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☆ 3 reasons why electric cars will soon get a lot cheaper
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Some automakers are slowing down EV production, saying electric vehicles are too expensive. Auto execs have pointed to high prices as a big reason why demand for electric cars has slumped this year. AdvertisementHere's three reasons why electric cars are getting more affordable. Cheaper battery packsBy far the most expensive part of any EV is the battery, and spiking battery prices have hit automakers hard. "You have to get to a certain scale to really start to make money on electric cars and for the costs to go down," Valdez Streaty said.

Persons: —, Kelley, Tesla, Goldman Sachs, EVs, David Browne, Patrick T, Fallon, Browne, Matthias Preindl, Stephanie Valdez Streaty, it's, Valdez Streaty, Elon, you've Organizations: Service, Ford, General Motors, EV, Atlas Public, EVs, Bloomberg, Department of Energy, Smart, Toyota, Manufacturers, ICE, Columbia University, Smith, Cox, Chicago Tribune, Getty Locations: China, Germany, Los Angeles

Electric vehicle sales are expected to hit a record 9% of all passenger vehicles in the U.S. this year, according to Atlas Public Policy. That will be up from 7.3% of new car sales in 2022. These figures include both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid EVs. But even as U.S. EV market share grows steadily, hurdles still stand in the way for some car buyers considering electric. Several U.S. states have set target dates by which they expect vehicle sales to be majority zero-emissions.

Persons: EVs, Tesla, Kelley, Alexa St, John Organizations: Atlas Public, EV, American, Ford Motor Co, General Motors, AP Locations: U.S, China, Germany, Norway, California, Washington, New Jersey, Press, ___

☆ Solid state batteries promise to radically change EVs. But they may not be the only answer
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Car companies including Stellantis, Hyundai and Volkswagen have also teamed up with firms working on solid state batteries. But solid state technology has its own challenges, and it’s not the only way automakers could achieve lighter, cheaper and faster charging electric vehicles. In a solid state battery, the electrolyte is, well, a solid. That solid electrolyte is one reason that solid state batteries might be safer than lithium-ion batteries. Ultimately, there probably will never be one battery technology used in all EVs, GM spokesperson Phil Lienert said.

Persons: it’s, William Kephart, Kephart, ”, Siyu Huang, Quantumscape, That’s what’s, Phil Lienert Organizations: CNN, Toyota, Stellantis, Hyundai, Volkswagen, P3, OneD, Sciences, GM

☆ Dollar climbs after U.S. labor, consumer sentiment data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Chuck Mikolajczak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The fact that we are seeing a drop definitely suggests that the labor market is not cooling as quickly as markets or the Fed might have been expecting there," said Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay in Toronto. Schamotta also said market participants were maintaining relatively high dollar positions before liquidity dries up before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. The greenback extended gains after the University of Michigan's survey of consumer sentiment showed U.S. consumers' inflation expectations rose for a second straight month in November. UMich inflation expectationsThe dollar index rose 0.37% to 103.9, on track for its biggest one-day percentage gain since Nov 9. The Japanese yen weakened 0.82% to 149.61 per dollar, while Sterling was last trading at $1.249, down 0.37% on the day.

Persons: Karl Schamotta, Schamotta, CME's, policymaker Mario Centeno, Joachim Nagel, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao, Zhao, Chuck Mikolajczak, Will Dunham, Richard Chang Organizations: Labor Department, Reuters, United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit's Big, Federal, Fed, University of Michigan's, European Central Bank, Investors, Thomson Locations: Toronto, U.S

☆ Dollar strengthens after U.S. labor, consumer sentiment data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Chuck Mikolajczak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Schamotta also said market participants were maintaining relatively high dollar positions before liquidity dries up before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. The Fed minutes showed Fed officials said inflation remained well above their target but noted that rates would need to be raised only if new data showed insufficient progress on reducing price pressures. The greenback extended gains after the University of Michigan's survey of consumer sentiment showed U.S. consumers' inflation expectations rose for a second straight month in November. The dollar index rose 0.64% at 104.17 and was on track for its biggest one-day percentage gain since Oct 24. The Japanese yen weakened 0.86% versus the greenback at 149.66 per dollar, while Sterling was last trading at $1.246, down 0.65% on the day.

Persons: Karl Schamotta, Schamotta, CME's, Mario Centeno, Sterling, Chuck Mikolajczak, Will Dunham Organizations: Labor Department, Reuters, United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit's Big, Federal, Fed, University of Michigan's, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: Toronto, U.S

☆ US durable goods orders fall on weakness in transportation equipment sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Durable goods are seen on sale in a store in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 24, 2017. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast durable goods orders would decline 3.1%. Durable goods orders rose 4.0% on a year-over-year basis in October. These so-called core capital goods orders were previously reported to have risen 0.5% in September. Business spending on equipment spending contracted in the third quarter.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Detroit's, Lucia Mutikani, Paul Simao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United Auto Workers, UAW, Data, Reuters, Manufacturing, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Civilian, Boeing, Machinery, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Department's

☆ As the hype around 'solid-state' EV batteries grows, UBS reveals the global stocks to cash in
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

UBS has identified the stocks set to benefit from the growth of next-generation "solid-state" battery electric vehicles. Solid-state batteries are viewed as a potential breakthrough technology because they can store more energy than lithium-ion batteries and charge faster. Toyota's targets for solid-state batteries are about double the capacity of the longest-range Tesla vehicles. The automaker's planned transition to solid-state batteries for its EVs by the late 2020s makes the company's stock an attractive investment, according to the investment bank. The table below shows some of the global stocks best positioned to capitalize on the shift to solid-state batteries, according to UBS: UBS named Toyota Industries , which has already partnered with Toyota Motor on developing lithium-ion batteries, as another stock that could benefit from the shift to solid-state batteries.

Persons: Kohei Takahashi, Morgan Stanley, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: UBS, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Toyota Industries, Toyota Motor, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Sumitomo Metal Mining

☆ Volkswagen becomes the latest automaker to hike wages for U.S. factory workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Volkswagen logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 22 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) said on Wednesday that it would hike salaries for production workers at its Tennessee-based Chattanooga assembly plant by 11%, weeks after the United Auto Workers union won significant pay and benefit hikes from the Detroit Three automakers. Japanese automakers Honda Motor (7267.T) and Toyota (7203.T) have raised wages for non-union U.S. factory workers in recent weeks amid signs that the union is turning its attention to organizing the workforce at foreign-owned and Tesla auto plants. Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) has also announced a 25% increase over the next four years for non-union production workers in Alabama and Georgia. UAW President Shawn Fain told Reuters last week that the union was getting expressions of interest in organizing from many Tesla (TSLA.O) workers.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Shawn Fain, Elon, Mehr Bedi, Tasim Zahid Organizations: New York, REUTERS, United Auto Workers, Detroit Three automakers, UAW, Honda, Toyota, U.S, Hyundai, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Tennessee, Chattanooga, Alabama, Georgia, Bengaluru

☆ Stellantis, CATL sign preliminary deal for LFP battery supply in Europe, consider JV
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The Stellantis logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Carmaker Stellantis (STLAM.MI) and Chinese EV battery giant CATL (300750.SZ) said on Tuesday they signed a preliminary agreement for the supply of battery cells and modules for the automaker's electric vehicle (EV) production in Europe. The two companies said in a joint statement they were also considering a possible investment to set up a 50-50 joint venture to support the automakers' electrification strategy. Stellantis and CATL said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced on Tuesday outlined a long-term collaboration between the two groups, including "identifying opportunities to further strengthen the battery value chain". For its EV battery needs in Europe Stellantis is building three gigafactories, in France, Germany and Italy through its ACC joint venture with Mercedes (MBGn.DE) and TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), while others might follow in the region.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Alfa Romeo, Stellantis, CATL, Robin Zeng, Carlos Tavares, Giulio Piovaccari, Chizu Organizations: New York, REUTERS, EV, Franco, Jeep, Peugeot, Fiat, Alfa, ACC, Mercedes, Fiat Chrysler, PSA, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Europe, Italian, France, Germany, Italy

☆ Hybrid vehicle sales surge in China, posing fresh threat to foreign automakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

A Li L7 electric SUV by Li Auto is displayed at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China April 18, 2023. One-third of total vehicle sales by Toyota, the world's top-selling automaker, are already hybrids and the company reported a 34% surge in hybrid sales in the six months to end-September, outpacing 9% growth in overall revenue. Sales of HEVs in China, which Toyota still dominates with four top-selling models, tumbled 15%, while gasoline car sales dropped 11%, underscoring potential challenges facing foreign automakers. But it was a failed trial, with sales of just over 4,000 units, and GM in 2020 halted sales. BYD is expanding PHEV sales overseas, offering Han, Qin and Song lineups in Latin America, which has less charging infrastructure.

Persons: Li Auto, Aly, Xu Min, Yale Zhang, BYD, Li, Han, Qin, Stellantis, Leapmotor, Xu, Bill Russo, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Miyoung Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Li, Auto, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota, Honda, Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Institute, Intelligent, Reuters, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, HK, Automotive Foresight, Reuters Graphics, Prius, General Motors, Buick, GM, Li Auto, Jiao Tong University, HEVs, Thomson Locations: Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, China, Europe, U.S, outpacing, United States, Shanghai Jiao, Reuters Graphics CHINA, America, Leapmotor, North America

☆ EU October car sales up 14.6%, EV sales jump more than 36%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - New car sales in the European Union rose 14.6% in October, boosted in part by a big jump in sales of fully electric cars, while hybrid electric vehicles accounted for nearly three of every 10 vehicles sold in the economic bloc. Sales of fully electric cars rose 36.3% from a year earlier and full hybrid sales were up nearly 39% as the EU recorded its 15th consecutive month of sales growth, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said on Tuesday. The ACEA said fully electric cars made up 14.2% of sales in October, overtaking sales of diesel cars for the third time. For the ten months through October, sales of fully electric cars were up 53.1%. Reuters GraphicsTesla's (TSLA.O) sales rose nearly 150%, accounting for nearly 12% of fully electric car sales in the EU.

Persons: Abdul Saboor, Nick Carey, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Citroen, REUTERS, Union, EU, European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Reuters Graphics, Volkswagen, Europe's, Renault, European Free Trade Association, Thomson Locations: Meudon, Paris, France, EU, Britain, London

☆ Unions are the strongest in decades. Nearly a million Americans got double-digit raises as a result
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

New York CNN —Nearly 900,000 Americans sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner this week will have unions – and the double-digit pay increases they won – to thank. The strike lasted more than six weeks before the union won contracts it was seeking from all three unionized US automakers. The unions won significant pay increases and job protections they were seeking. And even with some of the contracts that pass, some union members offer significant opposition, believing they could have negotiated for even more. The union won a contract approved by 86% of membership who voted on ratification.

Persons: “, ”, Wheaton, Emily Elconin, David Paul Morris, Stellantis, Kate Andrias, Mike Blake, It’s, Greg Regan, ” Regan, Heidi Shierholz, union’s, Cornell’s Wheaton, That’s, EPI’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, United Auto Workers, General Motors, Ford, Kaiser Permanente, Ford Motor Co, Michigan Assembly, Bloomberg, Getty, Writers Guild, SAG, Teamsters, UPS, Culinary, Los, Pilots, American, United, Southwest, The, Professional, American Airlines, FedEx, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, Detroit, MGM Entertainment, UAW, Big, GM, Labor, Columbia Law, Motors, Workers, AFL, Economic Policy Institute, Labor Department, Union, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Starbucks, Starbucks Workers United, ” Locations: New York, Buffalo, Kaiser, Michigan, Wayne , Michigan, DisneyWorld, Los Angeles, Vegas

☆ Chipmaker Analog Devices' forecasts held back by inventory corrections
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Analog Devices' logo is pictured on a smartphone in this illustration taken, December 4, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 21 (Reuters) - Chipmaker Analog Devices (ADI.O) projected first-quarter revenue and profit below market estimates on Tuesday, as it grapples with the ongoing supply glut in the semiconductor industry. Inflation-hit customers have refrained from placing new orders for chips, leading to excess supply at companies such as Analog Devices after a pandemic-driven buying spree fizzled out. First-quarter adjusted earnings are expected to be $1.70 per share, plus or minus 10 cents, below analysts' average estimates of $1.90. Cautious spending by automakers fearing a slowdown in their electric-vehicle businesses has also weighed on orders at Analog Devices.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Vincent Roche, Arsheeya, Tasim Zahid Organizations: REUTERS, Texas, Analog Devices, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Ford Resumes Work on E.V. Battery Plant in Michigan, at Reduced Scale
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( J. Edward Moreno | More About J. Edward Moreno | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ford did not specify exactly how much money it would be pulling back from the project, but said it would be roughly equivalent to its reduction in output. Ford said in September that it was suspending construction because of concerns that it would not be able to manufacture products at a competitive price. Rising labor costs were also a factor in Ford’s decision to scale back its plans for the factory, Mr. Reid said. Ford’s contract agreement with the U.A.W., which has been ratified by union members, raises the top wage for production workers by 25 percent. members to be transferred to battery and electric-vehicle plants under construction, like the one in Marshall.

Persons: Ford, Reid Organizations: United Automobile Workers Locations: Marshall

According to Fain, workers at some nonunion plants, including the electric vehicle sales leader, Tesla, have contacted the UAW about joining the union, which hasn't even begun its organizing efforts. Fain declined to say which nonunion companies the UAW would target first. The union, Fain says, also will have to organize Detroit automakers' EV battery plants, which are joint ventures with South Korean companies. He noted the concessions the UAW agreed to in 2008 to help the automakers survive dire financial problems. This time, he said, union members negotiated for themselves but also won raises for nonunion workers in the South who would have received nothing without the UAW.

Persons: Shawn Fain, —, Fain, Stellantis, Tesla, hasn't, ”, “, ” Fain, Elon Musk, ” Musk, Ford, Jim Farley, haven't, He'd Organizations: DETROIT, —, United Auto Workers, U.S, Toyota, Associated Press, UAW, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, General Motors, Ford, SpaceX, Detroit, EV, South, GM Locations: Detroit, Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Canada, U.S

☆ Ford to scale back plans for $3.5 billion Michigan battery plant as EV demand disappoints, labor costs rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ford CEO Jim Farley announces at a press conference that Ford Motor Company will be partnering with the worlds largest battery company, a China-based company called Contemporary Amperex Technology, to create an electric-vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, on February 13, 2023 in Romulus, Michigan. DETROIT – Ford Motor is scaling back plans for a $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan as consumers move to electric vehicles more slowly than expected, labor costs rise and the company moves to cut costs. Ford executives including CEO Jim Farley and Chair Bill Ford initially announced the facility in February. Reductions at the Marshall, Michigan plant are part of Ford's plans announced last month to cut or delay about $12 billion in previously announced EV investments. The company will also postpone construction of another electric vehicle battery plant in Kentucky.

Persons: Jim Farley, Bill Ford, Ford, Mark Truby Organizations: Ford Motor Company, Technology, Ford, Amperex Technology, U.S, Marshall Locations: China, Marshall , Michigan, Romulus , Michigan, DETROIT, Michigan, EVs, Kentucky

☆ Analysts love these EV-related stocks, giving 2 of them more than 100% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Global X Autonomous and Electric Vehicles exchange-traded fund, which includes companies across multiple parts of the EV supply chain, is up around 16% in the year to date. The Global X Autonomous and Electric Vehicles ETF is one of a number of ETFs that offer a way to invest in a basket of stocks across the supply chain. About a third of the 76 holdings are tech and communications stocks, with industrials, materials, auto stocks and others making up the rest. For investors who want to buy EV-related stocks, CNBC Pro screened the Global X Autonomous and Electric Vehicles ETF for stocks with more than 30% upside over the next 12 months. Lithium producers include Livent and Piedmont Lithium — the latter attracted the only 100% buy rating from analysts and a whopping potential upside of 165.1%.

Persons: Geely Organizations: Autonomous and Electric Vehicles, Analysts, Autonomous and Electric Vehicles ETF, CNBC Pro, Global, EV, General Motors, Renault, Luminar Technologies, . Semiconductor, Nvidia, Infineon Locations: U.S, French

Nov 20 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) said Monday that 64% of workers at the Detroit Three automakers voted to ratify new record contracts after a six-week targeted strike, as the union turns its attention to organizing foreign-owned and Tesla auto plants. The UAW for decades has unsuccessfully sought to organize auto factories operated by foreign automakers. In recent weeks, Hyundai Motor (005380.KS), Toyota Motor (7203.T) and Honda Motor (7267.T) have all announced they would hike U.S. factory wages after the UAW contract. Fain told Reuters last week that the UAW was getting expressions of interest in organizing from many Tesla (TSLA.O) workers. Automakers, looking to trim costs as they make the shift to electric vehicles, face higher hourly labor costs.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Fain, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Jim Farley, Farley, Mary Barra, Gerald Johnson, Mark Stewart, David Shepardson, Chizu Nomiyama, Sriraj Kalluvila, Jonathan Oatis, Aurora Ellis Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit Three, Hyundai Motor, Toyota, Honda, Reuters, “, Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington

☆ Wells Fargo employees at two branches mount unionization campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Wells Fargo logo is seen in New York City, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 20 (Reuters) - Wells Fargo (WFC.N) employees at two of the bank's branches filed for union elections on Monday, laying the groundwork for potential unionization in an industry that has largely been immune to such labor campaigns. In a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), bankers and tellers at Wells Fargo branches in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Bethel, Alaska declared their intent to join the Communications Workers of America's Wells Fargo Workers United (WFWU). "While we are the first Wells Fargo workers to file for union elections, we will not be the last," said Sabrina Perez, a senior premier banker at Wells Fargo's Albuquerque branch. "We have a deep commitment to invest in and support everyone who works at Wells Fargo ... have significantly improved compensation and benefits for our lower paid employees in recent years," he said.

Persons: Stephanie Keith, Wells, Sabrina Perez, Wells Fargo's Saul Van Beurden, Niket, Anil D'Silva, Shounak Organizations: REUTERS, National Labor Relations Board, Communications Workers, America's Wells Fargo Workers United, Labor, Detroit Three, Wells, Wall Street, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Wells Fargo, Albuquerque , New Mexico, Bethel , Alaska, America's Wells, United States, Wells, Albuquerque, Bengaluru

☆ U.S. probes Hyundai, Kia recall into 6.4 million vehicles over fire risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - U.S. auto safety regulators said Monday they had opened a probe into 16 separate recalls issued by Hyundai (005380.KS) and Kia (000270.KS) covering 6.4 million vehicles relating to brake fluid leaks that could result in fires. The automakers said internal brake fluid leaks can cause an electrical short that could lead to a fire. Kia said the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) in the vehicles may experience an electrical short as a result of brake fluid leaks. Hyundai said the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short. The September recall covered 1.73 million Kia Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Sportage, K900, Optima, Soul Rio, Sorento and Rondo vehicles from various model years for each vehicle from 2010 through 2017.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Kia, Kia Borrego, Forte, Sportage, David Shepardson, Bernadette Baum, Louise Heavens Organizations: Hyundai Motor, New York, REUTERS, Rights, Hyundai, Kia, Korean, Control, Traffic Safety Administration, Tucson Fuel Cell, Santa Fe Sport, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, KS, United States, Santa Fe, Veracruz, Tucson

☆ Nikola CFO Anastasiya Pasterick to resign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Nikola is seen on a truck, during the press day preview of the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, U.S. November 16, 2023. Pasterick was appointed to the role in March this year after the exit of Kim Brady, who was credited with taking Nikola public through a merger with a blank-check firm in 2020. The company expects to wrap up its search for a new CFO soon and Pasterick will assist with a transition through Dec. 1, it said. Key financial leaders will report to CEO Stephen Girsky in the interim. The news comes just months after Nikola named its fourth CEO in four years, with Girsky immediately taking over from Michael Lohscheller.

Persons: Nikola, David Swanson, NKLA.O, Anastasiya Pasterick, Pasterick, Kim Brady, Stephen Girsky, Girsky, Michael Lohscheller, Seher, Devika Organizations: Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Ford, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Bengaluru

TOKYO, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Shares of Japan's Panasonic Holdings (6752.T) have rallied about 10% since it announced on Friday a plan to sell a stake in its automotive systems business and the unit's potential listing raised broader restructuring hopes. Over the last decade, Hitachi's shares have more than trebled, when taking into account dividends, compared to a 87% return by Panasonic. Investors reacted positively to the potential sale of the stake in the automotive unit, which makes cockpit and electronics systems. With its plan, Panasonic likely starts a journey to make itself into a company with a higher return on equity, they said. Panasonic's automotive unit is separate from its energy unit that makes batteries for electric vehicles, including those from Tesla (TSLA.O).

Persons: Damian Thong, Thong, Jefferies, Hitachi's, Ulrike Schaede, Daniel Leussink, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Japan's Panasonic Holdings, Apollo Global Management, Panasonic, Hitachi, Macquarie, Investors, University of California San, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Tokyo, Singapore, University of California San Diego

☆ Nissan Motor hiking wages at US auto plants after UAW deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 20 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor (7201.T) will hike top wages for workers at U.S. manufacturing plants by 10% in January after the United Auto Workers union reached new contracts with the Detroit Three automakers, a company spokesperson said on Monday. The Japanese automaker said the wage hike takes effect Jan. 8 for production technicians, maintenance, and tool & die technicians. Nissan said it is also eliminating wage tiers for U.S. production workers. Nissan said the pay hikes reflect its commitment to its employees in the United States "and enhancing our competitiveness." The UAW for decades has unsuccessfully sought to organize auto factories operated by foreign automakers.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Joe Biden, David Shepardson, Franklin Paul, Grant McCool Organizations: Nissan, United Auto Workers, Detroit Three, Workers, Hyundai Motor, Toyota, Honda, UAW, Tesla, General Motors, Ford Motor, Thomson Locations: U.S, United States, Washington

☆ Founder and CEO of GM’s self-driving car unit resigns in wake of safety problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Kyle Vogt, the head of General Motors’ self-driving car unit Cruise, resigned from the company late Sunday. Despite the myriad of problems and the turnover at the top, GM said Sunday it was sticking with Cruise and its efforts to develop self-driving cars. Besides the safety issues at Cruise, the unit has cost the company $5.9 billion before interest and taxes since the start of 2020. The most serious accident involving Cruise was one on October 2 involving a pedestrian in San Francisco who was critically injured when hit, first by a traditional human-driven car, then by a Cruise driverless car. Two weeks later the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that accident and reports of other accidents involving Cruise vehicles and pedestrians, prompted it to launch a safety probe into Cruise vehicles.

Persons: Kyle Vogt, Cruise, robotaxis, ”, Vogt, ” Vogt, Craig Glidden, Mo Elshenawy, “, ” – CNN’s Peter Valdes, Dapena Organizations: New, New York CNN, General Motors, Honda, GM, Cruise, Ford, Volkswagen, Traffic Safety Administration, Cruisers, Reuters, “ Locations: New York, San Francisco, Japan, California

☆ UAW says 64% of workers vote to ratify Detroit Three contracts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 20 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers (UAW) union said Monday that 64% of workers at the Detroit Three automakers voted to ratify new contracts. Despite the opposition from workers at some major facilities, UAW members voted to ratify the contract by a near two-third margin. Automakers, looking to trim costs as they make the shift to electric vehicles, face higher hourly labor costs. About 55% of votes cast by GM members were in favor of the new deal, while about 69% of Ford members and 68% of Stellantis workers who voted supported the agreement, according to a UAW vote tracker. Reporting by David Shepardson and Shivansh Tiwary; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Ford, Jim Farley, David Shepardson, Chizu Nomiyama Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, Detroit Three, U.S, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Thomson Locations: Michigan , Kentucky, Illinois

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