Kia confirmed that its first pickup, the Tasman, won’t be coming to North America. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a bid by fuel producers to challenge California’s standards for vehicle emissions and EVs under a federal air-pollution law. More at the Guardian.
+ In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Expresso, former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has broken his silence on his departure from the company, calling it “amicable.” More at CBT News.
+ Ford CEO Jim Farley says his leadership team is carefully watching for policy changes from the new administration in Washington but the company is well-positioned. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Rwanda president Paul Kagame has confirmed his country is bidding to host a grand prix race and said “good progress” has been made in its discussions with Formula 1 officials. More at ESPN.
+ Hearst Magazines, publisher of Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Popular Mechanics magazines, has acquired MotorTrend Group, which produces Motor Trend and Hot Rod. More at MSN.
+ The Italian government is willing to work with Stellantis on the carmaker’s future strategy if it keeps jobs and factories in the country, said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. More at Yahoo! Finance.
+ Renault unveiled the 5 Turbo 3E, a 500-hp electric hatchback with twin motors driving the rear wheels that pays tribute to the Renault 5 Turbo rally cars of the 1980s. More at Car and Driver.
+ Kia has confirmed that its first pickup truck, the Tasman, will not be sold in North America but instead will be offered in South Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. More at Autoblog.
+ Porsche is recalling 2,491 Macan electric crossovers because their headlights are too bright, which can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers and place others in danger. More at Motor Authority.
+ Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the series of rejecting its purchase of another Cup charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. More at Jayski.
Photo courtesy of Kia.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from December 13 here.
Join Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook and X (Twitter) to receive notices when every new story is published.