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Foreign automakers pay from $38 to $65 per hour to non-union workers

As leaders for the United Auto Workers gather in Detroit for their Special Convention on Collective Bargaining to work out the negotiating stance for this year's new labor agreements with the Detroit 3 automakers, what they most want to do is figure out how to eliminate the two-tier wage scale. However, the lower Tier 2 wage has allowed the domestic automakers to reduce their labor costs, hire more workers, and compete better with their import competition. As it stands, per-hour labor rates including benefits are $58 at General Motors, $57 at Ford, and $48 at Fiat-Chrysler – a reflection of FCA's much greater number of Tier 2 workers. The Center for Automotive Research released a study of labor rates (including benefits) that put numbers to what the imports pay: Mercedes-Benz pays the most, at an average of $65 per hour, Volkswagen pays the least, at $38 per hour, and BMW is just a hair above that at $39 per hour. Among the Detroit competitors, Honda workers earn an average of $49 per hour, at Toyota it's $48 per hour, Nissan is $42 per hour, and Hyundai-Kia pays $41 per hour. The lower import wages are aided by their greater use of temporary workers compared to the domestics. Automotive News says the ten-dollar gap between those foreign camakers and the domestics turns out to about an extra $250 per car in labor, which adds up quickly when you're pumping out many millions of cars. That $250-per-car number is one that, come negotiating time, the Detroit 3 will want to reduce, as the UAW is trying to raise both Tier 1 and Tier 2 wages. Another wrinkle is that the domestic carmakers are considering the wide adoption of a third wage level lower than Tier 2. Some workers who do minor tasks like assembling parts trays kits and battery packs already make less than Tier 2, but the UAW will be quite wary about cementing yet another wage scale at the bottom of the system while it's trying to fight a bigger battle at the top. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req., BloombergImage Credit: AP Photo/Erik Schelzig Earnings/Financials UAW/Unions BMW Chevrolet Fiat Ford GM Honda Hyundai Kia Mercedes-Benz Nissan Toyota Volkswagen labor wages collective bargaining labor costs

Hyundai Genesis gets stanced by Ark Performance for SEMA

Hyundai has yet another high-performance concept for the upcoming 2014 SEMA Show in November to join its 708-horsepower Sonata. For this one, Ark Performance is taking the Genesis Sedan and pumping up the output by supercharging its 5.0-liter V8, along with a mile-long list of other modifications to mix speed with added luxury.
Ark calls the tuner concept the AR550 in reference to taking the Genesis' standard 420 horsepower V8 and boosting it an extra 130 hp with a Rotrex supercharger to bring total output to 550 hp. The mill also benefits from a freer breathing intake and exhaust, new engine management and more.
All of that extra power would be nearly useless without upgrades elsewhere to handle it, and Ark has some big additions to include. The one-off rides on an air suspension system and stiffer front and rear sway bars. To bring things to a halt faster, larger brakes from Brembo replace the standard units.

2016 Hyundai Elantra GT gets refreshed with a big new face

Hyundai is taking the sheet off of a facelift for the 2016 Elantra GT at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, and if buyers spec the five-door hatchback right, they can also get the Korean brand's latest infotainment system. The biggest and most obvious change for the updated Elantra GT is its brand new front end. The grille now features wide, horizontal slats with chrome accents, which removes the previous design's somewhat smiling face. It also brings the styling more in line with the rest of the Hyundai lineup. In addition, vehicle rides on some redesigned 17-inch wheels. The interior is left basically the same for the update, except if buyers choose the optional Technology Package. It adds a new 7-inch touchscreen navigation system with a rearview camera, which is similar to the unit in some trims of the Sonata and Genesis. Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system and Apple Siri Eyes Free are included, as well. Choosing the pack also features dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, LED taillights and ventilated driver's and passenger's seats, which brand claims is a segment first. Mechanically, the steering is retuned for better feel in 2016 but everything else carries over. That gives buyers a direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque and the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic. Base pricing is the same as the 2015 model year at $18,800, plus an $825 destination charge on all models, for the manual or $19,800 with the auto. Although, with all of the extra kit, the Tech Package is now $3,950, rather than $2,900 last year, but the required Style Package for it is re-priced to $1,975, as opposed to $2,550 in 2015. Hyundai's Sporty and Versatile Hatchback Gets a More Affordable Style Package and a New Navigation System with Next-Generation Blue Link Telematics CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2015 – Today at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America introduced a refreshed Elantra GT for the 2016 model year, offering updated styling with customer-focused technology and features. With a more distinctive front fascia and all-new 17" alloy wheels, Elantra GT's new look further enhances the vehicle's signature sporty styling. And when mated to a standard 2.0-liter Gasoline Direct Injection engine, the formula comes together to deliver a vehicle that both looks and feels dynamic.