SAN FRANCISCO--Cruise, the self-driving car startup that sold to General Motors last year, has developed a production design vehicle based on the Bolt electric vehicle. Temporarily dubbed Generation 3, the car is now ready for the factory production line. Thus far, the company has produced about 50 of the cars.
ATLANTA--SoftWear Automation's LOWRY, a four-axis sewing robot, equals 10 workers and produces approximately 1,142 t-shirts in an eight-hour period, compared to 669 by humans working at full-speed.
INGOLSTADT, Germany—While automotive manufacturing may have more than 100 years of history under its belt, it could see a radical change if Audi has its way. The automaker is exploring the idea of ditching the assembly line altogether.
WINDSOR, ON—Full production at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles assembly plant here resumed early Wednesday morning, after flooding from two days of heavy rain halted the assembly of minivans there late Tuesday evening. As water began to stream into the plant, the automaker sent about 2,000 hourly employees home at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. MORE
DETROIT—A former UAW associate director has pleaded guilty to misusing money from Fiat Chrysler that was intended to train blue-collar workers. Virdell King pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act. Under a plea agreement, she faces up to 16 months in prison and restitution payments of up to $15,000.
OPELIKA, AL—Medical device manufacturer Baxter has completed a $270 million expansion project that has increased the size of its assembly plant here by more than double. The project will also more than double that number the facility’s workforce to more than 350.
KILDEER, IL—Plante Moran and the Reshoring Initiative are jointly conducting a national survey to provide insights into how much manufacturers offshore, what drives them to offshore, and what U.S. policy changes would motivate them to reshore.
HARRISBURG, PA—Americans say they love U.S.-made goods. They are less enthusiastic, however, about paying a premium for them. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found 70 percent of Americans think it is “very important” or “somewhat important” to buy U.S.-made products. Despite that sentiment, 37 percent said they would refuse to pay more for U.S.-made goods vs. imports. Twenty six percent said they would only pay up to 5 percent more to buy American, and 21 percent capped the premium at 10 percent.
DAGENHAM, UK—Ford Motor Co.’s engine assembly plant here is a surprising haven for 50 species of birds, protected voles, and a rare ladybug. Employees from the plant help to maintain and improve the habitat surround the factory by keeping waterways clear, restocking fish supplies, and planting more than 10,500 trees over the past 20 years.
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