Surcar North America : 1st International Conference on Automotive Body Finishing in North America

Antonio Filosa, who succeeded Christian Meunier in November, said he sees Jeep recovering the volume it has lost since 2018 while doubling its global sales to 2 million.

Upcoming votes at VW and Mercedes plants will test the UAW's bet that a revamped organizing strategy and momentum from its rich Detroit 3 contracts can give it a foothold at transplant automakers.

Volkswagen, which ran a 'no-holds-barred union-avoidance campaign' in 2019, has not taken a stance on the UAW's latest drive to organize the Chattanooga plant.

TO THE EDITOR:

Regarding “Why built-to-order models are the future in the automotive industry,” autonews.com, Dec. 15: An enlightening article points to an age-old problem that the public has just accepted in the auto industry.

I think many have experienced this, as I have recently — accepting a passenger touchscreen display that was not at all desired to get another desired feature because that’s what was in stock.

New entrants are certainly challenging the built-to-stock model, and examples can be examined from adjacent industries in manufacturing and retail. If automakers want to improve customer engagement and sales, then the built-to-order strategy is something they cannot ignore.

AARON LEE, Director of product marketing – mobility, Microsoft, Tempe, Ariz.

Hybrids are eclipsing EVs' spotlight. Their strength — familiarity — may be EVs' weakness.

Here are highlights from the latest episodes of 'Daily Drive', Automotive News' weekday podcast, April 9-12, hosted by Jamie Butters with Kellen Walker.

TO THE EDITOR:

Regarding “F-150 Lightning EV targeted by climate protesters at New York auto show,” autonews.com, April 3: The media is quick to cover the climate protesters at the New York auto show but fails to investigate the data they use.

Nothing is drastically changing that we need to jump into mass electric vehicles and change our entire lifestyle to support these claims.

Toyota was the only smart automaker in the room when the company stated that hybrid powertrains are part of the future. The technology regarding EVs and infrastructure is not up to par. It will take decades. EVs are still horrible in terms of range, payloads and weight. My 2022 Corolla gets a range of 475 miles on a full tank and weighs a heck of a lot less than any EV. 

Now we read of EV cutbacks and other measures hitting the auto industry. 

Just wait to trade in that EV or scrap one, and you will see how much environmental destruction they cause and your pocketbook.

PETE PAPAGEORGE, Redgranite, Wis.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk is returning to the automaker's 'master plan' by shifting its focus toward developing a dedicated robotaxi — with huge potential profits — and away from a low-cost EV with scant margins