A 1930 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe with rare bodywork by Lancefield is expected to bring $1 million to $1.8 million at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale in March. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Ford has registered 1,442 patents this year, a 25 precent increase from 2015 and the most among the major automakers in the United States. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ German automaker Daimler is set to become the largest and most profitable luxury car maker in 2016, surpassing BMW and Audi, says CEO Dieter Zietsche. More at Reuters.
+ The European Union has begun legal action against Germany and six other member states for failing to police emissions test cheating by automakers. More at MSN Money.
+ Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been given medical clearance to return to the cockpit, six months after the Hendrick Motorsports driver was sidelined with concussion symptoms. More at Racer.
+ According to a new study from the American Automobile Association, exhaustion and lack of sleep are a factor in one of five fatal automobile crashes. More at Autoblog.
+ Toyota is teasing a photo of part of the fifth-generation Lexus LS sedan it plans to reveal in January at the North American International Auto Show. More at the The Detroit News.
+ The Federal Trade Commission seeks to question U.S. officials at Volkswagen Group about 23 mobile phones that were destroyed amid the diesel emissions cheating probe. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Pricing has been announced for the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia lineup, with the base model listed at $38,999 and the deluxe high-performance Quadrifoglio stickered at $73,595. More at Motor Trend.
+ A rare 1930 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe with coachwork by Lancefield will be a among the featured attractions at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale on March 11. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Max Chilton of England will return to Chip Ganassi Racing next season as the fourth IndyCar driver for the team, joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Charlie Kimball. More at ESPN.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from December 5 here.
Photo by Theo Civitello courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
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