW President-elect Shawn Fain, who talked to employees outside a Michigan plant earlier this year, has vowed to be tough in contract negotiations. The United Auto Workers elected reform candidate Shawn Fain as its next leader, marking an upheaval in the union’s top ranks and creating a wild card for auto makers ahead of contract talks in Detroit. Mr. Fain, a 54-year-old who started his career as an electrician and rose through the UAW ranks while working at factories now owned by Stellantis NV, has struck a more strident tone ahead of negotiations later this year.

☆ Exclusive: Canada budget to have tax credit for equipment used to produce EVs -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The credit will be available for future investments in equipment used to extract and process critical minerals used in EVs, a second source said, and to purchase equipment used in manufacturing along the entire EV supply chain, including for batteries. Last year, Canada budgeted C$3.8 billion ($2.8 billion) to scale up exploration and infrastructure for critical minerals. Canada has an abundance of the critical minerals used to produce EVs. Last autumn, Canada announced investment tax credits for companies that purchase finished clean energy systems, like solar panels. Instead, the new tax credit will apply to manufacturers buying equipment to build things like solar panels.

☆ Stellantis invests 200 million euros to produce Fiat cars in Algeria
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies Stellantis NV FollowPARIS, March 19 (Reuters) - Carmaker Stellantis will spend more than 200 million euros ($213.32 million) to manufacture four Fiat models in Algeria, it said on Sunday. Construction of the plant will be completed by August with production of the the first Fiat 500 expected by the end of the year, it said. By 2026 the plant will have created nearly 2,000 local jobs and have production capacity of 90,000 vehicles a year. ($1 = 0.9376 euros)Reporting by Dominique Vidalon and Gilles Guillaume Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UAW presidential challenger claims lead as rival campaign files protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - Union challenger Shawn Fain is narrowly leading United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ray Curry in a runoff election as Curry's campaign said it had filed a protest. Earlier this month, a court-appointed monitor said Fain received 69,118 votes and Curry has 68,473 votes – a difference of 645 votes - but with 1,608 unresolved challenged ballots. The UAW is working to organize new battery plants and members worry that shifting to electric vehicles will cost jobs. Curry has been president of the UAW since June 2021, and a UAW member since 1992. The UAW won a victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors (GM.N)-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union.

☆ Volkswagen joins China price war as new emissions rule looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guangzhou Automobile Group, the Chinese partner of both Honda Motor Co Ltd and Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), has also offered subsidies running from March 15 to March 31. Chinese passenger vehicle sales fell 20% in January-February, industry data showed, even as some manufacturers offered reduced prices to stimulate demand. Sales of new energy vehicles, which include all-battery and plug-in battery-petrol hybrid vehicles, grew faster than the overall market, accounting for over 30% in February. In the same month, Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co Ltd (002594.SZ) outsold Volkswagen-branded cars for the second month in four. ($1 = 6.8923 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UAW presidential challenger holds lead as rival campaign files protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - Challenger Shawn Fain is narrowly leading United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ray Curry in a runoff election for leadership of the powerful union, as Curry's campaign said it had filed a protest over issues including undelivered ballots. A group backing Fain said that lead means his victory is "all but assured." The UAW is working to organize new battery plants and members worry that shifting to electric vehicles will cost jobs. Curry has been president of the UAW since June 2021, and a UAW member since 1992. The UAW won a victory in December, when workers at an Ohio General Motors (GM.N)-LG Energy (373220.KS) battery cell factory voted to join the union.

SummarySummary Companies Move comes shortly after Scout plant announcementPlant in Canada can also qualify for IRA subsidiesBASF also picked Canada for EV battery materials plantWOLFSBURG, Germany, March 13 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) chose Canada to build its first battery cell plant outside Europe, granting its cars access to both Canadian and U.S. subsidies as it works to localise electric vehicle production chain in the region. Canada, home to a large mining sector for minerals including lithium, nickel and cobalt, is trying to woo companies involved in all levels of the EV supply chain via a multi-billion-dollar green technology fund as the world seeks to cut carbon emissions. The Canadian federal innovation minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, called the VW battery plant a "home run for Canada" and said it was "the largest single investment in the auto sector in the history of Canada", without giving details. "I think all the big manufacturers understand that if you need to green the supply chain, Canada is the place to do that," said Champagne. Chemicals giant BASF (BASFn.DE) a year ago also secured land in Canada for a planned battery materials facility to better serve electric vehicle markets in the U.S. and Mexico.

☆ US files new labor complaint in Mexico, eyeing allegations at Unique Fabricating
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Daina Beth Solomon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, March 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Monday filed its seventh labor complaint in Mexico under a trade pact that aims to improve workplace conditions, asking Mexican officials to probe alleged rights abuses at a plant owned by U.S. firm Unique Fabricating Inc (UFAB.A). "The union alleges Unique Fabricating refused to grant the union access to the facility and interfered with its organizing efforts," the Department of Labor said in a statement. Unique Fabricating did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mexican officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City Editing by Dan Whitcomb and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ram Truck Brand Considers Expansion to More Markets Outside U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Ryan Felton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Ram has long concentrated its sales in North America. Global auto maker Stellantis NV is looking to expand its highly profitable Ram truck brand globally, bolstering its presence in overseas regions that are well outside its home U.S. market, chief executive officer Carlos Tavares said Tuesday. Ram, a name well-known in the U.S. for its brawny pickup trucks and commercial vans, has long concentrated its sales in North America. Mr. Tavares said he sees potential for it to appeal to consumers in other regions.

☆ Stellantis to invest $155 million in U.S. to produce new electric drive modules
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Stellantis NV FollowMILAN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said on Tuesday it will invest a total of $155 million in three plants located in Kokomo, Indiana, to produce new electric drive modules (EDM) that will be fitted in electric vehicles which the carmaker will assemble in North America. "With the investment, more than 265 jobs will be retained across all three plants," it said. Stellantis aims to have battery electric vehicles (BEV) account for 50% of its sales in the U.S. by 2030. Stellantis was created through the $52 billion merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA in 2021. Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Stellantis seeks 'solution' for shuttered Illinois Jeep plant, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We need to find a solution for the fact that the technology that has been decided is 40% more expensive" than combustion vehicles, Tavares told reporters during a videoconference. As Stellantis shifts its product mix toward electric vehicles, "the way to do business in the U.S. is going to change," Tavares said. "You get a more affordable proposition than the BEV," he said, referring to battery electric vehicles. Tavares said battery technology "has not stabilized." Raw materials needed for today's batteries could change as battery technology changes, he said.

The major Detroit pickup truck brands are sitting on growing inventories of unsold vehicles, according to Cox Automotive data provided to Reuters. Inventory levels are over 100 days’ supply for rival Stellantis NV's (STLAM.MI) Ram half-ton and heavy-duty pickups. Stellantis said in a statement it had no downtime planned at any of its North American plants, but constantly reviewed its inventory levels and would make production adjustments as needed. February sales growth was led by a 54% increase in sales to fleet customers, Power and LMC said. Especially for trucks," said Ohio dealer Rhett Ricart, whose Ricart Automotive Group sells Ford and GM trucks at different stores.

☆ Jeep Maker Stellantis to Hand $4.5 Billion to Shareholders
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Mauro Orru | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Stellantis exhibited at the Chicago Auto Show in Chicago earlier this month. Stellantis NV is planning to distribute $4.47 billion in dividends to shareholders and buy back up to $1.60 billion worth of shares after revenue and net profit surged in 2022, a year marked by a steep rise in electric-vehicle sales. Stellantis and other car makers have had to contend with supply chain snags caused by the war in Ukraine and a surge in Covid-19 infections in China, a key car market.

☆ Stellantis tops forecasts in H2, launches 1.5 bln euro share buy-back
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] The logo of Stellantis is seen on a company's building in Velizy-Villacoublay near Paris, France, February 1, 2022. The company also announced a dividend of 4.2 billion euros ($4.48 billion), or 1.34 euros per share, on 2022 results, and said it would launch a share buyback program worth up to 1.5 billion euros to be performed by the end of this year. Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) at the world's third largest auto maker by sales stood at 10.949 billion euros in the July to December period, topping analysts' expectations from a Reuters poll of 9.63 billion euros. Stellantis, which was created just over two years ago through the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA, said it had so far made cash synergies of 7.1 billion euros. That places it two years ahead of schedule in its target to reach annual cost savings of 5 billion euros.

☆ Stellantis recalls 340,000 Ram trucks, recommends parking outside
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Stellantis NV FollowWASHINGTON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Chrysler-parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) is recalling 340,000 diesel Ram pickup trucks to replace an electrical connector after reports of six fires, and recommends parking the vehicles outside until repairs are made. The company's U.S. unit FCA US discovered that a part on some trucks may overheat and in rare instances may pose a fire risk. The recall covers 340,000 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, and 3500/4500/5500 cab chassis trucks from model years 2021-2023 with 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines. Nearly 22,000 of the rest are in Canada and almost 13,000 outside of North America. Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Carmaker Stellantis to open software development hub in Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Stellantis NV FollowMILAN, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said on Wednesday it will open a new software development hub near a manufacturing plant in Poland, staffing it with up to 300 people in the south-western city of Gliwice. The facility will add "software development resources to existing Stellantis technical operations in Europe," the carmaker said. The company already operates software development hubs in countries including Italy, France, Germany, United States, India and Brazil. Stellantis said it aimed to generate 20 billion euros ($21.36 billion) in incremental annual revenues by 2030 through its software-driven strategy. ($1 = 0.9363 euros)Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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