Lots of horn-tooting but little headway despite Trump pushing carmakers

Southfield, United States

WHEN it comes to investments by global carmakers in the United States, 2017 is shaping up to be nothing special - even after President Donald Trump's threats to heavily tax cars shipped from abroad.

Companies including Toyota Motor Corp, Volvo Cars and Daimler AG have announced US$5.5 billion in new American factory investments so far this year, shy of the US$10.2 billion averaged annually this decade. General Motors Co (GM) and Ford Motor Co, the two biggest US carmakers, are cutting shifts or scheduling time off at plants as industry sales slow.