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U.S. asks Mexico to probe whether Stellantis parts plant abused labor rights

MEXICO CITY and WASHINGTON — The United States has asked Mexico to probe alleged worker rights violations at an auto-parts plant owned by Italian-French carmaker Stellantis, the fourth such complaint under a revised trade deal, U.S. officials said on Monday. The U.S. request for Mexico to examine possible abuses at Teksid Hierro de Mexico in the northern border state of Coahuila comes under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Teksid, which employs nearly 1,500 people and makes iron castings for heavy vehicles, has been embroiled in a union dispute since 2014. Workers say the company has blocked them from being represented by the group of their choice, the Miners Union, and that it dismissed workers who backed the group. The U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office said in the request it was concerned workers had been denied collective bargaining rights in connection with an "invalid" contract with the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), one of Mexico's most powerful unions, that had been registered with state authorities. The office asked Mexico to investigate if efforts had been made, including threats and incentives, to encourage backing for CTM or to dissuade support for the Miners Union. Labor disputes in Mexico have long featured intimidation tactics by powerful unions cozier with employers and governments than workers. Under the USMCA, the trade pact that replaced NAFTA, factories that violate worker rights could lose their tariff-free status. Companies have been watching how the tougher labor rules will play out. Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest auto group which formed from the merger of Peugeot maker PSA and Fiat Chrysler, said it "respects and supports the collective bargaining rights of its employees around the world and will comply with all local laws in that regard." The United Auto Workers union, which represents U.S. Stellantis workers, along with the AFL-CIO labor federation and the Miners Union, flagged the potential violations, the USTR's office said. Teksid, CTM and the local Conciliation and Arbitration Board should be included in the review, it added. CTM did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The union's leader in Coahuila, Tereso Medina, recently told Mexican newspaper El Economista the union would abide by the USMCA and that the conflict should be resolved with a workers' vote. Mexico's federal labor center in May said the Miners Union held the only valid contract.

2019 Jeep Cherokee finally reveals its all-new nose

We've known for a while that the refreshed Jeep Cherokee was going under the knife in order to ditch its controversial face. While the crossover's looks have grown over time, it was still a little too weird and awkward for some buyers. Now, thanks to our trusty spy photographers, we have a really good look at the Cherokee's new mug. Surprise! It looks like every other product in Jeep's lineup. The current model has a split lighting setup that places the main headlights down low, almost below the grille. The turn signals/parking lights are way up high, nearly on top of the fender. This new model has those two meet in the middle. The shape is generally what you would find on both the new Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's handsome, even if it does lose a bit of character. The rear, too, has been changed. The license plate moves up and into the tailgate, giving it a more muscular, less flabby look. The smaller rear reflectors have been moved upward. The taillights look different, but it's hard to say if those are just temporary units. Either way, expect a new design that once again cribs from the 2017 Jeep Compass. Since this is a refresh, don't expect to wait too much longer until we see the new model's debut. We could see it as soon as the Detroit motor show next month. Expect current powertrains to carry over with a slight boost in fuel economy. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk spy shots View 14 Photos Image Credit: Spied Bilde Spy Photos Jeep Crossover SUV Off-Road Vehicles

Jeep Wagoneers will be separate from Grand Cherokee line

The new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will be luxury SUVs that will sit at the top of the brand's lineup. Though they will be based on the Grand Cherokee, the reintroduced SUVs will be separate models, Automotive News reports. The new Grand Wagoneer is expected to be a more luxurious version of the standard Wagoneer. The model will be similar in size to the three-row Dodge Durango. The Durango rides on a stretched version of the Grand Cherokee platform. Comments from Jeep brand chief Mike Manley seemed to imply to Automotive News that the two might be high-grade trims on the Grand Cherokee, though a Jeep spokesman later clarified that's not the case. AN predicts the new Wagoneers will debut after 2019, as the Grand Cherokee was pushed back to late 2018 or 2019. Manley says the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer historically represent the best Jeep has to offer. Previous versions were based upon the the Jeep SJ platform that also underpinned early Jeep Cherokees. The Grand Wagoneer name was last used as a trim level on the 1993 Grand Cherokee. Related video: News Source: Automotive NewsImage Credit: Jeep Jeep SUV Luxury