The President Visited. President Joe Biden joined Michigan autoworkers on strike, endorsing their 40% pay raise demand. His appearance, a historic show of solidarity, comes ahead of Donald Trump's planned address to Michigan auto workers, highlighting the vital role of union support in the 2024 elections. 🦅
Another Looming Deadline. The UAW may expand strikes at Detroit Three facilities if labor negotiations stall. With around 18,300 members already striking, more could join if UAW President Shawn Fain announces further walkouts on Friday. 🗓
Different Union, Different Song. The Teamsters union has urged US regulators to deny GM's request for a safety exemption for its autonomous Cruise Origin vehicle. GM wants to deploy vehicles annually without typical human controls. 🤖
Lucid opened its first international plant in Saudi Arabia. The California-based EV company will re-assemble vehicle kits from the US in the new plant. The Saudi government and the Public Investment Fund support Lucid's plan to expand production by mid-decade. The nation targets 30% EV sales by 2030.
So, the US will send EVs to Saudi Arabia while Saudi Arabia sends the US oil? It's like the Gift of the Magi in some way we can't quite articulate.
BYD America CEO, Stella Li, highlights BYD's unique advantage as it expands overseas: affordable yet high-tech EVs. Originating as a battery company, BYD now produces most car components in-house, expediting innovation and reducing production times to 18 months for new models. Li emphasized their success in China, the "toughest market."