GM’s $9K Pickup, Another SpaceX Failure & Americans Won't Buy American | Today in Manufacturing Ep. 9

Welcome to the Today in Manufacturing Podcast, a new podcast brought to you by the editors from Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

In each episode, we discuss the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week, we discuss:

Americans Still Won't Pay More for USA-Made Goods

In 2017, a Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 70 percent of Americans believe it is “very important” or “somewhat important” to buy U.S. goods, but 37 percent said they wouldn’t pay more for those goods. The poll was recently re-issued and despite supply chain challenges and fears over many critical goods being sub-par or unavailable, the results are virtually unchanged.

New Boston Dynamics Robot Moves 800 Cases Per Hour

Boston Dynamics has a new robot: Stretch. The new robot is designed to move boxes around warehouses and distribution centers. It can move up to 800 cases per hour, picking up boxes around 50 pounds. The timing couldn't be more perfect as demand in e-commerce continues to surge.

Nearly a Week Later, Massive Ship Freed in Suez Canal

On Monday, tugboats, helped by the tides, were able to free the massive Ever Given ship from the Suez Canal. It was stuck for the better part of a week and the traffic jam held up $9 billion a day in global trade and further strained supply chains.

SpaceX Launches Test Rocket, Breaks Apart Before Landing

Another week, another SpaceX failure. This time, it was a failed landing that caused the futuristic, bullet-shaped Starship to break apart right before touchdown.

GM’s $9,000 Pickup

Motor1 reports that Wuling, a joint venture between GM and China’s SAIC Motor, has unveiled its debut pickup. The Zhengtu will cost 58,800 Chinese Yuan — or just north of $9,000 American.

In Case You Missed It:

Volkswagen's Planned 'Name Change' an Apparent Hoax

On March 29th, Volkswagen announced plans to change its brand name in the United States to “Voltswagen.”

Pizza Hut Delivering AR Pac Man

With American’s hunger for both pizza delivery and 80’s nostalgia continuing to run strong, Pizza Hut is looking to gobble up the competition with what the company is calling their Newstalgia campaign.

The 5 Most Dangerous States for Drivers

According to the National Safety Council, pandemic-related factors led Americans to driving 13 percent fewer miles in 2020. Still, the country experienced a 24 percent increase in the rate of road-related deaths – the largest year-over-year increase in 96 years.

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