Earlier this week: China urged the U.S. to halt “unreasonable suppression” amid a proposed ban on Chinese vehicle software. Ford averts strike at Dearborn tool and die plant. Dealers and UAW unite in criticizing Stellantis CEO amid job cuts, inventory struggles, and EV transition. Trump unveils tax incentives for foreign automakers, threatens tariffs on imports to boost U.S. manufacturing. Stellantis searches for new CEO as North American sales slump and EV transition looms. Elon Musk invests in supercomputers to boost Tesla AI and xAI ventures. Jeep and USO join forces to assemble 10,000-holiday care packages for deployed troops.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
1. China urges U.S. to halt “unreasonable suppression” amid proposed ban on Chinese software in vehicles
China has strongly urged the United States to stop what it describes as “unreasonable suppression” of its companies. This follows U.S. proposals to ban Chinese software and hardware in vehicles due to national security concerns. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce criticized the U.S. government’s move, labeling it protectionist and a violation of fair competition and market economy principles.
2. Ford averts strike at Dearborn tool and die plant
Ford Motor has averted a potential strike at its Dearborn Tool and Die plant after reaching a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 on Wednesday evening. The deal affects approximately 500 union members and addresses several key issues, including job security, wage parity for skilled trades, and a process for securing additional die work at the plant.
3. Dealers and UAW unite in criticizing Stellantis CEO amid job cuts, inventory struggles, and EV transition
UAW President Shawn Fain and Stellantis dealers find themselves aligned in a rare moment of unity. They criticize Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares for what they describe as mismanagement of the automaker. Dealers accuse Tavares of prioritizing short-term profits, leading to dwindling inventories and a sharp decline in U.S. market share. At the same time, the UAW is furious over job cuts and what it claims are broken promises, escalating to a potential strike against the world’s fourth-largest automaker.
4. Trump unveils tax incentives for foreign automakers, threatens tariffs on imports to boost U.S. manufacturing
Donald Trump is reshaping the conversation around the U.S. automotive industry with bold promises to attract foreign automakers to build their vehicles on American soil. During a speech in Savannah, Georgia, the Republican presidential candidate proposed tax incentives for companies willing to manufacture their cars in the U.S. while threatening significant tariffs on those who choose to import their products. Read More
5. Stellantis searches for new CEO as North American sales slump and EV transition looms
Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, Ram, and Dodge, is actively searching for a new CEO to replace current chief executive Carlos Tavares, whose contract expires in 2026. This leadership change comes as the company struggles with declining U.S. sales in its most profitable market, prompting the need for a revitalized strategy. Read More
6. Elon Musk invests in supercomputers to boost Tesla AI and xAI ventures
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and AI startup xAI, is intensifying efforts to build advanced supercomputers to enhance artificial intelligence capabilities across his businesses. At the heart of this initiative is Tesla’s custom-built supercomputer, Dojo, designed to process vast amounts of video and data from Tesla vehicles. The goal is to improve Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, a crucial step toward achieving full autonomy and, ultimately, a fleet of Tesla robotaxis. Read More
7. Jeep and USO join forces to assemble 10,000 holiday care packages for deployed troops
In a show of support for U.S. military service members deployed overseas, the Jeep brand and the United Service Organizations (USO) assembled more than 10,000 holiday care packages at Stellantis North America’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, over 150 Stellantis employees participated in the event, which aimed to provide deployed troops with a much-needed connection to home during the holiday season. Read More
8. Premier Companies’ Joe Laham on succession, negotiation-free model, and Stellantis challenges
At 21, Joe Laham sold his first car, and now, as the President of Premier Companies, he’s running dealerships that have been negotiation-free since 1995. On today’s episode of Inside Automotive, we’ll explore how his stores operate today and get his thoughts on the industry’s current state and Stellantis, whose profits have recently taken a hit. Watch the full segment here.
9. How to master customer objections by turning nos into yeses
In this episode of Training Camp, Adam Marburger dives deep into the art of overcoming customer objections in F&I operations. With his unique approach to handling “no” responses, Adam shares a proven technique to help F&I managers turn more nos into yeses. Learn how to navigate customer hesitations, gain their trust, and boost your F&I success rate. Watch the full segment here.
10. Feldman Automotive Group CEO discusses Stellantis expansion and EV success
Feldman Automotive Group recently closed on the acquisition of its newest location in Livonia, Michigan. Jay Feldman, the chairman and CEO of Feldman Automotive Group, joins us on today’s episode of Inside Automotive to discuss the group’s strategic vision, current industry challenges, and why Stellantis remains a key part of Feldman’s expansion. Watch the full segment here.
