At $2.19 million, this 1957 BMW Roadster Series II was the top seller at the RM Sotheby’s Paris sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines:

+   Noteworthy product launches at the Chicago Auto Show include the refreshed 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, Mercedes-Benz Metris Weekender, and the Jeep Wrangler Mojave. More at Autoblog. 

+   In response to a dismal financial report, Ford is shaking up its top management, sending Joe Hinrichs into retirement and elevating Jim Farley to chief operating officer. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Ramping up its cost-cutting efforts, Daimler AG plans to eliminate 15,000 jobs and reduce staffing costs by $1.5 billion by the end of 2022, the business daily Handelsblatt reported. More at Reuters. 

+   Formula 1 managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn wants teams to eliminate their elaborate motorhomes, which he calls “gin palaces” and environmentally unsound. More at Motorsport.com. 

+   The U.S. Justice Department has dropped its antitrust investigation of Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, and Honda over their emissions agreement with the state of California. More at Car and Driver. 

 +   Volkswagen Group has postponed the resumption of production at its China joint-venture plants as the coronavirus continues to disrupt global auto manufacturing. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   The seventh annual RM Sotheby’s Paris sale at Place Vauban in France generated $18.09 million in total sales on 97 lots and an 80 percent sell-through rate. More at Classic Cars.com Journal. 

+   Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and Andy Levin (D-Michigan) have introduced legislation to develop a national EV charging network. More at CNET Roadshow. 

+   Toyota is expected to announce that it will offer the four-cylinder version of the Supra sports car in the North American market alongside the current six-cylinder model. More at The Drive. 

+   Erik Jones survived four wrecks in the final 22 laps and three overtime restarts to win the season-opening NASCAR Busch Clash at Daytona, in which only six cars finished. More at NBC Sports. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from February 7 here.

Photo by Tim Scott courtesy and copyright of RM Sotheby’s. 

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