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☆ Xpeng plans to hire 4,000 people, invest in AI as CEO warns intense EV rivalry may end in 'bloodbath'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

VCG | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesXpeng plans to hire 4,000 new people and invest in artificial intelligence technology, according to the company's CEO, who warned of intense competition in the electric vehicle space which could end in a "bloodbath." Xpeng has a driver assistance system called Xpilot which allows its cars to carry out some functions semi-autonomously. The CEO also said Xpeng intends to launch around 30 new or upgraded cars over the next three years. This year, the firm will launch its first models in the price segment of over 300,000 yuan and at 150,000 yuan. Xpeng, like other electric carmakers, has been battling in a price war in China which was sparked by Tesla.

Persons: Xpeng, Tesla, Xiaopeng Organizations: HK, Shanghai International Automobile Industry, National Exhibition, Center, Visual China, Getty, Xpeng, CNBC, carmakers Locations: Shanghai, China

☆ Japan Hosts Ukraine Reconstruction Meeting, Pledges New Tax Treaty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Sakura MurakamiTOKYO (Reuters) - Japan hosted Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Monday in Tokyo to discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine, pledging a new bilateral tax treaty and other support for Japanese businesses as the Ukraine war rages on. "Japan has stood with and continues to stand with Ukraine," Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a speech opening the talks, during which he announced a new bilateral tax treaty and the start of negotiations for an investment treaty without giving details. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, Japan has pledged more than $10 billion worth of financial aid, as it seeks to show solidarity with Kyiv's war effort. He added that he hoped to see major carmakers, including Toyota, create production facilities in Ukraine. At the reconstruction meeting, Kishida said Japan would support venture capital companies in Ukraine, pledged an easing of visa controls, and said government agency JETRO would open a new office in Kyiv.

Persons: Sakura Murakami TOKYO, Denys Shmyhal, Fumio Kishida, Shmyhal, Kishida, JETRO, Sakura Murakami, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Ukrainian, Toyota Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ Ford says it has a ‘Skunk Works’ team trying to make lower-cost EVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ford says it has a top-secret, high-powered team working to design its future electric vehicles. Electric vehicle sales increased by 40% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, according to Cox Automotive. In a study released late last year by S&P Global Mobility, almost half of people surveyed globally thought EV prices were too high. “We developed a super-talented ‘Skunk Works’ team to create a low-cost EV platform,” Farley said. By dubbing its own operation as a “Skunk Works” team, Ford is seeking to put the scale of the matter front-and-center.

Persons: CNN — Ford, ”, Yanina Mills, Ford, Jim Farley, ” Farley, Tesla Farley, Tesla, Farley, Alan Clarke, EVs Farley Organizations: CNN, Tesla, Audi, Mercedes, Ford, Cox Automotive, P Global Mobility, United Auto Workers, Skunk, Lockheed, Skunk Works, Reuters, Works, Hyundai, Ford Pro, EV, EVS Locations: China, Asia, Europe

☆ Tesla stock drops as investors scrutinize board’s close personal ties to Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ehrenpreis is also a close friend to Kimbal Musk, Elon’s brother, who is also a Tesla board member. In another instance, the judge emphasized the role of Tesla’s general counsel Todd Maron — who was previously Musk’s divorce lawyer — in advising Tesla’s board and compensation committee. Maron was “totally beholden to Musk,” McCormick wrote in her ruling last week, adding that Maron’s admiration for Musk “moved him to tears” during both his deposition and in trial testimony. Maron’s team prepared “an aggressive timeline for approving a compensation plan,” McCormick wrote in her more than 200-page ruling. The break-neck speed of the process “reflected a reckless approach to a fiduciary process.”Robyn Denholm, the Tesla board chair, doesn’t appear to have had any personal relationship with Musk outside of her service on the board, McCormick wrote.

Persons: New York CNN — Tesla, Elon Musk’s, Judge Kathaleen McCormick, Musk, Ira Ehrenpreis, Kimbal, Ehrenpreis, Antonio Gracias, McCormick, Tesla’s, Todd Maron —, —, Maron, “, ” McCormick, Musk “, Maron’s, Robyn Denholm, Denholm, can’t, ” Tesla, Tesla, Monday’s selloff, Piper Sandler, Gordon Johnson, ” Johnson, Elon, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Elon, The, Gracias, Nasdaq, GLJ, CNN Locations: New York, Delaware, Spain, Kimbal’s

☆ The super-rich are buying more ultra-customized Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Lamborghini sold more than 10,000 vehicles last year for the first time ever and Ferrari had a more than 17% increase in revenue. But customers purchasing Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys have an even wider array of infinitely customizable paint colors and interior materials, to start with, than carmakers offer for less expensive brands. If the customer has a favorite shirt, for example, the car paint could be matched to the fabric color. At Dixon’s Rolls-Royce dealership three quarters of the roughly 90 cars sold each year include some degree of custom options, she said. While she and Rolls-Royce’s design team can provide guidance, in the end, the choices have to be the customer’s.

Persons: Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, ”, Stephan Winkelmann, Lewis Hamilton, Altrata, Royce Cullinan, Javier Gonzalez Lastra, “, ” Gonzalez Lastra, Pietro Frigerio, Kellyn Dixon, Dixon, Bugatti Chiron, Bugatti, Chiron, Lamborghini’s Winkelmann Organizations: California CNN, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Royce, CNN, Ferrari’s, Tema, Volkswagen, Ford, Art Basel Miami Beach, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Bugatti Bugatti Locations: Irvine, California, Newport Beach , California, Irvine , California, Goodwood

☆ Japan or China — which is the world’s top car exporter?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Laura He | Himari Semans | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong/Tokyo CNN —Did China just pull ahead of Japan to become the world’s top car exporter? “It is a certainty that China has become the world’s largest exporter,” the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) said last month. And the picture is further clouded if you consider industry association data. One trend is clear though: China has been closing the gap with the world’s top car exporting nations over the past two years. In 2023, China’s passenger car exports rose 62% from 2022, according to data published by the CPCA last month.

Persons: BYD, Tesla, Elon Organizations: Tokyo CNN —, China Passenger Car Association, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, China Auto Manufacturing Association, Elon Musk’s Locations: China, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Japan, Beijing, South Korea, Germany, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Shenzhen

☆ G.M. Profits Hurt by Unsold Electric Vehicles and Strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Neal E. Boudette | More About Neal E. Boudette | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

has also struggled to produce such vehicles in large numbers because of manufacturing problems with a new battery technology the company calls Ultium. has also pared its electric vehicle ambitions. expected to produce 400,000 electric vehicles by the middle of 2024, but consumers have not flocked to battery-powered cars as fast as auto executives expected. sold more than 19,000 electric vehicles, but most were Bolts, which are no longer being produced and used an older battery technology. Only about a third of the electric vehicles that were sold used the newer battery packs produced at a factory in Ohio that G.M.

Persons: Ultium, G.M Organizations: Ford Motor, Chevy, LG Locations: Ohio

☆ Elon Musk wants to sell more Teslas in Japan. Here's why that could be tricky.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewBack in 2010, Elon Musk predicted that Japan would become Tesla's largest market outside of the US. "There are some geographies where our market share is remarkably low, like Japan," Musk said in a fourth-quarter earnings call earlier this week. Akio Toyoda has been skeptical of the benefits of EV cars. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty ImagesThat hesitancy has also held back the development of charging infrastructure — there are only about 30,000 EV charging connectors in the whole country — and kept price tags higher. But Japanese carmakers do have some plans to boost their EV efforts.

Persons: —, Elon Musk, Musk, Tesla, Suzuki, Nissan Sakura, Tatsuo Yoshida, Akio Toyoda, Ohsumi Organizations: Service, Business, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Intelligence, New York Times Locations: Japan, Europe

☆ UK-Canada trade deal: UK pulls out of post-Brexit negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Britain is finding out just how hard it can be to negotiate free trade deals, even with close allies and friends. Goods and services have continued flowing between the two countries under the terms of the EU-Canada free trade deal. But Britain had sought to negotiate a new trade deal with Canada that would improve upon the terms of the existing agreement. A key sticking point in the negotiations has been Britain’s refusal to relax a ban on hormone-treated beef, which at the moment effectively bars Canadian farmers from selling to British consumers. We remain open to restarting talks with Canada in the future,” a UK government spokesperson said in a statement.

Persons: King Charles, Britain, ”, Mary Ng, “, David Henig, we’ll Organizations: London CNN, European Union, NATO, —, Britain, EU . Goods, EU, Canada, Centre for International Political, CNN, Reuters, National Farmers ’ Union, BBC, “ Locations: Canada, United Kingdom, Britain, Brussels, “, England, Wales, “ Canada

☆ Hyundai finalizes Russia exit as local firm buys its two car plants
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hyundai on Friday said it had signed a deal to sell its two Russian plants, making the South Korean firm the latest global carmaker to exit Russia since the Ukraine conflict began. Hyundai Motor said in December it planned to sell its Russian assets for 10,000 roubles ($111.69), taking a 287 billion won ($214.7 million) loss. Art-Finance is owned by Andrei Pavlovich, who acquired Volkswagen's Russian assets in May 2023. Volkswagen's factory was renamed to AGR Automotive. Hyundai in December said it planned to continue operating post-sales services for existing vehicles in consideration of local conditions in Russia.

Persons: Andrei Pavlovich, Volkswagen's Organizations: Hyundai, Art, Finance, Motors, AGR Automotive Locations: Korean, Russia, Ukraine, Hyundai's St, Petersburg, Russian, Moscow, St Petersburg

☆ Tesla shares plunge to wipe out $71 billion in market value, after dour earnings call
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Shares in Tesla plunged as much as 11% after the market opened Thursday, wiping $73 billion off the company’s market value hours after it warned of slowing growth in electric car sales and an existential threat from Chinese rivals. While it reported a sizeable 38% increase in deliveries last year compared with 2022, Tesla had previously targeted a 50% annual growth rate averaged over several years. At the time, investors were worried about the outlook for Tesla’s sales and profitability, as well as the health of the US economy. Dan Ives, an analyst with market research firm Wedbush, said Tesla’s earnings call provided investors with “minimal answers” to the company’s shrinking margins. China’s BYD beat Tesla in the final three months of last year, selling more cars than Elon Musk’s carmaker for the first time.

Persons: Tesla, Thursday’s, Qilai Shen, Dan Ives, Musk, ”, China Tesla, China’s, Elon Musk’s carmaker, ” Garrett Nelson, Ben Barringer, Chris Isidore Organizations: London CNN —, Bloomberg, Getty, Elon, CFRA Research Locations: Shanghai, China, Cheviot

☆ Not even Tesla can dodge the EV sales slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

While EV sales are continuing to grow, they are doing so at a slower pace, research shows. Elon Musk warned a slowdown in sales growth was coming when Tesla reported earnings on Wednesday. The Warren Buffett-backed EV maker, which sells its vehicles in more than 60 countries and recently overtook Tesla on global EV sales, put an early focus on affordable models such as the $10,000 Seagull. EV sales surged 40% year-on-year in the last three months of 2023 —a "strong result by any measure," as the industry research noted. Aran Waid, senior analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, said growth in EV sales globally was continuing but that it had "fallen short of automaker expectations."

Persons: Tesla, —, Elon Musk, Musk, China's BYD, Warren Buffett, BYD, Kelley, Aran Waid, Josh Lefkowitz, Mary Barra, Nora Naughton, Suzuki Organizations: EV, Service, Tesla, Getty Images, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Ford, General Motors, Hertz, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Nissan Locations: Europe, Japan

☆ China’s EV players ramp up competition with Tesla using new tech
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

CNBC | Evelyn ChengBEIJING — Hot competition in China's electric car market is pushing local automakers to sell vehicles with fancy tech that Tesla doesn't yet offer in the country — and sometimes at lower prices. Tesla's cars don't come with those accessories, and Elon Musk's automaker only offers a limited version of its driver-assist tech in China right now. Xpeng 's G9 SUV, widely considered a leader in China for driver-assist tech on city streets, starts at 289,900 yuan. That's because electric car batteries and other parts aren't made in the U.S., which means American companies are already paying a premium for core components of the electric car, Li said. Traditional foreign auto giants like Volkswagen are struggle to adjust to the surge of electric cars in China, while domestic companies, including smartphone company Xiaomi and Geely-backed startup Zeekr, are rushing to release electric cars.

Persons: Evelyn Cheng, Tesla, Elon, Li Yi, Aito, Li Auto, Yiming Wang, Wang, Li, wasn't, Appotronics, aren't, BYD, Zhong Shi, Omer Ganiyusufoglu Organizations: CNBC, Elon Musk's, Huawei, HSBC, Consumers, China Renaissance Securities, Price, U.S ., U.S, China Automobile Dealers Association, BYD, Volkswagen, German's National Academy of Science, Engineering Locations: Evelyn Cheng BEIJING, China, Shenzhen, Europe, Shanghai, U.S, Tesla

☆ Amazon wants to shape the future of car-buying. Dealers are skeptical
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Robert Ferris | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The total addressable market for new and used car sales in the U.S. is estimated to be somewhere between $2.5 trillion and $3 trillion, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. Last month, the company officially began its pilot program to allow a small number of Hyundai dealers to sell vehicles through the Amazon platform to employees only. Companies like Carvana have brought used car sales totally online. So far, Amazon's program is small, but dealers are watching. Some are skeptical that Amazon will be able to overcome the challenges that have stymied other companies.

Persons: Jeff Dyke, Chris Sutton, hasn't, Dyke, they've Organizations: National Automobile Dealers Association, Automobiles, Sonic Automotive Locations: U.S, .

☆ Why China poses a growing threat to the U.S. auto industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose company operates a large plant in China, has said Chinese automakers are the greatest competitors for his Texas-based company. "They were 26% [market share] a few years ago, up to more than 50% in 2022 and headed towards two-thirds by the end of the decade." Chinese companies have begun expanding into Mexico, Europe and elsewhere, Wakefield said. The EU believes Chinese EVs are undercutting the prices of local models by about 20% in the European market. The influx of Chinese EVs has spurred the European Union to launch into government support for the industry.

Persons: —, Carlos Tavares, Elon Musk, Tesla, Musk, BYD, Massimo Pinca, Reuters BYD, Kristin Dziczek, Mathew Vachaparampil, Bernstein, Eunice Lee, Mark Wakefield, Evelyn Cheng, hasn't, Wakefield, That's Organizations: GM, Shanghai International Automobile Industry, National Exhibition, Convention Center, Visual China, Getty, DETROIT, American, of, SAIC, Dongfeng, General Motors, U.S . Bureau, Analysis, America —, Chrysler, America's GM, Ford Motor, automakers, The New York Times, Economist, Reuters, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's, Caresoft, Overseas, Chicago, CNBC, European Union, EU, Union, Volvo, Karma, Ford, U.S, Buick, Lincoln Nautilus Locations: Shanghai, U.S, of China, Asia, Europe, China, Japan, Nio, Mexico, Korea, Germany, Beijing, Texas, Turin, Italy, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Detroit, AlixPartners, Russia, America

☆ Stellantis CEO says automaker won't sell EVs at a loss like other carmakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, poses during a presentation at the New York International Auto Show in Manhattan, New York, on April 5, 2023. Stellantis won't sell electrified vehicles such as hybrids and all-electric models at a loss like other automakers have, CEO Carlos Tavares said Friday. "Being in Europe as much as in the U.S., we are making money with the electrified vehicles," Tavares said during a roundtable Friday. "We are making money, and it is in our discipline to make sure that whatever we sell we make money with because, if not, then the company will not be sustainable." Stellantis currently has 25 EVs available globally and expects to launch another 23 through the end of this year.

Persons: Carlos Tavares, Stellantis, Tavares Organizations: New York, Auto, Fiat Chrysler, Jeep Locations: Manhattan , New York, Europe, U.S

☆ Why America's Electric Car Push Isn't Working
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Paris Marx | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Electric vehicles were supposed to be inevitable. Auto execs who were once trumpeting the potential of electric cars are even publicly acknowledging that EVs aren't working . In September, 87% of new-vehicle sales were fully electric vehicles. Plus, heavier electric vehicles are harder on roads, produce more air pollution, and pose a greater safety risk for pedestrians. Time for a rethinkThe shift from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles is an opportunity to rethink how Americans get from place to place.

Persons: Joe Biden, Tesla, EVs —, EVs, Edward Niedermeyer, Niedermeyer, Ipsos, CarGurus, bode, Ketan Joshi, Joshi, Benjamin Sovacool, it's, Paris Marx Organizations: EV, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Auto execs, Industry, Tesla Motors, EVs, Cox Automotive, Strategic, Cox, Statistics Norway, Transportation Locations: Mexico, America, California, United States, Norway, Oslo, Norwegian, Paris

☆ BYD beats Tesla for a second straight year after producing more than 3 million cars in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-02 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Arjun Kharpal | CNBCBEIJING — BYD produced more than 3 million new energy vehicles in 2023, surpassing Tesla 's production for a second straight year. Tesla said Tuesday it produced 1.84 million cars in 2023. While total production surpassed Tesla, BYD manufactured 1.6 million battery-only passenger cars and 1.4 million hybrids, putting Tesla on top for battery-only production. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart iconEven though it surpassed the 3 million mark, BYD's annual sales slightly missed CLSA's expectations for 3.05 million vehicles. BYD said it sold 3.02 million new energy vehicles in 2023.

Persons: BYD, Arjun Kharpal, Tesla, Elon, Aito, Geely, Zeekr, Nezha, Joel Ying, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: CNBC BEIJING, Elon Musk's, Monday, Overseas, CNBC, EV, China, EU Locations: Europe, Munich, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Hungary

It’s still not clear which vehicles would be eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit under the new rules because the government has yet to publish any lists. But they are still years away from being able to produce an electric vehicle without materials and components from China. Sam Abuelsamid, a mobility analyst for Guidehouse Insights, expects many EVs now eligible for the full $7,500 U.S. tax credit will see that cut in half next year when the new regulations take effect. Getting the tax credit upfront — rather than waiting until filing tax returns next year — “will actually reduce your monthly payment, which is a major stumbling block for consumers,” he said. Adeyemo and other officials declined to say whether batteries from the Ford plant would qualify for tax credits.

Persons: —, Biden, Joe Biden's, It’s, Wally Adeyemo, David Turk, Adeyemo, Turk, John Bozzella, Sam Abuelsamid, EVs, Abuelsamid, — “, ”, Joe Manchin, Manchin, Janet Yellen, Ford, Tom Krisher Organizations: WASHINGTON, Treasury, Energy, EV, Administration, “, Motors, Hyundai, Ford, GM, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Guidehouse, Democratic, Natural Resources Committee, Ford Motor Co, Amperex Technology, Associated Press Locations: U.S, China, United States, North Korea, Russia, Iran, North America, Michigan, Detroit

☆ Geely’s stalled IPO discounts global expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Dec 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Electric-car marque Zeekr, controlled by China’s largest private auto group Zhejiang Geely, has hit a roadblock. It is putting on hold its New York initial public offering because of a mismatch in valuation expectations, Reuters reported on Thursday. It was hoped the listing would break the ice and encourage a resurgence in Chinese volumes in U.S. capital markets. Its prospectus was published in November, when global stocks recorded their best performance since 2020. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Katrina Hamlin, Julius Baer’s, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Zhejiang, American, Tata Technologies, X, Barclays, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, York, Mumbai, Europe, United States, China

[1/3] Polish trucks are parked as they block crossings at the Ukrainian border near the village of Hrebenne, Poland November 19, 2023. The Polish hauliers' central demand is to stop Ukrainian truckers having permit-free access to the EU, something that Kyiv and Brussels say is impossible. Jan Buczek, head of Poland's main trucker business association, said Kyiv was showing no readiness to compromise and was creating obstacles for EU truckers operating in Ukraine. POLISH POLITICAL TRANSITIONThe Polish truckers say they will continue protesting until their demands are met and want more engagement from politicians from Poland's main political parties. The Federation of Employers of Ukraine, an industry lobby group, has estimated direct losses to the economy at around 400 million euros ($437 million).

Persons: Yan, hauliers, Taras Kachka, Kachka, it's, Vitaliy Vavryshchuk, Taras Vysotskiy, Serhiy Derkach, Derkach, Jan Buczek, Donald Tusk, Kromberg, Schubert, Olena Makarchuk, Karol Badohal, Alan Charlish, Mike Collett Organizations: REUTERS, Union, Reuters, EU, Justice, Federation, Employers of, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Hrebenne, Poland, Ukraine, KYIV, Kyiv, Brussels, Goods, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine's Zhytomyr, Employers of Ukraine, Warsaw

☆ Electric Vehicle Push Returns North Carolina to Its Lithium Mining Roots
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It is one of several companies in North Carolina that are rapidly accelerating operations for extracting and processing lithium, which is essential to the flow of electricity within a battery, that can be sold to carmakers. Although there has been progress in expanding North Carolina’s lithium industry, obstacles abound when it comes to permits and the pace of approvals that producers need to move forward with their plans. Political backlash against electric vehicles, often fueled by Republicans including former President Donald J. Trump, also presents headwinds. And the prices for lithium hydroxide have fallen sharply this year amid waning global demand, adding to the financial pressure the companies are facing to make their investments pay off. Even if the permit process goes smoothly, however, the company does not expect the mine to be able to operate until 2027 or 2028.

Persons: Mr, Norris, “, ” Albemarle, Donald J, Trump Organizations: of Defense, Department of Energy, Republicans Locations: China, North Carolina, Albemarle

☆ UAW launches bid to organize Tesla and 'entire non-union auto sector' in US
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) speaks as U.S. President Joe Biden (not pictured) joins striking members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) on the picket line outside GM's Willow Run Distribution Center, in Belleville, Wayne County, Michigan, U.S., September 26, 2023. "To all the auto workers out there working without the benefits of a union, now it's your turn," UAW President Shawn Fain said in a video posted on a website urging auto workers to sign electronic cards seeking union representation. The UAW for decades has unsuccessfully sought to organize auto factories operated by foreign automakers. The website asks Tesla workers to join, saying CEO "Elon Musk is the richest man in the world, with a net worth of $230 billion. The question is, will Tesla workers get their fair share?"

Persons: Shawn Fain, Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Fain, Elon Musk, Tesla, Harley Shaiken, David Shepardson, Ben Klayman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, REUTERS, Rights, Detroit Three automakers, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, Benz, Detroit, General Motors, Ford Motor, New York Times, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, Volvo, University of California, White, Detroit Three, Lexus ES, Union, Thomson Locations: Belleville, Wayne County , Michigan, U.S, Detroit, America, Mississippi, Tennessee, Chattanooga , Tennessee, Berkeley, Georgetown , Kentucky, Washington

☆ UAW launches bid to organize Tesla and 'entire non-union auto sector'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) speaks as U.S. President Joe Biden (not pictured) joins striking members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) on the picket line outside GM's Willow Run Distribution Center, in Belleville, Wayne County, Michigan, U.S., September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers union said on Wednesday it is launching a first-of-its-kind push to publicly organize the entire nonunion auto sector after winning new contracts with the Detroit Three automakers. "To all the auto workers out there working without the benefits of a union, now it's your turn," UAW President Shawn Fain said in a video posted on a website urging auto workers to sign electronic cards seeking union representation. "I want this type of contract for all auto workers and I have a feeling the UAW has a plan for that," he said at an event with Fain. The UAW for decades has unsuccessfully sought to organize auto factories operated by foreign automakers.

Persons: Shawn Fain, Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Fain, Tesla, Elon Musk, David Shepardson, Ben Klayman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: United Auto Workers, UAW, REUTERS, Rights, Detroit Three automakers, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, Benz, Detroit, General Motors, Ford Motor, Detroit Three, Lexus ES, Union, Thomson Locations: Belleville, Wayne County , Michigan, U.S, Detroit, Mississippi, Tennessee, Chattanooga , Tennessee, Georgetown , Kentucky, Washington

☆ EVs struggle with reliability due to charging, battery issues - Consumer Reports survey
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nathan Gomes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

On average, new EVs had 79% more problems than gasoline-powered vehicles, Consumer Reports' 2023 Annual Auto Reliability survey showed. "For the legacy automakers, (EVs) are really new technologies, so they don't have a lot of experience with batteries, charging and motors." Jake Fisher, senior director of Auto Testing at Consumer Reports, said in an interview with Reuters. Consumer Reports survey covers 20 problem areas including engine, electric motors, transmission and in-car electronics. "Even with monumental shifts in the auto marketplace, what matters most to consumers remains the same: finding safe, reliable cars," said Marta Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports.

Persons: Albert Gea, Jake Fisher, Fisher, Elon, Stellantis, Marta Tellado, Nathan Gomes, Shweta Agarwal Organizations: REUTERS, Electric, Consumer, Auto Testing, Reuters, U.S, General Motors, Buick, Benz, Chrysler, Lexus, Toyota, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, U.S, North America, Bengaluru

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