It’s official: The Hemi V8 is returning in the 2026 Ram 1500 pickup. Get all the latest automotive news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ The relationship between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk imploded, with the President threatening to cut off funding for Tesla and Musk’s other companies. More at BBC News.
+ Export restrictions by China’s Ministry of Commerce on rare earth minerals widely used in the auto industry have automakers scrambling for solutions and alternatives. More at CNBC.
+ The crew of a cargo ship in the North Pacific carrying 3,000 vehicles, including 800 EVs, abandoned ship without injury when they could not control a fire aboard the vessel. More at The Detroit News.
+ Max Verstappen admitted that frustration led him to make contact with George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix in “a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened.” More at Racer.
+ In a Bloomberg interview, ousted Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares acknowledged the turmoil in his leadership in North America, saying “things could have been done differently.” More at The Drive.
+ Volvo has developed a multi-adaptive safety belt that uses realtime data from onboard sensors to adjust for conditions, planning to introduce it on the 2026 EX60. More at Autoweek.
+ U.S. sales of Ford and Hyundai vehicles rose in May, the companies reported, as shoppers raced to beat the upcoming price increases expected from U.S. import tariffs. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Discontinued in 2024, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is returning in the 2026 Ram 1500 pickup with an eTorque hybrid powertrain and a standard low-restriction exhaust system. More at The Drive.
+ The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of NASCAR in the antitrust lawsuit by Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, lifting an injunction that kept their team charters in force. More at SI.com.
+ General Motors is revamping its GM Rewards owner loyalty program to boost customer engagement and introducing a new GM Rewards Mastercard with points redemption. More at CBT News.
Photo courtesy of Stellantis.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from June 6 here.
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Too bad they couldn’t find a good color for the truck in the topshot. All blacked out is so tired and played-out. I know it’s cheap for manufacturers but it’s time to move on.
Cars that were the same inside and out with black steel wheels and no chrome were thought of as the price-leader for local advertising and no one wanted to be seen in one. To me, it indicates a stinginess and lack of creativity on the part of the owner. Nobody except maybe your fellow high-schoolers thinks you’re a bada*s because you drive a black truck.
Yes, blacked-out Ram is a cliche.
I’m not going to say the GM rewards card is a rip off, but it is certainly not a good deal. The $10,000 I have banked in my GM card for the purchase of a new truck is now worth 10,000 POINTS, or $100 dollars. Enough for an oil and filter change. I’m not thrilled.