Porsche is stepping up its electric vehicle game with a new battery cell plant in Southern Germany. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Incoming Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe says the automaker is committed to producing only battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles by 2040, with the first EVs arriving in 2024. More at Car and Driver.
+ The high-performance GT version of the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover with 480 hp, all-wheel-drive, and 88 kWh long-range battery will be available for order on April 28. More at The Drive.
+ In response to pressure from a number of black-owned media companies, General Motors has pledged to double its media purchases from minority-controlled outlets. More at The Detroit News.
+ IndyCar veteran Will Power, who won the 2014 season title and the 2018 Indy 500 driving for Roger Penske, has signed a deal to extend his team contract through 2023. More at Racer.
+ Elon Musk, CEO of electric automaker Tesla and founder of SpaceX and The Boring Company, will take the guest host duties on NBC’s Saturday Night Live on May 8. More at Autoblog.
+ Volkswagen’s Porsche luxury sports car unit is stepping up its electric vehicle program with plans for a battery cell plant in southern Germany, says CEO Oliver Blume. More at Reuters.
+ A worker at the Stellantis stamping plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, just north of Detroit, was killed when a machine he was moving with a crane shifted and fell on him. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Bentley is offering a special Continental GT V8 Equinox Edition coupe that will be limited to a model run of only 10 vehicles and will be sold only in six Japanese cities. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.
+ The U.S. Department of Transportation has reversed a Trump administration policy and will allow states including California to set their own vehicle emissions standards. More at CNET Roadshow.
+ Retired NASCAR star Charlie Glotzbach, who won four Cup races in 124 starts and drove for legendary car owners Junior Johnson, Cotton Owens, and others, has died at 82. More at Autoweek.
Image courtesy of Porsche.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from April 23 here.
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