Slate plans to have its basic EV pickup in production in late 2026 with an entry price under $20,000. Get all the latest automotive news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Bill Porter, the prolific GM stylist for 37 years who led the Pontiac design studio and served as chief designer at Buick from 1980 to 1996, has passed away at age 93. Obituary at Phillips Funeral Home.
+ Profits at BYD increased more than than 100 percent over one year earlier, scoring the fastest growth in nearly two years for the Chinese electric vehicle market leader. More at Yahoo! Finance.
+ White House sources confirmed that President Trump is considering some tariff exemptions for U.S. automakers who source their components from China and elsewhere. More at CBT News.
+ The organizers of the new Spanish Grand Prix venue in Madrid unveiled the final circuit layout with 22 turns, including a severely banked corner named La Monumental. More at Autosport.
+ A survey by iSeeCars.com has identified the 30 vehicles most likely to go 250,000 miles, with the list dominated by Toyota, Honda, Chevy, and GMC pickups and SUVs. More at Autoweek.
+ Alphabet’s Waymo self-driving taxicabs may become available for private purchase for personal use, CEO Sundar Pichai said in a post-earnings report conference call. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Nissan has officially scrapped its plans to build two electric sedans in the United States, one for its main brand and another for Infiniti, as it shifts its focus to electric SUVs. More at Autoblog.
+ The Mazda EZ-60, a new midsize electric SUV developed with partner Changan, recorded 10,060 pre-orders within 48 hours of its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show. More at CarNewsChina.
+ In Rockport, Massachusetts, a bird identified as a pileated woodpecker has destroyed the outside mirrors on at least 25 vehicles, mistaking the reflected image for a rival. More at The Drive.
+ Slate unveiled its basic EV pickup, which it plans to produce in the USA starting in late 2026 with an entry price of less than $20,000 including the $7,500 federal tax credit. More at Car and Driver.
+ Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Brittany Force ran 341.59 mph at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, smashing the previous Top Fuel speed record of 338.94 MPH. More at Dragzine.
Photo courtesy of Slate.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from April 25 here.
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