This 1953 Fiat 8V Zagato Elaborata, one of only five made and boasting a fresh restoration, is among the early consignments to the Bonhams Scottsdale auction next month. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Tesla Motors Inc. will opt out of next month’s 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, while Aston Martin will return for the first time since 2009. More at The Detroit News.
+ Audi’s top engineer, Ulrich Hackenberg, has left the company two months after he was suspended in Volkswagen Group’s emissions scandal. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne said he will not launch a hostile buyout bid for rival General Motors, and will instead focus on a growth plan. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Jaguar Land Rover is in talks to purchase the historic Silverstone road racing circuit in Northamptonshire, England for a reported $35 million. More at the UK Telegraph.
+ A U.S. District judge in Miami rejected a bid by airbag manufacturer Takata and automaker Honda to dismiss a class-action lawsuit on behalf of millions of car owners. More at Reuters.
+ In 2016, North Vancouver, British Columbia will likely be the first city in the world to mandate warning stickers on gasoline station pumps to advise drivers about the dangers of climate change. More at Autoblog.
+ According to an Experian Automotive report, the automakers’ finance arms bankrolled 51.6 percent the new vehicle loans in the third quarter of 2015, up from 36.8 percent in Q3 2011. More at The Detroit Bureau.
+ McLaren has introduced a Spyder version of the 675LT supercar with a three-piece retractable roof, a price of $372,600, and a production run of 500 units. More at Motor Trend.
+ Early consignments to 2016 Bonhams Scottsdale auction on Jan. 28 include a broad assortment of classic German and Italian sports cars. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ Veteran team owner and former IndyCar series director Derrick Walker has been named president of SCCA Pro Racing, replacing the retiring Robert Clark. More at Racer.
Read the previous Executive Briefing from November 30 here.
Photo courtesy of Bonhams.