Image
Name
Michael Martinez
Reporter covering Ford and the UAW for Automotive News
mdmartinez@crain.com
313-446-1644
Michael Martinez covers Ford Motor Co. and the UAW for Automotive News. He has broken a number of stories on product plans, executive changes and union contract negotiations since joining Automotive News in 2016. He previously worked at The Detroit News, where he covered Ford and co-hosted a podcast covering a range of auto industry topics. He is also an occasional adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he graduated in 2012 with bachelor’s degrees in communications and history.

Latest from Michael Martinez

Bill Ford warns of tariff difficulties on automakers, suppliers, but confident Trump is listening

Bill Ford said the whole industry was attempting to navigate the “difficulties” associated with policy changes, noting automakers operate on timelines that transcend administrations.

Ford faces $2.5 billion verdict in Georgia following deadly Super Duty rollover crash

The verdict, which Ford will appeal, comes after Herman Mills and Debra Mills died in an Aug. 22, 2022, accident where their 2015 F-250 Super Duty rolled over and the roof crushed down on them, according a lawsuit filed in 2023.

Trump creating ‘cost and chaos,’ Ford CEO Jim Farley says

Farley said long-term 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico "would blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we have never seen."

Ford Q4 net income rises to $1.8 billion as full-year revenue sets record

Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes more than doubled in the quarter to $2.1 billion. UAW-represented hourly workers will receive profit-sharing checks of about $10,208.

Ford exec shuffle puts Andrew Frick over both gasoline, EV businesses

Andrew Frick, president of the Ford Blue internal combustion business, will also head Ford Model e, a role previously held by CEO Jim Farley.

Industry leaders weigh in on tariff threats; Polly CMO Mike Burgiss

A day before Trump’s tariff deadline, auto executives and analysts hope those threats are just a bargaining chip. Asbury’s profits surge. Plus, Mike Burgiss, CMO at Polly, talks about helping car buyers with affordability issues.

Automakers bolster entry-level offerings as prices weigh on consumers

Ford, Mini, Mitsubishi and Ram told dealers that lower-priced models were on the way. Chrysler, Volkswagen and Chevrolet already have address affordability concerns with less expensive products.

Ford paying more of dealers’ costs to carry inventory

Starting April 1, dealers will receive an upfront credit worth 1.25 percent of sticker price on most gasoline vehicles, up from 1 percent.

Shelby American revives GT350, GT350R Mustangs

Shelby American said supercharged versions of a 5.0-liter V-8 engine on the street-focused GT350 will generate up to 810 hp, while the track-focused, but still street-legal, GT350R can generate up to 830 hp.

Lincoln: Improving quality key to sustained sales momentum

Lincoln President Dianne Craig said the brand aims to return to the top quartile in quality and said it is becoming more proactive to spot and fix problems faster.

Staying current is easy with newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.