N.Y. Times news on Electric and Hybrid vehicles

1. Volkswagen Reaches Labor Deal, Avoiding Germany Plant Closures

   The automaker agreed to keep all 10 of its factories in Germany open and to guarantee workers’ jobs until the end of 2030.

2. Under Pressure, Hyundai Supplier Ends Alabama Prison Labor Contract

   The supplier fired dozens of prisoners after some of them said they felt they had no choice but to take those jobs.

3. Honda and Nissan Are in Talks to Deepen Ties and Possibly Merge

   The merger talks between Japan’s second- and third-largest automakers highlight the intense upheaval within the world’s auto industry.

4. New U.S. Vehicles Must Have Rear Seatbelt Alarms by Late 2027

   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed an existing rule to expand and enhance seatbelt warning requirements.

5. Automakers Thrived in the Pandemic. Many Are Now Struggling.

   Changing technology, political turmoil and competition from China are cutting into profits and forcing carmakers to cut jobs and close factories.

6. GM to Shut Down Its Cruise Robotaxi Project

   The company said it would now focus its efforts on developing fully autonomous vehicles for personal use.

7. Chinese Carmakers Are Taking Mexico by Storm While Eyeing U.S.

   BYD and other manufacturers are importing cars from China and scouting factory sites in Mexico as part of a global expansion that, for now, excludes the United States.

8. G.M.’s Ailing China Business Will Deal It a $5 Billion Blow

   General Motors and other foreign automakers are selling fewer cars and losing lots of money in China, where domestic electric and hybrid cars have taken off.

9. F1: Lewis Hamilton Bids Farewell to Mercedes

   He had a remarkable run with the team, winning six titles, but after this weekend he will be racing for Ferrari.

10. Volkswagen Workers Go on Strike Across Germany

    Workers at nine of the automaker’s German factories walked off their jobs for several hours, and warned they would escalate the action if their demands went unmet.

11. G.M. Will Sell Stake in EV Battery Plant to LG

    LG Energy Solution will now solely own a factory in Michigan that it had planned to operate through a joint venture with General Motors.

12. Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, Resigns

    The company, facing slumping sales, announced that Carlos Tavares would step down immediately and that a search for a new chief was underway.

13. Volkswagen to Exit China’s Xinjiang Region After 12 Years

    The automaker has long been criticized by human rights activists for doing business in the territory, where China has repressed Muslim ethnic groups.

14. An Exciting F1 Season With No Dominant Player

    Max Verstappen won the title again, but it was a fight, as was the team championship, taken by McLaren at the last race.

15. F1: For Aston Martin, a Fifth-Place Finish Again

    Its season began with so much promise, but the team was unable to keep up with the leaders.