Tag: Automotive

Over the last month, incoming macro data was encouraging but did not signal a wholesale change in trajectory from uneven expansion within industrials.

North American auto assemblies recovered in January, up nearly 12% vs. December, though down more than 2% year on year (y/y), according to GlobalData.

Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tenn., voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify a labor contract with the United Autoworkers. The deal marks the first union contract for Southern autoworkers outside the “Big Three” Detroit-area automakers.

Emissions rules, production limits and material substitution are reshaping steel and aluminum use in North American vehicles.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. continued to bleed red in the final quarter of 2025. But the steelmaker expects profitability to improve in 2026 with a troublesome slab contract behind it and more protections from imports in place.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) and Volkswagen have reached a tentative agreement covering 3,200 workers at the automaker's Chattanooga, Tenn., assembly plant.

General Motors Canada has laid off ~500 workers at its Oshawa Assembly facility in Ontario, as the plant moves to two shifts of production as of Monday, Feb. 2.

SMU columnist Daniel Doderer looks out over the economy as it regards the steel industry.

It remains unclear how long the repairs will take, as the second fire in November damaged the hot mill’s finishing mill.

Growth remains uneven, and capital continues to concentrate. But compared to the rest of the world (RoW), the US continues to have the most stable path forward.

Worthington Steel executives emphasized on an earnings conference call on Thursday that the company’s standout fiscal Q2 performance came from capturing new automotive business, with direct automotive shipments rising 26% year over year.

Posco has confirmed a 20% stake in a joint EAF mill in Louisiana with fellow South Korean firm Hyundai, an investment valued at $582 million.

SMU and AMU are pleased to announced that Wells Fargo Managing Director Timna Tanners will be joining us for a Community Chat webinar next Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 11 am ET.

Recent supply constraints, price increases, shifts in EV and emissions policy, and continued innovation in steel have revived the question of whether automakers might move some applications back from aluminum to steel.

Toyota says its $912‑million investment in the US will boost production capacity for hybrids and introduce hybrid‑electric Corollas.

General Motors (GM) is planning a ~$250 million investment to upgrade its Parma Metal Center. The outlay is part of GM's plans to invest ~$4 billion in its US-based manufacturing operations over the next two years. Its 2025 reshoring commitments currently total over $5 billion.

North American auto assemblies declined in September, down 5.1% vs. August. And assemblies were also down 1% year on year.

Cliffs said it successfully completed a defect-free trial production of exposed steel parts using aluminum-forming equipment in collaboration with an unnamed OEM,

US automakers could face production shutdowns in November because of potential supply disruptions at Dutch chipmaker Nexperia. Even a temporary shutdown, as carmakers scramble to procure chips, threatens to drive steel demand lower. Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella underscored the severity of the situation. “If the shipment of automotive chips doesn’t resume — […]

Ford executives said the automaker expects aluminum supplier Novelis to restart its fire-damaged Oswego, NY hot mill by late November or early December.

Below are some other issues that should be on your radar. Because while prices have been steady, a lot is going on when it comes to news that could impact them.

Our average HR coil price increased $5/short ton from last week, marking a second consecutive week of modest gains. Market participants generally attributed the increase to...

Cleveland-Cliffs executives pointed to growing automotive demand as the engine driving a turnaround at the company.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. pointed to signs of recovery in its third-quarter earnings report on Monday. Improved automotive volumes and a better product mix drove sequential gains, but the steelmaker’s financials continue to bled red.

The Consumer Federation of America estimates rising total auto debt at a staggering $1.66 trillion, along with increasing repossessions and a sharp increase in delinquencies.

In a big win for labor, domestic manufacturing, and steel demand, Stellantis announced major investment plans for its manufacturing operations across the US Midwest.

Participants in the hot-rolled sheet market expressed frustration with the continuing lack of demand this week. 

Hyundai has reaffirmed its commitment to build a steel plant in Louisiana following a US government immigration raid at its battery facility in Georgia.

Mexico is considering imposing steep tariffs on imports of steel, automobiles, and over 1,400 other products. Its target? Countries with which it does not have free trade agreements, mainly China, India, Thailand, and other South Asian nations.

North American auto assemblies declined in July, down 16.4% vs. August. But, according to GlobalData, assemblies were 2.4% ahead year on year (y/y).