#automotive

I wish I had an electric car now.

https://hilinetoday.com/attorney-general-knudsen-launches-investigation-into-two-automotive-companies/

Iowa reported 83 total layoffs in March. Car dealerships Sky Chevrolet and Sky Auto Mall accounted for 76 job losses. These dealerships are located in Newhall and Center Point. They face lawsuits from Stellantis Financial Services and Ford Motor Credit Co. The lawsuits allege the dealerships took out multiple loans on the same vehicles.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2026/04/02/iowa-layoffs-march-83-workers/89421684007/

Junk cars with junk parts
Recalls everywhere
But the guys in coats and suits are happy making their bonuses blaming others..
Only a fool will buy the evs here

From the Detroit News:
Ford Motor Co. reported the value of CEO Jim Farley's 2025 compensation package as $27.5 million - up11% from 2024's $24.9 million.
The total package that Farley, 63, earned in 2025 included an unchanged base salary of $1.7 million and lower stock awards. The package value's increase was attributable to a higher bonus from meeting company objectives, primarily around quality and software revenues per vehicle, according to an annual proxy statement filed Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Dearborn automaker's adjusted operating profit of $6.8 billion, however, was lower than expected because of tariffs and an aluminum shortage stemming from fires at supplier Novelis Inc.
Farley's bonuses increased 2.5 times to almost $5.746 million after the automaker met performance targets, resulting in a 130% company-wide performance factor, which also is attributed as Farley's individual performance factor, according to the report. The CEO previously told employees the achievement would be reflected in white-collar bonuses.
Quality goals included metrics related to the vehicle when it is sold as well as after three months of ownership. Costs related to recalls and warranties have weighed on the automaker's balance sheets, but executives have emphasized the biggest burden is from older vehicles and that new vehicles coming off the line now are some of the company's best-quality products. Ford's executive compensation seeks to incentivize the work being done that year.
The automaker reported the value of Farley's stock awards had decreased at $18.9 million, though a fraction of that has vested so far. The total value could differ based on Ford's stock value when those awards vest after a certain amount of time or, for most, the performance metric is met.
In 2025, the company recorded a net loss of $8.2 billion because of one-time special charges related to redeploying assets for its electric vehicle business. It also distributed profit-sharing bonuses of approximately $6,780 to 56,300 eligible autoworkers and another 1,490 employees who retired last year.
Farley's total compensation amounted to 295 times the median annual total compensation of all Ford employees last year: $93,397. That was up from 253 times in 2024, when the median employee compensation was $98,273.
Farley's package also included almost $1.2 million in other compensation such as use of private aircraft and company vehicles, which was up year-over-year.
Executive Chair Bill Ford's total compensation was $20.3 million in 2025, down from $20.4 million in 2024. The package included an unchanged $1.7 million salary. His stock awards were lower at $14.7 million. Bonuses were up 2.5 times to more than $1.69 million.
The total compensation for Vice Chair John Lawler, who was chief financial officer until Feb. 5 in 2025, was about $11.8 million in 2024, up 26%. His salary was up to $1.3 million. The $7.6 million in stock awards as reported were up. Bonuses were up to $2.2 million.
Chief Financial Officer Sherry House's compensation was $8.4 million, which included a $920,250 base salary, $5.8 million in stock awards and a $1.4 million bonus.
Ford Pro President Alicia Boler Davis, who joined the company in October, had a package valued at almost $19 million. Her base salary was more than $309,000. She received a $3.25 million signing bonus, $14.7 million in stock awards and a $650,000 performance bonus.
Doug Field is Ford's chief EV, digital and design officer. His compensation of $15.3 million was down 1.7%. His base salary rose to almost $550,000. The value of his stock awards was reported lower at $13.9 million. Bonuses totaled almost almost $540,000, a decrease.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa received a compensation package of about $6.3 million last year after taking over as the top boss of the automaker in June. Stellantis' former CEO, Carlos Tavares, was paid about $14 million by the company in 2025 after leaving the automaker in December 2024.
General Motors Co. hasn't released its executive compensation numbers for 2023. Its proxy statement usually is filed in April. In 2024, GM CEO Mary Barra received a $29.5 million package.
Ford will host its annual meeting on May 14.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2026/03/27/ford-ceo-jim-farley-compensation-salary-2025/89345220007/?tbref=hp

How much billion$ was wasted again? I lost count.

Suppliers no longer expect market conditions to normalize. They are adapting operations for ongoing market instability. This follows tens of thousands of job cuts in 2025. Relentless regulatory uncertainty also prompted this change. This information comes from a recent S&P Global survey.

https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/suppliers/ane-suppliers-survey-0317/

Bentley Motors will cut 275 office roles. This represents about 6% of its total workforce. Declining China sales and low EV demand are factors. US tariffs also contributed to this decision. The company aims to maintain competitiveness.

https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/bentley-to-cut-275-jobs-amid-china-slowdown-weak-ev-demand-and-us-tariffs-ws-l-92511.htm

Contains zero subscription sales numbers. Why not?
Has “Integrated Services” been laid off? What has Mike Aragon been doing other than collecting a paycheck instead of unemployment?

BlueCruise was launched Jule 2021, why no accounting of paid subscriptions after almost five years?

“Ford Secure” was allegedly launched in 2023, why no accounting of the three years of subscription sales?

Could it be that Ford is NOT a software and subscription company?

Model e better get busy selling, because YTD sales of VEHICLES are down over 5% YOY.

Latest recall news

https://www.usatoday.com/story/cars/recalls/2026/02/26/ford-recalls-vehicles-lincoln-models/88883398007/

Ford announced significant financial losses for 2025 driven by its struggling electric vehicle division, with the automaker projecting continued losses in the segment for at least three more years.

The New York Times reports that Ford Motor Company reported substantial financial losses this week, primarily attributed to its electric vehicle operations, as the automaker significantly restructures its EV strategy. The company’s electric vehicle division lost $4.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to lose between $4 billion and $4.5 billion in 2026, with profitability not expected until approximately 2029.

The announcement marks a dramatic reversal for Ford, which several years ago positioned itself as a leader among traditional automakers by rapidly introducing three electric vehicle models. The company hoped these vehicles would boost sales and increase profitability, but the strategy has instead resulted in mounting losses totaling more than $16 billion since 2022.

“We are now targeting break-even around 2029,” stated Ford CFO Sherry House, during a conference call discussing the company’s financial results on Tuesday.

The substantial losses prompted Ford to announce a major scaling back of its electric vehicle plans in December. The company ceased production of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck, abandoned plans to produce an electric truck at a facility under construction in Tennessee, and canceled development of an electric commercial van.

Breitbart News previously reported on the massive charges Ford took to restructure its electric vehicle division:

In a stunning blow to the U.S. auto industry’s ambitious EV plans, Ford Motor announced on Monday that it expects to incur approximately $19.5 billion in charges, primarily due to its struggling electric vehicle business. The staggering write-down marks the largest impairment taken by a company in Detroit’s history and underscores the challenges faced by automakers as they grapple with lackluster demand for EVs.

Faced with mounting losses totaling $13 billion in its EV division since 2023, Ford has decided to shift its strategy, focusing on bolstering its lineup of gas-powered vehicles while transitioning to hybrid and extended-range electric models that incorporate onboard gasoline engines. The move aims to pull back from loss-making assets and redirect capital to more profitable models.

As part of its revised strategy, Ford plans to manufacture a version of the Lightning that incorporates a gasoline engine capable of recharging the truck’s batteries while driving. The Tennessee factory will instead be used to produce gasoline-powered trucks, while a facility in Ohio will manufacture hybrid and gas-powered delivery vans.

Despite these cutbacks, Ford maintains plans to develop a medium-sized pickup truck with an expected price point of around $30,000. Scheduled for release in 2027, this vehicle will utilize new components and production methods that the company says will significantly reduce costs.

Breitbart News previously reported that the pickup truck EV project is considered so important by Ford executives that they compare it to the Apollo space missions:

During a conversation with automotive media at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford CEO Jim Farley offered new details about the company’s Universal EV Platform development, describing the initiative as one of the most challenging projects in his career. Farley compared Ford’s EV development to NASA in the Space Race: “This is literally like the Apollo or Gemini mission within Ford. A uniquely American, high-risk project… just like the power units for Formula 1, it’s one of the most challenging projects I’ve ever been involved in.”

The Universal EV Platform, which Ford announced last year, represents a significant strategic shift for the automaker as it works to create vehicles capable of competing with Chinese manufacturers on both technology and production costs. The platform is scheduled to debut in 2027 with an electric pickup truck built in Kentucky, with pricing expected to start around $30,000. According to reports, Ford plans to develop potentially seven additional vehicle variants using this same underlying architecture, including a midsize crossover.

Looking ahead, Ford expressed optimism about its financial outlook for 2026. The company projects its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, and other items will range between $8 billion and $10 billion this year, a significant improvement from the $6.8 billion reported for 2025.

Buried in the PowerPoint today, 1.3B for restructuring charges including layoffs. Coming soon to Europe and Detroit!

Unfortunately, it’s Toyota, not Ford.
But let us pray…

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/i-test-drove-a-chinese-ev-now-i-don-t-want-to-buy-american-cars-anymore/ar-AA1VhJri

General Motors confirmed the end of its third shift at the Oshawa assembly plant. This decision results in the layoff of approximately 700 unionized workers. The plant, located in Oshawa, Ontario, produces the Chevrolet Silverado. The automaker had previously postponed this shift cut due to strong demand. U.S. tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles are cited as a contributing factor.

https://www.auto123.com/en/news/gm-shift-cut-oshawa-700-layoffs/73621/

I work in Ford Credit / Lincoln Customer Service. You get a good picture of how poorly made these vehicles are listening to the customers. Vehicles sitting at dealers for months waiting on parts / engines, etc. while customer still making payments on the vehicles. Not enough loaner vehicles to go around in the process. Lots of buybacks if the dealer can do it depending on state limitations, etc.It is truly a mess. We do offer extensions but cannot do many at once on these vehicles. Customers going back to GM, etc. accounts getting paid off by GM and other dealers due to customers trading in due to so many recalls and problems.

Wow. Xpeng, Buick, BYD are releasing the latest EREV with over 1000 mile range hybrid SUV. Why can't the Big 3 produce something like this? Bring them to the US please. I will buy a few of these awesome EREV for sure.

Looks like Carney is going to roll out the red carpet for Xi, Windsor/Detroit region are going to be absolutely flooded with cheap Chinese EVs. https://share.google/egy4SFCuU94HlwqwG

https://www.thedrive.com/news/let-china-come-in-to-us-auto-industry-trump-says-while-in-detroit-tds

While in Detroit, Michigan speaking to the Detroit Economic Club President Trump said, “If they want to come in and build a plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that’s great, I love that,” followed by “let China come in, let Japan come in;” Japanese automakers have auto factories in the U.S. today.

"Farley explained that the newly planned ICE truck will replace the previously promised sub-$30,000 electric pickup truck"
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a69990477/ford-new-us-built-affordable-internal-combustion-pickup-truck-president-trump-factory-visit/

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/trump-visit-ford-factory-promote-manufacturing-detroit-129154657

https://www.thestreet.com/automotive/gm-puts-6-billion-price-tag-on-latest-mistake

Can anyone say: More Layoffs/restructuring coming?

Let us all raise a glass to the first recall of 2026! Let the season begin!

https://autos.yahoo.com/safety-and-recalls/articles/ford-recalls-almost-273-000-230000826.html

Shouldn't their super sophisticated automated tests have caught this? I guess they're too busy playing politics to preserve their easy jobs of maintenance and support. There's a lot of money behind this failure.

"Imagine producing an engine so poor that it's led to over 600,000 vehicles being recalled and has been responsible for a dozen crashes and injuries, and you'll be in GM's shoes."

Read More: https://www.slashgear.com/2053136/gm-v8-engine-recall-combined-class-action-lawsuit/

Congratulations everyone on a job well done ! Lets try for 200 in 2026.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/ford-shatters-decade-old-recall-record-152-safety-alerts-issued-year-alone-across-multiple-models

Deadly Ford 'blackout' dashboard glitch prompts $7B recall on entire F-Series model
On some of Ford's newest and most popular pickup trucks, drivers have reported a chilling failure the digital instrument panel suddenly goes dark, leaving them without a speedometer, fuel gauge, or warning lights while still moving in traffic.

Ford is copying what China has been delivered during that last 2 years. 600 to 800 miles range hybrids. Basically, hybrids with large hybrid battery that will provide at least 100 miles instead of 20 miles range. That is good that Ford is learning something good from China.

Everything that Ford announce yesterday is basically they will copy China automotive companies products. Farley's team been in China and they finally realized what they need to do to survive. Seeing what China already produced and successful, Ford will bench mark China.

Ford + Renault partnership for new small EVs in Europe only and the vehicles are schedule to hit the market in 2028. Like the VW partnership for the EV Explorer and Capri really did well. Late to the game in a market already being oversaturated by China.

CE1 is going full bore, Farley did not mention much about the Skunk during the townhall. Maybe his sweater was too tight?

Hybrids an EREVS were mentioned, which is logical.

Does Ford really think they can beat China so late to the race? Verstappen cannot even win this one!

Giving up on CAFE and Bill’s EV wet dreams….

Goodbye, Model e!!!

Rivian is converting a temporary furlough of production staff at its Illinois plant into permanent layoffs for 450 workers. The EV truck maker cited supply chain constraints and a strategic shift to prioritize the production of its newer, lower-cost R2 platform.

December 3, 2025
Automotive News
Dec 3, 2025 - 12:20 PM CST

https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/rivian-illinois-plant-layoffs-r2-production-shift

Ford batteries does not sustain more than 1 year, after that range of the battery is reduced badly. I bought mustang mach e. Car is good, features all are nice but now battery range went down also, charging time is unbelievably long. Why this happening ? I failed to understand . Why can't they improve the quality in existing cars and more reliability with reduced cost

His email outlined some stricter usage of the internal test vehicles, including reiterating that non-Ford personnel can’t be in the vehicle if any of the software is unreleased.

Anybody hear of why he sent this out of nowhere? I’d imagine someone was misusing the vehicles in Dearborn but we haven’t been given any details. Did someone abuse it? Take their friends to a strip club? Get a DUI?

China’s battery industry has moved solid-state cells from lab slides to factory floors, promising electric cars that can travel roughly twice as far on a charge as today’s mainstream models. Instead of incremental gains, Chinese manufacturers are now talking about 800‑mile ranges, higher energy density, and safer chemistries that could reset expectations for what an everyday EV can do. The shift is still in its early stages, but the first production lines are already signaling that the global race for next‑generation batteries has entered a new phase.

https://www.autoextremist.com

"China much better than John Wayne USA" (or are they?)

“In China, you can buy a heavily discounted ‘used’ electric car that has never, in fact, been used. Chinese automakers, desperate to meet their sales targets in a bitterly competitive market, sell cars to dealerships, which register them as ‘sold,’ even though no actual customer has bought them. Dealers, stuck with officially sold cars, then offload them as ‘used,’ often at low prices."

Sort of...

https://www.youtube.com/live/6jmAVp418uM

Lexus is the #1 as expected. Buick is #2, and you know why? Buick vehicles are designed and built in China, then shipped to the US. This proved that Chinese vehicles are far more better than the American US made vehicles.

According to this >>

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/ford-f-150-lightning-ev.html

...if this is true, what a sorry state of affairs Ford has going....so many PD ICE layoffs , other related layoffs, etc....for this outcome?

That's pretty rich given they've kicked so many of deep experience employees to the curb since Hackett decided you didn't need any automotive experience to design and build vehicles. Fast forward, quality is in the tank and NOW they are seeking experience.
https://shorturl.at/w2xd5