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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chrysler celebrates 100 years with its coolest cars, while execs anticipate brand's future
Happy birthday, Chrysler! On Wednesday, June 4, the automaker celebrated 100 years in the car business. In those years, Chrysler was one of the brands to power Detroit through the auto industry's heyday. Along the way, it engineered hundreds of vehicles, ranging from wacky concept cars to the family focused Pacifica minivan. Chrysler brought 21 of the coolest and wackiest of its vehicles to Belle Isle for members of the news media to test-drive around the island. Among them was a 1926 B70 prototype, driven way back then by Chrysler's founder, Walter P. Chrysler, himself. Several iterations of the popular 300 sedan — originally pitched as a muscle car for bankers — looped around Belle Isle. Two wood-plated cars — a LeBaron and a 1948 Town & Country -- were on scene, and the star of the show was one of the nine remaining Chrysler Turbine Cars: a sleek, space-age two-door car with a jet engine under the hood. The Turbine Car runs on gasoline, vodka, perfume or anything else that burns. For this event, Chrysler historians ran the vehicle on kerosene. The Turbine Car was smooth and powerful, and it sounded like taxiing in an airplane while driving. The rotund 1996 Town & Country, too, was a surprisingly pleasant drive. The 1934 Airflow Sedan, though, had an inconvenient turn radius and a massive steering wheel, but any sweat broken while wrestling a turn was cooled off by a breeze through the windshield, which flipped open like any other window on the car. Speeding: Everyone speeds on Detroit's Lodge Freeway. But there's a reason for the 55-mph limit. Brandt Rosenbusch, Stellantis' manager of historical services, said hauling all of Chrysler's most notable vehicles out to Belle Isle wasn't easy. Most of them don't ever drive on public roads, he said. "You can see how beautiful these cars are, so we make a rule not to drive them on public roads," Rosenbusch said, noting that Chrysler's anniversary was a rare and meaningful exception to the rule. Chrysler runs in Rosenbusch's blood. His grandfather worked at the Chrysler tank plant during Detroit's time as the Arsenal of Democracy. Rosenbusch's fatherinterned with Chrysler's design studios and worked in public relations for the company for several decades. A year after his dad retired, Rosenbusch carried the torch and took a job with the automaker in 1990. "My whole life has been Chrysler," he said. The celebration of the brand's 100 years raised questions about what the next 100 years might look like for an automaker that has been in flux since filing for bankruptcy in 2009. After a series of mergers and product line shrinkages, Chrysler currently offers one vehicle in the Pacifica. An article by Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan recently suggested the next Stellantis CEO consider ending Chrysler, adding to the din of others who scoff at an automaker that offers only minivans. Chrysler's future: Chrysler CEO discusses future of brand as it approaches 100th birthday Chris Feuell, the CEO of Chrysler, said the brand isn't going anywhere. The Pacifica is due for a revamp, she said, and for the first time in a decade, there is a new Chrysler vehicle coming. "In 2027, we will launch our first new product in more than 10 years, and that will be a desized crossover," Feuell said. Feuell doubled down on what she has previously told the Free Press, saying that the new Stellantis CEO, Antonio Filosa, is committed to keeping the Chrysler name in the international company's vast profile. "I am so thrilled to have Antonio Filosa at the helm now, leading the company," Feuell said. "He is a true fan of Chrysler and is 100% behind supporting continued investment." For the historian Rosenbusch, continuing the legacy of Chrysler is more than sentimentality — it's about preserving what makes Detroit great. "Every company is international now, but our heart and soul is really here," Rosenbusch said while flanked by a century's worth of Chrysler vehicles. "Detroit is Chrysler, and Chrysler is a part of Detroit." Liam Rappleye covers Stellantis and the UAW at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him: LRappleye@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Chrysler celebrates 100 years of history, while looking to the future Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
UAW claims US automakers can build millions more vehicles — experts disagree
UAW claims US automakers can build millions more vehicles — experts disagree Show Caption Hide Caption UAW president Shawn Fain supports Trump's auto tariffs The president of the United Auto Workers union is praising President Trump's tariffs on foreign-made vehicles, but says it can't stop there. Straight Arrow News The UAW says underutilization of auto plants is no accident and is calling on automakers to build more vehicles in the United States. Automation is one reason for today's auto manufacturing employment numbers, one expert notes. The UAW wants more vehicles to be built in the United States, and the union says the country's underutilized auto plants offer tremendous potential to boost employment numbers. Reaching full existing capacity 'could create up to 90,000 new manufacturing jobs, not to mention 630,000 more in the rest of the U.S. economy,' according to the union. The union assertions coincide with UAW President Shawn Fain's embrace of President Donald Trump's auto tariffs, although tariffs aren't cited in the union's white paper, 'Unlocking the Potential of U.S. Auto Manufacturing Capacity,' issued in April. The report, which got a mixed reaction from several industry watchers, also doesn't appear to reference auto parts manufacturing, a major piece of the auto sector. The paper says 16 Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Stellantis and Volkswagen plants, including what was once GM Lordstown in Ohio, have capacity to spare, and it argues automakers have the infrastructure to produce millions more vehicles. "In 2024, the U.S. auto industry had the capacity to build more than 14.7 million vehicles. However, only 10.2 million vehicles were produced, leaving 4.5 million units of unused capacity," according to the white paper. The report calls out this underutilization as not accidental but rather 'the result of a deliberate strategy that puts offshoring, stock buybacks and short-term profits ahead of investment in union jobs, strong communities and long-term stability.' In case you missed it: UAW members could see $3,780 profit-sharing checks, a big drop from 2024 The message is straightforward, urging the industry to 'step up' as it did during World War II's 'Arsenal of Democracy' and during the COVID-19 pandemic with the production of medical equipment. The UAW even planned rallies in Trenton and Warren, on May 5 and 6, respectively, to call on Stellantis, owner of Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat, to 'fully utilize the excess capacity at its American plants.' Fain, in a news release, said 'we don't need to break ground on a single new plant to rapidly grow auto manufacturing capacity — it's already right in front of us, in the plants we've built, the skills of our members and the communities that depend on these jobs. Instead of offshoring jobs to low-wage, high-exploitation countries, auto companies must invest here at home and rebuild the middle class with union labor.' The Free Press asked several auto industry watchers to weigh in on the union's white paper. Harley Shaiken, labor expert and professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley: 'The UAW paper makes an important point that 'The American auto industry has a proud legacy of rising to national challenges.' … "I would add to that 'The Treaty of Detroit' that Walter Reuther and GM signed after World War II laid the basis for another critical achievement to come out of Detroit a vast expansion of the middle class, perhaps the most important model that was produced. "That said, the paper is incomplete in the present form. It doesn't mention what kind of vehicles that will be produced: ICE (gas-powered) or EVs (electric vehicles). Last year about half of all production in China was EV or hybrid. We are managing to damage the environment further at a critical moment and fall behind competitively both at the same time. "As a result of not mentioning EVs, the paper just talks about unused production 'space.' Billions of new tooling will be required and a transition could take two to five years. It's not as simple as ripping up machines and moving them north or south. And what about USMCA? The (United States-Mexico-Canada trade) agreement will be up for review in 2026 and much criticism is appropriate, but simply dumping it rather than extensively revising it could create havoc in Mexico and Canada, two of our closest allies. "The unprecedented turmoil in the administration's tariff policies gives 'chaos' a bad name. What is introduced at 9 a.m. on any given day could be dumped or significantly revised at noon. There is clearly little manufacturing expertise in the administration and it's damaging to the companies and to UAW workers. 'Solidarity forever' should not simply stop at the border to have successful economies that benefit workers across North America." Marick Masters, labor expert and professor emeritus at Wayne State University: "I have read the paper, and it presents data to bolster the UAW's argument that there is much unfilled capacity in the U.S. auto vehicle manufacturing sector (which I read to be auto assembly per se) that could be employed to offset the tariffs on vehicles, which is the intended effect of Trump's 25% general tariff on auto vehicles. I do not have any basis for disputing their calculations on untapped capacity. "Data on unused capacity from government sources show potential for growth in capacity utilization. They are using a straightforward calculation from Federal Reserve data on the expected employment gains if this were done by the Big Three, plus. "But that does not mean there is demand for the products that existing facilities are set up to assemble. The production footprint and supply chains in (North America) are intricately linked connecting parts and assembly for certain brands of vehicles. In addition, the companies are in a state of transition from ICE to EV, which means that some of their U.S. capacity may not be suited for use under this transition. "There is lot more that needs to be done to reindustrialize the U.S., which is arguably a worthy objective. Several major things come to mind immediately. Perhaps the most important would be to reduce the regulatory burden on manufacturing, increase energy capacity and reduce costs in this area, and reduce the tax burden on businesses, including general tax rates and expensing of depreciation and capital investments. Auto tariff shake-up: Economists estimate new tariff costs to range between $2,000 to $12,000 per vehicle "I think a large part of the Trump policy regarding auto tariffs is aimed directly at China, the world's leading automaker and EV producer. It subsidizes auto production, does not have the same regulatory burdens as operating in the U.S., and substantially lower labor costs than the U.S." Sam Fiorani, vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions "Comparing capacity of plants making ICE vehicles with the upgraded plants making EVs is not an apples-to-apples comparison. Many of these plants, such as Orion, Factory Zero and Spring Hill are attempting to ramp up for an electric future. To make EVs most efficiently, the assembly lines cannot easily switch between traditional cars and trucks and modern EVs. Failing to express this reduces the importance of comparing factory output 10 years apart. "Just because the capacity is there doesn't mean (it) could be filled. Unless UAW workers were willing to take a pay cut or increase the automation in these factories, U.S. buyers will not have the choice of entry-level models that are currently imported. "Much of the current level of employment in the industry is due to the increased automation, a point that the UAW doesn't want to acknowledge. It takes fewer people to make a vehicle today. Increased automation could open plants to more production, especially of the lower-priced models the market needs, but that would be counter to the UAW's drive for more members. "Ignoring the benefits of the USMCA reduces the competitive nature of the U.S. by closing doors for exports and raising the prices of vehicles and components for American buyers." Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@ Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at
South China Morning Post
12-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
US weapons to Taiwan at risk from weak supply chains but Ukraine ‘not to blame'
US support for Ukraine has not slowed the provision of American weapons to Taiwan or Israel , but there are supply chain problems that need 'prudent reforms and substantial new investments', according to a Washington-based think tank. Advertisement 'Arsenal of Democracy: Arming Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel While Strengthening the US Industrial Base', published this month by the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, tracked the production capacity and delivery timelines of 25 items. All of the items studied were provided to Taiwan and Ukraine, while 12 were also ordered by Israel. Only seven had a strong defence industrial base in the United States, while supply chains for the remaining 18 were either weak or required attention. The report's authors, Ryan Brobst and Bradley Bowman, warned that US defence industrial bases had been damaged by insufficient spending and that Washington might not be able to sustain the supply of weapons to its partners without a major shift. They cited the National Defence Strategy Commission's finding that 'consolidation and underinvestment had led to too few companies, gaps in the workforce, insufficient production infrastructure, and fragile supply chains'. Advertisement The Donald Trump administration has pledged a record US$1 trillion in defence spending for next year.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Whitmer slams Trump's tariffs in DC, calls for investments in defense industries
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday blasted President Donald Trump's indiscriminate use of import tariffs as threatening economic "paralysis" if they continue and outlined a strategic vision of using specific measures to protect industries like auto manufacturing while rebuilding the nation's capacity to build ships, aircraft and computer chips. "I'm not against tariffs outright, but it is a blunt tool," Whitmer, a two-term governor who has been mentioned by pundits as a possible Democratic candidate for president in 2028, said in a half-hour speech at the Council of Foreign Relations offices near the White House in Washington. "You can't just pull out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clear, defined end goal, (and) we cannot underestimate or underappreciate the time and capital it's going to take to actually bring jobs and supply chains back home." "There's not a shortcut here. Strategic re-industrialization must be a bipartisan project that spans multiple presidential administrations. So to get it done, we've got to work with our friends and compete against our adversaries," she continued. "We need to be strategic about tariffs on the technology we actually want to make in America and on industries where we already have a sizable competitive advantage." Whitmer's speech, characterized as a major one by her staff, came ahead of another scheduled meeting with Trump at the White House on Wednesday, her third since the Republican president's January inauguration and one at which she was to be accompanied by state House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township. Throughout Wednesday's speech and a question-and-answer discussion with former Fox News journalist Gretchen Carlson, Whitmer made clear that she wants to work with Trump, including on tariffs, to produce more jobs and a better quality of life for Michiganders. In the session with Carlson, she downplayed any suggestion she's planning a run for the presidency, saying her only interest was in raising concerns over the scope of Trump's tariffs — which have rocked global stock markets in recent days and weeks, with economists predicting higher consumer prices and a possible recession — while also underscoring her belief that Trump's desire to increase manufacturing in the U.S. is a positive one she broadly supports. "This is what we did in Michigan during World War II," she told Carlson, referring to the so-called Arsenal of Democracy that saw auto manufacturing in the state retooled to churn out aircraft to help win that war. "This is what we are capable of as a nation. We need leadership that stays focused ... I desperately want whomever is here in the White House today or in the future to really be thinking long term about: How do we build a country that is leaders, that is revered again, that is dominant in these industries and that has a lifestyle that is the envy of the world." "That's who we were at one point. We can be that again," she said. It was also discussed during the session with Carlson following the speech that Trump's widespread use of tariffs is causing a level of uncertainty for businesses that will hurt, not foster, growth. "No company is going to be able to invest hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, in many cases, much less make decades-long investments, because you don't know what the rules are," she said. "We're going to see contraction. We're going to see paralysis that is going to lead to job losses and higher costs for people. "I will continue to encourage the White House to think about what the long term strategy is," she added. Whitmer was a key ally of former President Joe Biden's and the Democratic nominee in last year's presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris. But since Trump's election, she has spoken several times, as she did Wednesday, of the need to work with Trump for the sake of the state while also criticizing his administration where it's called for. "We should be able to celebrate good policy no matter where it comes from, and also criticize bad policy wherever it comes from," she said. "There's a lot more common ground here than we think, while partisanship seems to have infected every aspect of our lives and it's exhausting." Whitmer noted at length the harm Trump's tariffs — including a 25% tax on imported autos and auto parts, as well as those on steel and aluminum — are already having on a domestic auto industry largely based in Michigan that depends on supply lines that extend across North America and the globe. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it. These last few days have been really tough for Michigan," she said. "Twenty percent of our economy is tied to the auto industry, which depends on a steady flow of goods from our largest and closest trading partners. We're home to the busiest international border crossing in North America ... We're already seeing the impacts of auto companies stockpiling parts and laying off workers. Suppliers are facing higher costs and delaying expansions. Dealerships are forced to raise prices by up to $15,000 amid slowing sales, and since every single auto job supports three others in the community, the impact is being felt by all of us." But the governor's speech dealt with far more than just the impacts of Trump's wide-ranging trade actions, which he has defended as intended to increase U.S. exports abroad, improve the manufacturing base in the U.S. and raise tax revenue for the federal government — aims which may be at cross purposes in some cases. Instead, she spoke at length about the need for the U.S. to expand manufacturing in some specific areas, particularly those related to national defense — a sector that in recent months has seemingly become a more central issue in Whitmer's public pronouncements. In Wednesday's speech, Whitmer — who has already promoted an initiative to train more maritime construction workers — said America's shipbuilding capacity has dwindled in the last 75 years, while China makes more ships than the rest of the world combined. She said that the Navy has already set goals to build hundreds of new ships and submarines and if that goal isn't taken seriously, China's naval fleet could be 1 1/2 times the size of that of the U.S. by the end of this decade. She delivered a similar message on semiconductor chips, which the Biden administration leaned heavily into investments for, as well as aircraft, saying while the U.S. remains the world leader in the latter industry, "We face serious economic headwinds as our adversaries catch up." "Globally, we're short 17,000 jets and planes, and plane travel shows no sign of slowing down, with an all-time high of 5.2 billion passengers last year," she said. "Because of the shortage, however, airlines are having to use older planes for longer periods of time, for an average of 14 years. There's a huge opportunity here to meet demand, while making a profit and maximizing market share. China understands this ... They're rapidly expanding their aviation industry, both military and commercial, and they're gaining momentum fast." Whitmer again suggested that the Trump administration could help encourage growth in aviation manufacturing by helping to cut through bureaucratic obstacles and recruit workers needed at a time when "a huge wave of retirements is about to hit the market." "We need a coordinated national strategy and bipartisan investment to grow America's aviation industry and workforce. Otherwise, we know that China is going to eat our lunch," she said. "If we're proactive, we can create tens of thousands of good paying jobs and protect our national security and lower costs for travelers around the world and here at home. So let's make it easier for aviation and aerospace to thrive in America. Let's put a ruthless emphasis on outcomes over process." Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@ Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer slams Trump tariffs in DC speech, discusses economy
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
America's arsenal of democracy needs a software renaissance
In 1940, as Europe descended into chaos and the specter of war loomed, the U.S. faced an urgent need to rearm and prepare for conflict. Within a few short years, the nation transformed itself into the 'Arsenal of Democracy,' producing weapons, vehicles and munitions on an unprecedented scale. This industrial mobilization did more than supply the Allied forces — it showcased America's unmatched ability to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Today, the stakes are also critical. The global security environment is undergoing seismic shifts, with threats evolving at a speed and scale unseen since the Cold War. Yet, unlike the industrial mobilization of the past, the modern battlefield is defined not only by hardware but also by the ability to leverage software–systems capable of adapting at speed and precision, processing vast amounts of data and enabling real-time decision-making. To meet today's challenges, the U.S. must modernize its industrial base and embrace a new approach to software: software-defined warfare (SDW). By prioritizing software as a core enabler of military capability, the Defense Department can enhance its ability to adapt, improve interoperability and ensure its continued technological edge in the face of rapid advancement. This vision is central to the Atlantic Council's Commission on Software-Defined Warfare, which has convened leaders from government, industry and academia to identify actionable steps for modernizing the U.S. defense enterprise. The commission's recommendations emphasize the urgent need to integrate software across all domains of warfare, streamline acquisition processes and cultivate a workforce capable of advancing this transformation. A simple truth lies at the heart of software-defined warfare: the ability to collect, process and act on data faster than the adversary is critical to prevailing in future conflicts. Yet, the DOD lacks a unified, scalable approach to managing its vast data resources. To address this, the commission recommends mandating the creation of an enterprise data repository and investing in artificial intelligence enablers. A centralized repository would ensure that critical data — collected from a wide variety of platforms — is accessible, organized and prepared for multiple uses. By pairing this repository with AI-ready tools, including machine learning models and enterprise machine learning operations (MLOps) platforms, DOD can empower decision-makers with actionable insights in real-time. Equally critical is the need to shift from bespoke software development to leveraging proven commercial software solutions. Despite statutory guidance that prioritizes commercial acquisitions, DOD often defaults to custom-built systems, resulting in higher costs, longer timelines and reduced flexibility. The commission calls for commercial software to become the default approach, with clear checkpoints to ensure that acquisition decisions align with this priority. Adopting commercial software enables the rapid integration of cutting-edge innovations already tested in the private sector. It reduces duplication and waste, as commercial solutions can be scaled across multiple use cases. It also ensures software systems can be continuously updated, keeping pace with the rapid tempo of technological change. By focusing on these two areas — data management and commercial software acquisition — DOD can achieve near-term gains while laying the groundwork for long-term success. Transforming DOD into a much more software-centric organization also requires investment in human capital. The development of a skilled and sustainable workforce is essential to realizing the promise of SDW. DOD must expand training programs to equip personnel with the skills needed to operate and innovate in a software-driven environment. Partnerships with academia and industry can help build pipelines of technical talent while recruiting software engineers into key roles will ensure DOD can leverage cutting-edge expertise. Yet, SDW is not just a domestic initiative; it is a strategic imperative that must be pursued in partnership with allies who are making similar investments. Interoperability across allied systems and collaborative innovation will be critical to countering adversarial advances. By fostering joint development and experimentation, the U.S. and its partners can create a unified front capable of meeting global security challenges. The challenges are immense, but the solutions are within reach. As the global security landscape grows more complex, the U.S. cannot afford to rely on outdated processes and legacy systems. Software-defined warfare provides a clear path to modernize and reimagine America's defense capabilities for the 21st century. The commission has outlined a roadmap built on three pillars: technology, processes and people. By focusing on data and commercial software as foundational priorities, DOD can achieve the agility, adaptability, and resilience necessary to maintain its strategic advantage. America's arsenal of democracy must be reimagined for the digital age. This is not a matter of preference but of necessity. The stakes could not be higher, and the time to act is now. Dr. Mung Chiang is president of Purdue University and co-chair of the Atlantic Council's Commission on Software-Defined Warfare. Mark Esper, the 27th secretary of defense, is board director of the Atlantic Council and a co-chair of its Commission on Software-Defined Warfare. Christine Fox, former acting deputy secretary of defense, is a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University Applied Research Laboratory and co-chair of the council's Commission on Software-Defined Warfare.
