Earlier this week: Stellantis threatened a nationwide walkout after slashing 400 jobs. VW and Rivian forge a $5.8 billion partnership to accelerate digital tech and EV innovation. UAW and GM agreed to prevent a Fort Wayne assembly plant strike. Trump appoints Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to overhaul government efficiency with new agency. Tesla hits $1 trillion following Trump’s election victory. Toyota warns California’s EV mandates could limit customer choice, calls for changes. EV registrations see a 1.3% rise as market growth slows.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
1. Stellantis threatened with a nationwide walkout after slashing 400 jobs
On November 8th, Stellantis cut an additional 400 jobs at its Detroit parts facility in a desperate scramble to reduce operating costs to offset its plummeting sales. This round of discharges follows mere days after the automaker implemented 1,100 layoffs at its Ohio plant on November 6th and 2,450 layoffs at a Michigan facility in August. Read More
2. VW and Rivian forge $5.8 billion partnership to accelerate digital tech and EV innovation
Volkswagen (VW) has made a bold move to secure its future in the digital-first electric vehicle (EV) race, announcing a new $5.8 billion investment in Rivian Automotive. This strategic collaboration aims to leverage Rivian’s cutting-edge onboard computing and software technologies, which have already impressed VW engineers.
3. UAW, GM reach agreement to prevent strike at Fort Wayne assembly plant
The United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2209 at General Motors’s assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has successfully reached an agreement with the automaker, averting a potential strike that could have disrupted production at the facility. The agreement follows tensions between the union and GM over labor practices, including layoffs and changes to worker duties. Read More
4. Trump appoints Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to overhaul government efficiency with new agency
President-elect Donald Trump appointed tech billionaire Elon Musk and conservative activist Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce government spending and dismantle bureaucracy. Read More
5. Tesla hits $1 trillion following Trump’s election victory
On Friday, Tesla’s market cap made a historic leap, surpassing the $1 trillion mark again following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 Presidential elections. This significant milestone underscores the company’s rapid growth and its potential to reshape the automotive industry. Read More
6. Toyota warns California’s EV mandates could limit customer choice, calls for changes
Toyota Motor has raised concerns that California’s ambitious electric vehicle (EV) mandates, set to begin next year, are “impossible” to meet and could result in fewer options for consumers in states adopting these rules.
7. EV registrations see a 1.3% rise as market growth slows
New battery-electric vehicle (EV) registrations saw a modest increase of 1.3% in September, with 110,339 vehicles registered, slightly outperforming the overall light-vehicle market’s growth of 0.7%. Read More
8. How dealers can close the ‘blind spots’ in lead attribution – Jade Terreberry & Mike Tegtmeyer
We all know that Cox Automotive’s Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book are consumer mega-marketplaces—a cornerstone of car buying and selling in the U.S. For over twenty years, Autotrader has led the way in online car shopping, helping U.S. consumers decide what car to buy, where to buy it, and what deals are available. Watch the full segment here.
9. The future takes flight: Doroni Aerospace pioneers the future of personal aviation – Tim Jackson & Doron Merdinger
What was once a dream on TV shows like The Jetsons is quickly becoming a reality. With over 200 companies working toward making flying cars a mainstream part of our future, the skies are about to get a lot more crowded. In today’s episode of Inside Automotive, we sit down with Doron Merdinger, CEO and Founder of Doroni Aerospace, and Tim Jackson, former CEO of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association and author of Dude, Where’s My Flying Car?, to discuss the promising developments in this groundbreaking industry. Watch the full segment here.
10. Brooke Guy on the power of training and teamwork to elevate F&I performance
On this episode of Training Camp with Adam Marburger, Brooke Guy, General Manager at Coastal Chevy and Cadillac, shares insights on how her physical fitness routine, commitment to training, and leadership style have fueled her success in the automotive industry. From her morning rituals to the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, Brooke brings a fresh perspective on what it takes to thrive personally and professionally. Watch the full segment here.
