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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For the first time in more than 30 years, factory workers at a Detroit Three automaker have rejected a national contract.
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The Environmental Protection Agency is accusing Volkswagen of intentionally dodging clean air rules on nearly half a million vehicles in the U.S. The EPA says Volkswagen installed software called a "defeat device" that only runs full pollution controls during official emissions testing. Under normal driving conditions, the vehicles emit nitrogen oxides at up to 40 times allowable levels, according to the EPA.
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Two of the plaintiffs in the landmark same-sex marriage Supreme Court case got married Saturday. But April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse's road to the high court was almost accidental.
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GM and the UAW kicked off contract talks Monday; Chrysler and Ford will do the same this month. Negotiations are never easy, but since industry bailouts in 2009, there's a stronger push to cooperate.
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The auto industry does need to consolidate to keep up with investor expectations and growing expenses, but the merger might be too big a risk for GM, which already has a lot going for it.
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Businesses often reward their customers with discounts for sticking with them. But some auto insurance companies may raise your premiums if they think you're unlikely to shop for a better rate.
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The length of the average car loan isn't just creeping up, it's leaping up. Nearly 40 percent of people secure car loans that take more than five years to pay off. The trend has some analysts alarmed.
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U.S. manufacturing jobs have rebounded since the recession, but many of those positions pay less than they used to. Some states are now questioning whether competing for those jobs is worth it.
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Honda reports at least two deaths related to defective inflators in air bags. The air bags, made by Japanese supplier Takata, are in Toyota and other automakers' vehicles, too.
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A 250-year-old oak tree once stood in the way of the University of Michigan's new business school — until it was moved this weekend. It wasn't easy, though, and definitely not cheap.