All Entries in the "Auto News" Category

Japanese Automaker Subsidy to End – Say What?

Many Americans are irate that the U.S. government, during two different adminstrations, helped bailout General Motors and Chrysler. Little do they know that Japan helped out their automakers too. That subsidy, though, is about to end.

Toyota is hoping its Prius Hybrid will help keep demand up and offset the expected losses from subsidies that are about to end.

Canadian Auto Workers Union Setting Themselves Up For Extinction

This week marks the beginning of serious negotiations between the Canadian Autoworkers Union (CAW) and the domestic* manufacturers Ford, GM, and Chrysler-Fiat. Unlike the UAW, which agreed to a series of concessions during the automotive bail-out, the CAW has been able to maintain roughly the same type of rules that the UAW used to have prior to 2009. Specifically:

• CAW workers are all paid the same wage; UAW workers are on a two wage tier system where newer workers make less than older workers
• CAW workers do not have any profit sharing; UAW workers rely upon profit sharing bonuses

These two mechanisms – two tier wages and profit sharing – are essential to the success of the UAW and the automakers they work for. Yet for some reason, the Canadian autoworkers don’t feel that they need to follow the same set of rules that the American autoworkers follow. If the CAW doesn’t concede, the risk is that automakers will simply abandon Canadian production in the next decade or so…and the CAW will cease to exist.

*I say “domestic” only because that’s what these manufacturers are commonly known as. In truth, they build a substantial portion of their vehicles, powertrains, etc. in Mexico.

Gas Prices on the Rise – Hybrid Collaborations The Answer?

Normally the end of July means lower gas prices, not this year apparently. Many analysts expects prices to hit a peak of $4/gallon before failing back in September. Is the answer to higher gas prices building more hybrid pickups? And are collaborations to build them faster better for consumers?

As gas prices rise are hybrid collaborations between companies great for everyone?

2013 Ram 1500 V6 Already Has Engine Problems

Reports have surfaced that suggest the new V-6 engine slated for the Ram 1500 is already undergoing cylinder head problems that could/could not be related to its unique design and a ticking noise. Is the new Ram 1500 going to have long-term engine problems too?

The 2013 Ram 1500 V6 already has engine problems according to several different reports.

Toyota Screwed Over during Fuel Efficiency Negotiations?

A government report says that recently released documents show foreign automakers were mostly bullied into accepting new efficiency standards. Toyota specifically feels like it was screwed.

In a recently released report, Toyota wrote a hand written note to White House negotiators saying it felt screwed over by the fuel efficiency negotiations.