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Stories Tagged as

Auto industry

Why are car sales still strong, even with high prices and interest rates?

by Matt Levin
Jul 23, 2024
The vehicle industry is surprisingly resilient this year. Many people have been waiting for lower costs but can't hold out any longer.
When interest rates are high, people might wait to get a new car. But they might give in if rates stay high and the repair costs start to add up.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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UAW win highlights concerns over risks for workers in clean energy transition  

by Amy Scott and Richard Cunningham
Nov 13, 2023
The UAW fought for protection if factories shut down. But workers in other carbon-intensive industries could find themselves displaced.
With an eye toward the eventual electrification of vehicle production, the United Auto Workers worked with GM to bring battery manufacturing under its contract. 
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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A good repo man is hard to find

by Matt Levin
Nov 7, 2023
The repossession industry is struggling with an enduring labor shortage, while 1.5 million car repos are expected this year.
A good chunk of used cars come from repossessions.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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The "lumpy" road to affordable EVs just got a little longer

by Elizabeth Trovall
Oct 25, 2023
Even though prices have come down and the federal government is helping with rebates, the average price is still above $50,000.
It’s hard to build up new supply chains of EV parts like batteries and electric-motor systems.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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After years of not being able to get them, Americans want their wheels — no matter the cost

by Stephanie Hughes
Jul 6, 2023
New light vehicle sales, including cars, SUVs and pickups, were up about 20% in June from this time a year ago.
Lots of consumers feel confident they’ll have the money to buy vehicles they might have once considered unaffordable.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Scaling EVs means skipping "half steps" with hybrids, GM's Mary Barra says

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry
Jun 8, 2023
The automaker's CEO says it won't invest in hybrids, but instead focus on batteries, a new vehicle platform and charging infrastructure.
CEO Mary Barra says GM is focused on the problem of too few charging stations for EVs. "We know it'll be a gating factor if it's not sufficient," she says. Above, she speaks with host Kai Ryssdal at GM's Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.
Nancy Farghalli/Marketplace
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Why more people are leasing electric vehicles in the U.S.

by Sabri Ben-Achour , Alex Schroeder and Ariana Rosas
Jun 8, 2023
How a change in the incentives for electric vehicles encouraged more leases.
Assembly line workers assemble electric vehicles at the General Motors Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant in Hamtramck, Michigan.
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
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Buying a new or used car is easier now, but getting a loan is becoming harder

by Justin Ho
Apr 24, 2023
Lenders are worried about increasing defaults.
People look to buy a car at a dealership in New Jersey.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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It's 2023: Does anyone want to buy a car?

by Lily Jamali
Jan 18, 2023
Electric vehicle sales are up, but is demand for cars overall taking a dip?
Used cars are displayed on a sales lot. The demand for vehicles this year will depend on wider economic conditions, analysts say.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Demand for electronics is falling. But some types of semiconductors are still in short supply.

by Justin Ho
Oct 7, 2022
Samsung and AMD say demand is weakening for high-end devices like laptops and smartphones. But vehicles still face semiconductor shortages.
While chips for computers are no longer in high demand, supplies are tight for lower-end chips that go into vehicles.
Francois Lo Presti/AFP via Getty Images
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