As CEO of the Ram truck brand at Chrysler, Fred Diaz launched the 2013 Ram 1500, and he also served as president of Chrysler de Mexico. Now Diaz has departed to take a new post at Nissan. Get this car biz news and more in today’s Executive Briefing.
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+ Mercedes-Benz will launch a new line of small luxury vehicles beginning in 2015 to compete against BMW’s Mini brand. More here at Reuters.
+ Cadillac has realigned its global management team, with Campbell Ewald managing director Steve Majoros named as marketing chief. More here at The Detroit News.
+ Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk says the company is studying a plan for a second plant in Texas and is also considering a battery-powered pickup. More here at MSN Autos.
+ Highly touted rookie Kyle Larson collected his first NASCAR Camping World Truck win at Rockingham. More here at National Speed Sport News.
+ Fred Diaz, president of Chrysler’s Ram truck brand, has jumped ship to take a new position at Nissan as vice president of sales and marketing. More here at Autoblog.
+ American lawmakers are pushing back on a proposed Trans-Pacific free trade region, citing an unfair advantage for Japanese manufacturers. More here at Bloomberg.com.
+ Opel spokesmen dismissed reports that the GM division is running at only half capacity. More here at Rueters .
+ Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski lashed out at NASCAR officials when the rear axles in the Penske Racing Fords were declared illegal. More here at ESPN.
For the previous Executive Briefing from April 12, click here.