#automotive

We are not very good at making vehicles. If we switched 1/3 of our capacity to munitions, that would save some some jobs.

I can't wait to see the dealerships established in the US. I would love to buy some Chinese vehicles for sure. I drove them in Asia and EU, they are so much better than US made vehicles.

The new job postings are out there.
Lots of level 6 positions.

What are the chances that general motors acts predictably in October?

What will happen to the level 7s?
#evergreen

Jaguar Land Rover will eliminate approximately 4,000 positions over the next two years to reduce costs. This significant restructuring aims to save £1.7 billion and address challenges including weaker sales, tariffs, and competition. The company is targeting voluntary redundancies primarily among salaried and management staff. Despite these cuts, JLR intends to invest heavily in future technologies like electrification and digital advancements. The automotive industry faces rapid technological shifts and intense global competition.

Coventry, United Kingdom

https://coinpaper.com/35505/jaguar-land-rover-layoff

Rugged Liner, a subsidiary of RealTruck, will eliminate 90 positions at its Owosso facilities. The affected employees include production assemblers and machine operators. These layoffs are scheduled to occur in March 2027. The company has not provided a reason for the workforce reduction. RealTruck is headquartered in Ann Arbor and offers automotive accessories.

Owosso, Michigan

https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2026/09/09/realtruck-rugged-liner-owosso-closure-layoffs/91673605007/

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-urges-ford-cut-ties-china-and-prioritize

Investors didn’t like this, stock is down 5% since yesterday’s open.

This is probably built on the Ford Maverick platform. The design is already 6 years old. The only difference is now it's an EV.
I don't think this truck going to sell, once people finds out that it is so outdated, behind I technology, not efficient, low range, expensive, ugly, poor quality, many safety recalls.

General Motors has reached a tentative agreement with Canadian auto union Unifor. The deal includes wage increases and bonuses for workers. It also addresses job security for employees at the CAMI Assembly plant. Union members are voting on the contracts this weekend. The agreements cover thousands of hourly workers across multiple GM facilities in Canada.

Ingersoll, Ontario

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2026/08/29/unifor-details-tentative-agreements-general-motors/91527146007/

Could there be any more realignment possibilities left with the rest of the facility?

Several international automotive suppliers in Georgia are implementing significant workforce reductions. These layoffs impact hundreds of production-line workers across multiple counties. Companies from Europe and Asia are among those adjusting their operations. The automotive sector is facing a period of transition due to evolving regulations and the shift towards electric vehicles. These changes are leading to a retrenchment in what has been a strong industry.

https://www.globalatlanta.com/foreign-automakers-cut-300-plus-jobs-across-georgia/

The Kuga is coming back—but this time with Geely technology. Here's what to expect from the new model that will replace the Kuga. In a move that surprised many, the crossover will be built on a Geely platform. What does this mean for buyers, what changes could it bring to the European auto industry, and why might it affect pricing? Here's what you need to know.

News that Ford has chosen a Geely platform for its future crossover has become a major talking point among car enthusiasts. The decision could reshape the competitive landscape and influence how accessible modern technology becomes for buyers. As Western automakers look for new paths forward, partnerships like this are becoming increasingly important.

Ford has officially begun work on the successor to the popular Kuga. The biggest surprise is the use of a platform developed by China's Geely. According to the head of Ford's European division, the new model will feature a completely American design and will not resemble any existing vehicle. The interior is expected to offer generous space and comfort, particularly for families and drivers who value convenience on long trips.

A new piece from Bloomberg makes the case, comparing the Tesla vehicle to the misfortunes of Ford's Edsel, which was first introduced in 1957 and discontinued just two years later. After spending years building up hype for the car, Ford predicted selling 200,000 units in its first year, but ended up selling less than a third of that.

That's comparable to expectations versus reality of the Cybertruck. In fact, the Cybertruck is actually doing worse in key ways. Tesla's annual sales target was 250,000 units, but it didn't even crack 40,000 sales in its first year. And like the Edsel, it's sold less with each successive year, with barely 7,100 registered in the US in 2026 so far, according to S&P Global Mobility data — despite Musk juicing those figures by selling Cybertrucks to his own companies.

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/looking-cybertruck-biggest-flop-automotive-145559135.html

Now we know what is in the future for North America's workers.

https://www.timesgazette.com/2017/09/15/highland-county-chinchilla-ranch-not-like-anything-most-people-think/

https://fordauthority.com/2026/06/ford-f-150-king-ranch-platinum-lose-5-0l-v8-coyote-option/

https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/oreilly-automotive-bids-for-genuine-parts-auto-unit--bloomberg-93CH-4773945

O’Riley buying NAPA Auto.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/ford-recalls-741195-suvs-pickups-after-transmission-defect-raises-rollaway-risk-nhtsa

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/polestar-banned-from-us-market-under-rule-targeting-china-linked-connected-vehicles

Hmmm, nothing to be worried about, just another day... nothing to see here!

Over the past six months, China has launched 622 new car models. That is not innovation. That is an industry on life support.

Picture a car factory running at half capacity. Assembly lines built for thousands of vehicles a day are operating at less than 50%. The machines are paid for either way. Sitting idle costs more than building something.

That is the real reason behind the flood of new models. Lithium carbonate, the key battery material, crashed from nearly 600,000 RMB per ton to just 80,000. Launching a new car became dramatically cheaper. So factories that cannot sell enough of what they already make simply make something new instead.

But here is the real twist. It is not only about factories. Public car companies face their own pressure. Go six months without launching a new model, and rating agencies may downgrade the stock. So some of these new cars are not built for drivers at all. They are built to keep a stock price alive.

Faster R&D has made this even easier. Skateboard chassis platforms, combined with AI-assisted design, have cut development time from 63 months down to just 12 to 15 months. China did not just make cars cheaper to build. It made it cheap to keep building cars nobody asked for.

So here is the result. Roughly 80% of these 622 models are statistically doomed to disappear. So if you are buying, check who makes the core components, check the brand’s survival odds, and give yourself a three-month cooling-off period before you commit.

In this market, the newest electric car on the lot might be the first one to vanish.

I’m Ling, a tech analyst from China.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRwjAkjy/

Push the button and nothing happens (people die). Can’t recall Patriot systems deployed.

From Ford Authority:
Ford has a long history of supplying the U.S. military with various goods, beginning way back during World War I and extending to World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars. As Ford Authority recently reported, the Trump administration previously approached Ford and other automakers regarding the possibility of shifting some capacity to we-pons production, and Ford CEO Jim Farley later confirmed that the automaker was "in early discussions with the U.S. government on some defense-related projects" - as well as the European Union, too.

Now, those talks have seemingly progressed, as U.S. President Donald Trump recently revealed that both Ford and General Motors are in discussions with defense contractors that could result in the repurposing of certain plants for we-pons production, according to CBS News. Trump noted that those we-pons include things like the Patriot and the Tomahawk missile.

Automotive and transport sectors saw significant workforce reductions in 2026. Weak demand, corporate restructuring, and AI integration caused these cuts. UPS eliminated 30,000 positions due to an AI-driven transformation. Volkswagen Group cut 50,000 employees in two separate rounds. Numerous other companies also reduced staff to manage operational costs.

https://www.latestly.com/auto/layoffs-in-auto-sector-2026-check-list-of-auto-and-transport-companies-that-reduced-their-workforce-7487974.html/amp

It could get dicey since so few are left..

General Motors produces profitable pickup trucks at its Flint Assembly Plant. This plant relies on daily axle deliveries for production. A strike at an American Axle facility threatens these critical shipments. Union workers initiated the strike on May 31. This disruption could significantly jeopardize General Motors' profits.

Detroit, Michigan

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2026/06/08/american-axle-strike-could-put-gm-heavy-truck-output-in-jeopardy/90375511007/

https://www.theautopian.com/the-30000-ford-ev-pickup-is-way-smaller-thank-you-think-we-got-an-exclusive-look/

I am about to join Q's Automotive divison, i appreciate any insights about quality of work, teams, wlb. Thanks in advance.

Anyone remember how beneficial BCG' analysis was to Ford' meteoric rise to profitability in the past?
Not!
I just want to hear stories from the older crew.
On another note, does anyone remember their attempt at implementing a Matrix Management model?
Maybe if they understood the difference between producing a quality product and the stylish management trends of the month, Ford would be a great car company.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/04/trump-says-ford-gm-want-bill-to-restrict-owners-from-fixing-their-own-vehicles/90410359007/?tbref=hp

Ford just reported sales and it's down big time, even with Ford employees discount for all. People are finally realizing that Ford vehicles are junk. Other automotive companies sales are up. GM and Stellantis did not report.

Constellium Automotive USA announced job reductions. The manufacturing plant is located in White, Georgia. Fifty-seven of its ninety-nine employees are affected. This action is a permanent reduction in force. Employee separations begin on August 1st.

White, Georgia

https://www.wrganews.com/2026/06/04/constellium-automotive-usa-in-bartow-county-announces-layoffs/

No fix available. Keep making your payments while driving a rental. So sad.

Ford is telling 4,653 Bronco Sport and Maverick owners to stop driving their vehicles immediately. The truck and SUV might have front lower control arm ball joints that were not assembled correctly. If they fail while the vehicle is being driven, drivers could lose steering control. This significantly increases the risk of a crash.

The recall impacts 2021 to 2026 models and Ford is advising owners to check online to see if their vehicle is included in the campaign. If it is, the vehicle will be towed to a dealership for inspection and repair. Some customers will also have the option of having their vehicle inspected at home via mobile service technicians.

The recall hasn’t been posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration yet, so details are limited. However, the automaker said “dealers will visually inspect the front lower control arm ball joint assembly on both the left and right sides, and repair, as necessary at no cost to the customer.”

It sounds like the automaker doesn’t have a fix at the moment as they noted repairs will be made at a “future date.” Ford also said “rentals are available at no cost” to owners of vehicles that fail the inspection.

Ford is facing a growing nightmare as massive recalls, expensive repairs, and reliability complaints continue spreading across America. Thousands of owners are discovering that some vehicles they trusted are now turning into financial disasters filled with breakdowns, warning lights, and terrifying repair costs. Dealers are quietly struggling to calm angry customers while mechanics warn that certain models may only get worse as they age. Older drivers especially are starting to question whether Ford still builds vehicles tough enough to last long term. And according to insiders, the recall chaos surrounding some of these vehicles could become even more damaging before 2026 is over.

Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis reduced their American professional staff. More than twenty thousand individuals were affected by these cuts. General Motors made the deepest personnel cuts. Ford and Stellantis also decreased their employee totals. AI and other tech advancements contribute to these staff reductions.

Detroit, Michigan

https://www.bitget.com/amp/news/detail/12560605414080

I'd say he is, he's conditioned that way.

Windsor's jobless rate decreased to 8.1 percent in April. This drop occurred despite 3,700 people leaving the labor market. Overall employment in the region fell by 2,400 individuals. However, Windsor-Essex added 2,600 manufacturing jobs. The Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant's third shift contributed to this growth.

Windsor, Ontario

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-jobless-numbers-april-2026-9.7193199

I read on teamblind reports that another former Apple Cobbler Senior Manager left the Skunk works. By the sound of it they were axed not voluntarily left on their own and no replacement announced sounds like corp. restructuring. DF was the first domino, wishing my CA colleagues the best. Polish your resumes!

https://layoffhedge.com/h1b#st=MI&county=HOUGHTON&cs=MI&tab=leaderboard

https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/ford-ev-electric-truck-7fdb0e0a?mod=RSSMSN&fbclid=IwY2xjawRm8j1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVOEUwNVMzU1ZvUGVmYjltc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHurj8Q72uCnyj2qU_pbTBTThzpt4YnF71Rr8HvfnTZzsNdZT6a61B7P_wnsZ_aem_vdiIWp8B1pnJUn06hQWNiQ

I thought that was for Ford employees? Should Ford employees get a better deal than? I am not happy about this as a Ford employee. This is a benefit for us! What is everyone's thought s?

https://www.evshift.com/357031/top-6-biggest-chinese-suvs-coming-in-2026/

President Trump, please allow Chinese to sell cars in the US. We all want the Chinese vehicles, not the outdated US made vehicles.

https://x.com/Notwokenow/status/2048697287543538023?s=20

RESRG Automotive will begin layoffs. These job reductions are scheduled for this summer. The company plans to implement the layoffs soon. Employees will be affected starting this summer. RESRG Automotive is initiating these workforce changes.

https://www.14news.com/video/2026/04/22/layoffs-starting-this-summer-resrg-automotive-14-first-alert-streaming-230-pm-42226/?outputType=amp