The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has rejected contract offers from the “Big 3” automakers of Michigan. The union, which represents 146,000 Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis employees, is expected to strike against the companies if an agreement is not met before the Thursday night deadline.
UAW President Shawn Fain said on Friday that the union had denied an offer from the three automakers, though he still hopes to reach a deal to prevent a walkout, according to a report from Reuters. Contracts between Ford, GM, and Chrysler owner Stellantis have a deadline of Thursday night at 11:59 pm Eastern, and if a deal is not reached, UAW workers are expected to strike.
“We want a deal,” Fain said during the Facebook Live event on Friday. “We are ready for a deal. But it’s got to be a deal that honors our sacrifices and contributions. If we hit 11:59 p.m. on Thursday…there will be a strike at all three, if need be.”
As Reuters points out, some contract negotiations between the UAW and the three legacy automakers have gone past strike deadlines in the past.
The news comes alongside questions about how a strike of all three automakers could affect Tesla, amidst a major industry transition toward electric vehicles (EVs). Tesla is the dominant EV market share leader, and some think a major strike could benefit the non-unionized automaker.
Tesla could have union board ruling stating it violated worker’s rights overturned
However, the outlet also reports that recent talks have accelerated following a UAW filing dated August 31, soon after the union formally approved a strike. The filing alleges unfair labor practices and claims that GM and Stellantis have denied attempts to be kept to timely economic agreements.
In the Facebook video, you can also see a trash can pictured behind Fain saying “Big Three Proposals.” Fain emphasized the ground covered against the automakers in the speech, highlighting the fact that Ford had added a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) formula to its offers, although he called it “deficient” and “deeply inadequate.”
“Suddenly, COLA is back on the table,” Fain said.
On Friday, Stellantis said it offered a 14.5-percent wage increase over four years, though it rejected demands for lump sum payments. Just a day before, GM offered a 10-percent wage increase for workers, alongside 3 percent annual lump sum payments over the four-year period.
Earlier last week, Ford offered a 9-percent wage hike in four years, with 6 percent lump sum payments, before boosting the offer to 10 percent on Friday.
The UAW is demanding a pay increase of 46 percent for workers over four years, an instant 20-percent boost to pay, clear restoration of traditional pension contracts, a 32-hour week, and the additional cost-of-living pay increases.
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Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
