Best of 2018

As 2018 is coming to an end, it is time that we reflect on what has happened in the car industry this year. Though many incredible achievements and break throughs have happened this year, many scandals and business factors such as restructuring efforts that have left thousands jobless have also tainted the industry. Here are three substantial highlights of 2018.

1. GM Layoffs

Lordstown, Ohio
Courtesy of USA Today

In November just after Thanksgiving, General Motors announced that it would layoff around 14,000 workers and idle five plants in North America, such as the factory in Lordstown, Ohio that produces the Chevy Cruze. GM cited the layoffs as a move towards restructuring the company. The company plans on shifting away from the declining market of sedans and towards the growing market of trucks, crossovers, SUVs, electric, and autonomous cars. Both GM executives and the president have faced severe backlash over the layoffs. Some blame the Trade War with China as the real reason why GM is laying off workers. Others blame corporate greed and cost cutting measures.

2. Tesla meets production numbers

Tesla Model 3 Production
Courtesy of Bloomberg

During the early months of the Tesla Model 3's life cycle,  Tesla struggled to meet production forecasts. The goal during the third quarter of 2017 was to produce 1,500 units and bump the numbers up to 5,000 per week during the fourth quarter of 2017. But only 260 vehicles were produced and delivered during the third quarter and 1,542 during the fourth quarter of 2017. Production numbers began to rise in 2018 as Tesla fixed its mistakes such as excessive automation. 8,152 Model 3s were produced and delivered during the first quarter of 2018. The number rose to 18,449 during the second quarter, and then to a record of 55,840 during the third quarter. The Tesla Model 3 is currently the #6 best selling sedan in the United States because of the high demand and Tesla's ability to produce more and more cars.

3. The Fall of Carlos Ghosn

Carlos Ghosn
Courtesy of The Independent

Carlos Ghosn was once known as the man who saved the two automotive giants, Nissan and Renault. When he took charge of Renault, a failing company deep in debt, he restructured the entire company and mended all of its financial woes. Shortly after, Renault and Nissan, a company that had been losing money for seven years, formed an alliance, and Ghosn saved Nissan from its financial woes. In 2005, he was named CEO of Nissan and Renault and became the first person to run two Fortune 500 companies at once. But on November 19 of this year, he was arrested on allegations of withholding millions of dollars in income from Nissan’s financial filings. His once proud name will forever be overshadowed by the allegations brought up against him.

Thank you so much for reading. Scroll down for more articles about cars. There will not be many articles like this that focus on the industry, rather than just the cars.