Honda is recalling 4.5 million cars from 2017-2020 to replace defective fuel pumps. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s headlines:

+   Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. are expected to increase from one to four percent  next year as the industry normalizes from the pandemic and supply chain problems. More at CNBC. 

+   General Motors reports that nearly half its U.S. Buick dealers took buyouts this year as many chose not to invest in EV equipment, reducing the network to 1,000 locations. More at the Detroit Free Press 

+   Tesla is facing an inquiry from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) to assess consumer complaints about rear lower control arm failures on its Model S and X vehicles. More at Reuters. 

+   Don Schumacher, a pioneer funny car racer of the ’60s who later built one of the most largest and most successful racing teams in NHRA history, has passed away at 79. More at Autoweek.  

+   Spy photographers have captured shots of camouflaged 2025 Bronco Sport protypes with features indicating that the next model will have greater offroad capabilities. More at Motor Authority. 

+   Hyundai Motor announced it plans to shut down two parts forging plants in South Korea next year as the automaker accelerates a shift away from internal-combustion vehicles. More at World Auto Forum. 

+   The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on Jan. 20-28 will feature the the Frank Tiegs collection of 28 American muscle cars, including a Hemi Superbird and a Yenko Camaro. More at ClassicCars.com Journal. 

+   Honda is recalling 4.5 million Honda and Acura cars from the 2017 through 2020 model years, including all 2.5 million sold in the USA, to replace defective electric fuel pumps. More at  Autoblog.

+   The Biden administration is lending its support to an auto industry effort to standardize Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector for all EVs in the USA. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner says the RB20 race car for 2024 will be “evolution, not revolution” as the team expects to see RB19 clones from its rivals. More at Motorsport.com. 

Photo courtesy of Honda.

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from December 18 here. 

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