Called the winningest Shelby race car in history, this 1965 Mustang GT350R will be among the featured consignments at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in January. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s headlines: 

+   Ford CEO Jim Hackett says the automaker is reviewing its product portfolio as consumers show a preference for SUVs and crossovers with car-like fuel economy. More at Reuters. 

+   The new Mercedes Benz A-Class sedan arriving in autumn of 2018 is the right car at the right time for the American car market, says global sales chief Britta Seeger. More at Motor1. 

+   With a dramatic helicopter drop at Texas Motor Speedway, Chevrolet previewed the 2019 Silverado pickup in advance of its official introduction in Detroit next month. More at Motor Trend. 

+   NASCAR is still awaiting a renewal of its title sponsorship deal with Monster Energy, which has been granted an extension of its December deadline with the racing body. More at Jayski. 

+   Aston Martin’s owners have hired the International investment bank Lazard Ltd. to prepare the British sports-car maker for a stock market listing or private sale. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   Volkswagen is planning a family of SUVs and crossovers based on the Atlas three-row crossover platform, says Hinrich Woebcken of Volkswagen North America. More at Autoblog. 

+   Indiana Drag racer Bob Glidden, who amassed 10 championships and 85 national victories in NHRA Pro Stock competition, has passed away at 73. More at NHRA. 

+   Penske Automotive Group has agreed to acquire The Car People, a UK-based retailer of used vehicles with four locations and annual volume of 18,000 vehicles. More at Automotive Business Review. 

+   Featured consignments at the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 13-21 will include a Shelby GT350R driven to numerous victories by Charlie Kemp. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.

+   The Williams Formula 1 team will delay until January its selection of a driver to partner with second-year pilot Lance Stoll, with Sergey Sirotkin and Robert Kubica named as leading candidates. More at Racer. 

+   Continuing its recent expansions, the Deshler Group of Livonia, Michigan has acquired the Ferndale, Michigan brake supplier Unibond LLC in a $3 million deal. More at Crain’s Detroit Business. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from December 15 here. 

Photo courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.  

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