Rivian will offer an eight-year, 175,000-mile warranty on its electric pickups and SUVS due later this year, including the battery pack and drivetrain. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

Today’s Headlines:

+   Automakers reported a rebound in first-quarter U.S. sales from the COVID-19 induced decline of last year, but volumes were capped by the global microchip shortage. More at Reuters. 

+   At Volkswagen, an April fool’s stunt backfired when the joke, an alleged plan to rename the brand “Voltswagen,” was released prematurely and was taken all too seriously. More at Fast Company. 

+   The Biden administration’s proposed $2 Trillion infrastructure and jobs package includes $174 billion in economic stimulus for electric vehicle production and charging stations. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Despite a number of new-event glitches, NASCAR officials were pleased with the inaugural Cup dirt race at Bristol and will include the event on next year’s schedule. More at Jayski. 

+   Hyundai has released a handful of photos of its new Santa Cruz, a unit-construction midsized pickup based on the Tucson crossover that will be formally introduced on April 15. More at The Drive. 

+   CarMax, the USA’s largest used-car retailer, which purchased a 20 percent interest in Edmunds.com last year, has now acquired the remaining shares of the automotive publisher. More at Automotive Remarketing. 

+   For its new RT1 electric pickup and R1S electric SUV due later this year, Rivian announced an eight-year, 175,000-mile warranty that includes the battery pack and drivetrain. More at Car and Driver. 

+   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of 2020-2021 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans to park far away from buildings due to a fire hazard. More at CNET Roadshow. 

+   According to Daimler chairman and Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, the company’s EQS electric luxury sedan due by year’s end will have a range of 478 miles. More at Autoblog. 

+   Changes to the historic Albert Park circuit in Adelaide where the Australian Grand Prix will be held in November are expected to reduce lap times by more than five seconds. More at Motorsport Week. 

Photo courtesy of Rivian. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from March 26 here. 

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