Good morning! It’s Thursday, October 12, 2023, and that is The Morning Shift, your every day roundup of the highest automotive headlines from around the globe, in a single place. Here are the essential tales that you must know.
1st Gear: UAW Strikes Ford’s Biggest Plant
Just once we all thought progress was being made in the United Auto Workers’ combat for a good contract, the union known as to broaden its strike. According to CNN, the UAW known as on employees to stroll out at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant after the Blue Oval failed to return to the desk with a greater provide.
According to the information website, Ford and UAW representatives met on Wednesday (October 11) to debate the brand new contract. However, the provide made was “the same one that Ford had made to the union weeks earlier.” As a outcome, the UAW’s Shawn Fain known as on greater than 8,000 employees on the truck facility to stroll off the job. CNN studies:
By hitting the Kentucky Truck Plant, the union goes after a way more worthwhile a part of Ford’s line-up. The autos on the plant produce annual income of $25 billion for the corporate, or about one-sixth of its general international income. While it doesn’t produced the F-150, the corporate’s finest promoting automobile, it builds the bigger variations of the truck in addition to the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.
The escalation at Ford comes after it appeared progress was being made within the UAW’s talks with General Motors, Stellantis and the Blue Oval. Last week, the union declined to broaden strike motion after “GM had agreed to a key bargaining demand,” CNN studies. The Chevy proprietor agreed to incorporate employees at its three way partnership battery plant within the union, which CNN studies is one thing the UAW is pursuing with Ford as properly.
2nd Gear: Americans Support Striking Auto Workers
As the UAW seems to broaden its industrial motion in America, a brand new ballot discovered that individuals throughout the nation are behind placing employees. According to a ballot from the Associated Press, 36 p.c of Americans aspect with placing employees, whereas simply 9 p.c are backing GM, Ford and Stellantis.
The outcomes of the ballot, which have been shared by the Detroit Free Press, discovered that many Americans are on aspect with the union’s name for increased wages. But the location warned that approval for among the UAW’s “other demands is more mixed.” The Free Press studies:
The new ballot provides to proof of U.S. assist for labor unions throughout a 12 months marked by strikes in Hollywood, a walkout that was narrowly averted by Teamsters at United Parcel Service, and now the picket traces outdoors auto crops.
In the brand new AP-NORC survey, 51% say labor unions assist U.S. employees whereas solely 15% say they harm working folks. About one-third say unions assist the U.S. economic system, whereas 22% say they harm the economic system.
According to the free press, 60 p.c of these polled believed increased wages for auto employees can be a superb factor. The research additionally discovered that 38 p.c of respondents assume a four-day is a good suggestion, whereas 21 p.c of respondents have been towards the transfer.
third Gear: VinFast Buys Battery Maker
Despite dealing with a wall of adverse opinions and seemingly promoting most of its vehicles to itself, VinFast is about to make a serious acquisition that the Vietnamese automaker says will assist “ramp up” its manufacturing. According to Reuters, the EV maker is ready to buy a 99.8% stake in battery maker VinES from its founder Pham Nhat Vuong.
Reuters studies that VinFast’s acquisition of VinES will assist the automaker safe a gradual provide of batteries for its EVs. It’s additionally hoped that the transfer may reduce prices by between 5 and 7 p.c, as Reuters studies:
In a submitting with the U.S. securities regulator, VinFast mentioned it might purchase VinES for no consideration apart from assuming debt of round $462 million with Vuong prepared to offer grants to the EV maker for all curiosity funds regarding current VinES borrowings as much as 2027.
While the long-term plan is that the acquisition of a battery firm will assist VinFast reduce its prices, Reuters warns that this gained’t be the case within the short-term. Instead, the location recommended that prices may spiral as VinFast plows cash into manufacturing facility operations and analysis and improvement.
However, Thuy Le, VinFast’s international chief govt, mentioned the transfer would finally enable the corporate to “optimize” its workflow.
4th Gear: VW Kills The Up!
I hate to be the bearer of unhealthy information, however right this moment is a tragic day for followers of cutesy little metropolis vehicles. I’m afraid to report that Volkswagen has killed off its beautiful Up.
According to a report from British outlet Autocar, the Up has been struck down in its prime after 12 years on sale. After occurring sale in 2011 and present process a facelift in 2016, time has lastly been known as and VW will stop manufacturing of the mannequin earlier than the tip of 2023. The website studies:
The Up will likely be extra straight changed by an ultra-compact electrical metropolis automotive often known as the Volkswagen ID 1, which is ready to reach in dealerships throughout the subsequent 5 years and be priced from lower than £17,000.
While the Up will finally get replaced by one thing newer and shinier, its successor gained’t be available to take the reins as quickly as VW cuts manufacturing. Instead, Autocar studies that the substitute for the Up gained’t arrive till round 2026, when VW will roll out a raft of latest small EVs for patrons in Europe.
Reverse: Race For Space
On The Radio: Public Service Broadcasting – “Gargarin”
Source: jalopnik.com