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Autoblog Podcast #398

Episode #398 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Brandon Turkus, and Michael Harley talk about the 2015 Ford Mustang, the 2015 Toyota Camry, and the Congressional grilling NHTSA received last week. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #398: Topics: 2015 Ford Mustang 2015 Toyota Camry NHTSA under Congressional fire In The Autoblog Garage: 2014 Lexus ES 300h 2014 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport 2015 Kia K900 Hosts: Dan Roth, Michael Harley, Brandon Turkus Runtime: 01:36:56 Rundown: Intro and Garage - 00:00 2015 Ford Mustang - 28:58 2015 Toyota Camry - 42:41 NHTSA - 57:55 Q&A - 01:17:15 Get the podcast: [UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream [iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes [RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Feedback: Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Government/Legal Podcasts Ford Kia Lexus Toyota

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

2016 Ford F-150 gets Sync 3, appearance packs

After the groundbreaking move to aluminum for the bodywork of the 2015 Ford F-150, it's easy to understand Ford keeping the updates light for the 2016 model. However, while there are no drastic changes for the upcoming model year, customers will benefit from a few tiny tweaks. Among the biggest improvement to the truck's usability is the move to the Blue Oval's latest Sync 3 infotainment system to replace Sync with MyFord Touch. Now running on Blackberry's QNX, the software claims to be faster and more intuitive. It also means a redesigned screen layout. As a pickup, the F-150 is meant to work, and Ford's trying to make that a little easier with the newly available Pro Trailer Backup Assist. When activated, drivers turn a knob in the direction they want the trailer to go. From there, the truck makes the necessary steering changes and limits the speed. Finally, for buyers wanting some extra style, Ford is bringing some updates to the exterior. Shadow Black and Lithium Gray are new colors that replace Tuxedo Black and Guard Metallic, respectively. There are also now brawny looking Special Edition Appearance Packages for the XLT and Lariat (pictured above) that include 20-inch anodized aluminum wheels, black running boards, smoked headlights, and side graphics. Both have a dark grille but with red accents on the Lariat and black mesh on the XLT. Inside, the seats feature Alcantara inserts with red bolsters, and crimson accent stitching is throughout the cabin. Finally, there is also the previously announced compressed natural gas prep pack. Feel free to read all about the new 2016 F-150 in the press release below. 2016 F-150 CONTINUES TO INNOVATE WITH AVAILABLE PRO TRAILER BACKUP ASSIST, ALTERNATIVE FUEL CAPABILITY AND SYNC 3 Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps make backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob New Special Edition Appearance Packages available on XLT and Lariat with unique wheels, graphics and finishes Compressed Natural Gas/Propane gaseous fuel prep package available for 5.0-liter V8-equipped F-150s, helping reduce operating costs and tailpipe CO2 emissions The 2016 Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America's best-selling truck for 38 years, continues to innovate with the addition of breakthrough towing technology, new Special Edition Appearance Packages, SYNC 3 and alternative fuel capability. All-new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway.