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Filed under: UAW/Unions

Bob King

According to Automotive News, UAW President Bob King has his eye on organizing labor forces at the manufacturing facilities of German and Asian automakers here in the States. At this point, it’s unclear which automaker or which plant the UAW will attempt to organize first, though King has said that he has sent letters to the CEOs of the transplant automakers informing them of the union’s intentions. King says that the UAW is only interested in cooperating to improve operations, and that it will kick off the campaign towards organization in January.

In the meantime, the UAW has called off protests at Toyota dealerships around the country as a gesture of goodwill. The union began picketing the dealerships when the Japanese automaker decided to close its NUMMI assembly plant in Freemont, California after its partner, General Motors, pulled out of the endeavor. (the facility is now in use by Toyota partner Tesla Motors).

Automotive News reports that Toyota says that it will leave it up its workers to decide whether or not organization under the UAW is in their best interest. The company has been building vehicles in the U.S. for about 25 years, and in that time, workers have never sought organization – despite repeated drives by the UAW.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req. | Image: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images]

Report: King pledges UAW to begin organizing transplants in January originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai is nothing if not ambitious. The Korean automaker announced today that it will continue its efforts to be the most fuel-efficient automaker in America through the next two decades, with plans to achieve a Corporate Average Fuel Economy rating of 50 miles per gallon by 2025 for its entire vehicle lineup.

The cornerstone of Hyundai’s approach is its Blue Drive strategy, which incorporates a range of engine technologies – from turbocharging and direct-injection to lightweight materials and both traditional and plug-in hybrids – to reduce consumption and improve overall efficiency.

Hyundai points to the 2011 Sonata as the first in a wave of new products to utilize its new and improved drivetrains, available with either hybrid, turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines. And Hyundai appears to be in a better position than other full-line automakers to reach its lofty mpg goal, as it doesn’t offer any pickup or body-on-frame SUV models. Hit the jump for the full blast and read our First Drive of the Sonata Hybrid for details on its gas-electric system.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Continue reading Hyundai pledges to average minimum 50 MPG CAFE standards by 2025

Hyundai pledges to average minimum 50 MPG CAFE standards by 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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