Welcome to the Daily 5 report for Monday, Aug. 4
It was just another Sunday in Traverse City, Mich., on Aug. 2, 2015, as folks from the auto industry prepared for the annual CAR Management Briefing Seminars. Attendees would mingle, have a few drinks, play some golf and plan ahead for a thorough schedule of events.
Then the massive green circular shelf clouds plowed into the region with 100-mph winds, knocking out power, blowing down trees and causing widespread damage to homes and businesses. The CAR conference was disrupted, but organizers adapted and the show went on. Automotive News, which covered each day's events with a special newsletter, still managed to publish with journalists working in a makeshift newsroom at a nearby casino.
This story, 10 years later, still serves as an example for how automotive suppliers, dealers and manufacturers withstand lethal storms and unexpected disruptions to keep this industry going despite events beyond their control.
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Last week, we saw the Japanese auto industry shut down for a day amid tsunami warnings throughout the Asia-Pacific region. We also saw North American suppliers report profitable second quarters despite months of dire warnings about President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade wars. In recent years, the industry managed through the COVID-19 pandemic, crippling microchip shortages and retail cyberattacks that basically shut down half of U.S. car dealerships for more than two weeks. In January, the NADA Show in New Orleans was interrupted by a snowstorm. Yes, a snowstorm in New Orleans.
One of our more inspirational storm stories took place last year at supplier Linamar's crucial casting plant in Mills River, N.C., where the staff heroically protected the plant and restored operations in a matter of days in the wake of devastating floods stemming from Hurricane Helene.
These are all unforgettable reminders of why this industry should be ready for anything, especially with the hurricane season underway.
In other news, the future of the former General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio, got murkier with the current owners, Foxconn, planning to sell the complex and its machinery for about $375 million. Foxconn will continue to use the property. A source told Reuters the Ohio site would support artificial intelligence data centers, but didn't offer details.
That's it for now. Have a great rest of your day. Click here if you'd like to view this story in your browser.
— Philip Nussel, online editor
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