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It’s Friday! As we close out the week, we’re covering a push by VW workers to join the UAW, how dealers are choosing pessimism, and the buzz about peach fuzz.
Show Notes with links:Crossing a notable benchmark, the UAW has crossed the 30% support threshold at Volkswagen's Chattanooga facility, signaling a major shift in its organizing efforts.
- Now that they’ve reached 30%, those who signed the cards will become more public to gain more support. If they reach 70%, it will trigger a vote.
- And don’t be surprised if you see Shawn Fein show up.
- This progress is part of a larger push by the UAW to unionize 13 non-union U.S. plants, targeting nearly 150,000 employees across various automakers, including Tesla and Toyota.
- Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant has a history of narrow votes against UAW in 2014 and 2019, amidst strong opposition from local lawmakers.
- After the campaign, VW told employees, “We prefer to continue our direct relationship with you, working together as one team,” the New York Times reported at the time.
- "Times have changed and our time is now," the UAW stated in a new video, highlighting their recent successes and motivating workers towards unionization.
Cox Automotive's Q4 Dealer Sentiment Index reveals a growing pessimism among auto dealers, as they face a comedown from previously favorable market conditions.
- Franchised dealers expressed the worst market sentiment since the second quarter of 2020, with a current market rating of 49, reflecting a shift from heightened profitability to more normal conditions.
- The survey, including responses from 561 franchised and 475 independent dealers, indicates a significant decline in optimism, with a more pessimistic outlook for the upcoming quarter than the current one.
- Key challenges identified by dealers include high interest rates, economic concerns, and market conditions, with a notable shift away from previous inventory issues.
- From the AutoNews article: But Cox doesn't think a threat looms on the horizon. Instead, Smoke said it attributes the negative sentiment to "moving away from the best years" in dealer history. Sales won't be an issue. Dealers are lamenting being squeezed on pricing and profitability.
Pantone has announced "Peach Fuzz" as its 2024 Color of the Year, symbolizing comfort, kindness, and tenderness, in contrast to the turmoil of recent years.
- The color marks Pantone's 25th anniversary of its Color of the Year program, which began in 1999.
- Collaborations include products like Motorola phones and Ruggable home items in Peach Fuzz shades.
- Pantone's choice reflects a year-long market study, finding peach tones in fashion, cosmetics, and home decor.
- Laurie Pressman of the Pantone Color Institute emphasizes the color's role in offering solace: "It’s things that we’re looking for that color can hope to answer."
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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