DETROIT DRIVERS ARE STILL PAYING MORE BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY LIVE
OUTLIER MEDIA
JULY 18, 2024
BY OUTLIER STAFF
Insurance reforms were supposed to bring relief. Detroit drivers are still paying more because of where they live.
The high cost of auto insurance pushed Clarissa Williams to move out of Detroit and all the way to California, where she thought it more likely she could get to work. She was right.
For Alana, the fact that she can’t afford to insure her car in Detroit has pushed her out of the job market altogether. She’s a retired preschool teacher, but she wants and needs to get back to work and back out into the world.
Tonya can’t afford car insurance in the city either, but she also can’t afford to not drive her son to school and herself to work, neither of which she can find in her neighborhood. She breaks the law every day by driving without insurance. She risks getting caught and racking up expensive fines she doesn’t know how she would pay.
The average cost of auto insurance in Detroit is $5,300 a year, more than any other big city in the country. A Detroiter making the city’s median income would spend one out of every seven of their dollars on auto insurance alone.
State reforms five years ago were supposed to bring relief. A 2019 law prohibited insurers from considering certain factors unrelated to driving, including ZIP codes, when setting rates.
A new investigation from The Markup and Outlier Media shows how little the reforms did to stop insurers from using where people live to set their rates. These location adjustments are a burden on the majority of Black residents of the state, and much less so for white residents.
By cataloging how each insurer’s pricing algorithm takes location into account, we show how Michigan’s auto insurance reforms have failed to deliver on the promise of affordable insurance in Detroit. We found insurers are still using customers’ addresses as a proxy for risk in a way that charges higher premiums to customers in neighborhoods with more Black residents.
Most Detroiters already know living in the city means they pay more for their insurance, but insurers typically don’t allow individual shoppers to see how their rates would change at another address.
We worked with an insurance agent and three Detroit women to see how much location can impact rates on an individual level. We pulled quotes for premiums using their actual driving records.
THE REAL GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION: AUTO MAKER LAYOFFS
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
AUG. 11, 2024
BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Stellantis is showing what the real green-energy transition looks like: On Friday the auto maker announced plans to lay off 2,450 workers in Michigan as it ramps up electric-vehicle production. As consolation, the laid-off workers will receive a generous parting gift.
Car makers are struggling to sell higher-priced cars as consumers pull back after three years of inflation. At the same time, the rich labor agreement that Stellantis, Ford and GM struck last autumn with the United Auto Workers is raising costs. The companies need healthy profits from gas-powered trucks to subsidize their money-losing EV production.
Hence, Stellantis’ scramble to slash costs. The company last month announced buyouts for salaried workers in the U.S. On Friday it said it will lay off as many as 2,450 production workers in Warren, Mich., where it produces its classic Ram 1500 pickup, as it rolls out a new electric model. Workers can send a thank you card to UAW president Shawn Fain.
Car companies scrap old models all the time as they come out with new ones. But making EVs requires fewer workers than gas-powered cars
As government destroys more jobs, taxpayers will inevitably be asked to compensate for the damage.
DETROIT BUSINESS OWNERS FACE CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGALLY POSTED SIGNS
INC. • JULY 1, 2024 • BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
William Shaw has a message for other business owners advertising their services on illegally posted signs in Detroit: “Don’t put them up. They will come after you and your company, and they will make you pay for it.”
As part of court-ordered community service for posting hundreds of signs promoting his suburban Detroit plumbing company, Shaw is required to remove similar placards in the city.
“They’re not going to back down,” Shaw said of Detroit blight enforcement officials as he yanked signs Friday morning from utility and other poles on the city’s northwest side.
Many Detroit street corners and city neighborhoods are plastered with signs offering things like lawn services, event rentals, cash for homes — and even inexpensive health care.
Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration has been aggressive in removing blight. Over the past decade, as the city emerged from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, about 25,000 vacant or abandoned structures have been demolished. The city says it also has cleared about 90,000 tons of trash and illegally dumped debris from alleys over the past four years.
The city said that from February 2022 to July 2023, it removed more than 615 “Shaw’s Plumbing” signs. William Shaw has been cited with more than 50 misdemeanors because of it.
A judge ordered Shaw to serve 40 hours of community service with the city’s Blight Remediation Division. Part of that includes removing signs illegally posted by others.
Shaw said Friday he has paid thousands of dollars in fines, but noted that “business is booming” at his shop in Melvindale, southwest of Detroit.
“I was putting up signs in the city of Detroit to promote business illegally, not knowing that I was doing that,” he told The Associated Press. “We put up a lot to promote business. We did it elsewhere in other surrounding cities, as well. And we paid fines in other surrounding cities, as well as Detroit.”
Gail Tubbs, president of the O’Hair Park Community Association, pressed the city to do something about the number of “Shaw’s Plumbing” signs. She calls illegally posted signs nuisances.
“We just don’t want it,” Tubbs said Friday as Shaw took down signs in her neighborhood. “We do not need any more visual pollution and blight in our community. Don’t want it. Don’t need it.”
Shaw said he is being made an example. Others will follow, according to the city.
“Mr. Shaw is just the first. We have a list of the top 10, top 20 violators,” said Katrina Crawley, Blight Remediation assistant director. “This is just the first of many.”
“Quality of life is an issue for all of our residents,” Crawley added, “and having nuisance signs plastered on poles where they’re not supposed to be … is something that we want to deliver a message to the business owners. You must stop. There are legal ways to advertise your business.”
BOOK TOWER DETROIT IS MICHIGAN’S COOL NEW PLACE TO EAT, PLAY, AND STAY
FORBES • JULY 24, 2024
BY KATIE CHANG
Temperatures have been sizzling across the country this summer, but one buzzy destination in downtown Detroit has managed to stay cool all season long. A mixed-use development spanning architect Louis Kamper’s 1917 landmark Italian Renaissance-style Book Tower and the adjacent Book Building, Book Tower Detroit is the latest project by commercial real estate firm Bedrock, whose portfolio includes Shinola Hotel and the highly anticipated Detroit Edition (2027).
Though Bedrock meticulously restored countless original features during the seven-year and $300 million-dollar renovation, including the bejeweled sky-high glass rotunda and 29 caryatids (sculpted female figures that provide architectural support) framing the facade, jaw-dropping design is only one reason why you should plan a summer getaway to Book Tower Detroit.
Thanks to the creative vision of Method Co., the Philadelphia-based hospitality development firm behind hip spots like Charleston’s The Pinch, Book Tower Detroit is home to six unique restaurants and bars and a boutique hotel. In short? It’s more than easy to spend a delicious and relaxing weekend here without ever having to leave.
Starting from top to bottom: Kamper’s on the 14th floor may conjure up the convivial vibes of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter with its handsome wood bar and menu of pintxos and tapas, but the stunning views are unmistakably Detroit. Le Suprême’s decor clearly draws inspiration from Parisian brasseries (bistro chairs, quirky art, steel bar), and fittingly, the kitchen sends out tried-and-true French fare such as icy shellfish towers and steak frites. Bar Rotunda is a rare hotel lobby bar that smoothly transitions from breezy breakfasts to sophisticated evening drinks, while come-as-you-are Sakazuki puts a fun twist on Japanese izakayas by pairing wagyu hot dogs and triple-fried chicken wings with refreshing cocktails like the sake-based Yuzu Colada.
You’ll find Book Tower Detroit’s most lively dining experience, however, below ground at Hiroki-San. The sleek sister of Philadelphia’s acclaimed Hiroki is also overseen by Executive Chef Hiroki Fujiyama, and turns out all styles of Japanese cuisine. The seafood dishes especially shine, from the nigiri spotlighting pristine fish flown in from Japan weekly to the split king crab legs finished with ginger mayo and crispy shallots. While the cocktail and sake offerings are no slouch, why not wrap the evening with a nightcap at the new The Aladdin Sane? Tucked away next door behind curtains, this hidden and hushed lounge offers an extensive whisky list in an ornate setting of colorful rugs, red light, and plush seats.
The best part of socializing at Book Tower Detroit is that a solid night’s rest is just steps away at Roost Detroit.
DETROIT PISTONS LAND FAVORABLE GRADE FOR ROSTER-BUILDING EFFORTS
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
JULY 18, 2024
BY JUSTIN GRASSO
At this point in time, the bar for the Detroit Pistons is low. After winning just 17 games two seasons ago, the Monty Williams era started off with a shocking regression as the Pistons followed up with a 14-win season.
That called for major changes in management from the front office down to the coaching staff. The keys to the player personnel department were handed over to Trajan Langdon. Monty Williams was replaced by former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
The Pistons didn’t make any major roster changes. In fact, they doubled down on Cade Cunningham’s future by inking the former No. 1 overall pick to a max extension.
With Cunningham remaining the cornerstone player for the franchise, the Pistons looked to build a roster better catered to the potential future All-Star.
How did they do so far? According to Bleacher Report, the Pistons have graded out with a “B” for their roster-building efforts this summer.
“This offseason was more about Cade’s max extension and the incoming veterans who should hopefully make his life as the lead playmaker easier. Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. all have playoff experience and can space the floor. Add the recently re-signed Simone Fontecchio to that core, and it should be easy for the Pistons to keep Cunningham surrounded by shooting. If that’s the case, his assist numbers could go up. More importantly, if defenses are more worried about collapsing on Cunningham’s drives or isolations, his own efficiency could begin to rise as well.”
Although the Pistons entered the offseason with enough cap space to sign a star or two, the team didn’t attempt to expedite the rebuild turnaround by throwing major deals at veterans.
Instead, the team offered short-term contracts to helpful veterans such as Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley. While the Pistons cut the cord with the trade deadline acquisition Quentin Grimes, they swapped him out for the better fit in Tim Hardaway Jr.
CADILLAC WANTS TO TAKE ON ROLLS-ROYCE, ASTON MARTIN
NEWSWEEK • JULY 30, 2024
BY JACK LINGEMAN
Cadillac introduced its “ultimate expression of coach-built luxury” in late July, a clear indication that the Detroit-based automaker is attempting to fit in with the likes of British and German customization operations.
That expression came in the shape of the battery-electric Cadillac Sollei, a 2+2 (two doors and four seats) grand touring convertible complete with a long rear overhang and massive chrome wheels.
The company says the concept explores the possibilities of what bespoke customization could look like rather standing as a precursor to a forthcoming model.
Cadillac is currently offering those types of personalized choices with its electric Celestiq sedan, which starts at around $340,000. Customizations cost extra. That starting price is more than most Bentleys, besides the limited Batur and Bacalar, as well as most production Mercedes and Porsche vehicles.
Aston Martin’s is called Q and offers an array of bespoke options, materials and finishes with help from a dedicated design team. Dynamic wheel finishes, carbon fiber tinting, tailored woven leathers and painted interior graphics are all available. Some customers invest more than 30 percent of the original retail price to customize their car.
Bentley uses its Mulliner team with a range bespoke finishes including specialty veneers and precious metals including ancient stone veneers, 18-carat gold plated organ stops and pinstriped and painted veneers. Porsche and Mercedes offer a version of the same.
Rolls-Royce, the kings of customization, has been doing this for years with its Coachbuild program that allows buyers to go to the private design office and work with specialists to create the perfect luxury vehicle for each buyer. The British brand and others meet their well-heeled customers where they are to help them design a build.
Rolls-Royce goes a step further, allowing customers to create bespoke, one-off vehicles. Three have been created in the last few years, with the last one presented during Monterey Car Week. Owners are only limited by the size of their wallet.
