This morning in metals news: Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and TotalEnergies will each take a 33% stake in Automotive Cells Company; meanwhile, the Semiconductor Industry Association offered its reaction to the Biden administration’s recent meeting on the semiconductor supply chain; and, lastly, the Energy Information Administration expects a rise in natural gas consumption in 2021 and 2022. […]
Category: Automotive
This Morning in Metals: Alcoa announces restart of aluminum smelter idled since 2015
This morning in metals news: Alcoa said it plans to restart its Alumar aluminum smelter in Brazil; meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration forecasts hydropower generation will fall by 14% this year; and, lastly, European automakers are looking to bypass China in their rare earths supply chains. Are you under pressure to generate aluminum cost savings? […]
US steel capacity utilization dips to 84.9%
The U.S. steel capacity utilization rate fell slightly but remained at a healthy 84.9% for the week ending Sept. 18, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported this week. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Steel capacity utilization hits 84.9% […]
This Morning in Metals: Ford, Redwood to collaborate on closed-loop battery recycling, supply chain
This morning in metals news: Ford Motor Co. is collaborating with Redwood Materials on a closed-loop battery recycling and building out the domestic electric vehicle battery supply chain; Norway will expand natural gas exports to Europe; and, lastly, aluminum prices have slowed down after peaking Sept. 13. Many may be wondering how to set buying […]
SSAB to collaborate with automotive groups on potential supply of fossil-free steel
Sweden’s SSAB has announced collaboration plans with two European auto groups on the potential supply of fossil-free steel for auto bodies and parts. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for metal with MetalMiner should-cost models. SSAB to collaborate with European auto groups on potential fossil-free […]
Automotive MMI: Auto sales slump in August as inventory lags, semiconductor shortage continues
The Automotive Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 1.4% for this month’s MMI reading. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for metal with MetalMiner should-cost models. US auto sales Ford Motor Co. reported its August retail sales increased by 6.5% from the previous month. However, […]
This Morning in Metals: US steel imports up 17.4% this year
This morning in metals news: U.S. steel imports are up by 17.4% in the year to date, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported; meanwhile, Toyota Motor is imposing its biggest price hike on steel materials in over a decade, according to Nikkei Asia; and, lastly, the WTI crude oil price has ticked up this […]
The dark side of lithium-ion batteries
So far, it has been largely Samsung cell phones or laptops batteries that have caught the media’s attention when devices have caught fire, particularly in contained locations like aircraft or offices. But a spate of reports suggest the problem could also extend to cars, where the potential for serious consequences could be even greater — […]
Week in Review: Shipping sector woes; oil prices fall; Toyota announces production cuts
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner: Receive the latest short-term and long-term outlook for the full range of industrial metals (base and ferrous) at the annual MetalMiner Forecasting Workshop on Aug. 25. Week of Aug. 16-20 […]
This Morning in Metals: Toyota announces production cuts amid chip shortage
This morning in metals news: Toyota this week announced plans to slash production amid the ongoing global semiconductor shortage; unemployment rates fell in 17 states in July; and, lastly, U.S. large-scale battery storage capacity increased by 35% in 2020. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying […]
