The Recreation Committee is raffling off 4 tickets to a Cardinals/Cubs game Sunday, Aug. 11 (1:15 start) to help support this Saturday’s Cinco DeMayo celebration. Ticket prices are $5 apiece or 3 for $10 and can be bought from any committee member, at the Union Hall or the night of the celebration. Drawing will be held at the celebration and you need not be present to win. Doors open at the Union Hall at 6 pm for the celebration.
Poage Chevrolet (formerly Cox & Cohea) in Wentzville is offering a special vehicle service program to all Wentzville Assembly employees, including spouses and children. The following are benefits of the program:
- Courtesy pick-up and delivery of your vehicle to and from the plant
- 10% off labor on any non-warranty repairs
- 20% off all genuine GM parts and GM accessories
- $10 off oil change/tire rotation on all vehicles
Following up on the article about UAW President Bob King’s suggestion for another vote at Opel’s Bochum plant in Germany: "With every new discussion and any kind of delay we are wasting precious time," wrote Manfred Gellrich, Opel Bochum plant director, in a letter to the employees. In Rüsselsheim, Opel rejected the debate about new voting as absurd. A spokesman stated: "You can't just vote until you get the desired result." Rainer Einenkel, head of the Bochum works council, is being accused of not having informed the employees sufficiently enough. At issue is a wage freeze and cuts to “fringe benefits” as well as money saving work rules changes. Union workers at GM's Russelsheim, Kaiserslautern and Dudenhofen factories voted with majorities exceeding 83 percent to accept the reorganization agreement. According to the Russelsheimer Echo, more and more employees are changing their minds and wish for a new vote. But recent statements make that seem very unlikely. Einenkel is not going quietly, however. “This would be the most expensive plant closure of all times,” warned Einenkel a week after the failed vote. “This would cost GM billions. Opel would not survive this.”
Even though Honda’s quarterly profits reported last week were only 6.6% higher year-over-year, they are predicting a robust 58% rise in 2014 fiscal year profits (their fiscal years run April 1 through March 31). Why the stunning increase in profits? One reason: the weakened yen. Since the beginning of his administration late last year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has set about weakening the yen in what is known as “Abenomics”. And so far the yen is down roughly 25% against the dollar. How does this help companies like Honda? Let’s say the average transaction price of a Honda vehicle is $28,000. With the yen at 100 per dollar (it is slightly less today) that means Honda receives 2.8 million yen. A few months ago the yen was at 80 per dollar, which generated only 2.24 million yen – a difference of 560,000 yen, or $5600 at current exchange rates. So Honda (and Toyota and Nissan) will reap windfall profits by merely exchanging dollars for yen. Expect the Japanese big 3 to use that money to bump up incentives to take market share, as well as adding content to next generation vehicles with their new found largesse (which is exactly what they did a few years ago when the yen was trading at the absurd rate of 120 per dollar).
From Autoblog: By the end of this year, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be the second-oldest nameplate in its segment here in the States (guess which is the oldest), but with hot new competition waiting in the wings, Mercedes-Benzis giving its hauler a freshened look and more equipment to stave off rivals. The US market is expected to get the new Sprinter for the 2014 model year. Some of this new technology includes a Crosswind Assist feature as standard equipment and the availability of Collision Prevention Assist and Blind Spot Assist as optional safety measures – Mercedes-Benz says that all three are firsts for any van in the world. Also added to the updated Sprinter is a new 1.8-liter supercharged gasoline (or CNG) engine producing 156 horsepower, which will complement the line of diesel engines that carry over and help make the Sprinter the first cargo van to meet the upcoming Euro VI emissions standards. Buyers will get to choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic, which ought to further aid fuel economy. Additionally, a lower ride height is said to improve fuel economy and should improve handling while aiding ingress and egress for both people and cargo.
From Automotive News: Daimler and Renault said they are holding discussions to build a large van together as part of a possible expansion of their existing partnership. "We're in early talks with Renault," said Uta Leitner, a Daimler spokeswoman. "No decisions on possible production sites have been taken." Daimler currently works with Volkswagen in the European large van segment. The contract runs out at the end of 2016 and VW has announced plans to develop a new Crafter model on its own. Daimler first partnered with Renault in 2010.
Nissan will recall more than 123,000 new Altima sedans after a spare tire blew out - while locked away in the trunk of a car. The recall affects 2013 model year Altimas that were produced for about a year-long period, ending on March 26.
Tom Brune
UAW/GM Communications Coordinator
Wentzville Assembly
636-327-2119
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