Automotive industry in the United States

A wave of strikes that disrupted the three largest U.S. automakers for six weeks looked to have been finally resolved, as the auto workers union reached a tentative agreement with holdout General Motors.

The GM deal announced by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union comes after pacts with Stellantis and Ford, appearing to end the strike on the "Big Three" automakers.

Ford has said the need to retore manufacturing operations outweighed the additional costs to sweeten a labor contract to end a strike that has cost it some $1.3 billion.

UAW, the union that once boasted a million and a half members at the height of its power and set standards for labor relations in the US through its collective agreements, now represents 400,000 people. Recently, it has made a series of previously unthinkable concessions to employers.

A blockade of the bridge between Canada and Detroit by protesters demanding an end to Canada's COVID-19 restrictions forced the shutdown Wednesday of a Ford plant and began to have broader implications for the North American auto industry.

The U.S. auto industry’s historic growth streak has ended, but demand for new vehicles - especially SUVs - remains healthy as the new year begins.

Leaders of the big three U.S. auto makers have all spoken at the Detroit auto show about how President-elect Trump might impact the industry, but the third, from GM, offered the most business-as-usual message.

General Motors Co rode sales of SUVs and pickup trucks in North America to a record profit in 2015, and reaffirmed its forecast to do better this year despite signs that vehicle sales are hitting a peak.

GM, the biggest U.S. automaker and No. 3 globally by sales, earned $2.8 billion in the fourth quarter before interest, taxes and one-time items, or $1.39 per share, excluding items.

General Motors has announced $5.4 billion in new U.S. plant upgrades over the next three years, including in three sites in Michigan, the traditional hub of the U.S. auto industry.