The week’s mobility headlines brought a little of everything: labor negotiations, airline connectivity, changing vehicle rules and delayed product launches. Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) avoided a potential strike, while automakers faced shifting regulations and changing consumer demand across the U.S. market. Meanwhile, Elon Musk criticized Delta Air Lines Inc.’s (NYSE:DAL) lack of Starlink service and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) pushed back a highly anticipated Roadster event because of severe weather.
Boeing’s Certification Programs Get Breathing Room
Boeing’s efforts to secure certification for its 737 MAX 10 and 777X aircraft cleared another obstacle after its largest white-collar union approved a new four-year contract. Members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, or SPEEA, backed a revised agreement. The vote removed the immediate risk of a walkout that could have complicated the planemaker’s key jet programs.
Elon Musk Warns Delta Could Lose Passengers Over Starlink
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) CEO Elon Musk said Delta Air Lines Inc. could lose business because the carrier does not offer Starlink internet on its flights. The warning followed a post on X from user John LeFevre, who said Delta rival United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) had connected more than 600 aircraft to Starlink. That figure represented roughly 36% of United’s total fleet.
Sean Duffy Backs Changes to Fuel-Economy Standards
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy supported President Donald Trump’s decision to roll back corporate average fuel economy standards, commonly known as CAFE rules. The administration said the updated standards would reduce vehicle sticker prices in the U.S. Duffy said on X that the Department of Transportation had "approved updated Fuel Economy Standards." He also said the move would end what he called the "CRAZY EV mandates" established under former President Joe Biden and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The administration said the changes would lower prices by $1,300 on new vehicles and save more than $130 billion over five years.
Tesla Postpones Its Roadster Reveal
Tesla Inc. moved its planned Roadster reveal from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, citing severe weather conditions expected around the outdoor event. Tesla’s official account said on X that the company had been monitoring conditions with local meteorologists. Because the event could only be held outdoors, Tesla said it made the decision to reschedule. The updated date gives Tesla two additional weeks before the company presents the Roadster to attendees.
Ford Sales Fall as Planned Model Changes Weigh on Results
Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) reported a 6.6% year-over-year decline in third-quarter U.S. vehicle sales, with planned changes to its model lineup affecting quarterly volumes. Ford sold 509,764 vehicles during the quarter. When the planned phase-outs of the Escape and Lincoln Corsair were excluded, however, the company said total vehicle sales were essentially unchanged from the same period a year earlier. The automaker added that the broader U.S. auto industry declined by about 1% during the quarter, placing Ford’s reported decrease against a smaller overall market contraction.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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