Tag: Automotive

Recovery continues but geopolitical risks remain for 2025

The move comes less than two months after Tavares announced that he would step down in early 2026.

North American auto assemblies rallied in October, rising 11.3% above September, reaching the best output year to date. Assemblies were also up 7% year on-year (y/y), according to LMC Automotive data.

A look at this week's aluminum news

General Motors is laying off ~1,000 workers globally, with most located in the US, according to a report Friday in Reuters.

According to data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, US light-vehicle (LV) sales accelerated to an unadjusted 1.33 million units in October, a rise of 1.7% from September and 10.6% from a year ago.

The investment is aimed at growing Kloeckner’s automotive and industrial segment in the US and Mexico.

North American auto assemblies fell by nearly 7% from August, but were still ahead of July’s 20-month low. Assemblies were also down just under 1% year on year (y/y), according to LMC Automotive data.

European automaker Stellantis’ CEO Carlos Tavares will step down at the conclusion of his CEO term in early 2026. The company announced other sweeping management changes, including a new North America CEO.

European automaker Stellantis is mulling a major management shakeup following the company’s recently lowered 2024 guidance. This comes amid a spate of layoffs in the last few months at Stellantis, which has significant operations in the US, and at General Motors.

General Motors is temporarily stopping production at a plant in Michigan and one in Texas due to supply-chain fallout from Hurricane Helene.

Netherlands-based automaker Stellantis has lowered its guidance for 2024 due to woes in the North American market and weakening worldwide industry dynamics.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has reached a tentative labor agreement with Ford, averting a potential strike at a truck plant in Dearborn, Mich.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has threatened to strike at Stellantis and at Ford’s Dearborn, Mich., truck plant.

General Motors and Hyundai Motor Co. announced they will be linking up to explore collaborating across a variety of areas, including their sourcing of steel.

Automaker Stellantis said it will invest more than $406 million in three Michigan facilities.

SMU Steel Summit 2024 speakers weighed in on an array of topics surrounding the electric vehicle movement, including advancements in technology and infrastructure, consumer adaptation, and regulatory challenges

North American auto assemblies slumped by more than 14% from June, falling to a 20-month low in July. Assemblies were also down 1.5% year on year (y/y), according to LMC Automotive data.

Former U.S. Steel executive Kenneth Jaycox is moving from steel to the automotive parts industry.

Japan’s Nippon Steel announced it was withdrawing from a joint venture (JV) with China's Baoshan Iron & Steel (Baosteel) that served the Chinese automotive industry.

A roundup of aluminum news from CRU.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to imports and evolving market events.

Cleveland-Cliffs’ earnings tumbled in the second quarter as the company cited weak demand and pricing.

ArcelorMittal Mexico reached an agreement with the local mining union on Thursday, July 18, to end the 55-day blockade of its steelmaking and mining facilities in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacán. While a large majority of Section 271 of the Sindicato Nacional de Mineros voted to accept the proposal, a group of unknown size continues to protest illegally and has even turned to violence, according to the company.

Reibus International Inc. CEO and Chairman Jared Rowe will be the featured speaker on the next SMU Community Chat webinar.

US light-vehicle (LV) sales fell to an unadjusted 1.32 million units in June, down 3.4% vs. year-ago levels, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported. The year-on-year (y/y) dip in domestic LV sales came in with a 4% month-on-month (m/m) decline.

North American auto assemblies ticked down by nearly 6% in June after reaching a nine-month high in May, according to LMC Automotive data. Assemblies were also down 1.4% year on year (y/y).

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have just over two months left to reach a new labor agreement and avoid a strike at all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports. However, with talks still suspended, ILA’s president says a strike looks more likely with each passing day.

The recently announced acquisition of Stelco by Cleveland-Cliffs (Cliffs), priced at nearly three times book value, provides a great price for Stelco shareholders. And various synergies will likely leave Cliffs with tremendous runway for further growth in this deal. Cliffs expects to close this deal in 2024 Q4 upon government approval. This approval is expected but not a given.

Growth in the US economy continues to be constrained. The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book report for July shows more areas reporting flat or declining economic activity than in its previous report at the end of May.