A Porsche 917K once owned by Jo Siffert and featured in Steve McQueen’s movie Le Mans sold for a record $14.08 million at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is studying a plan to spin off its upscale Maserati and Alfa Romeo brands as well as its parts divisions including Magneti Marelli. More at Bloomberg News.
+ In a move to boost flagging sales, Ford Motor Company has appointed Jason Luo, current boss of Chinese parts maker Key Safety Systems, to manage its China operations. More at Reuters.
+ Future Audi vehicles could have glass roof panels with integrated solar cells, a feature under development by Alta Devices, a division of the Chinese solar company Hanergy. More at Motor Trend.
+ Don Nichols, the American founder of the Shadow Racing team that rose to prominence in Formula 1 and Can-Am during the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 92. More at Racer.
+ Global electronics manufacturer LG will open a $25 million plant in Hazel Park, Michigan where it will make components for electric vehicles. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Porsche is teasing a rendering and video of its next-generation Cayenne SUV in advance of the formal unveiling next month in a live streaming event from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. More at Autoblog.
+ In a campaign to attract one million new riders, Harley-Davidson has unveiled eight redesigned Softail motorcycles for 2018, its largest product-development program ever. More at USA Today.
+ Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have entered discussions on a partnership to manufacture light-utility vehicles, says a source close to the project. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ A Porsche 917K featured in the movie Le Mans was among a top 10 list of multi-million-dollar sellers at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ McLaren driver Fernando Alonso has no confidence in Honda’s ability to produce a competitive engine in 2018, says Honda Formula 1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa. More at BBC Sports.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from August 21 here.
Photo by Jensen Sutta, copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company.
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Sergio is certainly keeping busy hiking the stock price recently.