Tariffs on steel, aluminum likely mean higher costs for auto industry
President Donald Trump signed executive orders placing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. on Monday. The moves could make imported steel and aluminum more expensive for automakers and parts suppliers, creating additional challenges for a sector already dealing with a soft sales environment, experts say. “It’s another hit to the industry,” Jay Cushing, senior bond analyst with Gimme Credit, said in an email to Automotive Dive on Tuesday.
Ford taps finance VP as new CFO
Ford Motor Co. VP of finance Sherry House took over as CFO from long-time company veteran and finance chief John Lawler on Feb. 6, the automotive company announced in a securities filing and press release last week. The move is part of a planned leadership change the company announced last spring, when House — an alum of electronic vehicle company Lucid Motors — joined Ford as its VP of finance, with plans to assume the CFO role at some point this year, CFO Dive previously reported. Lawler, who has logged a 34-year career with the Dearborn, Michigan-based company, has served as Ford’s CFO since October 2020. He will remain with the company as its vice chair — a position he has held since June as part of the planned executive leadership changes — with “a focus on strategy, partnerships and alliances,” the company said.
Tariffs on Canada, Mexico would devastate US auto industry: Ford CEO
A 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada would be detrimental to the U.S. auto industry, Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley said during an investor conference Tuesday. Although currently delayed until March, higher duties on products coming into the U.S. from two of its biggest trading partners would allow automakers in Europe and Asia to gain market share in the highly competitive North American marketplace, leading to “one of the biggest windfalls for those companies ever,” he said.
Stellantis to launch AI-powered in-car assistant
Stellantis is strengthening its collaboration with France-based technology startup Mistral AI to deploy advanced artificial intelligence technologies across vehicles, engineering and manufacturing, the automaker announced in a press release on Feb. 7. Among the projects, Stellantis and Mistral AI are collaborating on an in-vehicle assistant that supports natural conversational interactions, while also serving as an interactive user manual for the vehicle. It will be continuously updated and adaptable across Stellantis’ brands and vehicle models.
Ford CEO says Trump's tariffs are causing 'chaos' in auto industry
DETROIT — President Donald Trump’s tariffs, both implemented and just threatened, are causing “chaos” for the U.S. automotive industry, according to Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley. The chief executive of America’s second-largest automaker described 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as threatened levies of the same amount on Mexico and Canada, as currently adding “a lot of cost, and a lot of chaos” to the industry.
Ionna moves forward with EV charging network
Ionna says it’s committed to deploying 30,000 electric vehicle charging bays around the U.S. by 2030 despite government action last week suspending billions of dollars in funding to support network expansion. With EV adoption gaining momentum, the joint venture founded by many of the world’s leading automakers is on track to bring over 1,000 additional charging bays online this year.
How a CEO's exit and a Jeep 'comeback' led to Stellantis being the only automaker to advertise during Super Bowl 59
DETROIT — A CEO’s exit, electric vehicles making the industry run around like “headless chickens” and a company’s U.S. revival all came together to make Ram and Jeep parent Stellantis the only automaker with a Super Bowl 59 commercial. That’s according to Stellantis Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Francois, who said while other automakers abandoned this year’s big game amid industry uncertainty and cost cutting, it was critical for the embattled trans-Atlantic carmaker to return to the Super Bowl.
Toyota’s expanded $14B North Carolina EV battery plant ready to roll
The first batteries made at Toyota Motor Corp.’s newly expanded North Carolina plant will begin shipping in April, the automaker announced Wednesday. The facility in Liberty is the automaker’s 11th manufacturing site in the U.S. and first in-house battery manufacturing facility outside Japan, according to the release. Batteries produced in North Carolina will be used in Toyota’s hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles assembled in North America, the company said.
Honda recalls over 294K vehicles for engine stalling
Honda Motor Co. has issued a recall for up to 294,612 vehicles to update engine control unit software that may lead to stalling or a sudden loss of power, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall includes certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot SUV, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles equipped with either 3.5L or 3.0L V6 engines. To address the recall, Honda dealers will reprogram the ECU software in the vehicles at no cost. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 17.
GM’s SVP of global design to retire after a 42-year career
Michael Simcoe, General Motors’ SVP of global design, is retiring from the automaker after a 42-year career, the company announced in a press release Jan 7. Byran Nesbitt, executive director of Cadillac global design since 2023, was promoted to succeed Simcoe, who will remain with GM until July 1 to ensure a smooth transition, the company said. Nesbitt will become just the eight design chief at GM in nearly 100 years.