According to the data released by Challenger, Grey & Christmas, the number of layoffs in the USA in December last year was 38,792, totaling 761,358 since the beginning of the year. The Eastern region announced 8,603 layoffs, the Midwest 16,185, the West 9,513, and the South 4,491. Senior Vice President Andrew Challenger stated that due to rapid technological advancements and a changing economic environment, businesses experienced unusual changes in 2024. Most employers expect the incoming USA government to bring more uncertainty, leading to a slowdown in hiring and an increase in layoffs in multiple industries in the short term. Autos companies announced 2,399 layoffs in December, bringing the total for the year to 48,219, an increase of 43.2% compared to the previous year. Challenger stated that the Autos industry is facing challenges related to supply chain disruptions and changes in market demand. While some reductions reflect cost restructuring, the rest is related to shifts in production focus as the industry transitions to electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.