Tracy Samilton
Tracy Samilton covers the auto beat for Michigan Radio. She has worked for the station for 12 years, and started out as an intern before becoming a part-time and, later, a full-time reporter. Tracy's reports on the auto industry can frequently be heard on Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as on Michigan Radio. She considers her coverage of the landmark lawsuit against the University of Michigan for its use of affirmative action a highlight of her reporting career.
Tracy graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. Before beginning her journalism career, she spent time working as a legal assistant at various firms in the Ann Arbor area.
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Next week in Tennessee, workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant will vote on whether to join the United Auto Workers. It's the first attempt to unionize a non-Detroit-run factory in 13 years. Volkswagen has given the drive its blessing but outside groups have stepped in to fight the union.
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Ford Motor Company closed the books on 2013 with a strong fourth quarter. For the year, Ford's net earnings surpassed $7 billion. It delivered 6.3 million vehicles, an increase of more than half a million over 2012. But Ford is warning this year will be a tough one.
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Every brake screech, whistle and rattle from the movie The Polar Express came from recordings of a historic locomotive, the Pere Marquette 1225. After four years of costly repairs, passengers can once again jump onboard and travel to see Santa Claus at the North Pole (imagination required). -
The EPA's decision not to force oil companies to replace E10, gasoline mixed with 10 percent ethanol, with E15, had a big impact on a lot of businesses. For manufacturers of motorcycles, motor boats and outdoor power equipment, it was good news. But for gas station owners who invested in expensive blender pumps, the decision hurt.
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A Michigan aviation museum has until Oct. 1 to save a historic factory from the wrecking ball. The Yankee Air Museum still needs to raise more than $3 million to rebuild part of the huge Willow Run bomber plant, where Rosie the Riveter worked during World War II. (This piece initially aired on Aug, 4. 2013, on All Things Considered)
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For auto companies, that Environmental Protection Agency-approved MPG sticker on a new car is a high stakes and expensive process. These days it can be damaging to a company's image if customers can't achieve that great fuel economy in their own commutes.
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BMW has finally unveiled its electric car. When you think of the parts and engineering, you'll get that it's a BMW, but when it comes to the looks ... not so much, one auto analyst says.
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Amid the gloom about Detroit's bankruptcy, people associated with Ford have lots to celebrate: an amazing history and a current surge in profits and jobs. So there will be dancing and celebrating at the party for the automaker and inventor.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could soon issue a final ruling that aims to force oil companies to replace E10, gasoline mixed with 10 percent ethanol, with E15. This move could come just as widespread support for ethanol, which is made from corn, appears to be eroding. -
Ford Motor Company will soon hand out record profit-sharing checks to its hourly employees. At General Motors, profit-sharing checks are expected to be pretty fat, too. Profit sharing appears to have permanently replaced the expectation of a guaranteed hourly wage increase at Detroit's Big Three.
