Autoblog

Truck driver shortage means a longer wait for your packages

Chris Shunk — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc.

The news may be flooded with stories about the lagging U.S. economy and disappointing jobs reports, but it appears there is at least one profession that could use a few more applicants. USA Today reports that there is a genuine shortage of truck drivers, and the problem is leading to pricier deliveries and longer waits on packages.

There are plenty of reasons for the driver shortage, with a raft of retiring baby boomers and the $4,000 to $6,000 price for a six-week training course being among the main culprits. Another potential issue is a requirement for trucking companies to publish their safety records, which has reportedly led to some companies looking only for drivers with clean records. And the problem could become worse in the next year as the federal government enacts strict federal limits on the time drivers can spend behind the wheel of a big rig.

The good news is that drivers at least 21 years of age have plenty of opportunities for employment. Pay has gone up as well, with compensation jumping five percent year-over-year to an average of $50,000 per year. And with pay jumping that fast, a few thousand dollars worth of training becomes more of an investment.

Truck driver shortage means a longer wait for your packages originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler adding jobs at Toledo Jeep plant to boost Wrangler production

Chris Shunk — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Jeep

New car sales have been on the upswing, and few vehicles have experienced more success than the Jeep Wrangler. The iconic off-roader set an all-time May sales record with 14,454 units sold, and its total sales are up 34 percent on the year.

That's good news for Chrysler, and it could lead to more high-wage manufacturing jobs in northern Ohio. Automotive News reports that Team Pentastar plans to add an unspecified number of jobs to its Toledo Jeep plant in the fourth quarter of 2012. The move should help Chrysler satiate demand for the perpetually hot Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, and it could help international sales, as well. CEO Sergio Marchionne is on record saying that he'd like the Wrangler to spur Jeep sales across the pond.

That said, there is a chance that this decision won't lead to many new hires in the near term. The Toledo, Ohio complex also builds the Jeep Liberty until August, when the plant will receive a makeover that will result in an additional 300,000 square feet of production space. It seems likely that the Wrangler jobs could come from the neighboring plant (the whole complex uses two facilities), but when production picks up at the renovated building, new jobs would have to be added. Chrysler has previously announced that up to 1,100 new positions will be available at the complex by the end of 2013.

Chrysler adding jobs at Toledo Jeep plant to boost Wrangler production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover to hire 1,000 in attempt to keep up with Evoque demand

Chris Shunk — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Land Rover, Luxury

Automakers are always attempting to show how popular their new vehicle is, but there are only two ways to truly prove a smashing hit. One is to deliver outstanding sales numbers, and the other is to experience demand so strong that new employees must be hired to help assemble them.

Land Rover is experiencing just such a success with its sexy new Evoque line, as evidenced by its latest press release. The Tata Motors owned luxury marque announced that it is hiring an additional 1,000 workers at its Halewood plant to bolster production. The facility, which currently builds the Evoque and the Freelander 2 (a.k.a. LR2), will now employ 4,500 workers, or three times the number it did in 2009.

With those new hires, the Halewood plant will now be running at or near full capacity, with three full eight-hour shifts. Hit the jump to read over the Land Rover press release which includes details of some of the positions needed at the plant.

Continue reading Land Rover to hire 1,000 in attempt to keep up with Evoque demand

Land Rover to hire 1,000 in attempt to keep up with Evoque demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley hires David Hilton as new Head of Exterior Design

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Bentley, UK, Design/Style, Luxury

Bentley has named designer David Hilton as the company's head of exterior design. Hilton ran his own successful design firm for 12 years before accepting the position with the ultra-luxury automaker. He will now report to Dirk van Braeckel, director of design and styling. Hilton is stepping into the shoes of Raul Pires, who left the company at the end of last year to join forces with Italdesign, the Volkswagen-owned design studio.

Hilton has over two decades of automotive design experience under his belt, having worked with companies from Ford to Volkswagen. The last-generation Ford Focus RS is among his notable accomplishments.

He'll have his work cut out for him moving forward. Bentley is slated to unleash a rash of new products in the coming months, including an all-new SUV and a replacement for the company's aging Continental line. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Bentley hires David Hilton as new Head of Exterior Design

Bentley hires David Hilton as new Head of Exterior Design originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Passat popularity has VW hiring an extra 200 in Chattanooga

Chris Shunk — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

The good people of Tennessee are no doubt thrilled to have a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. The facility already features well over 2,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs, and now the German automaker is bolstering employment by another 200 full-time VW staffers, boosting the employment total to 2,500 full-time and temp workers.

VW says it is making the move to enable the plant to increase production from 31 vehicles per hour to 35. The boosted line rate also means that VW dealers will soon have more Passat sedans to sell, though the automaker failed to mention the sedan in the post-jump press release. Given VW's torrid sales pace in January, we're guessing the jump in factory output will be good news for the automaker's retail outlets.

VW isn't just looking for line workers - the automaker is also looking for supervisors and engineers. Hit the jump to read over the VW press release, which includes information on how to apply for a position.

Continue reading Passat popularity has VW hiring an extra 200 in Chattanooga

Passat popularity has VW hiring an extra 200 in Chattanooga originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to hire 400-500 workers to build Dodge Dart

Chris Shunk — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler, Dodge, UAW/Unions

The 2013 Dodge Dart looks like it could be a hit with car buyers, and job seekers near the automaker's Belvidere, Illinois plant can likely appreciate the new sedan as well. The Detroit Free Press reports that Chrysler is looking to staff up with 400 to 500 jobs to help move as many Dart variants as possible.

Team Pentastar is looking for part-time hourly and full-time temporary workers to fill those roles. We're guessing the United Auto Workers union isn't all that pleased with the choice of temp workers, but we're betting that most job-seekers will be happy to fill out an app anyway. Chrysler was considering moving the Belvidere facility to three shifts, but the automaker reportedly decided to stick with two very busy shifts, at least for now.

Chrysler to hire 400-500 workers to build Dodge Dart originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford receives nearly 17,000 applications for open positions in Louisville

John Neff — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford

Here's a measure of how bad the economy is. Ford is getting ready to start assembling the upcoming all-new Escape at its Louisville Assembly Plant after having built the Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer there since 1990 (see the last one ever made in the mob of people above). To that end, the company recently began accepting applications for 1,800 open positions to shore up the 1,100-strong workforce already there. According to reports, nearly 17,000 people showed up to apply - 16,837 souls to be exact.

Unfortunately, most of those people don't have much of a shot at becoming part of the Blue Oval family. According to USA Today, the open spots will first go to Ford workers laid off at the Louisville plant since production of the Explorer was moved to Chicago, then to workers laid off at other Ford plants around the country. If there are any spots left after that, Ford will hold a lottery to determine who gets to move on for consideration, but even then, current Ford workers can refer friends and family as potential applicants, making the lottery pool that much larger.

What do they get if they make it to the factory floor? $15.51/hour, which is the lower second-tier wage that's now being offered to new workers, a concession the United Auto Workers granted Ford in its last contract negotiations.

Ford receives nearly 17,000 applications for open positions in Louisville originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to add 7,000 workers to U.S. manufacturing in next two years

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford

Ford has announced plans to start a hiring onslaught and over the course of the next two years the automaker will add more than 7,000 employees to its ranks. Hiring both salaried and hourly employees, Ford is looking for a few good men and women in the States. In 2011, it plans to hire around 4,000 folks to fill positions at a number of plants including 1,800 positions opening up at the Louisville Assembly plant.

The Blue Oval is also on the hunt for a range of engineers to help further development of electric vehicles. Ford is looking for experts with a specialized knowledge of the various components required to make electric cars go. Those positions aren't Detroit-centric either, as Ford has openings in cities like Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati and San Jose.

Check out the full press-release after the jump for more information.

[Source: Ford]e

Continue reading Ford to add 7,000 workers to U.S. manufacturing in next two years

Ford to add 7,000 workers to U.S. manufacturing in next two years originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ex-GM VP Bo Andersson to run Russia's GAZ

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Russia

Bo Andersson was General Motors' global purchasing group vice president up until last Friday, when he suddenly resigned without warning. Now, we appear to know why he left - Automotive News is reporting that Andersson will become CEO of GAZ, the Russian consumer and military vehicle maker.

As you may recall, GAZ is involved by proxy in the purchase of Opel, since Russian bank Sberbank is GAZ's largest investor and Magna's partner in the pending deal for Opel. With Andersson at the helm, GAZ would have a European automotive industry insider (he also spent time at Saab) and a known cost-cutter and dealmaker. As a result, AN speculates that Andersson could end up playing a key role in the revival of Opel's fortunes.

Andersson's installation as CEO is not a done deal just yet - he still must still be formally voted in by the GAZ board.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

REPORT: Ex-GM VP Bo Andersson to run Russia's GAZ originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: McNabb left GM premium post for Maserati position

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Cadillac, GM, Hummer, Maserati, Saab

Mark McNabb loves a challenge. After working for General Motors for 13 months leading Cadillac, Hummer, and Saab, McNabb announced his resignation last week as of June 1. His destination, it turns out, is Maserati, where he'll replace former North American CEO Marti Eulberg, Who resigned last month after less than a year on the job.

At GM, McNabb ended up shepherding one of his brands and trying to sell the other two. At Maserati he'll have just one brand to lead and he'll be focused on selling its cars. Maserati sales have done their impression of a sinkhole, falling 48% worldwide and nearly 58% in America, taking revenue numbers with them. We find those numbers a little surprising, but perhaps the coming GranTurismo convertible will help things out. In the mean time, best of luck to you, Mr. McNabb.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: McNabb left GM premium post for Maserati position originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce to double workforce ahead of Ghost production

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Rolls-Royce, UK

Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost will not only mean more sales for the company, it will mean more workers. Rolls is adding 300 production workers to the payroll, bringing its Sussex workforce to 900. The majority of new positions will be in the wood, leather and paint shops, but there will be assembly positions opening up as well since the Ghost gets its own line. It might not be the best time to bring a top-end luxury sedan to market, but it is a very good time to apply for a job, and Rolls wants to fill them over the next few months. If you have a luxurious way with wood, leather, or paint (or all three), you can peruse the job openings on the Rolls-Royce site, www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce 200EX concept

Rolls-Royce to double workforce ahead of Ghost production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW North America Chairman to become Rolls-Royce CEO

Michael Harley — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, BMW, Rolls-Royce

Tom Purves, Chairman of BMW North America, is getting a new desk -- one that is adorned with a silver Flying Lady. As of July 1, Purves will take over as the CEO of BMW's Rolls-Royce brand in Goodwood, England. Replacing Tom Purves as the CEO of BMW's North American Unit will be Jim O'Donnell, who has occupied the No. 2 seat since the beginning of this month.

Purves is no stranger to Rolls-Royce. He spent the first 17 years of his career there occupying several different management positions. The timing for his departure from BMW is interesting, though. BMW has a mandatory retirement age of 60. Coincidentally, that just happens to be the age Purves will celebrate on his birthday this November. Rolls-Royce, one of the most prestigious automakers in the world, doesn't have a mandatory retirement age.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

BMW North America Chairman to become Rolls-Royce CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good news for Detroit: Big 3 gearing up for hiring binge

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chrysler, Ford, GM, UAW/Unions

Over the last few years, huge numbers of union workers have accepted buyout packages to leave their high-paying jobs at automotive factories and office buildings. Many of those retired workers will be replaced by new hires at much lower salaries in the coming years. In fact, there could be as many as 46,000 new workers hired in Michigan alone, according to a recent 95-page report (PDF link here) released by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). This report could mean good things for the troubled economy surrounding Detroit -- but it's not all roses, as the report indicates that more workers will leave through attrition than the estimated 46,000 that could be hired. Also, all of those new workers will require lots of training before they can be counted on as worthy replacements. Still, as Kristin Dziczek, an analyst from CAR says, "The bleeding will stop."

[Source: CAR via The Car Connection]

Good news for Detroit: Big 3 gearing up for hiring binge originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to increase U.S. production in 2012 while cutting jobs in Germany

Michael Harley — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, BMW

Blame the plunging greenback. Less than a week after BMW announced the expansion of their U.S. Spartanburg plant, we are getting news from Germany that the weak dollar is making it increasingly difficult for the German automaker to keep production on their soil and that layoffs are imminent. Ernst Baumann, BMW's head of personnel, said 5,600 jobs in Germany will be cut by the end of the year. When you add that to the 2,500 positions already eliminated, the total represents about 7.6-percent of BMW's workforce.

While the layoffs are bad news for German factory workers, the flip side of the coin may benefit their American counterparts. With the value of the Euro sitting at more than $1.50 at current exchange rates, European automakers are finding manufacturing on U.S. soil more attractive (read that "cost effective") than ever. BMW manufactured about 155,000 vehicle on U.S. soil last year. By 2012, that number is planned to approach 240,000 cars. BMW sales worldwide reached 198,628 in January and February, up from 191,357 the same period last year. With the new BMW 1 Series and BMW X6 models hitting showrooms in 2008, BMW is forecasting yet another year of increased sales.

[Source: Detroit News]

BMW to increase U.S. production in 2012 while cutting jobs in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jet-powered record-breaker seeks petite woman

Noah Joseph — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising

Single-engine jet-powered dragster seeking female companion for thrilling adventure across salt flats. Petite build. Background in motorsports or aviation. With sponsors. Interested parties please contact Eric Ahlstrom (eahlstrom@pyramid.net), program manager, Steve Fossett World Land Speed Racing Team.

It's not exactly the kind of personal add you'd normally find in your local newspaper, but those are the criteria required by a team mounting the latest attempt at the land speed record. The 48-foot-long land-bound jet is powered by a 40,000-hp S&S LM-1500 turbine mounted in a sleek, aerodynamic body that is claimed to have less than a quarter the drag coefficient of the Trust SSC, the - ahem - "vehicle", if you could call it that, which currently holds the record.

Unfortunately, the design of the jetmobile necessitated a tiny cockpit, so they need a tiny driver to operate the thing. The pilot will be involved in each step along the road to the record attempt, including feedback on developmental runs and system tests slated for the next couple of months before they finally make a run at the record. Anyone have Danica Patrick's number? Oh wait, we do!

[Source: Inside Line]

Jet-powered record-breaker seeks petite woman originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dream Job: Bentley launches online employment portal

Dan Roth — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Bentley

Rather than spend your day looking up "gonnectigizoink" at Wikipedia, a better use of the internet might be to find a job. The problem is that it's just so hard to find anything that matches our niche skillset. Bentley is looking for more global candidates to fill their open positions, and has launched a website in hopes of snagging applicants. Currently, there's only opportunities if you want to locate yourself in Crewe, but there's 40-plus openings for everything from Logistics and IS to student programs. Bentley's hoping that opening up positions to the world at large, rather than relying solely on the old guard of newspaper adverts and recruitment firms will bring in more potential candidates. We'll be watching it like a hawk for the high performance test driver position to open up. In the meantime, we'll be compiling a fanciful delusion of a curriculum vitae.

[Source: Inside Line]

Dream Job: Bentley launches online employment portal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi hiring 800 in 2008

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Audi

If you're a recent college graduate with a desire to land an automotive gig, you may want to send your resume Audi's way. The fast-growing German luxury brand is hiring 800 new grads this year, up 200 from 2007. The official Audi presser, which is available after the jump, emphasizes that the increase in new hires is necessary to "significantly expand our product range and develop new cars." Engineers are the top priority, as one-third of all new hires will enter technical development to work on diesel engines, innovative hybrid drive solutions and alternative fuels. If you haven't got an engineering degree, the four-ringed automaker is also pining for collegiate grads with Economics degrees for marketing and sales activities.

We're out of the running since Audi isn't looking for bloggers at this time, but if you apply for the job and get an interview, tell them we sent you. Maybe we'll get a referral bonus or a week in the R8. If that doesn't work out, we'll be content to wait on the new products and powertrains.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi hiring 800 in 2008

Audi hiring 800 in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to build plant in Mississippi

Dan Roth — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 06:54:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

As Toyota continues its quest for world domination, they've chosen a location in northeastern Mississippi to build a new $800 million plant. The location, known as the Wellspring Project Megasite, is situated well for heavy manufacturing and was surely shopped hard to big industry like automotive manufacturing. The plant is likely to build SUVs, and we'll know for sure when all the politicians, local officials and Toyota representatives formally announce the plant today. Tupelo High School will be left reeling from the hullabaloo that will ensue, we're sure.

At a time of uncertainty and job cuts, It bodes well that Toyota is adding more jobs for US workers. Target production is 150,000 vehicles yearly when the plant is up and running in 2009. Say what you will about Toyota "invading" the US and dethroning our auto industry, we're happy to see US workers getting offered some relief. So many other industries have moved to other countries, taking good blue-collar opportunities with them. Mississippi also just recently attracted Nissan to build a plant in Canton, MS, so at least it looks like some of those laid off GM, Ford, and DCX workers will have someplace to go. We hear there's less snow than in Detroit, too.

Thanks for the tip, Guy!

[Source:djournal.com]

Toyota to build plant in Mississippi originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 06:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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