Battery Business Buddies: American Battery Materials and Seaport Global Acquisition II Join Forces for Sustainable Mining Future

“Pitch Perfect! Kahan, Kelly, and the Memorable Melodies that Kept SPAC Rocking “

TLDR:
– Ruston Kelly and Noah Kahan’s performances at SPAC created a deep connection with the audience through raw emotion and infectious energy.
– The night was a testament to the power of live music, showcasing the magic of musical euphoria and the shared heartbeat between artist and audience.

Saturday night at SPAC was the kind of event that makes you glad you didn’t stay home, watching another rerun of “Friends” for the millionth time. Instead, you would have been captivated by Ruston Kelly and Noah Kahan who took to the stage and transformed the venue into a haven for music lovers.

Now, who knew that your average young woman, who’s probably more familiar with a makeup palate than a guitar, would be so deeply moved by Kelly’s rendition of Taylor Swift’s “All Two Well”? But that’s just the kind of night it was. The raw emotion and vulnerability in Kelly’s voice created that inexplicable moment of collective connection that left no stone unturned in the audience’s soul. It probably also sold a ton of Kelly’s merchandise, but hey, who’s keeping track?

Just when you thought the night couldn’t get any better, enter Noah Kahan in his white overalls, looking like he just jumped out of a Norman Rockwell painting, ready to save the day. His infectious smile and stage presence could probably power a small city. The audience, metaphorically speaking, welcomed him with open arms and choruses. Each track he delivered, from the soulful “Northern Attitude” to the depth of “Growing Sideways,” was like an exquisite dish at a five-star restaurant, consumed and savored by the audience.

But Kahan wasn’t done just yet. He launched into “False Confidence,” and the crowd responded like it was the national anthem. Everyone raised their arms, belting out the lyrics with so much fervor that the venue’s energy levels probably spiked the local power grid. And just to keep the party going, Kahan finished off the night with an exuberant rendition of “Dial Drunk.”

The night reached its climax with an encore, because apparently, Kahan’s mantra is “why leave them wanting more, when you can leave them absolutely spellbound?” The encore, an extended rendition of “The View Between Villages,” was a hauntingly beautiful journey into the realm of melodies and introspective lyrics. As the song ended, Kahan smoothly transitioned to “Stick Season” and “Homesick,” leaving the audience awestruck and probably frantically googling his discography.

In conclusion, Saturday night at SPAC was not just a run-of-the-mill concert. It was a symphony of deep connection and musical euphoria. Ruston Kelly and Noah Kahan proved that music is more than just organized noise. It is a shared heartbeat between the artist and the audience. The raw emotion, contagious energy, and palpable excitement of the night created a powerful connection that would resonate with the audience. It was a night that served as a testament to the magic of live music, and how it can touch our souls and bring us together. So the next time you’re considering staying in on a Saturday night, remember this: nothing beats a live performance where you can connect with the music, the artist, and a crowd of equally enthralled fans.

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“Steel-ing The Show: Hong Kong’s First SPAC Deal Rattles Financial Scene as ZG Group Preps to Go Public”

TLDR:
– ZG Group is entering the public sector through a merger with Aquila Acquisition, a blank-check company tied to China Merchants Bank, in a move that aims to reshape the local economy and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hotspot.
– The merger, with a price tag of $1.27 billion, includes private investments totaling around $77 million and follows the popular trend of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) in Hong Kong since 2022.

In a move that will surely have Wall Street on its toes, the good folks over at ZG Group, who apparently see the world as one giant steel construction set, have decided to enter the public sector. They’re cozying up with Aquila Acquisition, a blank-check company with ties to China Merchants Bank. By the way, for the uninitiated, a blank-check company is sort of like a rich uncle who has no kids or hobbies, so he decides to fund your business ideas. This merger is a first in Hong Kong, where no doubt the brokers are already ordering bigger yachts in anticipation of the windfall.

But the fun doesn’t stop there, oh no. This merger, which has a hefty price tag of around $1.27 billion, is not just about making a few bankers rich. It’s also about reshaping the local economy and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hotspot. I’m sure the local dim sum vendors are thrilled.

ZG Group isn’t just playing with their steel toys, though. They’re also raking in around $77 million in gross proceeds from private investments. Trafigura Group, a commodity-trading giant, is one of the big spenders. It’s like a playground for the rich, except instead of slides and swings, there’s steel trading, logistics, and warehousing.

Now, this merger isn’t just a simple handshake and a swap of stocks. It’s a SPAC deal. SPAC, or Special Purpose Acquisition Company, is a fancy way of saying “Let’s raise money, go public, and then find a private business to merge with.” It’s like a financial Russian doll, and it’s all the rage in Hong Kong since 2022. Aquila Acquisition, by the way, was the first kid on the block to list as a SPAC in the city.

Of course, with great power comes great regulation. Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, the entity that manages the playground, has some stringent rules. Only professional investors can trade SPAC shares, so regular Joes and Janes have to wait until the company has gone public. It’s like being invited to a party but being told you can only enter after all the cool kids have arrived.

While we wait for the paperwork to wade through the bureaucratic molasses, the corporations cross their fingers for a green light from China’s securities regulator. If all goes to plan, the deal will be sealed in the fourth quarter, and ZG Group will ascend to its lofty perch as a global leader in the steel industry. It’s a high-stakes game of financial chess, and ZG Group is aiming to be the king.

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Apple’s Latest Circus: iPhone 14, iWatch Breathalyzer and Apparently They’re Inventing Cars Now Too

TLDR:
– Apple One is a bundled package of Apple services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud storage, and Apple Fitness+.
– Apple One offers different tiers for different budgets, providing convenience but also tying every aspect of a user’s digital life to a single company.

Well folks, here we are again, with Apple’s latest ingenious contraption designed to pry open our wallets. They’ve just released Apple One, a cleverly bundled package of their services, designed to, as they put it, “simplify the user experience.” I bet you never thought your life was overly complicated until now, huh?

Delve into the marvel that is Apple One, and you’ll find the usual suspects: Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud storage and the new kid on the block, Apple Fitness+. They’re all there, like a digital Noah’s Ark. The idea here is that you’re saving money compared to subscribing to each service individually. I’ve always admired Apple’s gall; they have a unique knack for making us pay for things we didn’t even realize we needed.

And in true Silicon Valley fashion, Apple has developed different “tiers” for Apple One. Because in this brave new world, we wouldn’t want anyone feeling left out, or heavens forbid, equal. Whether you’re a cash-strapped student or a cash-splashing tycoon, Apple has a tier for you. It’s a case of the rich getting richer, and the not-so-rich, well, getting iCloud storage and Apple Fitness+.

Now, I can hear you asking, “But surely, this is just Apple making our lives easier and more convenient?” And you’d be right. As right as a person walking into a casino thinking they’ll leave richer. After all, nothing screams ‘convenience’ like having every aspect of your digital life tied to a single company.

In fact, Apple One is shaping up to be a veritable connoisseur of convenience. It’s convenience you can put a price tag on. It’s convenience you can sing along to with Apple Music. It’s convenience you can watch on Apple TV+. It’s convenience you can play on Apple Arcade. It’s convenience you can store in the iCloud. And it’s convenience you can sweat to with Apple Fitness+. That’s a lot of convenience for one subscription. I guess that’s why it’s called Apple One and not Apple Many.

Now, let’s shift gears from the perfectly polished Apple orchard and head over to the SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) jungle. You know SPACs, those blank-check companies that have become the Wall Street equivalent of a reality TV show. If you want to stay informed on the latest SPAC news, there’s a free newsletter just for you.

Sure, you could use the time you save by not scouring the internet for SPAC news to do something productive, like learning a new language or mastering the art of sourdough baking. But where’s the fun in that? Instead, dedicate your newfound free time to pondering the mysteries of the universe, like why we’re paying for a bundle of services from a company named after a fruit. Now, that’s a thought worth subscribing to.

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When a Dream Turns into Nightmare: How 26 Capital Had to Kill its Casino Conquest Over Legal Snafus

TLDR:
– 26 Capital Acquisition Corp. has decided to liquidate after failing to acquire Okada Manila, but they are promising something new and exciting in the future.
– The company has learned from their mistakes and is ready to come up with another scheme to transform the entertainment and hospitality industry.

Well folks, in a turn of events that’s about as surprising as finding out your favorite politician lied, 26 Capital Acquisition Corp., the ambitious SPAC that vowed to revolutionize the entertainment and hospitality industry, has decided to throw in the towel and liquidate. Despite all the chest-thumping and high-flying dreams of acquiring the respected owner of Okada Manila, a renowned Philippine casino operator, they find themselves in the same spot as a guy who bet his shirt on a three-legged racehorse – broke and regretting their life choices.

The company had grand plans, like a kid in a candy store with their daddy’s gold card, hell-bent on acquiring Okada Manila as the cornerstone of their future empire. But they hit a wall, the kind of wall you hit when you realize the ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet has a time limit. The legal battle that ensued made a daytime soap opera look like a boring documentary.

Now, just as you’re getting all teary-eyed, remember this isn’t their swan song. Don’t mourn the demise of the company yet, folks. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, they’re promising the rise of something new and exciting from the ashes of their liquidation. You’ve got to hand it to them; they certainly know how to keep the drama alive in the world of business.

They claim that their experiences have enriched them with strategic acumen and valuable insights, which is a nice way of saying they’ve learned how not to step on the same rake twice. So, they’re back at the drawing board, ready to cook up another scheme to transform the entertainment and hospitality industry. They’ve got the spirit of a cockroach surviving a nuclear winter, pressing forward no matter what.

As we all know, the path to success is often paved with failure, so here’s hoping 26 Capital Acquisition Corp. has stocked up on enough humility and learning from this debacle. In the grand tradition of spectacular failures leading to future success, they’re gearing up for another run at the windmill. With a little luck, and hopefully a better legal team, they might just pull it off.

In the meanwhile, grab your popcorn, folks. It’s going to be interesting to see what kind of rabbit they’re going to pull out of their hat this time. They may not have succeeded in reinventing the wheel this time around, but who knows, maybe they’re just one hare-brained scheme away from innovating the entertainment industry. After all, the only thing predictable about business is its unpredictability. So let’s see if 26 Capital Acquisition Corp. can bounce back from this setback and surprise us all.

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Not in This Lifetime: Guns N’ Roses Prove They’re More Classic than Antique in Saratoga Spectacle

TLDR:
– Guns N’ Roses put on a three-hour set full of bombastic riffs and attitude, showcasing their enduring legacy and proving they are still a significant force in rock and roll.
– Frontman Axl Rose’s voice was in good shape, and Slash’s guitar solos were a standout, leaving the crowd wild with excitement.

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center was recently a witness to a spectacle that could only be described as – “Guns N’ Roses showing the kids how it’s done.” Frontman Axl Rose, notorious for his sense of time that seems to operate in a parallel universe, took the stage at exactly 7:25 PM. Perhaps he’s finally downloaded a clock app.

The three-hour set, full of bombastic riffs and attitude, was a reminder that the band is not just a group of geriatric rockers trying to make a quick buck. They proved to be a vibrant force in rock ‘n’ roll, with all the booming riffs and badass attitude that made them one of the most important acts of the past 40 years. If you were looking for a perfunctory cash grab, you should’ve gone to the bingo night down at the local pub.

The evening kicked off with “It’s So Easy,” a cheery opener that set the mood for a night of surprising, yet seamless musical blend. The way Slash and Duff McKagan put their own stylistic imprint on the GN’R track “Chinese Democracy,” a song that emerged during their 21-year hiatus from the band, was even odder. Following it with a rendition of “Slither,” the hit 2004 single from Slash and McKagan’s mid-aughts band Velvet Revolver? It was like trying to find a coherent plot in a David Lynch movie.

Despite his dysphonia, Rose’s voice was in good shape, belting out songs with a force that could rival a freight train. The 61-year-old frontman continued to run, dance and move across the stage with the energy of a toddler on a sugar rush. It was clear that while Axl Rose may have made nice with his bandmates, elements of his volatile nature were still in play.

Slash’s guitar solos were the star of the show, with the crowd going wild for his performances on “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Civil War,” and “November Rain.” Imagine the frenzied response if he’d busted out “Free Bird.” The chemistry between Slash and second guitarist Richard Fortus was as palpable as the tension in a Tarantino flick as they traded lead turns on “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

Before Guns N’ Roses took the stage, the audience was warmed up by rising hard-rock band Dirty Honey. Fronted by Niskayuna native Marc LaBelle, the band delivered a performance that felt like a lovingly crafted homage to an Aerosmith album that never was. Their set included a scorching take of “Won’t Take Me Alive,” a promising indicator of their forthcoming album. After all, who needs a heater when you’ve got those fiery riffs?

In conclusion, Guns N’ Roses’ performance at Saratoga Performing Arts Center was a testament to their enduring legacy. With a sold-out crowd roaring all night long, it’s clear that their music will continue to resonate with fans. And as for the band itself? They proved that they’re still a significant force in rock and roll, capable of delivering a performance that could blow your socks off, even if they are of the compression variety.

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August SPAC-tacular: SPACs Party Like It’s 2020, But With A Sobering Hangover of Deal Breakups. VinFast Goes from SPAC Zero to Street Hero. Sustainability, Anyone?

TLDR:
– SPAC deals reached $9.1 billion in August with an average transaction size of $481 million, but eight deals were terminated, highlighting the risks involved.
– Vietnamese automaker VinFast saw a 254% surge in share price after going public, but concerns remain about the sustainability of its valuation due to limited public trading.

Well, folks, it looks like August was a bustling month in the casino, I mean, market, especially for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). These deals soared to $9.1 billion in total value with an average transaction size of $481 million. It’s like a SPAC festival with 19 new merry mergers announced. However, in the midst of this SPAC jamboree, we had a sobering reality check – eight deal terminations, taking us back to those lessons we all learned the hard way in the sandbox. Not every castle is destined for greatness, some are just…sand.

The star of the SPAC show, however, was VinFast (VFS). The Vietnamese automaker made a grand entrance into the public trading, transforming valuation concerns into a 254% surge in share price. The transformation was so dramatic, it felt like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly, or an ugly duckling into a swan, or…you get the picture. But let’s not get carried away here, there are still concerns about the sustainability of this Cinderella story. With public shares representing a mere 0.6% of VFS’s outstanding equity, one can’t help but wonder about the potential impact of limited public trading on the future share price dynamics.

Speaking of standout deals, SPAC CVII proposed a $1.58 billion merger with British private equity firm CorpAcq, and SPAC FNVT cut a cool $1 billion deal with the Chinese new energy vehicle maker, Scage International. But let’s not forget the fallen heroes. Eight contracts were signed off to the graveyard this month, making it the second-highest monthly total this year. One of them was SPAC GGAA’s $312-million deal with travel tech company NextTrip, which collapsed faster than a souffle in a loud kitchen.

Now, for some, the tale of VFS might come across as a beacon of hope in a sea of SPAC exuberance, or for the more cynical among us, an eerie echo of past hype. The company, initially valued at $27 billion, is now valued at a whopping $86 billion. That’s twice the market capitalization of titans like General Motors or Ford. But before we crown VFS the new king of the auto industry, let’s remember that the company only generated $83.5 million in revenue in the first quarter of the year. It’s safe to say that reaching the earnout target for the full year will be a herculean task.

As we watch this SPAC-infused drama unfold, let’s remember what our sage friend Robert Sasson from Water Tower Research noted. “Entering into a merger agreement is no guarantee that it will close.” So, while we revel in the glitz and glamour of these high-value deals, let’s also remember to keep a wary eye on the risks that lurk beneath. As the saying goes, all that glitters is not gold. Or in this case, all that SPACs may not necessarily yield profits. But hey, isn’t unpredictability the spice of business life?

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“Move over, Iron Man: How Glaam Corp’s real-life Tony Stark is remixing the future”

TLDR:
– Glaam Corp is a versatile technology company with a wide range of interests and ambitions, from consumer goods to renewable energy.
– They are determined and resilient, always ready to overcome challenges and make a mark on the world.

Well folks, here we are again, circling back to the high-tech titan that’s been making waves in the market. Glaam Corp, the technological equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife, continues to stand out like a neon sign in a blackout. They’re a company that’s been messing around with everything from consumer goods to healthcare, all the way to renewable energy. Yes, folks, they’re like one of those kids who can’t decide what to be when they grow up.

Amusingly, Glaam Corp’s idea of a good time involves overcoming challenges. Their resilience and determination are as steadfast as a stubborn mule on a hot summer day. It’s like they’re saying, “Oh, you’ve got a problem? Hold our beer, we’ll solve it.” Like some sort of technological superhero, minus the cape and the spandex.

And you’ve got to love their ambitions. They’ve got a roadmap for the future that’s more packed than a clown car at a circus. They want to leave an indelible mark on the world, maybe even solve the age-old problem of misplaced keys. Let’s hope they’re not planning on implanting GPS devices in our fingers, though. I’d hate to have to explain that one to my chiropractor.

Now, if you’ve got a penchant for keeping yourself informed, there’s a newsletter you can sign up for. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you a dime. You can fill your brain with the latest daily SPAC news while you toast your English muffins in the morning. And who knows, maybe you’ll even learn something. But remember, while the newsletter is free, they’re not sending it to you out of the goodness of their hearts. Information is the currency of the modern world, and they’re just trying to keep your attention longer than a toddler at a toy store.

So, there you have it. Glaam Corp, the company that’s not afraid to wade through the mud and tackle the twin demons of innovation and design. The question is, are they onto something great, or are they just tech world’s version of a magic show – full of smoke and mirrors? Only time will tell. For now, let’s just sit back, relax, and wait for the next chapter in the Glaam Corp saga. I can hardly wait.

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Hong Kong’s SPAC Aquila Acquisition Stops Beating Around the Bush, Bets Big on Struggling Online Steel Trader ZG Group

TLDR:
– Aquila Acquisition Corp. is set to acquire ZG Group, a domestic online steel trading platform in Hong Kong, despite the company’s continuous losses and high debt.
– ZG Group has potential for growth in the industry’s shift to digital channels, but requires a cash infusion to boost trading volume and reduce debt.

Well folks, we’ve got ourselves a modern steel fairy tale. After a courtship that felt longer than a pandemic lockdown, Aquila Acquisition Corp., Hong Kong’s first special acquisition purpose company (SPAC), has finally found its Cinderella to take to the ball. The belle of the ball, ZG Group, is set to become the first real company to be acquired by a Hong Kong SPAC. Doesn’t it just warm your heart?

Now, this isn’t just any ordinary Cinderella story. The glass slipper in this tale is a domestic online steel trading platform that seems to have a knack for losing money. In the past three years, ZG Group has made continuous losses totaling a whopping $169 million. Just this year, they reported a loss of $6.9 million in the first quarter. That’s more red than a stoplight convention.

But let’s give them some credit. They have been dealing with a steel market that’s been more unstable than a three-legged table. The pandemic, coupled with a downturn in China’s real estate market, hasn’t exactly made it easy. Even China’s economic recovery has been about as fast as a snail in a marathon, leading to a drop in steel prices.

Now, even though they’re in a pickle, ZG Group seems to have a few aces up their sleeve. They’re positioned to capitalize on the industry’s shift to digital channels, which could help reduce transaction costs. In fact, their platform has seen rapid growth since 2019, with steel trading increasing from 8.1 million tonnes to 36.2 million tonnes. The transaction value also saw a rise from $5.3 billion to $24.9 billion. Who knew steel could be so exciting?

However, to grow bigger and boost their trading volume, ZG Group needs a cash infusion. The company’s net debt as of March was a staggering $978 million, with cash and cash equivalents totaling only $69 million. But this is where the knight in shining armor, Aquila Acquisition, swoops in to save our damsel in distress. They’re not alone either. Ten Private Public Enterprise Investment (PIPE) companies have agreed to pump in $77 million into ZG Group, valuing the company at $1.3 billion.

But here’s where the plot thickens. This valuation is on a company that’s still losing money. Talk about a leap of faith. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off and if ZG Group can transition from a steel underdog to a steel titan.

This whole saga is expected to wrap up in the fourth quarter, at which point ZG Group will officially become a listed company in Hong Kong. The company’s major shareholders, led by the three co-founders, will own around 19.1% of the combined company’s stock and voting rights. The deal will also transition ZG Group from a two-class share structure to a single-class one.

In essence, this merger represents an opportunity for ZG Group to bolster their business and secure the necessary capital to ramp up trading volumes. It’s a high stakes game, but with their position in the steel market and growth potential, ZG Group could just be the underdog story we need in these trying times.

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Trump’s Media Merger Gets an Unlikely Lifeline: Year-Long Extension Saves it from the Brink of Collapse

TLDR:
– Shareholders of DWAC agree to extend merger deadline, saving the proposed merger with Trump Media.
– DWAC and Trump Media face challenges from fraud allegations and misplaced quarterly reports, but have an opportunity to prove themselves and reshape the social media landscape.

In a twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, the proposed merger of Donald Trump’s media company with the Blank Check Company, affectionately known as Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC), was saved from certain doom. The gallant shareholders of DWAC, in an eleventh-hour decision, agreed to extend the merger deadline by a whole year. I bet they’re all breathing a sigh of relief, except for the ones who wanted their popcorn moment of watching the company meet its untimely demise.

The journey of the DWAC and Trump Media merger has been more of a roller coaster than a romantic cruise. When DWAC announced its intentions to merge with Trump Media in 2021, the stock market reacted like a teenager at a rock concert. DWAC shares soared to an incredible $175, fueled by the promise of the Trump Media’s Truth Social platform becoming the new darling of conservative social media. Sadly, the honeymoon phase didn’t last.

Fraud allegations against DWAC from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were the first storm to hit this love boat. Although DWAC managed to settle these charges, they left a stain on its reputation that even the strongest bleach couldn’t remove. Soon after, DWAC misplaced its quarterly report, putting the company’s shares on thin ice with the risk of being kicked out of the Nasdaq exchange club. Amidst all this turmoil, DWAC had to convince its shareholders to agree to the extension and save the company from liquidation.

With the extension approved, DWAC and the Trump Media & Technology Group can now take a deep breath and map out their next moves carefully. They have been handed a golden opportunity to prove they can navigate the choppy waters of regulatory oversight from the SEC and the Department of Justice. The road forward involves reassuring investors and the public that transparency and sound business practices are not just buzzwords in their corporate dictionary.

For DWAC, the immediate priority is to ensure that its quarterly reports are filed promptly and that it doesn’t misplace them again. On the other hand, the Trump Media & Technology Group has to make sure that Truth Social lives up to the hype and meets its audience’s expectations. The stakes are high, and the next 12 months will determine if this merger has the potential to reshape the social media landscape.

In conclusion, the tale of the DWAC and Trump Media merger is a testament to resilience and determination. Despite the setbacks they’ve faced, they’ve managed to secure an extension that gives them a chance to realize their vision. It’s a story that Steve Jobs would have admired. Only time will tell if they can deliver on the promise of a conservative social media platform. So stay tuned, folks, the next chapters of this saga promise to be nothing short of riveting.

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Unions, Strikes, and ‘Scary Robots’: SPAC King Calls Last Orders for Detroit’s Big Three

TLDR:
– SPAC King Chamath Palihapitiya believes that if the labor deal goes through, it will lead to the long-term insolvency of legacy automakers and the rise of non-unionized competitors like Tesla.
– The union demands, including a 40% increase in hourly pay over four years, would significantly increase labor costs for automakers and put them at a disadvantage compared to Tesla.

In a recent turn of events, SPAC King Chamath Palihapitiya offered his two cents on the United Auto Workers’ union strike, which has become a thorn in the side of Detroit’s Big Three — Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., and Stellantis N.V. Palihapitiya, never the one to sugarcoat, suggested the unions were engaging in a metaphorical self-mutilation, deciding to “cut their nose off to spite their face.”

According to our resident Nostradamus, if the labor deal goes through, it will spell the apocalypse for legacy OEM automakers. The options they have, he says, are as cheerful as a heart attack – replace unionized humans with cold, unfeeling robots or bid adieu to unions. But then, he adds with a wry smile, neither of these options are remotely feasible.

Should this plan get the green light, Palihapitiya sees automakers hemorrhaging cash like a broken slot machine. This, he predicts, will be the dreaded “tipping point towards structural long-term insolvency.” He believes the capital markets will be more reluctant to let automakers raise long-term capital than a cat is to take a bath. Unless, of course, automakers are ready to cough up exorbitant rates.

But wait, there’s more! Palihapitiya seems to think that the fallout of this labor deal could supercharge the success of hyper-automated/non-unionized competitors like Tesla. As Ford, Stellantis, and others scramble to raise prices to cover the cost of the deal, Tesla would be free to aggressively lower prices and dominate the market.

So, what are these union demands that could instigate this automotive apocalypse? Well, for starters, a 40% increase in hourly pay over four years, a reduced 4-day, 32-hour workweek, faster path to top pay, return to the days of defined benefit pensions, cost-of-living adjustments, parental leave longer than a three-day weekend, and more paid holidays.

Just to put things into perspective, Ford mentioned that if these demands were in effect over the last four years, it would have lost a whopping $14.4 billion, instead of pocketing nearly $30 billion in profits. Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management noted that even if the automakers agree to a 25% pay hike, their manufacturing labor costs will be 40-45% higher than Tesla’s, leaving them at a distinct disadvantage. So, brace yourselves folks, it seems like the automotive industry might be in for a joyride.

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