Headlight News Podcast For The Week of 5-20-2024 – Tariffs on Chinese Goods – The UAW Defeated – Elon Musk Could Lose $56bn Compensation package – This Week In Automotive History
Automakers
Little Mitsubishi Has Big Plans for the U.S.
Mitsubishi…remember it? Going back a couple decades, it was a rising star in the U.S. market. Now, it hopes to make a real comeback with its 5-year Momentum 2030 North America business plan. That will “start immediately,” the Japanese automaker says, with an assortment of new and completely refreshed vehicles heading to American showrooms — including EVs, plug-ins and conventional hybrids.
UAW Dealt Crushing Defeat in Alabama, Workers Reject Union
The United Auto Workers lost its bid to bring workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama into the union. The setback comes just weeks after an overwhelming victory at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga and raises questions about what the UAW might do next, its drive to organize foreign-owned transplants a key goal of union President Shawn Fain.
Shake-Up at Stellantis Claims Once-Rising Star Tim Kuniskis
In the wake of the mega-merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Paris-based PSA, Tim Kuniskis seemed the fair-haired boy, the American executive CEO Carlos Tavares could turn to when there was a problem to be solved. But Kuniskis unexpectedly announced his retirement Friday, with replacements named to take on his duties at Dodge and Ram.
GM, LG Paying $150M to Chevy Bolt Owners Due to Battery Issue
General Motors and its partner, LG Energy Solution, agreed to a $150 million settlement with Chevrolet Bolt owners impacted by defective batteries for the vehicles. The payments range from $700 to $1,400 depending upon certain factors. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Ford CEO Doesn’t Rule Out Mustang Sedan in Interview, Hybrid Still In Play Too
Ford CEO Jim Farley confirms that the company still has not ruled out the possibility of a Mustang sedan as Ford continues exploring ways to expand Mustang sales and long-term longevity
Honda Announces $65 Billion EV Investment, Still Commited To Long-Term Goals
Honda announces plans to invest $65 billion in EVs as Japanese auto giant prepares to embrace an all-electric future while also restructuring some of the ways that it intends to achieve this goal.
BYD Unveils Shark PHEV Pickup, WIll Not be Sold in The U.S.
Chinese automaker BYD puts the world on notice with Shark Plug-In Hybrid pickup. The Shark is the first production PHEV pickup in the world and is shaping up to be a potent player in the global pickup truck market.
Musk’s Antics Could Cost Him $56 Billion Pay Package
Elon Musk’s increasingly mercurial behavior is having a substantial impact on the Texas-based EV maker. But it may also have a serious impact on the Tesla CEO himself as shareholder resistance grows to the $50 billion pay package the automaker wants to give Musk. A key investor, and former Musk “fanboy,” voting no.
New Vehicles Got More Expensive Last Month
A decline in interest rates wasn’t enough to improve the affordability of new vehicles in April. The average new vehicle payment rose slightly, and it’s taking a little bit more of your annual income to afford a new car, truck or SUV. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Today’s EV Skeptics are Tomorrow’s EV Buyers, Study Says
If you’ve got a friend claiming they’ll never buy an electric vehicle, check back with them in a few years. They’ll likely be sharing their secret charging spot with other EV owners, according to a new study. Get the details about the evolution of EV buyers at Headlight.News.
Mercedes-Benz Scraps Plans for New EV Platform, Poor Sales To Blame
Mercedes-Benz backtracks on elements of its electrification plan with report suggesting that poor sales of the EQ lineup have forced it to scrap a platform that it was developing