June 1st, 2026 | New UAW strike threatens GM truck production; who owns vehicle data?

The UAW has launched a strike at Dowk Corporation, formerly American Axle, threatening GM's Silverado and Sierra pickup production by halting axle supply—marking a pivotal escalation in labor tensions. Simultaneously, the Trump administration is pushing to raise North American auto content requirements under USMCA to 82%, with a controversial move to exclude Canadian parts entirely, potentially sidelining Canada in trade negotiations. Meanwhile, Toyota has canceled its flagship Lexus LF-ZC EV, reflecting a broader industry retreat from aggressive electrification as Honda, Mazda, and Subaru also delay or scrap EV plans. On the technology front, a fierce battle is unfolding in Washington over vehicle data ownership. Richard Ward of the American Vehicle Owners Alliance argues that drivers should own the data their cars generate, not automakers, warning that OEMs are monetizing personal data through subscriptions and third-party sales—sometimes without consent. Two competing bills are under debate: the Repair Act, focused on independent repair access to limited data, and the newer Driver Act, which demands full access to 100% of vehicle-generated data. The latter threatens to disrupt automakers’ emerging data revenue streams, which could reach hundreds of billions in subscription income. The conflict underscores a fundamental shift: who truly owns the car when the vehicle is increasingly a data-generating machine.