MCG Executive Briefing for December 26, 2014

1960 Pininfarina XWith its novel 1-2-1 diamond chassis layout, the 1960 Pininfarina X is one of Italy’s most distinctive concept cars. Now it’s going on the auction block at Barrett-Jackson next month with no reserve. Get all the latest car biz news in the Executive Briefing.       

 

 

Today’s headlines:

+   In a management shake-up at embattled airbag maker Takata, president Stephen Stocker has been replaced by Chairman Shigehisa Takada, whose family controls the corporation. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Automobile magazine reports that Cadillac’s 2016 CT6 flagship sedan, based on the full-size, rear-drive Omega platform, will feature an aluminum body. More at Automobile. 

+   Two high-profile classic car events, Akron’s Stan Hywet Concours and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Celebration of Automobiles, have been cancelled for 2015. More at Hemmings Daily. 

+   Subaru has abandoned plans to produce the XV Crosstrek in America at its Lafayette, Indiana plant and will instead assemble the SUV in Gunma, Japan. More at Reuters. 

+   Ex-Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has hit back at boss Sergio Marchionne’s critique of the Formula One team’s “disastrous” 2014 season. More at ESPN. 

+   Renault has uncloaked the Lodgy, a seven-seat MPV with 85 hp diesel, it plans to introduce in the burgeoning India market in 2015. More at Automotive Business Review.

+   Former NASCAR driver Tyler Walker pleaded guilty in a Utah court to multiple felony charges stemming from a high-speed police chase through two states. More at USA Today.

+   Porsche is recalling its 918 sports car to repair an unspecified defect in the $845,000 hybrid’s front suspension hardware. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   Italy’s famed Autodromo Nazionale Monza, home of the F1 Italian Grand Prix, is in jeopardy after legislators eliminated a tax exemption worth 20 million Euros. More at NBC Sports. 

+   Held in Pininfarina’s private car collection until 2007, the diamond-layout 1960 Pininfarina X concept will be offered at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Jan. 10-18, where it could bring millions. More at Hemmings Daily.

For the previous Executive Briefing from December 22, click here. 

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4 thoughts on “MCG Executive Briefing for December 26, 2014

  1. The X is a wonderfully weird idea; I bet the handling was weird too, especially on undulating bends. Any chance we might get a closer look at some stage?

  2. I challenge the buyer of the Pinifarina X to an autocross duel with my Davis. Even with one less wheel, I’m confident in the Frank Kurtis designed suspension. I think.

    • Now that’d be a race to see… Not being familiar with the Davis, I had to look it up and was surprised by its size. Not unattractive either. But while the Brits built small 3 wheelers as a way of sidestepping licensing costs for cars (3 wheelers were classed as motorcycles) I’m curious as to the reasoning behind cars like the Davis. Aerodynamics maybe?

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