One of the earliest Alfa Romeos known to exist, this 1921 G1 will be among the featured attractions at the 2018 RM Sotheby’s Arizona auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

Today’s headlines:

+   Despite its diesel emissions troubles, Volkswagen Group will report excellent financial results for 2017, CEO Matthias Mueller told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. More at Automotive News Europe.

+   Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ U.S. unit announced that it will recall 1.8 million trucks equipped with column shifters to repair a BTSI (brake transmission shift interlock) defect. More at CNBC. 

+   Buyers of the Luxury brands Tesla, Porsche, and Genesis ranked their cars at the top in a customer satisfaction survey by Consumer Reports, while Acura ranked at the bottom. More at USA Today. 

+   The IndyCar Series competition team has revamped the points-scoring policy for the Indianapolis 500, limiting the points awarded for qualifying to the top nine drivers. More at Racer. 

+   Ford confirmed that its hardcore Ranger Raptor off-road truck for the Australian market  will debut with 2.0-liter turbodiesel power debut in Bangkok on February 7. More at Motor Trend.  

+   For its play in the expanding electric vehicle market, Japanese spark plug maker NGK is investing in the development of ceramic-based solid-state batteries. More at Autoweek. 

+   With plans to enter the American market in 2019, China-based GAC Motor will introduce an electric vehicle concept at the North American International Auto Show in January. More at Autoblog. 

+   Retired United Auto Workers Vice President Joe Ashton, who resigned from General Motors’ board amid a grand jury investigation, has hired a criminal defense lawyer. More at The Detroit News. 

+   The 2018 RM Sotheby’s Arizona auction on January 18-19 will feature a private California collection of 11 vehicles billed as “A Century of Sports Cars.” More at Sports Car Digest.

+   Formula E winner Antonio Felix da Costa and F3 ace Ferdinand Habsburg have joined the Jackie Chan DC Racing Jota line-up for the 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona. More at Motorsport.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from December 22 here. 

Photo by Robin Adams courtesy of RM Sotheby’s. 

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