And Now We Vote, EV Credit Ignorance, Giant Drone Deliveries

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It’s a no-so-spooky Tuesday as we talk about the final tentative agreement for the Big 3 that ends all striking for now. We also talk about the big gap in American’s awareness of EV tax credits, as well as a company using giant drones to deliver heavy loads. 

The triple threat has been neutralized…maybe, as the UAW and GM have reached a tentative contract, concluding the strike against the Detroit 3. The agreement promises significant wage hikes and other benefits for workers in line with the previous deals with Ford and Stellantis

• Picketing ended near midnight as the tentative contract doubles certain workers' pay immediately, with a 70% raise in starting wages by 2028.
• Veteran workers can anticipate about a 33% pay rise over the contract's term, reaching $42.95 per hour.
• Temporary workers with 90 days of experience will receive raises between 51% and 115%.
• GM agreed to abolish a lower pay scale for specific divisions, and salaried workers will get a wage increase akin to hourly workers.
• “We were relentless in our fight to win a record contract, and that is exactly what we accomplished.” - UAW President Shawn Fain.

There is one more hurdle…ratification. Fain's aggressive tactics and promises, while effective in negotiations, might backfire during the ratification process as some of the deals don't meet the high expectations he set (e.g., no 32-hour workweek, no defined benefit pensions for all).

Despite the Inflation Reduction Act offering up to $7,500 in federal tax credits for EV purchases, about 40% of Americans remain completely unaware of the subsidies

• A BlueLab Analytics survey found 40% of Americans are oblivious to the EV tax credits under the IRA.
• Despite the results, the survey shows that Hispanic Americans indicate the highest preference of any group for buying an EV in the future, while Black Americans show the lowest preference. Women are slightly less likely to be planning for an EV purchase and they are much less aware of the EV tax credits, as Axios reports.

Offshore turbine company, Ørsted claims to be the first offshore wind firm globally to deploy autonomous giant drones for cargo delivery to turbines.

• The drones, weighing 128 pounds and having an 8.5-foot wingspan, are being tested at the UK's Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm. They can carry cargo up to 150 pounds, which is suspended from the drone using a long cord.
• Most importantly, the turbines do not need to be shut down when cargo is delivered
• The drones are managed from existing crew transfer vessels and service operating vessels at Hornsea 1. The drone service provider, although not directly mentioned by Ørsted, is identified as Skylift, a UK firm specializing in offshore wind farms.

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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