How One Fire Could Change The Automotive Industry

Issue #159

Today we discuss how one factory fire will have massive repercussions in the US automotive industry. Worse, these could last long.

Market News

• Canada threatens Stellantis if they move production of this SUV to the US. 

• There could be two markets in the near future: the US and the rest of the world. Here’s more. 

• The Ford Maverick is the only vehicle in the market with 3D printed parts. Read this link to learn more. 

• GM is selling more EVs than ever. So, why is it out $1.6 billion? Here’s the explanation. 

• Policies have changed the EV market, so what will happen to Tesla? This article finds a possible outcome. 

• One company provides auto parts to many of us, but nobody knew it. Now, it’s navigating very challenging waters. Here’s more. 

• Move over, Lexus. Toyota has created a new luxury brand and it’s exciting. 

• A single software update bricked many Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Here’s why. 

• How far are you willing to travel for a cheap new car? The answer might save you thousands. 

• EVs depreciate faster, much faster, than gas-powered cars. Here’s why it matters.

Safety and Recalls

• Ford (sigh) recalls more than 740,000 vehicles because of these three issues. 

• Nissan recalls more than 170,000 vehicles because the fuel pump can stall the engine. Here’s more.

Car Culture

• The famous “Generous Collection” has some affordable treasures up for auction. 

• EVs are to blame for the rising costs of new cars. 

• There’s a lot of pressure in being the second generation of a successful model. Here are 8 that flopped. 

• These ten cars were killed before they even launched. Here’s why. 

• A new air-cooled engine? Sign us up! 

• Mazda’s new teaser looks astonishing. Here it is. 

• Here’s every brand that GM has killed. Man, we miss Pontiac. 

• This article says nobody wants econoboxes any more. Do you agree?

• Former McLaren boss will take over Porsche’s leadership. 

• The Volkswagen Touareg bids farewell with a special edition.

Video Of The Week

Are fake Cobras better than the original? This video thinks so. 

In The Know

The Fire That Could Ignite an Industry Crisis

The past five years have brought some of the biggest challenges for the automotive industry. We all remember the chip shortage that started in 2020 and continued until 2023. If you don’t, you can read more here. 

These events tested the industry, but not as much as the most recent adversity. A single factory fire is threatening to halt production lines across Detroit.

In mid-September, a blaze tore through Novelis’s aluminum plant in Oswego, New York, one of the country’s biggest suppliers of aluminum sheets for automakers. 

This article explains how the fallout has been massive: Ford was forced to slash production of its F-150 by more than half, and temporarily idle the Expedition, Navigator, and F-150 Lightning lines. 

This is the last thing Ford wanted to hear, especially in 2025. It has broken records with the most recalls in one year. Now, the company has to slow down production of its most popular vehicle. 

That’s not just a supply hiccup for a single automaker. Analysts estimate Ford could lose up to $1 billion in profits if the plant remains offline into next year.  It’s a billion-dollar headache for Ford, but also for others. 

As this article reports, the aluminum shortage has rippled through Stellantis and General Motors, slowing or pausing output of several high-margin vehicles, including the Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram 1500

For Stellantis, the timing couldn’t be worse. SUVs like the Wagoneer are crucial for North American profits, and production delays mean fewer units hitting showrooms during peak demand.

Jeep has been particularly hard hit. The brand’s Warren Truck Assembly Plant—where the Wagoneer family is built—has been idled for weeks, with operations not expected to resume until November. That kind of downtime is devastating in an era when consumers are already frustrated with rising prices and limited inventories.

The worst part? The crisis won’t end soon. 

Repairer Driven News reports that the Oswego plant may not reopen until early 2026, meaning shortages will stretch deep into next year. Automakers are scrambling to secure alternative sources, but global aluminum supply chains are already tight, and switching suppliers isn’t easy.

Why does one factory fire have such an outsized impact? It’s because the auto industry has grown dangerously dependent on a handful of specialized materials suppliers. 

Aluminum has become the metal of choice for modern cars—it’s lightweight, strong, and critical for fuel efficiency and EV battery structures. When a key producer goes offline, there’s no quick fix.

Add in geopolitics, and the storm gets worse. The U.S. currently faces steep aluminum tariffs on imports from China and other countries. 

At the same time, around 25% of the US’s aluminum is imported from Canada and Mexico. This immediately increases pricing, but it also leaves automakers in a bind. 

If Ford or Stellantis turn to foreign suppliers, they’ll pay a premium. Toyota also depends on Novelis, and it’s rushing to source the material from others, but all this translates to one thing: higher costs. 

 In other words, the same F-150 shortage hitting Ford’s bottom line could soon hit consumers’ wallets. Other brands will follow.