Support events for the Indianapolis 500 this May will include a special celebration for the cars of the Indy roadster era. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ The German government is considering the creation of a joint fund with the nation’s automakers to finance advanced emissions system retrofits for diesel vehicles. More at The New York Times.
+ The South Korean government urged General Motors of Korea and its labor leaders to reach a wage deal swiftly as tensions rise and the company’s financial state worsens. More at Reuters.
+ U.S. sales of the Chevrolet Camaro fell by 25 percent in March to 5,245 units, continuing a 23 percent decline for the year and posting third to Mustang and Challenger. More at GM Authority.
+ Williams Formula 1 deputy team principal Claire Williams says the new blueprint laid out by series owner Liberty Media for 2020 can help to secure her company’s future. More at ESPN.
+ Michigan-based American Axle and Manufacturing has formed a joint venture with Chinese supplier Liuzhou Wuling Automobile to produce SUV components in Guangxi Province. More at The Detroit News.
+ Bonhams will offer vehicles from the personal collection of Carroll Shelby, including a number of Chrysler Shelby prototypes, at its annual Greenwich auction on June 3. More at Autoblog.
+ Volkswagen Group has canceled all its contracts with Prevent Group, a Bosnian parts supplier that halted production at several VW plants when it failed to deliver. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Legends Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 26 will include a special celebration for the cars of the classic Indy roadster era. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ NASCAR has taken six cars from this past weekend’s Monster Cup race at Texas, including entries from Hendrick, Penske, Ganassi, and Gibbs, for wind tunnel evaluation. More at Racer.
+ The U.S. government is reviewing allegations that defective Goodyear motorhome tires caused crashes that killed or injured 95 people during the past two decades. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Online entertainment service Spotify is reportedly planning to offer an in-car music player with built-in 4G and a monthly subscription fee, though the company has declined comment. More at Engadget.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from April 6 here.
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GM just committed the Camaro to NASCAR as a replacement for the SS and will be reluctant to drop the car now. Nor can they do a radical reboot and need to collect all that aerodynamic data over again. Maybe they thought it would help sell it, but a long time has passed since they were “stock cars”.
In NASCAR, the cars are so similar now I doubt if there will be much difference in the wind tunnel between the makes. I suspect the differences are between teams.