Crain Communications’ Post

Wrapped up in Chattanooga this morning after attending the Southern Automotive Conference. Aside from the charm, hospitality and great food the city has to offer, I'll share a few takeaways: 📈 Investments in the Southeast manufacturing corridor are huge, have and will continue to be transformative for the communities in the region. Partnerships with state business councils and universities are energizing the creation of a new South. Volkswagen has a great marketing display in the Chattanooga airport that makes the claim of the New Motor City (being from Detroit, not sure how I feel about that one🤣) 💸 There are significant hurdles in the electric vehicle market. Significant dollars have been spent towards retooling supply chains for electric vehicles but consumers are demanding hybrid which can be twice as complex to produce. With intense competition from Chinese automakers, how can US established OEMs adapt quickly to meet consumer demand? 👩🏼🏫 With the complexity of new technologies, there is a demand for multi-skilled employees. University programs are working with business to produce the educational programs necessary for the skills of the future. Skills needed from our youth: ability to apply knowledge, curiosity and appetite to continue learning and a passion for automotive. 🗣️I met some really great people and great talks with OEMs and Tier 1s looking for diversity and expertise in their supply base. Looking forward to developing the relationships!

New registrations for electric vehicles in the EU plunged 44 per cent in August compared with a year earlier with Germany suffering a 69 per cent drop, according to latest figures released by Acea, the European car industry body. In light of the sharp decline, Berlin is discussing new tax incentives to spur consumer demand for EVs.

This week, Autos Drive America submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Promoting Supply Chain Resilience. Our member companies require both a resilient supply chain and open trade to continue delivering the highest quality for customers and to remain competitive on a global scale.    “As the Administration develops and implements policies that support growth and investment in domestic manufacturing and services, it is essential that it bear in mind that open trade and investment policies will remain foundational for achieving these objectives,” said Jennifer Safavian, CEO of Autos Drive America. “Open trade and investment policies create a competitive economic environment that promotes innovation and ensures that U.S. manufacturers can effectively compete globally based on both cost and quality.”   Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/esCdX3-V

We're the best option to build an automotive product, let's talk at the show! #nada #nada2024 #incentives #rebates #marketscan #autofinance #fintech #martech #adtech #digitalretail #insuretech #dr #digitalretailing

Join our Consulting Executive Director Michael Robinet at AutoNews Congress on September 24, taking place at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, MI. Michael will speak on a panel titled Decision 2024: The Impact of the US Presidential Election on the Global Auto Industry. Key topics include: ➡️ Regulatory Shifts: How the election outcome could determine regulations around fuel efficiency, emissions standards, electric infrastructure development and electric vehicle (EV) mandates. ➡️ Trade Policies: How differing trade policies and tariffs under new leadership could impact the cost and availability of vehicles and components, as well as the broader competitiveness of American automakers. ➡️ Labor and Workforce: How labor policies, including union dynamics and worker protections, could see significant changes — affecting not only the cost structures of automakers but also the livelihoods of millions employed in the industry. Jamie Butters, Executive Editor of Automotive News, will moderate the conversation. Get tickets today: https://okt.to/DObSPr

'Autowave’s investment into China reaping benefits for the UK automotive aftermarket'. Have a read of our most recent article in The Garage Magazine, detailing our experience in having production facilities in China and how operations in China are benefitting the automotive aftermarket. Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/eQgWykVY

Volkswagen warned on Monday that it would consider closing factories in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history and end a decades-old guarantee of job security for workers, as it faces profitability problems amid increasing pressure from Asian competitors. Volkswagen= 41 a very positive No. in numerology and it means This number has a magical power like the single 5, or the "command" numbers 14 and 23. It is usually associated with combinations of people or nations. It is a fortunate number if the person it represents holds to his own judgment and opinions; if not, his plans are likely to be wrecked by the stubbornness and stupidity of others. It is a favorable number if it appears in connection with future events. So overall this No. is responsible for the company success . 41= 5 Mercury denotes fast business, marketing , overseas profit . First letter of the company starts with V= 6 Venus, good for having positive relationship with the people along with international business. The registered name of the company is- Volkswagen Group = 13 which is a very negative No. and it means This is a number indicating change of plans, place and such-like and is not unfortunate, as is generally supposed. In some of the ancient writings it is said, "He who understands the number 13 will be given power and dominion". It is symbolized by the picture of a "Skeleton" of "Death," with a scythe reaping down men, in a field of new-grown grass where young faces and heads appear cropping up on every side. It is a number of upheaval and destruction. It is a symbol of "Power" which if wrongly used will wreak destruction upon oneself. It is a number of warning of the unknown or unexpected, if it becomes a "compound" number in one's calculations. The only positive side of this 13 is that its benefit depends upon the person who is handling it. 13=4 Uranus, brings out struggle and uncertain events. But 4 gives money too and if saved properly then the company will grow too. Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of Volkswagen, was born on April 10, 1970. So Driver No 10= 1 Sun, and company name 4 is lucky for him and so he can handle well this negatively named company. But this year 2024= 8 Saturn, acts negatively with 4 . Company was founded on 28/5/1937. 28+5+1937= 8 too. The news came on 2/9/2024 so the gap is 88 years with two 8s in it. Germany, as a unified modern nation-state, was officially founded on January 18, 1871 . 18= 9 Mars, planet of war and aggression and upheaval too. 18+1+1871= 9 too and the other combination of 4-8 will cause problems of Germany workers with the management . 18/1 Sunsign ruler is Saturn 8 again here. Germany running age is 154 years, 154= 1 Sun, planet of leadership and authority. But this 1 will give them winning position too. And this may take place in September itself . 12/9 can be a watch date So see how Nos 4 and 8 again getting repeated as per numerology . #Volkswagen #Numerology #Mercury

In 2023 van-reliant businesses contributed almost €1 trillion to the European economy. For more on this and the economics of commercial van usage across Europe, check out our research with Ford Pro out today: https://lnkd.in/dxnQnte8

Terrible PR Disaster or perfectly executed PR Coup? The panic surrounding Volkswagen top management's announcement that they are considering closing German plants certainly adds weight to defend demands for pay increases in the upcoming collective bargaining discussions.