Autoblog

Ford to add 1,200 workers at Flat Rock plant

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:35:00 EST

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

With the 2014 Mazda6 being built in Japan, Ford is filling the production capacity at its Flat Rock Assembly plant (previously known as AutoAlliance International) with the 2013 Ford Fusion. The new Fusion goes on sale this fall, and while early versions of the car will continue to be made in Hermosillo, Mexico, production will switch to the Flat Rock, Mich. plant early next year.

Currently, that plant only builds the Ford Mustang, and to prepare for the higher volume that the Fusion will bring, Ford has announced it will be adding 1,200 new jobs to the plant in addition to a $555 million upgrade to the paint and body shops. Not only will this upgrade allow Flat Rock to be a more flexible plant, it will also allow it to be more environmentally friendly with a 3-Wet paint process that creates fewer pollutants and lowers overall paint costs.

The plant is still owned 50/50 between Ford and Mazda, but it will be managed 100 percent by Ford Motor Company going forward. Once Fusion production begins, Flat Rock Assembly will employ a total of 2,900 workers.

Continue reading Ford to add 1,200 workers at Flat Rock plant

Ford to add 1,200 workers at Flat Rock plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Industry bracing for shortage of top-skilled auto mechanics [w/video]

Chris Tutor — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

What do you want to be when you grow up? If you answered, "mechanic," you're in the minority. But that could be a good thing for your chances of getting a job. As USA Today points out, a shortage of mechanics and an increase in the complexity of today's cars means there's big demand for wrenchers.

Kids today are more likely to grow up playing video games and chatting with friends online than they are to tinker with their cars. That means the nation's auto repair workforce is getting grayer and moving toward retirement with fewer replacements being trained.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says demand for auto mechanics will increase 17 percent by 2020, adding 124,800 jobs. The Bureau's last set of data, from 2010, shows mechanics earn an average of about $36,000, but 10 percent earned more than $59k. Numbers like that suggest that what few trained mechanics are produced every year are being snatched up as soon as they graduate.

Add in the complexities of new cars like hybrids, EVs and clean diesels, and the number of qualified applicants gets even smaller.

Many high schools have dropped auto repair programs, citing less interest and greater cost in the high-tech equipment now required. But automakers are teaming with educators to encourage interest in car repair careers, hoping to head off a looming crisis. The average age of mechanics at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler dealerships is in the low 40s, and many of the most knowledgeable will be retiring soon.

Scroll down to watch a USA Today video report on the growing conundrum.

Continue reading Industry bracing for shortage of top-skilled auto mechanics [w/video]

Industry bracing for shortage of top-skilled auto mechanics [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:45:00 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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Hyundai gets 20,000 applicants for 877 jobs in Alabama

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:28:00 EST

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

Less than a month ago, Hyundai announced it would be adding a third shift at its Alabama assembly plant, resulting in an additional 877 jobs. You'd imagine with Alabama running a 7.2-percent unemployment rate in April - ranking right in the middle of the 50 states - competition for those jobs would be pretty serious. But nobody, least of all Hyundai, expected this. As of May 22, the automaker had received some 18,500 applications, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

To put that into perspective, the Montgomery metropolitan area has an adult population of just over 282,000, meaning the applicant pool at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama represents more than six percent of nearby residents. Hyundai was so flooded with applicants that it temporarily shut down the process on May 18, warning job seekers that any applications it received after that date would likely go unprocessed. Hyundai only expects to screen between 6,000-7,000 applicants according to the report.

The company began seeing applicants on May 14, and by working 13-hour days, it has been processing roughly 200 each day. Applicants are asked to take a multiple-choice test during the 90-minute interview and those that get asked back will be given a six-hour training course, according to the report. Hyundai expects the hiring process to be completed by mid-July, in advance of launching the third shift after Labor Day.

Hyundai gets 20,000 applicants for 877 jobs in Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gingrich says UAW to blame for hobbling U.S. industry

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: UAW/Unions

Proving that he is nothing if not predictable, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich blamed the United Auto Workers for the loss of American manufacturing jobs at a recent campaign appearance. Automotive News reports that Gingrich lauded the BMW factory in Spartanburg, SC, for being "vibrant" and mentioned Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan in a positive light, while blaming the UAW for impeding continuous improvement at domestic automakers. The UAW did not respond to a request for comment, according to the report.

While we wouldn't expect Gingrich to behave any differently towards his political enemies in the union, we will say that the loss of manufacturing jobs is a far more complicated subject than this or any other soundbite can explain. And for all the attention that the auto industry continues to receive from politicians hoping to score points with voters, we remain appalled at how little those on both sides of the aisle actually know about the business.

Gingrich says UAW to blame for hobbling U.S. industry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler adding 1,100 jobs at Toledo plant

Chris Shunk — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Jeep, UAW/Unions

New manufacturing jobs are always nice to hear about, and this time it's Chrysler providing the headlines. Automotive News reports that the automaker will add a second shift to its Toledo Assembly Complex, which could result in an additional 1,100 jobs.

Chrysler hasn't made an official announcement (since the incentives haven't been finalized), but The Toledo Blade claims that the $365 million investment will lead to 1,050 blue collar workers, with wages starting at $14.65/hour, and another 55 management spots worth about $90,000 each.

Chrysler also hasn't (officially) said a word about what new products are coming to fill the need for a second shift, but analysts have said that up to seven new and redesigned vehicles could make their way to the plant. The Toledo plant expansion will reportedly be ready for prime time sometime in 2013. Currently, both the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro are built at this facility.

Chrysler adding 1,100 jobs at Toledo plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: CAR projects Michigan will net up to 23,000 new auto jobs in 2011

Chris Shunk — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Ford, GM

The fourth quarter of 2010 showed strengthening auto sales, and analysts believe 2011 will reveal further sales growth. That will likely lead to more profit for automakers, and The Detroit News reports that Michigan jobs could follow. The report cites findings by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) that show up to 23,000 new Michigan jobs in 2011 alone.

That's a huge number of high wage jobs in a region still burdened with unemployment levels over 10 percent, and a big reason the Mitten State is projected to be a jobs winner is a shift in the competitive landscape. Ford and General Motors are making money in a down auto market and Chrysler was breaking even even before refreshing most of its vehicle lineup. CAR points out that the Detroit Three are also competitive on labor and legacy costs, quality and manufacturing efficiency, which frees up more money for product development.

CAR has reportedly been able to track at least $5.6 billion in announced projects in Michigan over the past 24 months, and the industry continues to recover from the Great Recession; a number that stands a good chance of increasing.

[Source: Detroit News | Image: M. Spencer Green/AFP/Getty]

Report: CAR projects Michigan will net up to 23,000 new auto jobs in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 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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Saab's hiring! 500 workers reportedly needed to boost production

Eric Loveday — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Spyker

Saab resumes production - Click above for high-res image gallery

Interested in a job in the automotive world? Saab has the news that you've been waiting for. According to AFP news service, production of Saab vehicles will be boosted to six times the current amount in just two short years. In order to meet that ambitious target, the automaker has announced that it will need the help of 500 more workers.

Spyker Cars, the new owners of Saab, announced the need for more workers in Paris last Wednesday. Spyker chief executive Victor Muller also laid out some future financial plans for the Saab brand. Muller said that Saab would receive $1 billion in support and plans for expanding the sales volume will result in overall profit by 2012.

Last year, Saab produced just 20,000 vehicles, though it produced over 90,000 in 2008 before it looked like (then) parent General Motors was fixin' to close up its Swedish shop.. By 2012, the company aims to produce 120,000 vehicles. Spyker anticipates that Saab will sell around 50,000 vehicles this year and slowly increase production until the 2012 target is met. Meeting the goals apparently requires a workforce of 4,000 people, which in turn requires 500 new workers, a sizable hiring uncommon in recent automotive history.

[Source: AFP via Google News]

Saab's hiring! 500 workers reportedly needed to boost production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Germany approves new Volkswagen Law

Michael Harley — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Porsche, Volkswagen

Porsche didn't win... this round. The German cabinet approved amendments to the Volkswagen Law yesterday, but lawmakers left Porsche's key clause untouched. For those of you who haven't been following this saga, "Volkswagen Law" is the legislation that includes a provision to allow the federal state of Lower Saxony to keep a blocking minority vote in Volkswagen. That minority position is just 20 percent, exactly the amount currently held by Lower Saxony. With Porsche gobbling up shares in VW, intent on capturing a majority position so they can control plant closures, and Lower Saxony determined to protect thousands of jobs in their state... rest assured we haven't heard the last of this.

[Source: Automotive News]

Germany approves new Volkswagen Law originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 May 2008 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Job Listing of the Day: Prodrive Chairman's Estate Manager

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:37:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Aston Martin

So you want to work for Prodrive/Aston Martin, but you don't quite have the qualifications to be a bodyshell fabricator or a chief engineer? Then perhaps you have what it takes to fill the position of estate manager for the chairman of the company. You won't need to know your way around a sheet of carbon fiber, but you will need to be able to manage the garden and domestic staff, have a good sense of humor, and "carry out occasional driving duties," among other things. For your dutiful service, your rewards will include a fully paid-for cottage on the property, a mobile phone, and a company car. But remember, Ford still owns part of Aston, so that car could be a Mondeo... but that wouldn't be too bad, would it, guv'nor? Thanks for the tip, sndkick!

[Source: Prodrive]

Job Listing of the Day: Prodrive Chairman's Estate Manager originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:37:00 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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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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Ford might increase cuts in slow economy

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Mark "the Mullet" Fields dropped some small ordinance during an interview with the Wall Street Journal today, saying that if the slow U.S. economy puts the automaker at risk of not meeting its financial goals for the next two years, it may increase the rate at which it will cut costs.

To quote Ford's executive veep of North and South American operations, "There's more risk than there is opportunity going forward." Fields maintains that the combination of the turmoil-ridden home mortgage market, weak job numbers and increased debt among U.S. borrowers might cause Ford to slow production down in the fourth quarter to avoid excess inventory, a problem that plagued Chrysler last year around this time.

The adjustments are a last resort, and according to Ford, it's currently on track to meet its goals as long as things stay stable. Nevertheless, you can bet Fields has his fingers crossed.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Ford might increase cuts in slow economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler does better than expected in job cuts

Siddharth Raja — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:36:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Earnings/Financials

Chrysler is ahead of its own targets for its turnaround plan with the announcement that up to 1,100 salaried and 6,000 hourly workers have been cut from its workforce. This is only the first phase of job cuts in the three-year turnaround plan, which by 2009 will see Chrysler's workforce shrunk by 13,000 positions.

The announcement was made in an internal email that was sent to Chrysler staffers on Monday. In it, CEO Tom LaSorda assured staff that the reduction in employee numbers won't disrupt operations and we could see even more lay-offs very soon. An additional 400 blue-collar workers are still awaiting approval for applied buyouts or early retirement packages, but Chrysler spokesman Dave Elshoff said "there's no guarantee that they will be accepted this year."

These latest reductions leaves Chrysler with roughly 73,356 hourly and salaried employees all up, 100 less than what the turnaround plan stipulated for 2007. We hope the changes will make more than just a dent in rectifying the $680 million loss Chrysler suffered last year.

[Source: Detroit News]

Chrysler does better than expected in job cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadian Auto workers protest job losses

Dan Roth — Tue, 29 May 2007 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, GM, UAW/Unions

Canadian auto outposts Windsor and Essex counties in Ontario have lost thousands of jobs in the recent past. Out of concern for the future of not only their jobs, but their communities and standard of living, nearly 40,000 people took part in a rally organized by the Canadian Auto Workers Union on Sunday, May 27th. The CAW claims that every single manufacturing job supports 12 non-autobuilding jobs, and with the big goings on down south with the sale of Chrysler and Ford's Way Forward, the union is understandably concerned. The rally, part of the CAW's wider "Manufacturing Matters" initiative, was held at Ford's Windsor, Ontario test track, and was intended to demonstrate the gravity of Canada's loss of manufacturing jobs. There will be pain associated with the domestic automakers scramble to stay alive, and part of that has taken the form of shipping jobs elsewhere. It's not just the car assembly plants, it's the multitudes of smaller suppliers that build the subassemblies and components the autoworkers actually assemble. It's happening in the US, as well, and it's tough to realize that in the jaws of the vice are families that have little recourse. Click the pic above for a slideshow of the Windsor rally with audio.

Thanks for the tip, Peter!

[Source: Autonorth]

Canadian Auto workers protest job losses originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 May 2007 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM needs engineers to develop advanced powertrains!

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Technology, GM

With all the attention that General Motors has gotten since the introduction of the Chevy Volt concept in January at the Detroit Auto Show, they have decided that they need to actually do more work in the area. So now they're looking for up to 400 engineers and technicians to help them develop advanced powertrain technologies like hybrids, diesels and fuel cells. They're also looking for information technology staff and people to work on the OnStar telematics systems. If you're interested in helping to make the Volt a reality, head over to www.gmcareerfair.com and submit a resume. Details are after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM needs engineers to develop advanced powertrains!

GM needs engineers to develop advanced powertrains! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda receives 5,000 applications for 18 spots at Indiana plant

John Neff — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:55:00 EST

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

In late February, Honda announced it would be accepting applications for positions at a new plant it's constructing near Greensburg, Indiana. The Japanese automaker ran ads in newspapers around Indiana looking for workers with experience in Automotive Engineering, Purchasing, Information Technology and Administration. Eighteen slots were available, but Honda was inundated with over 5,000 applications. They've stopped accepting applications for fourteen of the positions in the areas of production and maintenance, just so that the mountain of applications can be sorted and sifted through. Those interested in applying for the remaining four positions can click here.

What does that mean? Some might say it illustrates how a languishing workforce is eager to throw its hat in the ring with a Japanese automaker, perhaps expecting greater job security in these uncertain times. From our perspective, it illustrates how saturated the job market is for anyone in an auto-related field. With layoffs and voluntary separations occuring around every corner, there are clearly many more qualified people than there are available jobs right now. And it's not often we see a "Now Hiring" sign put out by an automaker, so when it happens, regardless of the automaker looking for fresh blood, a glut of applications is almost guaranteed.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Honda receives 5,000 applications for 18 spots at Indiana plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:55:00 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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Steve Jobs hearts Autoblog

John Neff — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:51:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

click image to enlarge a bit

We try not to be a toot-our-own-horn kind of blog, but a few of us are just way too into Macs to let this one slide by. While watching the keynote given by Steve Jobs on the progress of OSX 10.5 Leopard in August (you can watch the video here), reader Dewey K. noticed during the demo of Apple's Mail program that two emails from Autoblog were in Steve Jobs' inbox. The emails have subjects that match the titles of a pair of older posts. The first is "In Britain, a different rally championship -- for slot cars!" and the second, not surprisingly, is "Apple's iPod looks to dominate the dashboard". ~~We don't remember sending the Apple CEO any emails~~ A smart commenter realized that Autoblog's RSS feed was probably being pumpted into Jobs' Apple Mail program, which will be a new feature of OSX 10.5.

We know his Steve-ness is into cars, as a full 70 percent of all 2007 models will natively accept tuneage from his family of iPods. We also know that he's a big fan of Mercedes-Benz and that the state of California allows him to drive without a license plate because he's had so many stolen (he instead has a small bar code where the plate should be).

Really, we're a little miffed at our boys from Engadget who were in like the second row and didn't catch this. We forgive, though. Hey Steve, we heart you, too.

Steve Jobs hearts Autoblog originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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