Monthly Archives: February 2010

Don't Hate California Because It's Exciting

February 25, 2010, 2:11 pm • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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After 30 years with GM, Denise Gray, the director of global battery systems engineering, is leaving on March 5 for a senior management position at an as yet unnamed battery company. “But really,” asks Fast Company magazine, “who can blame … Continue reading »

Filed under: Electric Vehicles
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Is There a Future for NUMMI?

February 25, 2010, 8:50 am • Posted by Gabriel Coan
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California is shopping for another automaker to take over the New United Motor Manufacturing plant in the Bay Area suburb of Fremont after it closes on April 1st. Most observers say the shutdown has nothing to do with the quality … Continue reading »

Filed under: NUMMI, Radio
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Bits and Pieces

February 23, 2010, 4:25 pm • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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Some days, there are a number of new reports worth reviewing through the lens of California manufacturing.  From now on, I’ll title these posts “Bits and Pieces” (puns intended). Here’s a business opportunity waiting to be snapped up by some … Continue reading »

Filed under: Agribusiness
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Please Forward Good Ideas/Contacts to Fremont/Hayward ASAP

February 17, 2010, 9:04 pm • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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After three hours at the Alameda County Library Tuesday, listening to a panel discussion on the pending closure of New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., I can tell you there are a lot of people worried about it.  And there are … Continue reading »

Filed under: Electric Vehicles, NUMMI
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The Accidental Space Rocket Manufacturer

February 16, 2010, 11:52 am • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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I originally set up a Google news alert for Elon Musk because he’s the head of Tesla Motors. But of course, he’s much more: a co-founder of PayPal and SpaceX among other things. The New York Times published a fascinating … Continue reading »

Filed under: Aerospace
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"You Gotta Put Up a Fight"

February 12, 2010, 8:10 pm • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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What a crowd there was at the UAW Union Hall in Fremont this afternoon.  Actually, as you see in the photos by intern Kelly Mahan below, there were two crowds: Local 2244 members in their union finery (along with at … Continue reading »

Filed under: NUMMI, Radio
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Look Like You're Doing Something

February 12, 2010, 12:17 pm • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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The shut down date for New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. grows ever closer. NUMMI worker Maria Gregg tells the California Report some machinery is already being sent to other plants. Pressure is building for somebody to do something, but what? … Continue reading »

Filed under: NUMMI
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Does NUMMI Play a Role in the Toyota Recall?

February 9, 2010, 1:27 pm • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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In case you were wondering, New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. was not directly responsible for Toyota’s sticky accelerator pedals, the initial cause of last month’s massive recall. Also, NUMMI won’t be doing any work related to the fix. Lance Tomasu, … Continue reading »

Filed under: NUMMI
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Video: NUMMI on "This Week in Northern California"

February 9, 2010, 11:37 am • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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If you take your news best via video, I summarized the NUMMI story on KQED’s “This Week in Northern California” last Friday night. Check out the video below — the NUMMI talk begins at 9:31 in.  (That said, it’s worth … Continue reading »

Filed under: NUMMI, Video
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The Great Electric Hope?

February 4, 2010, 8:55 pm • Posted by Rachael Myrow
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NUMMI will not be the last big auto maker in California. The federal government is helping to make sure of that. Last month, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein announced she helped secure a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy … Continue reading »

Filed under: Electric Vehicles, NUMMI
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