With Santa Cruz, Hyundai hopes to recapture mojo of smaller trucks
After an unexpectedly long delay, Hyundai has given the go to build a new compact pickup truck at its U.S. factory. Hyundai hopes to recreate at least some of the success classic compact trucks, like the 1970s-era Chevrolet Luv, had attracting first-time Baby Boom buyers with the Santa Cruz pickup trucks. – CNBC
Austal highlights veterans apprenticeship program during Ivey visit
Elisha Wright is training to become a pipefitter with the hopes of someday getting to wear “a white hard hat” as one of the slightly less than 4,000 employees at Austal USA. Her service in the military is helping toward achieving that goal. Wright, 34, of Dauphin Island, enrolled in Austal’s first-ever veterans apprenticeship program earlier this year. The four-year program started in May with approximately 30 veterans who will be trained both in and out of a classroom on trades. – AL.com
New Southwest Alabama Regional Airport comes to Thomasville
The Federal Aviation Administration has authorized the transition of the current Thomasville Airport in Thomasville into a new regional airport for residents across the southwest region of Alabama. The current local Thomasville airport will officially become the Southwest Alabama Regional Airport. – NBC-15
Camry, Avalon to get All Wheel Drive in near future
Though crossovers and SUVs dominate the new car market, some four-door cars will always be fine. The Toyota Camry is one of them. It may have lost its U.S. sales crown to the RAV4, but no one should worry about its future. Toyota says the Camry is getting optional all-wheel drive in the U.S. market for the 2020 model year. And the bigger Avalon sedan is also getting AWD for its 2021 model year. – Jalopnik
VW breaks ground on Tennessee electric plant
Volkswagen of America Chief Executive Officer Scott Keogh was at the factory Wednesday for the expansion’s groundbreaking ceremony. In an announcement from Volkswagen, Keogh called it a “a big, big moment” for the company. “Electric vehicles are the future of mobility and Volkswagen will build them for millions, not just millionaires,” Keogh vowed. – AP
Montgomery Hyundai workers give $335,000 to United Way
Hyundai’s Alabama assembly plant Wednesday gave more than $335,000 to help United Way agencies across the area. The plant’s nearly 3,000 workers pledged $265,600, and the company chipped in another $7,000. The total that was almost identical to last year’s contribution. They’ve presented a big check to the United Ways of Alabama every year since the plant started operation, giving more than $3 million in all. – Montgomery Advertiser