GM Wentzville Plant Halts Production Amid Lear Workers' Strike
Production at General Motors' Wentzville, Missouri, truck plant is halted due to a labor dispute at its seat supplier, Lear Corp. Five hundred Lear workers, represented by UAW Local 282, are on strike for better terms, criticizing Lear for spending on stock buybacks and dividends instead of fair wages. GM confirmed that part shortages from this dispute have impacted production and hopes for a quick resolution. Lear emphasized its commitment to good-faith negotiations and reaching a beneficial agreement. The Wentzville plant, employing 4,600 workers, produces Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon trucks, and Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana vans.
Automakers Reassess EV Production Amid Declining Demand
Automakers face overcapacity in EV production due to weakening demand, prompting a return to combustion-engine cars. U.S., German, and French automakers are producing EVs at 40-45% below expectations. Europe’s EV market is struggling with high prices and reduced subsidies, causing companies like Mercedes-Benz to delay EV targets and Volkswagen to consider shutting a factory in Belgium. Stellantis halted EV output in Italy, and Valeo seeks buyers for two plants. In the U.S., Ford is investing $3 billion in its Super Duty F-Series pickup truck, shifting from a delayed electric SUV. Interest in hybrids and plug-in hybrids is growing. OPmobility confirmed its full-year targets despite uncertainties, with shares rising 12% on strong new orders. The shift to EVs was driven by regulations, not consumer demand.
Ford Shifts Oakville Plant Focus to Super Duty Truck Production by 2026
Ford announced that its Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, will begin producing Super Duty pickup trucks in 2026. This decision marks a significant shift from previous plans to convert the plant into an EV production facility. Originally, Ford had planned to start building EVs at Oakville in 2025, with a delay announced later pushing the date to 2027, resulting in layoffs. Instead, the plant will now focus on producing up to 100,000 Super Duty trucks annually. Ford intends to introduce "multi-energy technology" to the Super Duty lineup, hinting at future electrified or hybrid options while maintaining non-electrified internal combustion options. This shift aims to preserve 400 more jobs than the original EV plan. Ford still plans to develop three-row EVs but has not provided a revised timeline.