Weekly roundup: UAW members vote to strike pending negotiations, Ford discontinues 3 gas-powered models

Earlier this week: Nissan is accelerating its plans to go electric, with plans to release 27 electrified models by 2030. The UAW has voted in favor of a strike should negotiations with Detroit 3 car manufacturers fail to produce an acceptable contract by the upcoming deadline. Hyundai unveiled its own advanced charging network in South Korea with a capacity of 350 kW. Ford is discontinuing its Escape, Edge, and Transit gas-powered vehicles as it prepares to launch its next-generation EV portfolio, and more headlines to stay on top of this week in automotive industry news.

1. Nissan dealers get sneak peek of upcoming electric vehicles

Nissan pulled back the curtain for dealers this week, giving a sneak peek into its upcoming electrified arsenal, according to reporting from Automotive News. At the heart of their presentation were three promising models. Nissan’s broader vision for an electric future is accelerating, too. The automaker announced plans to release electric vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti banners by 2025. By 2026, the company’s Canton factory should roll out two more electric SUVs. Read More

2. UAW union members vote to strike if negotiations with automakers fail

United Auto Workers (UAW) union members have now voted in favor of a strike should negotiations with Detroit 3 car manufacturers fail to produce an acceptable contract by their September 14 deadline. The UAW has been preparing workers for a walkout since negotiations began in July. Days before the UAW began counting votes, President Shawn Fain led union members in a mock demonstration outside of a Stellantis factory to “practice” an eventual strike. “Today, I want you guys to have some fun practicing for what we’re going to have to do if these companies don’t give us our fair share,” he told participants. Read More

3. Hyundai looks to rival Tesla with 350 kW electric vehicle charging system

Hyundai is hoping to beat Tesla with its own advanced charging network, at least in South Korea. In 2021, the automaker introduced an electric vehicle charging brand titled E-Pit, through which it has since installed 36 of 120 planned stations. While the rollout of the network has been slower than expected by the car manufacturer, it has now developed a new and improved electric vehicle charging system with a capacity of 350 kW that could help attract EV drivers away from charging competitors. For comparison, Tesla’s current generation of Superchargers offers a capacity of 250 kW. Read More

4. Ford discontinues three gas vehicles to make room for its new EV lineup

As Ford prepares to launch its next-generation EV portfolio, the automaker is discontinuing its Escape, Edge, and Transit gas-powered vehicles. Despite some setbacks in its EV rollout, Ford is moving forward with developing its second-generation cars. The new EV architecture will support an entirely new full-size electric truck and three-row SUV. CEO Jim Farley says the new EV truck will resemble “the Millennium Falcon with a back porch attached.” It will be constructed at Ford’s brand-new BlueOval City complex in Tennessee. Read More

5. Car owners spending record $12,000 a year on their new vehicles

New car owners are now spending an average of $12,182 a year on their vehicles, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA). The costs of vehicle ownership have risen significantly since the onset of the COVID pandemic. During 2019, AAA reported that new car owners were spending $9,282 a year, which at the time was the highest since the association began tracking consumer spending. In the four years since, annual costs have risen more than 30%, rising 13.5% between 2022 and 2023 alone. While previous surges in owner expenses were typically driven by individual components such as financing fees and gas prices, this year’s increase can be attributed to multiple factors. Read More

6. NADA Update: Protecting the dealer franchise system and EV supply vs demand

Despite rising interest rates, increasing transaction prices, and disruptors to the market, sales are still strong for franchised dealers across the U.S. Dealers are resilient and seem to find ways to adapt to changing conditions quickly. In this special edition of Inside Automotive, Jim Fitzpatrick and Shyann Malone speak with Mike Stanton, the president and CEO of NADA, about the current state of the automotive industry. Watch Now

7. Four vital factors to consider when trying to meet dealership hiring demands – Adam Robinson | Hireology

Now more than ever, dealerships need help to fill roles and retain top talent, like technicians. But you may be surprised to learn it doesn’t always come down to money for job seekers. Hireology’s State of Automotive Hiring Report found that things other than pay could make all the difference. In this episode of Inside Automotive, we’re joined by Adam Robinson, the CEO and Co-Founder of Hireology, to elaborate more on the report and solutions to fill roles. Watch Now

8. The future of artificial intelligence in the dealership — Kevin Frye | Jeff Wyler Automotive Family

The automotive industry is evolving once more as artificial intelligence transforms how car dealers and manufacturers conduct business and serve customers. One of the thought leaders at the forefront of this shift is Kevin Frye, marketing director at the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family. On this episode of Inside Automotive, CBT News anchor Shyann Malone sits down with Frye to discuss AI and what it means for the retail automotive sector. Watch Now

9. The role of speed in customer service and car buyer loyalty — Jay Baer

Customer service speed can make or break a dealership’s brand loyalty and long-term growth. On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Jay Baer, speaker, business growth and customer experience research and New York Times Best Selling Author, to explore service efficiency and whether companies can ever be too fast when helping customers in-store or online. Consumers now care much more about their time and how it is spent than ever before. In fact, when it comes to shopping for products and services, two-thirds of all customers surveyed by Baer said speed was just as important as price. Watch Now

10. How to identify and fix the ‘Upper Limit Problem’ – Gay Hendricks | Hendricks Institute

Could you be sabotaging your own success? On today’s episode of CBT Now, we’re exploring the “Upper Limit Problem,” a common problem many of us experience in business with allowing ourselves to enjoy our wins without boundaries. Joining us is Gay Hendricks, the founder of the Hendricks Institute, to discuss his new book, “The Big Leap,” which explores this problem and how to overcome it. Hendricks asserts that the Upper Limit Problem is the human tendency to bump up against limits in an attempt to grow. In other words, the subconscious self-sabotage that happens when we taste something great. Watch Now