MCG Executive Briefing for February 16, 2018

Mercedes-Benz is teasing photos of the new AMG GT in the wind tunnel before its official debut in Geneva next month. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.   

 

 

Today’s Headlines: 

 Global car and light truck sales should hit a record 97.3 million units this year, despite a second straight annual drop in North America, according to an LMC Automotive forecast. More at Bloomberg.com. 

+   Renault’s board has nominated CEO Carlos Ghosn for another four years in the top post and appointed Thierry Bollore as his new second in command. More at Automotive News Europe. 

 Mercedes-Benz has released photos of the new AMG GT in wind tunnel testing in advance of the four-door coupe’s official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. More at Motor Trend.

+   General Motors announced it will close an underutilized factory in Gunsan, South Korea, by the end of May as the automaker continues to adjust its global footprint. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   Dutch Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen says he is not looking forward to the debut of his 2018 Red Bull RB14 next week due to its “very ugly” halo safety device. More at Motorsport Week. 

+   President Donald Trump signaled that he is willing to support a 25-cent increase in the federal gasoline tax to help pay for the nation’s infrastructure rebuilding projects. More at The Detroit News.  

+   Traffic fatalities in the United States fell slightly to 40,100 in 2017, but highway experts see troubling trends offsetting the advances in vehicle safety systems. More at CNBC. 

 The century-old former Janesville, Wisconsin General Motors plant, originally constructed to produce tractors and closed in 2009, will be demolished one year ahead of schedule. More at Hemmings Daily.  

+   Buick has taken over third place behind Lexus and Porsche in the JD Power 2018 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, claiming the spot formerly held by Toyota. More at USA Today. 

+   Perennial Indy 500 entrant Dreyer & Reinbold Racing says it will have two top IndyCar drivers on board for the 2018 race, to be announced in the next few weeks. More at Motorsport.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from February 12 here. 

Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz. 

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