AD #3647 – UAW Plans Targeted Strike at Specific Plants; Ford Reveals Updated F-150; Hyundai To Adopt Gigacastings

This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.

UAW PLANS TARGETED STRIKE AT SPECIFIC PLANTS
We’re now one day away from a potential UAW strike. The current contract expires at midnight tomorrow. And now it’s being reported that the union is planning a targeted strike at specific plants of all three Detroit automakers if they don’t reach a tentative agreement by the deadline. UAW President Shawn Fain is planning on doing a livestream on Facebook at 5PM today to update members on the negotiations and its potential strike strategy. It’s not known what plants the UAW would go after but it’s a safe bet that it will be ones that build the automaker’s most popular or profitable models. The union’s strike fund currently sits at $825 million, which would cover 11 weeks of pay.

FORD SAYS NEW UAW OFFER IS MOST LUCRATIVE IN HISTORY
And Ford seems to be taking the UAW’s strike threat to heart. Last week, it fast tracked nearly 8,000 employees to the top wage rate which translates to an extra $9,000 per year in salary. And now CEO Jim Farley has told the Detroit Free Press that it made its third contract offer to the union and says “It’ll be the most lucrative offer in the 80-year history of the UAW and Ford.” While Farley didn’t reveal specifics, he said there will be “huge” wage increases, the end of tiered wages, better health care coverage, better retirement contributions, more time off, 17 paid holidays and 5 weeks of vacation. There’s no word yet on what the UAW thinks of the offer but no doubt Fain will have something to say on his livestream today.

EU LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO CHINESE EVs
As we’ve reported, Europe is concerned about the flood of low-cost EVs from China that have entered the market. And now the European Union is opening an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs. The President of the European Commission says Chinese automakers are receiving “huge state subsidies” that keep prices artificially low. And if the investigation concludes that the subsidies are hurting the EU’ auto industry, it could impose tariffs on Chinese EVs. A recent UBS study said that BYD will have a 25% long-term cost advantage against its Western competitors in their home markets.

HYUNDAI/KIA FACE ANOTHER LAWSUIT OVER VEHICLE THEFTS
Hyundai and Kia are facing another lawsuit in the U.S. over vehicle thefts, which they’re asking a judge to dismiss. Seventeen cities filed the suit due to the wave thefts that occurred after social media videos showed how to start Hyundai and Kia vehicles without a key because they weren’t equipped with engine immobilizers. The automakers say they shouldn’t be held responsible and point to policing and prosecution policies, and budget decisions in the cities that diverted funds from preventing car thefts. Earlier this year, the companies settled a $200 million consumer class action lawsuit over the thefts and they also face a lawsuit from insurance companies who claim the thefts have cost them $600 million. Hyundai and Kia did release a software update for most of the affected vehicles to help stop the thefts.

FORD REVEALS UPDATED F-150
The best-selling truck in America just got a facelift. Ford revealed the refreshed 2024 F-150 at an event in Detroit last night. The front-end design is mostly new with new grilles for the different grades, standard LED front lighting, which includes a new interpretation of the C-clamp style that’s available on higher trim levels, modular bumpers for Tremor and Raptor and a new Ford logo. Instead of chrome in the lettering and the ovals around the outside of the logo, it’s painted white and there’s only one oval. The logo itself is also flatter, rather than domed. This is picked up on the tailgate as well, but not in other areas like the wheel center caps or horn pad. Ford didn’t seem to really want to talk about the new logo, it’s not even mentioned in the press release, which leads me to believe there’s a bigger story and it will get spread across the lineup. But let us know what you think about the new-look logo. One of the other big stories with the 2024 F-150 is its clever new tailgate. The available Pro Access Tailgate can fold down like any standard tailgate, but it also features a swing open door in the middle. Not quite the full width of the tailgate, the door allows someone to access the bed without having to reach over the tailgate. And it’s even meant to operate with a trailer hooked up. To order this as a feature requires a $1,600 bed utility package that also includes bed lighting and an upgraded tie-down system. While the Pro Access Tailgate is one of a number of brand-new options, Ford is slashing the number of order configurations for the new F-150 by 90%. It’s doing things like making the extended range fuel tank and Class 4 trailer hitch standard. For example, the previous version of the Raptor could be ordered 40 different ways. Now it’s slashing that to just 6. Ford is also seeing more demand for electrified F-150s. Hybrid sales are up 28% and hybrids now account for 10% of F-150 sales, so Ford says it’s doubling production of hybrid F-150s. And to make the choice even harder on customers, initial pricing of the PowerBoost Hybrid on XLT to Platinum Plus will match the 3.5-liter EcoBoost. Sticking with engines for the moment, the base 3.3L engine is gone. The 2.7L EcoBoost is now standard. And Ford wouldn’t come out and directly say that the V8 in the Raptor R will have more power, but the V8 in the Raptor R will have more power. And unfortunately, we’re going to wait to have to see how much more. But while we’re talking about the Raptor, it’s available with new graphics, a new paint color and Fox dual valve shocks. I’d say that covers most of the highlights with the new F-150, but there are some other new features and if you’d like to learn more we’ll provide a link to the release.   

HYUNDAI TO ADOPT GIGACASTINGS
Another automaker is copying Tesla’s large castings, known as gigacastings. Reports say that Hyundai is going to make what it calls “hypercastings” as a way to reduce manufacturing time and costs. Others like the Geely Group, including Volvo, Toyota and GM are going to use large castings. But unlike some of them, Hyundai is going to build its own casting, processing, and assembly plant, which is expected to be pumping out parts by 2026.

The Battery Show kicked off yesterday in Novi, Michigan and it’s all about presenting some of the most exciting technology coming into the whole electrified field. John has been running around the floor of the show looking for the coolest stuff and you may have seen a couple of his videos pop up yesterday. But this is just the start. You’ll definitely see more today and probably tomorrow too. So, check that out if you want.  

But that brings us to the end of today’s show. Thanks for tuning in.