auto jobs

Chinese automakers and businesses quietly move into Detroit

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:08:42 +0000

This morning, the New York Times reported on the slow and steady increase of Chinese companies setting up in metro-Detroit.

The NYT's Bill Vlasic reports it has been a largely unannounced trend – and given the public opposition experienced by Japanese automakers – it is most likely an intentionally quiet entrance.

Chinese-owned companies are investing in American businesses and new vehicle technology, selling everything from seat belts to shock absorbers in retail stores, and hiring experienced engineers and designers in an effort to soak up the talent and expertise of domestic automakers and their suppliers.

Overall, most Chinese suppliers are interested in expanding their direct business with Detroit car companies. Many Detroit car companies rely on low-wage countries like Mexico to get common car parts. Chinese companies are trying to change that.

Report: Metro Detroit #1 for 'job sprawl'

Sarah Cwiek — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:33:59 +0000

Detroit has the most “job sprawl” of any metropolitan area in the country, according to a new Brookings Institution report that looks at how jobs are distributed throughout metro regions.

The report found that 77 percent of metro Detroit’s jobs are more than 10 miles outside the city’s central business district. The nationwide average is 43 percent.

Japanese auto supplier set to invest $150 million in Michigan

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:12:03 +0000

Japanese auto supplier Denso has announced a four-year, $1 billion expansion in North America, including a $150 million investment in Michigan.

According to plans revealed at the North American International Auto Show on Tuesday, the auto supplier could hire a combined 400 new workers at its technical center in Southfield and manufacturing plant in Battle Creek.

Nathan Borney of the Detroit Free Press has more:

Chrysler adds third shift, 1,100 jobs at Detroit plant

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:45:04 +0000

A third shift beginning next week at Chrysler’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit will add about 1,100 new jobs.

The new shift is being added to keep up with increased demand for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Brent Snavely from the Detroit Free Press has the story:

Adding the third crew now was driven by the mounting cost of overtime Jefferson North's workers have logged in recent months. Newly hired workers start at a lower wage to which the UAW agreed in its 2011 contract.

Forbes: Detroit ranks 3rd in adjusted wages compared to national average

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:21:37 +0000

Detroit has the third highest average annual income out of the 51 largest metropolitan areas in the country.

Shocked? Let me explain.

Forbes Magazine and the Praxis Strategy Group re-ranked the incomes in these 51 cities after adjusting for cost of living. Not surprisingly, it turns out a dollar goes a lot farther in Detroit than in, say, New York City or Boston.

Ford and the UAW

Jack Lessenberry — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:06:01 +0000

There’s a fair amount of grumbling in union ranks over the new four-year contract the United Auto Workers reached with Ford.

Some workers are unhappy that they failed to gain back concessions, and that there is nothing new for the retirees, who overwhelmingly outnumber those still working on the line.

Growing West Michigan auto-supplier hiring big, again

Lindsey Smith — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:15:34 +0000

Zeeland-based Gentex Corporation is the world’s largest supplier of auto-dimming review mirrors. The company has hired 1,200 people in the last two years. Now it’s looking to hire another 1,100 people in the next five years. That’s a 65 percent increase in its workforce since 2008.

Detroit 3 ready to hire - but not at previous level

Tracy Samilton — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:06:19 +0000

The Detroit Three are poised to create new auto jobs for the first time in years. But an expert at the Center for Automotive Research warns that auto manufacturing jobs will never recover to their former levels.

Ford, GM, and Chrysler closed a lot of plants over the past ten years, so many of the remaining plants are working at full capacity as new car sales improve.

Sean McAlinden is an economist with the Center for Automotive Research .

"Almost the last layoff at GM and Ford have been recalled," says McAlinden, "so any additional production through the summer requires new hiring."

McAlinden says the Detroit Three will likely hire 35,000 people in the next five years.

But that’s only about a third of the people who lost jobs with the companies in the past few years.

McAlinden says auto jobs will plateau after 2015, which is why Michigan still needs to diversify its economy.