MCG Executive Briefing for February 16, 2015

Jaguar D-TypeOriginally owned by Finnish race driver and tennis star Curt Lincoln, this 1955 Jaguar D-Type will be one of the headliners at next month’s RM Auctions Amelia Island sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

 

Today’s headlines:

+   Apple Inc. reportedly is working on an electric vehicle with a staff of 200 directed by Steve Zadesky, vice president of iPhone product design. More at Bloomberg.com. 

+   Due to quality issues, Honda Motor Co. is backing away from its goal of selling 6 million cars a year by March 2017, says chief executive Takanobu Ito. More at Reuters. 

+   At the Chicago Auto Show, Ford showed off another example of its 600-horsepower 2016 Ford GT prototype, this one in sterling silver. More at MLive. 

+   Formula One team bosses at Mercedes and Red Bull are divided on whether to introduce new rules designed to make the racing more exciting in 2016 or 2017. More at BBC Sport. 

+   Britain began testing four types of driverless cars in four cities last week, launching the first official trials preceding a series of planned rule reviews. More at The Detroit News.

+   Livonia, Michigan-based TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. reported a record year in 2014, despite a decline in fourth quarter earnings. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.

+   Matt Kenseth avoided numerous big pileups and held off Martin Truex, Jr. to win the Sprint Unlimited in Daytona, kicking off the 2015 NASCAR season. More at NBC Sports.

+   At the Chicago Auto Show this past week, Toyota introduced a new fourth-generation Avalon full-sized sedan in five models, including a hybrid. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   The RM Auctions Amelia Island sale on March 14 will feature 100 lots, including 14 cars that are estimated to bring more than $1 million each. More at Sports Car Digest. 

For the previous Executive Briefing from February 13, click here. 

Have you joined Motor City Garage on Facebook? It’s big fun with rare photos, car lore, trivia, and great discussions! Click here to go the page and join MCG!…