Restored by Joe Germann, this famed Canadian Falcon drag racer from the ’60s is expected to bring up to $145,000 at the Owls Head New England Auto Auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Volkswagen will cut hours for 10,000 workers at three plants in Germany due to a lack of iron castings from key supplier ES Automobilguss. More at Reuters.
+ Harley-Davidson Inc. agreed to pay $15 million to settle a U.S. government complaint over tuning software that caused its motorcycles to exceed emissions standards. More at The Detroit News.
+ Veteran motorsports executive John Cooper, who served as president of both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway, has died at 83. More at the Indianapolis Star.
+ Shortly before the opening of its new plant in Mexico, Audi has replaced human resources chief Mattias Rust, according to a German media report. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Colin Neale, noted auto designer for Briggs, Ford, and Chrysler whose credits include the Ford Consul Capri, has passed away at 89 in his Northville, Michigan home. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ At Monterey Classic Car Week, Mercedes unveiled the fabulous Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, an 18-feet long all-electric coupe concept with 738 hp. More at Motor Trend.
+ Global supplier Mahle Powertrain is opening a new North American headquarters in Plymouth, Michigan later this year as part of a $16 million expansion. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ New U.S. emissions and fuel efficiency standards going into effect in 2021 for medium and heavy-duty trucks are expected to save two billion gallons of oil over six years. More at Autoblog.
+ Former General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has written a scathing rebuke of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and has pledged to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton in November. More at MLive.
+ A famed Canadian match-racing star of the 1960s, the Wild Child Falcon, will will cross the block at this weekend’s Owls Head New England Auto Auction. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Hendrick Motorsports has signed current NASCAR truck series points leader William Byron, 18, to compete next year in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports. More at Motorsport.com.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from August 15 here.
Photo courtesy of Joe Germann.
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I am not certain anyone cares what Ackerson thinks…..
I am certain no one cares what Akerson thinks.
The auto industry cares a great deal what Trump thinks, as his ideas would destroy it.
It’s not surprising that one of the top recipients of government corporate largess is concerned that the teat may be turned off.
I wonder how he would feel if it was his job that got shipped out of the country.
Akerson, a lifelong Republican. was brought in from outside to clean up GM and then left. Trump would destroy the American auto industry, starting with his asinine 40 percent tariff on Mexican imports. Trump knows less than nothing about manufacturing or global trade. He’s a clown with a reality show.
GM went bankrupt once. Trump went bankrupt four times, stiffing thousands of suppliers, and he’s still flying around in his private jet with his name on the side, giving them the finger. Trump has no honor and no shame.