Wheels: As the U.A.W. Scores Wins in Red States, Tensions Emerge Over Gaza Protests

A contract at a battery maker was big for President Biden's E.V. transition, but the victory was upstaged by the U.A.W.'s activism.

View in browser|nytimes.com June 18, 2024 The Wheels newsletter is delivered monthly. The next one will appear on Tuesday, July 16 Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press As the U.A.W. Scores Wins in Red States, Tensions Emerge Over Gaza Protests A tentative new contract at an Ohio battery maker on Monday was big for President Biden's E.V. transition, but for some, the victory was upstaged by the U.A.W.'s activism on college campuses. By Jonathan Weisman Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images At Le Mans, Automakers Have Expanded the Top Class With the addition of Alpine, BMW, Isotta Fraschini and Lamborghini, nine manufacturers are racing this year. By Alex Kalinauckas Andres Kudacki for The New York Times Is Your Driving Being Secretly Scored? The insurance industry, hungry for insights into how people drive, has turned to automakers and smartphone apps like Life360. By Kashmir Hill Laetitia Vancon for The New York Times How Electric Car Batteries Might Aid the Grid (and Win Over Drivers) Automakers are exploring energy storage as a way to help utilities and save customers money, turning an expensive component into an industry asset. By Jack Ewing Lena Mucha for The New York Times Germany Dispatch 'Not Everything Was Bad': Saluting the Mercedes of Eastern Europe and a Communist Past A festival of classic cars from the communist era brings out some nostalgia in eastern Germany for pre-unification days, although the abuses that occurred behind the Iron Curtain aren't forgotten. By Christopher F. Schuetze Tristan Spinski for The New York Times Electric Cars Are Suddenly Becoming Affordable More efficient manufacturing, falling battery costs and intense competition are lowering sticker prices for battery-powered models to within striking distance of gasoline cars. By Jack Ewing NEWS Tesla Shareholders Approve Big Stock Package for Musk The vote was seen as a referendum on his management of the electric car maker and on the limits of executive pay. By Jack Ewing and Peter Eavis Musk's Friends and Fans Applaud Shareholder Vote on His Payday On the social media platform X, which Mr. Musk owns, reactions to a vote that reaffirmed Mr. Musk's $45 billion package were buoyant. By Eli Tan European Union Hits E.V.s From China With Extra Tariffs Up to 38% Leaders in Brussels, Washington and beyond are trying to curb China's automobile ambitions amid rising trade tensions and fears of a glut of Chinese cars flooding global markets. By Melissa Eddy U.A.W. Reaches Accord on Pay and Safety at E.V. Battery Plant The agreement, if ratified, will cover 1,600 workers making batteries for General Motors in Ohio. The union said it would be a model for efforts elsewhere. By Neal E. Boudette Kia Recalls Telluride SUV Over Fire Risk; Urging Owners to Park Outside About 460,000 vehicles could be affected by the recall, which stems from a problem with the vehicle's front power seat motor. By Aimee Ortiz U.S. Tightens Car Mileage Rules, Part of Strategy to Fight Climate Change The new measure requires automakers to achieve an average of 65 miles per gallon for all the car models they sell by 2031. By Coral Davenport Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Wheels from The New York Times. To stop receiving Wheels, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018