Sporting a mammoth 500 CID four-cylinder T-head engine, this 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat will be among the star attractions at the Elegance at Hershey concours on June 10-12. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ With Ford, Fiat Chrysler, and General Motors posting solid sales gains through the first quarter of 2016, the auto industry is poised for a second consecutive record year. More at The Detroit News.
+ Toyota’s Lexus division led the luxury category in sales for March, although the brand’s volume was down 2.8 percent versus the same period last year. More at Bloomberg.com.
+ Tesla Motors Inc. reports that orders for its new Model 3 electric sedan topped 253,000 units in the first 36 hours, representing more than $10 billion in eventual retail sales. More at VentureBeat.
+ Volkswagen is recalling 91,000 Passat sedans sold in the U.S. from 2012 through 2014 to fix inadequate electrical cable insulation that could cause short circuits. More at Reuters.
+ In a meeting at Bahrain, Formula 1 team and series bosses failed to agree on a revised qualifying procedure for 2016, tabling discussions until next week. More at BBC Sport.
+ Reneging on a pledge first made in April of 2014, Hyundai Motor has again delayed installing the popular Apple CarPlay feature in its Sonata midsize sedans. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Mercedes-Benz will manufacture the newly introduced GLC coupe at its Bremen plant in northwest Germany, adding 200 permanent jobs. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ After failing to get a class-action lawsuit dismissed, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick must go to court to face price fixing claims, a U.S. district court judge ruled. More at Engadget.
+ Feature attractions at the 2016 Elegance at Hershey show in June will include a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, a 1911 Olds Autocrat, and Fatty Arbuckle’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Inspired by fellow athletes Ken Stabler and Brandi Chastain, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and head injury survivor Dale Earnhardt Jr. has pledged to donate his brain to concussion research. More at Sporting News.
Read the previous Executive Briefing from April 1 here.
Photo by Bill McGuire for Mac’s Motor City Garage.