Manufacturing Trump unleashes higher tariffs on China as trade war intensifies President Trump's move came after discussions between President Xi Jinping’s top trade envoy and his U.S. counterparts in Washington made little progress on Thursday, with the mood around them downbeat, Bloomberg reported. Manufacturing GM-Workhorse talks for Lordstown raise questions While a deal, which remains far from complete, would keep jobs at the massive Ohio factory, the staffing would be a fraction of GM's 1,400 hourly workers on one shift. GM employed 4,500 people there a few years ago. Regulation & Safety Volvo r&d chief defends 'Big Brother' steps to reach safety goal Volvo's decision to limit the top speed in its new models has sparked reaction that is 80 percent positive or neutral and 20 percent negative, says the automaker's r&d chief. Executives Bill Ford: 'Very pleased' with recent stock performance Ford's leadership defended the company's actions during CEO Jim Hackett's first two years on the job, saying 2019 will be proof they've made the right choices. Automakers & Suppliers Subaru earnings tumble on quality woes, incentives and sliding sales Subaru's profit fell 49 percent in the latest fiscal year amid falling wholesale volume, higher incentives and surging warranty outlays. Mobility Report Uber prices IPO at $45 a share, at low end of range Uber, in one of the most high-profile U.S. listings since Facebook's IPO seven years ago, raised $8.1 billion in adopting a risk-averse stance with its equity market debut. Executives Former GM Europe chief Forster joins autonomous tech firm's board Former GM Europe chief Carl-Peter Forster joined the advisory board of Vayavision, an Israeli developer of AV technology that plans to expand in Europe. Executives Musk courts controversy with tweets on sex video filmed in Tesla Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent a series of tweets loaded with double entendre Thursday after a video surfaced this week of two people having sex in a Tesla operating on Autopilot. Mobility Report Washington state reinstates EV tax breaks Washington state, hoping to put 50,000 clean-fuel vehicles on roads by 2020, is reinstating tax breaks for electric and alternative-power vehicles and plans other incentives to spur demand. AM Newscast U.S. raises tariffs on Chinese goods • Subaru's profit dives • Uber prices IPO at $45 a share • Ford's lidar-equipped robot See all First Shift PM NEWSCAST Bill Ford on stock performance • Carvana's ups and downs • Magna trims '19 outlook • Peek at Dyson's patents See all PM Newscasts This Week's Issue Pickup sales approach new highs There's no slowdown in plant investment Smart never had it easy in truck-loving U.S. China's Zotye adding U.S. dealers while parent preps for 2nd brand More stories from this week's issue » Access F&I Ford Credit pilots aim to retain customers after lease end Aston partners with Chase for financing Dealers look to enhance F&I process for subprime customers More Access F&I stories » Opinion Smart wises up in America Extending EV tax credits good for environment and America Growing secrecy a setback for stakeholders More Opinion stories » Best Practices Bridging the gap between sales, service Positive vibes drive sales increase, Fla. dealer says Sponsored Content Provided By Ally VIDEO: Take action to create a welcoming workplace More Best Practices stories » Best Practice Tips Cars & Concepts A clearer look at Land Rover's new Defender Porsche Panamera coupe, cabrio in the works, report says 2020 Corvette badge also gets redesigned More Cars & Concepts stories » BLOGS How Carvana restored my faith in online vehicle retailing Volvo seeks new suppliers, fresh ideas to make greener cars Dealers need to be part of the emerging data landscape There's a lot riding on the new Corvette More Blogs » FIXED OPS JOURNAL Pay incentives can boost parts department profits, efficiency Advisers' pay world gets a little bit flatter Big data lets OEMs, dealers predict when vehicles will need service More Fixed Ops Journal stories » Weekend Drive Why U.S. dealers are 'gravitating' toward China's Zotye Zotye USA is solidifying its product, dealership and management portfolios as the firm prepares to sell Chinese vehicles in the U.S. by early 2021. Zotye leaders say the company's 'script' for auto retailing is impressing dealers. Listen to the Weekend Drive Podcast See all Weekend Drive Marketing To boost sedans, automakers use key feature from SUVs The latest entrants to the all-wheel stable include the Mazda6, Nissan Altima and Toyota Prius. As sales of crossovers, SUVs and pickups grow, automakers are equipping more sedans with all-wheel drive. Suppliers Bosch says trade disputes, economic slowdown will hit this year's profit Bosch said earnings rose to $6.2 billion last year, but warned that 2019 sales will stagnate in the face of a slowdown in the global economy and continuing trade disputes. Suppliers Magna Q1 net rises on one-time gains, but 2019 outlook reduced Magna said first-quarter net income rose to $1.11 billion, up mainly on the sale of its fluid pressure and controls unit. Results also were boosted by a revaluation on its investment in Lyft. Adjusted earnings fell 18 percent. Earnings Continental affirms profit guidance as it counts on market upturn Continental expects a market upturn and strict cost discipline to help it achieve its full-year profit guidance, after a downturn in car demand led to a 22 percent profit fall in the first quarter. Manufacturing Trump says China trade deal is possible as tariff deadline nears President Trump, speaking at an event in Washington, said he may hold a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, who had sent him a "beautiful" letter about working closely together. Executives Zetsche says his successor will have tough job Daimler's next CEO will have a tough job to restore margins at Mercedes, current boss Dieter Zetsche said, as the automaker launched the EQC electric crossover. Future Product Dyson's electric-car plans shown in patents Dyson's electric car may have a long wheelbase, an interior cabin with reclining seats and an aerodynamic design, according to patents awarded to the company. Dealers Carvana’s losses mount amid 'sustained hyper growth' Carvana said its revenue more than doubled for a 21st consecutive quarter as it expanded into 24 new U.S. markets. Automakers & Suppliers Mitsubishi earnings climb on rising sales, cost controls Despite solid gains for the recent fiscal year, Mitsubishi forecasted that operating profit will decline 19 percent in the new fiscal year while net income will drop 51 percent. Automakers & Suppliers Mazda's profits tumble 43% on foreign exchange, lower sales, dealer outlays In announcing the lower earnings results, CEO Akira Marumoto outlined a new mid-term business plan that targets lifting operating profit margin to a sustainable 5 percent by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. Load More Digital Edition THIS WEEK'S EDITION See our archive Fixed Ops Journal Read the issue See our archive Automotive News Jobs Board VIEW ALL AUTOMOTIVE JOBS POST A JOB
