On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden joined striking workers and United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain in Michigan, encouraging employees to keep fighting for wage increases. The news is just the latest in the ongoing UAW strikes, which were escalated to include even more Stellantis and General Motors (GM) parts facilities last Friday.
During his visit to one picket line outside of a GM Redistribution Center in Bellville, President Biden backed UAW calls for a 40-percent wage increase over a four-year period, according to CNBC. Speaking through a bullhorn at the picket line, he also said workers deserved more than just a pay raise.
“The fact of the matter is you guys, the UAW, you saved the auto industry back in 2008 and before, you made a lot of sacrifices, gave up a lot when the companies were in trouble, but now they’re doing incredibly well,” Biden said. “You should be doing incredibly well too.”
“Stick with it. You deserve a significant raise and other benefits,” Biden added.
Although the White House avoided answering whether Biden favors the UAW demands on Monday, the U.S. President replied “yes” when asked at the picket line whether he thought workers deserved a 40-percent pay increase.
Fain spoke after Biden, thanking the president for visiting and supporting workers.
“The CEOs think the future belongs to them,” Fain said. “Today belongs to the auto workers in the working class … Thank you, Mr. President, for coming. We know the president will do right by the working class.”
This is the first time a sitting U.S. president has visited the picket line in at least a century, according to CNBC.
Record corporate profits should mean record contracts.
It's time American autoworkers got a fair deal. pic.twitter.com/DN2IMbcuuh
— President Biden Archived (@POTUS46Archive) September 26, 2023
Biden has been vocal in the past about his support for unions, calling himself “the most pro-union president in American history” on Tuesday. Additionally, some supporters of the non-union automaker Tesla have criticized Biden for focusing too much on union automakers despite repeated reports from Cars.com that Teslas are considered the most American-made cars.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump plans to visit a nearby facility on Wednesday, skipping the second Republican presidential debate to attend. The site of the meeting, Drake Enterprises in Macomb County, Michigan, is not represented by the UAW, though Trump will meet with UAW members.
They want a 40% pay raise *and* a 32 hour workweek. Sure way to drive GM, Ford and Chrysler bankrupt in the fast lane.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2023
The UAW’s demands include the following: 40-percent wage increases over four years; 32-hour workweeks; traditional pension restorations; an end to tiered wages requiring significant time to reach top pay; a restoration of cost-of-living-adjustments (COLA); and other improved benefits such as vacation, retirement and family leave policies.
Last week, UAW strikes expanded to include an additional 20 Stellantis and 18 GM auto parts distribution centers across 20 U.S. states. The move has begun to affect other plants, as the automakers have been forced to lay off workers and shut down facilities, citing a strained supply of parts and work due to the strikes.
Ford, however, avoided escalated strikes because it reportedly made some progress in negotiations with the UAW. Still, the automaker said on Monday that there were still “significant gaps to close” in contract negotiations.
Update: Corrected to include that Trump will meet with UAW members at a non-UAW site.
Ford CEO Jim Farley warns UAW proposal could force bankruptcy
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Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development.
Tesla has released an epic year-in-review video for 2025, recapping some of its major achievements from refreshed models to autonomy breakthroughs and production ramps.
The cinematic montage, posted by the official Tesla account on X, celebrated the company’s progress in EVs, energy, and Robotaxi development while looking ahead to an even bigger 2026.
Tesla’s 2025 highlights recap
Tesla has had a busy 2025, as highlighted in the recap video. The video opened with Elon Musk explaining the company’s pursuit of sustainable abundance. A number of milestones were then highlighted, such as the rollout of FSD v14, Optimus’ numerous demos, the opening of the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, LA, the completion of the world’s first autonomous car delivery, and the launch of the Robotaxi network in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tesla also highlighted several of its accomplishments over the year. As per the company, the Model Y was the year’s best-selling vehicle globally again, and Teslas became more affordable than ever thanks to the Model 3 and Model Y Standard. Other key models were also rolled out, such as the refreshed Model S and X, as well as the new Model Y, the new Model Y Performance, and the six-seat, extended wheelbase Model Y L.
The Megablock was also unveiled during the year, and the Supercharger Network grew by 18%. Over 1 million Powerwalls were also installed during the year, and the Cybertruck became the first EV truck to get both an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and an NHTSA 5-Star safety rating.
Cybercab production confirmed
Interestingly enough, Tesla also confirmed in its 2025 recap video that the production of the Cybercab has started. This bodes well for the vehicle, as it could result in the vehicle really being mass-produced in the first half of 2026. Elon Musk confirmed during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting that Cybercab production should earnestly start around April 2026.
Musk has also noted that the Cybercab will be Tesla’s highest-volume vehicle yet, with the company aiming for an annual production rate of about 2 million units. “If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”
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Tesla Cybercab is changing the look of Austin’s roads, and it’s not even in production yet
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic.
Even before entering production, Tesla’s Cybercab is already transforming the appearance of Austin’s streets, with multiple prototypes spotted testing in downtown areas recently.
Videos and photos showed the sleek, two-seat autonomous vehicles navigating traffic. Interestingly enough, the vehicles were equipped with temporary steering wheels and human safety drivers.
Recent Cybercab sightings
Over the weekend, enthusiasts captured footage of two Cybercabs driving together in central Austin, their futuristic silhouettes standing out amid regular traffic. While the vehicles featured temporary steering wheels and side mirrors for now, they retained their futuristic, production-intent exterior design.
Industry watcher Sawyer Merritt shared one of the vehicles’ videos, noting the increasing frequency of the autonomous two-seater’s sightings.
Previewing the autonomous future
Sightings of the Cybercab have been ramping in several key areas across the United States in recent weeks. Sightings include units at Apple’s Visitor Center in California, the Fremont factory test track, and in Austin’s streets.
The increased activity suggests that Tesla is in overdrive, validating the autonomous two-seater ahead of its planned volume production. Elon Musk confirmed at the 2025 Shareholder Meeting that manufacturing begins around April 2026 with ambitious targets, and during an All-Hands meeting earlier this year, Musk hinted that ultimately, Tesla’s factories should be able to produce one Cybercab every 10 seconds.
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Tesla celebrates 9 million vehicles produced globally
The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide.
Tesla has achieved a new milestone, rolling out its nine millionth vehicle worldwide from Giga Shanghai.
The achievement, announced by Tesla Asia on X, celebrated not just the Shanghai team’s output but the company’s cumulative production across all its factories worldwide. The milestone came as 2025 drew to a close, and it inspired praise from some of the company’s key executives.
Tesla’s 9 million vehicle milestone
The commemorative photo from Tesla Asia featured the Giga Shanghai team assembled on the factory floor, surrounding the milestone Model Y unit, which looked pristine in white. The image was captioned: “Our 9 millionth vehicle globally has just rolled off the production line at Giga Shanghai. Thanks to our owners and supporters around the world.”
Senior Vice President of Automotive Tom Zhu praised Tesla’s factory teams for the remarkable milestone. He also shared his gratitude to Tesla owners for their support. “Congrats to all Tesla factories for this amazing milestone! Thanks to our owners for your continued support!” Zhu wrote in a post on X.
Giga Shanghai’s legacy
Tesla’s nine million vehicle milestone is especially impressive considering that just 207 days ago, the company announced that it had built its eight millionth car globally. The eight millionth Tesla, a red Model Y, was built in Giga Berlin. The fact that Tesla was able to build a million cars in less than seven months is quite an accomplishment.
Giga Shanghai, Tesla’s largest factory by volume, has been instrumental to the company’s overall operations, having reached four million cumulative vehicles earlier in 2025. The plant produces Model 3 and Model Y for both domestic Chinese and export markets, making it the company’s primary vehicle export hub.
Tesla shares epic 2025 recap video, confirms start of Cybercab production
Tesla Cybercab is changing the look of Austin’s roads, and it’s not even in production yet
