UAW Whispers, EV Gender Gap, Fall Is Accident Season

September 21, 2023
Thursday is tearing around the track as we share the UAW whispers we’re hearing out there. We also talk about a new report on the EV gender gap, as well as the reasons Fall sees the most car accidents.
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UAW Update: Yesterday was a day with minimal fanfare but a few steps forward: 

  • Stellantis submitted a new contract proposal to the UAW, marking its fifth offer since negotiations began, which centered on "subcommittee open issues."
  • This is the first new proposal from any of the Detroit 3 automakers since the UAW began their strike on September 15.
  • UAW President Shawn Fain still threatens to escalate the strike, adding more workers to the picket lines, if "serious progress" isn't made by the union's Friday deadline.
  • GM disclosed details of its latest offer, promising raises totaling 20% over the next four years, resulting in top wages reaching $39.24 by 2027. They also reduced the number of years it takes for new hires to reach the top pay tier from eight to four
  • GM's President Mark Reuss pushed back on what the company has called ‘misinformation’ in an op-ed.  The company reiterated that their proposal would equalize wages across roles, potentially raising base wages for 85% of GM's workforce to around $82,000 annually and $150,000 when factoring in items like benefits and overtime.
  • Reuss criticized the UAW's demands, emphasizing GM's significant investments into its employees and noting the company's financial contributions, including a net income of roughly $65 billion from 2013 to 2022


A recent survey by Edmunds reveals that men are more likely to purchase EVs than women, with 67% of EV buyers in 2023 being men and 33% women. This gender disparity in EV purchasing is greater than that in the overall U.S. car market, where 59% of buyers are men and 41% are women. And the reasons they buy EVs couldn’t be further apart

  • Men tend to purchase EVs driven by the novelty and the excitement of owning new technology, with brand loyalty playing a significant role. In contrast, women prioritize practical aspects like value and range.
  • The average EV price, close to $60,000, is a concern. Women show a preference for EVs priced under $30,000 leaning towards plug-in hybrids as a bridge between traditional and fully-electric cars.


We’re only two days away from the first day of Fall.  Known for its fall foliage and pumpkin spice, the coming season also sees the highest number of vehicle accidents according to our friends at CARFAX.

  • Contrary to the common belief that winter sees the highest number of crashes, over 72% of U.S. drivers, equating to about 170 million, reside in states where Fall contains the most crashes
  • While winter remains hazardous, only 23% of drivers are in states where it's the most dangerous season; these states include California, Florida, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Vermont.
  • The only states where Spring and Summer see the highest amount of accidents are Nebraska, Oklahoma, and New Mexico
  • Reasons for fall accidents include reduced daylight leading to more night-time driving, slippery roads due to wet leaves, and deer mating season increasing deer-related collisions.


0:00 Intro

0:55 Hanging out with Jordan and Kyle

2:15 The ASOTU CON Party with the Industry

4:15 The UAW Update: Stellantis Makes an Offer, GM Writes an Op-Ed

7:41 2/3 of EV Buyers are Men, 1/3 Is Women

11:31 Fall Is Car Accident Season

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