Automotive Industry Hot Topics with CAR President and CEO, Alan Amici –  (09/22/2023)

On a bi-weekly basis, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) welcomes our audience to decompress with our President and CEO, Alan Amici, as he covers and shares his thoughts on the latest Hot Topics happening in the automotive industry. If you would like to receive this bi-weekly insight into critical industry issues you and your organization are facing, sign up for our mailing list here to get Hot Topics sent directly to your inbox.  

UAW Negotiations:

• UAW, Detroit Three in standoff as wider strike looms 
• Canadian auto workers to vote on Ford deal starting on Saturday 
• Michigan and the Auto Industry Share a Past. What About the Future? 
• UAW strike idles Kansas GM plant, prompts Stellantis machining plant layoffs 

Alan’s thoughts:

We are approaching the first full week of the stand-up strike, which has initially idled operations at three assembly plants. As the shortage of parts begins to impact other plants, such as GM’s Fairfax assembly plant, the UAW has indicated that more plants will be targeted if an agreement is not reached by Friday. The public statements made so far do not inspire confidence that an agreement is at hand, and the details of the negotiations remain largely undisclosed. In the meantime, U.S. assembly plants for Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Hyundai keep humming along. It is crucial to establish an agreement quickly, as the damage only grows for each side over time. 

Detroit Auto Show & Tech Upgrades: 

• Here’s every major reveal from the Detroit Auto Show 
• Ford reveals refreshed 2024 F-150 with new tech, updated look, tailgate upgrade 
• Cadillac CT5 shoots for younger clientele with updated look, tech
• Detroit auto show reveal: 2024 Jeep Gladiator comes with new tool for finding trails  

Alan’s thoughts:

This year’s Detroit Auto Show saw significant improvements compared to the previous year, thanks to better planning and readjusted expectations of a contemporary auto show. Gone are the multi-million dollar displays from all major OEMs. Noticeably absent, though not entirely, are the European automakers. Formerly known as the North American International Auto Show, it has evolved into more of a Detroit auto show. This transformation is not necessarily a negative change. As long as there are product announcements, new steel to admire, and a showcase of horsepower, be it fueled by benzene or electrons, the show remains a relevant and worthwhile celebration of the Motor City. I look forward to next year’s event being even better!  

EV Battery Production:   

• EU may become as hooked on China batteries as it was on Russian energy, report says 
• Cummins, Daimler, PACCAR form joint venture for US battery cell production 
• Canada will take 20 years to recoup Stellantis, Volkswagen subsidies, watchdog says 
• Synthetic graphite for EV batteries: Can the West crack China’s code? 

Alan’s thoughts:

The IRA is incentivizing more than just EV production. It’s also targeted to bolster the production of EV batteries in the United States by sourcing critical minerals domestically. This initiative comes as no surprise, considering the widespread conversations about China’s dominance in lithium production. In addition to lithium, the list of critical minerals includes nickel, cobalt, and graphite. If the U.S. is serious about EV production, and judging by OEM investment and product announcements it most certainly is, we will need a robust U.S. supply chain if we are to meet future demand.