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It’s Thursday and we have guest host Steve Greenfield again to talk about the UAW’s stated intention to invest big in organizing new plants. We also cover Rivian’s sales predictions and layoffs as well as the most exciting layover transfers ever.
Show Notes with links:
The UAW is setting aside $40 million towards organizing efforts in the next two years for auto and battery workers in the U.S. without union representation, signaling a significant push towards enhancing labor rights in the burgeoning EV ecosystem.
- This initiative comes as a response to growing organizing activities among auto and battery workers currently outside of union membership.
- With the electric-vehicle battery sector expected to add tens of thousands of jobs, the UAW is acting to secure workers' interests sooner than later
- "Through a massive new organizing effort, workers are fighting to maintain and raise the standard in the emerging battery industry," the UAW states.
Rivian Automotive has announced a workforce reduction of 10% and predicting flat production levels at 57,000 for 2024, amidst a net loss reduction in Q4.
- The company is experiencing a net loss improvement, reporting $1.52 billion in Q4, down from $1.72 billion the previous year, despite a full-year loss of $5.43 billion.
- CEO RJ Scaringe cited consumer reluctance due to high interest rates causing an impact on demand as he announced production shutdowns for efficiency improvements.
- "Our business is not immune to existing economic and geopolitical uncertainties," Scaringe acknowledges, pointing to the high interest rates affecting demand.
- Despite these challenges, Rivian is optimistic about its future, particularly with the upcoming R2 platform aimed at the midsize SUV market, promising a price below $50,000.
- Rivian employees were left in suspense last night when they were told about the 10% reduction and informed they'd have to wait until the next morning to learn if their roles were affected by layoffs, creating a night of uncertainty
Delta is stepping up its game at LAX by partnering with Porsche to shuttle passengers with short layovers at LAX using a 911 GT3 RS
- The service is part of Delta's continuous efforts to maintain its status as North America's most punctual airline, utilizing its fleet of Porsche vehicles for the benefit of elite passengers.
- Aimed more at marketing than speed due to regulatory limitations, the presence of a bright-red Porsche on the tarmac is designed to capture attention and generate social media interest.
- "Perhaps this is Delta's secret weapon to remain the most on-time airline in North America," underlines the strategic partnership between Delta and Porsche for delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.
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