AUTOMAKERS

The global auto industry is closely watching what’s going on in Ukraine, and there is considerable concern about what could happen if this conflict lasts for a long time or spreads.

This electrified future in North Dakota, as proponents see it, would encompass wind — and coal, too, that most reviled of fuels. If carbon capture technology could be made economically feasible, at scale, the day could come when cars in North Dakota are powered not by gasoline from Bakken oil but by electricity from coal strip-mined out of the world’s largest deposit of lignite.

The unraveling of the used car market is the most tangible result of a problem that has plagued the global economy for the last year: a dire shortage of computer chips that has hobbled auto manufacturing.

Tesla and Elon Musk enjoyed hands-off regulation and lush government incentives. Then came the Biden administration.

Stellantis is trying to fill several jobs by holding a big job fair.

Analysts estimate the shortage could cost automakers tens of billions of dollars.

The semiconductor shortage that has hampered the auto industry, created vehicle shortages and higher prices isn’t likely to end any time soon.

Automakers will have to cut production by almost four million vehicles worldwide this year, which will cost them $110 billion.

The cost of used cars may be on the rise in Metro Detroit, but those vehicles are still selling quickly.

If you’ve shopped for a new or used car recently you may have noticed that prices have increased.

DETROIT – Despite the coronavirus pandemic, automakers are holding their own as pickup truck sales remain strong. Automakers can charge much more than the cost for a pickup truck. “Even though they’re going flat out, and even though they are running three shifts and they’re going as fast as they can, that was two months of production that you cannot go back and make it up," Brinley said. So that has made a difference with new players in the segment," Brinley said. The more competitive it gets, the more they’re going to bring it," Brinley said.

DETROIT Two thirds of the Big Three have released their second quarter sales numbers and they are not good. GMs year-over-year-sales were down 34%, selling nearly 500,00 vehicles; and it was even worse for FCA with its second quarter sales falling 39%, selling 367,000 vehicles. Analysts expected numbers to drop amid COVID-19, but not this much. GM sold 17 million vehicles in 2019 and is excepted to be closer to 13 million in 2020. Autotrader analyst Michelle Krebs said fleet sales should pick up to make for a good year.

WARREN, Mich. Three weeks ago, the Big Three automakers in Metro Detroit -- Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler -- reopened their parts and assembly plants. Auto workers are trying to tread carefully and avoid spreading COVID-19. The Warren Truck Plant continues working two shifts per day, and the new protocols have caused many changes. While everyone is trying to get their feet under them, the industry as a whole appears to be ready for a comeback. Meanwhile, for car and truck buyers, the shutdown caused inventory shortages, so dealers are doing what they can to deal with that issues.

DEARBORN, Mich. A Dearborn Truck Plant employee tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) after returning to work this week, causing the plant to temporarily shut down, Ford officials said. Officials said the employee didnt contract COVID-19 while at work. When a Dearborn Truck Plant employee who returned to work this week tested positive for COVID-19, we immediately began to notify people known to have been in close contact with the infected individual and asked them to self-quarantine for 14 days. We are deep cleaning and disinfecting the work area, equipment, team area and the path that the team member took. It is important to note that due to incubation time, we know this employee did not contract COVID-19 while at work.

DETROIT Metro Detroits Big Three automakers -- General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler -- have restarted production after being shut down for nearly two months because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). FCA officials showed Local 4 the work being done inside the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant to mitigate the spread of the virus. Local 4 spoke with current and retired workers to see if they feel safe going back to work. Thats what Im worried about.Ford is using technology to keep workers safe, having them wear watches that vibrate when they get too close to each other. Ford CEO Jim Hackett said the last couple of months have convinced him a reopening can be done safely.

DETROIT Thousands of Metro Detroit autoworkers were back on the job Monday as Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler assembly plants started rolling again. At the Warren Truck Assembly Plant, UAW line workers were pleasantly surprised. It fogs your glasses up, but were going to be alright.It was safe, said Moses Brooks, of UAW Local 600. Arnett Weatherspoon, of UAW Local 140, said the first day went smoothly at the Warren Truck Plant, but he still has concerns. The second shift workers at the Ford F-150 plant were also in line getting ready for their shift.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. A worker with Fiat Chrysler said she feels unsafe on the job after returning back to the plant. A co-worker reported a cough on her health questionnaire and she continued to work before she tested positive for coronavirus. The UAW said if an member is afraid to go back, they will work with that member on a case by case basis. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration said anyone with safety concerns about their work place should make a report with the state. She said FCA is offering that employees who are afraid to come in can take a leave of absence and not get paid.

Automakers reported that March sales increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of just over 17 million, which is up 3.8 percent from a year ago. While strong sales have sent new car prices higher, buyers can still find deals with a little work. Jill Schlesinger reports.