Trading hands at $190,000, this 1967 Shelby GT500 was among the top five sellers at the Mecum Auctions Houston sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says he has ended the search for a merger partner and the group will instead focus on its own business plan. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Potential rescuers of Japan’s Takata Corporation have extended talks, already in their 14th month, for a deal to take over the troubled air bag maker even as bankruptcy looms. More at Japan Today.
+ California’s Department of Motor Vehicles on Friday gave Apple the go-ahead to test its autonomous cars, including three Lexus RX450h models, on public roads in the state. More at The Detroit News.
+ Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says McLaren team manager Zak Brown “must be barking mad” to allow McLaren driver Fernando Alonso to race in the Indy 500. More at Racer.
+ The auto industry is voicing strong opposition to the GOP’s proposed border adjustment tax, saying it would raise the cost of cars and harm the industry and customers. More at USA Today.
+ Jaguar chief product engineer Erol Mustafa predicts hybrid powertrains could find their way into the brand’s high-performance sports cars. More at Motor Trend.
+ Volkswagen reports the company has repurchased or repaired more than half the 475,000 polluting 2.0-liter diesel vehicles subject to a U.S. government settlement. More at Reuters.
+ Ford has announced that the 526-horsepower Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R will remain in production through the 2018 model year. More at the Detroit Free press.
+ The Mecum Auctions Houston 2017 sale generated $21.7 million in sales and a 70 percent sell-through rate, with Ford performance models sweeping four of the top five spots. More at Classic Cars.com.
+ Toyota driver Jose Mario Lopez has been given the all-clear after a trip to the hospital following a crash in this past weekend’s World Endurance Championship opener at Silverstone. More at Autosport.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from April 14 here.
Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
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