This 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta will be the headliner at the Gooding Christie’s Retromobile auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s headlines: 

+   Plans to impose an effective ban on selling new cars with combustion engines in the European Union are being abandoned, according to Manfred Weber, president of the EPP. More at MSN News. 

+   Honda is scheduled to release a hybrid vehicle model and electric vehicle model equipped with AI-enabled self-driving technology in Japan sometime in fiscal 2027, More at The Detroit News. 

+   Used-vehicle inventory levels rose for the fourth consecutive month at the start of December, reaching a new high for 2025, according to data supplied by Cox Automotive. More at CBT News.  

+   The 2026 Concorde Governance Agreement has been signed by the FIA, Formula 1 and its 11 teams, enabling further investment in race regulation, directing, and stewarding. More at Racer. 

+   Stellantis has unveiled the Wrangler Whitecap, the second of 12 special editions to commemorate the Jeep brand’s 85th anniversary, for the Sahara and Rubicon trim levels. More at Motor Illustrated. 

+   A six-car collection of exceptional Mercedes-Benz sports cars, including two 300SLs, from a European enthusiast will be offered at the RM Sotheby’s Paris Retromobile sale. More at Autoblog. 

+   Renault is shutting down its car‑sharing services and slowing the rollout of fast‑charging stations at its Mobilize unit to focus its efforts on its most profitable operations. More at World Auto Forum. 

+   The Volkswagen Group sold its majority share in the design firm Italdesign to a U.S.-based tech and AI company but is maintaining a stake through its Lamborghini unit. More at Car and Driver. 

+   An important early-production Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, chassis 2177 GT, will be the headliner at the Gooding Christie’s Paris Retromobile auction on January 29. More at Old Cars.

+   Analysts estimate that the value of NASCAR Cup team charters may have doubled to $90 million following the NASCAR antitrust settlement in which charters became permanent. More at Jayski. 

Photo by Mathieu Heurtault copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. 

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from December 12 here. 

Join Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook and X to receive notices when every new story is published.