Episode 81 – UAW Strike, Illinois EV Batteries and Stupid Baby Names

Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast

https://traffic.libsyn.com/thebeerreport/tw81.mp3

Welcome to the auto podcast that will not be replaced by Noonoouri, no matter how much money Warner Brothers throws at us!

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…

• Illinois EV Batteries?
• New car inventories are filling up
• The UAW is ready to deal!

All that and more on This episode of Throwin’ Wrenches.

Thanks for listening. To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [e-mail] or post a review on Apple Podcasts to be heard around the world!

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Historical Headline

September 12, 1988 – Legendary auto designer Bill Mitchell passes away

Source: automotivehistory.com

Bill Mitchell was born on July 2, 1912, in Cleveland, Ohio. From an early age, he displayed a deep fascination with automobiles and design, a passion that would shape his life’s work. After graduating from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, he was recruited by Harley Earl to join the Art and Color section at General Motors (GM) in 1935. This marked the beginning of a legendary career that would span over four decades.

Mitchell’s ascendancy within GM, from junior engineer to chief designer at Cadillac to Director of Styling and finally to VP of styling Section, in 1958, where he oversaw all GM designs, was swift and well-deserved. His artistic sensibilities and bold creativity soon earned him the nickname “Mr. Glamour.” As he climbed the ranks, his influence on automotive design became unmistakable.

Under Mitchell’s visionary leadership as the head of GM’s Styling Section, the company introduced a new era of automotive aesthetics. He possessed a unique ability to infuse artistry into the practical world of car design. His keen eye for lines, shapes, and proportions resulted in vehicles that transcended mere transportation—they became rolling works of art. By the end of his career, he would hold responsibility for more than 72.5 million cars produced. Among them:

Bill Mitchell car designs

1949 Cadillac	1963 Corvette Stingray
1963–65 and 1966-67 Buick Riviera	1970 – 1981 Chevrolet Camaro
1976-79 Cadillac Seville	1980-85 Cadillac Seville

Headlines

New-vehicle inventories top 2 million for first time since April 2021

Source: Automotive News

After a long, slow climb back, new-vehicle inventory levels in the United States topped 2 million last month for the first time since April 2021 as the industry continues to move away from production disruptions, according to estimates by Cox Automotive and the Automotive News Research & Data Center.

U.S. EV Share Being Driven by Tesla Price Cuts, Registration Data Shows

Source: Automotive News

U.S. market share for electric vehicles rose to 7.2 percent in the January to July period, according to new-vehicle registration data from Experian, with Tesla spurring demand with escalating price cuts throughout the year. New U.S. EV registrations rose to 655,986 in the seven-month period for a 67 percent rise over the year-earlier period when EV share was 4.9 percent. Total new light-vehicle registrations for the seven months were about 9.1 million, the data showed.

Ford hires Lisa Materazzo from Toyota as CMO

Source: Automotive News

Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday said it has hired a new chief marketing officer and moved two members of the Ford family into new roles. The automaker said Lisa Materazzo, who was the top marketing executive at Toyota Motor North America, has been named CMO, effective immediately. She will report to CEO Jim Farley and lead advanced product planning and all marketing activities across the Ford Blue, Model E and Ford Pro business units. Materazzo, who had been with Toyota for 20 years, also will oversee Ford Performance and Lincoln.

UAW lowers demand for pay raises to mid-30% range as strike deadline nears

Source: Automotive News

Days before it’s threatening to strike the Detroit 3, the UAW has reduced its demand for pay raises over the next four years to the mid-30 percent range, according to people familiar with the offer. The union in recent days has made counteroffers to all three automakers that include the new target. It previously had demanded raises totaling more than 40 percent.

China’s Gotion to set up a $2 billion lithium battery plant in Illinois

Source: ManufacturingDrive.com

China’s Gotion High-tech Co Ltd (002074.SZ) will set up a $2 billion electric vehicle (EV) lithium battery manufacturing plant in Manteno, Illinois that would create about 2,600 new jobs, the state governor’s office said on Friday.

Global EV battery makers and automakers have been eyeing the North American market for setting up new manufacturing plants as they look to diversify supply chains and attract incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Gotion’s battery technology will help to boost e-mobility in North America and the economic and trade exchanges between China and the United States,” said Gotion chairman Li Zhen.

Gotion will be eligible to receive tax benefits totaling $213 million over 30 years and also get $125 million in capital funding from the U.S. state’s Reimagining Energy and Vehicles incentive package.

Gotion’s property tax abatement for 30 years was also approved by local authorities.

Once completed, the facility in Manteno is expected to produce 10 GWh of lithium-ion battery packs and 40 GWh of lithium-ion battery cells, according to the statement.

The plant is expected to begin production in 2024.

Moment of Musk

Elon Musk confirms he and Grimes have had a third child – and its name is as unusual as you’d expect

Source: CNN

Elon Musk has confirmed that he and former partner Grimes have a third child together – and its name is just as unusual as its siblings’.

The child is called Tau Techno Mechanicus, the technology billionaire wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

Musk, who owns the social network, was responding to a post from entertainment news account Pop Base, which named his and Grimes’ three children as “X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl Musk, Techno Mechanicus.”

Cars of the Weak

Eric: 1998 Corolla II Classic – $4,500

Source: CarFromJapan.com

☆ COROLLA Ⅱ CLASSIC ☆ AW RIMS ☆ VERY CLEAN INTERIOR ☆ TIMING BELT CHANGED ☆ NO ACCIDENTS ☆

This Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) car features a Modellista body kit, and looks like something from the 1960s… but in a good way.

It needs some clear coat help, and sure it’s bizarre. But Eric would be guaranteed to be the only one around Central Illinois with one. Maybe even the United States!

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Daryl: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible – $35,000

Source: Gary Ufring Classic Cars

This is an all-original 65 Galaxie 500 convertible with 20,530 actual miles. Red over red it also has a power convertible top. Historical information comes with it. The car was purchased new by a young soldier returning from Vietnam to his home in Charlotte, Virginia. He purchased the car at Grinele Motors Co in Appomattox, Virginia. Later that year, he passed away from an accidental drowning.

The family stored this car in their barn for approximately 26 years until it was finally purchased by the 2nd owner. It stayed in the barn except to get it serviced once a year. We are the third owners of this rare barn find. The Galaxie 500 has a 390ci V8 4 speed manual transmission. It has power steering, factory wire wheel coves, stainless steel side skirts, 4 barrel carb, full bench seat, seat belts and comes with a full size spare

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Thanks again for listening and we’ll catch you on the next episode!

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