Part of the Orin Smith collection, this unique 1950 Allard K1/2 is set to cross the block with no reserve at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale on March 10-11. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

Today’s headlines:

+   New car loans delinquent more than 30 days are at an eight-year high, their greatest levels since the 2009 economic crisis and the auto industry crash. More at Reuters. 

+   To meet its fuel economy targets, General Motors is expanding its diesel lineup to 10 Chevrolet and GMC vehicles by 2018, led by the Chevy Cruze diesel rated at 52 mpg. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Ford is investing $200 million in an expanded vehicle research center, including a wind tunnel with a moving ground plane, adjacent to its current test facility in Allen Park, Michigan. More at Fortune. 

+   In advance of the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari has unveiled the 812 Superfast coupe, boasting a 789-horsepower V12 that makes it the company’s’ most powerful road car ever. More at Motor Trend. 

+   Veteran IndyCar team owner Dale Coyne warns that smaller teams are under increasing economic pressure and the series must work to contain costs. More at Racer. 

+   Tesla CEO Elon Musk has offered to pay for the repairs for a heroic Tesla owner who sacrificed his car to rescue another driver who was suffering a stroke. More at Mashable. 

+   Aston Martin expects a return to profitability in 2018, as the struggling automaker plans to boost revenues with renewed versions of its sports cars, says CEO Andy Palmer. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   German officials expect PSA Group’s proposed acquisition of General Motors’ Opel business to go ahead, with the U.S. carmaker working to allay fears of large-scale plant closures. More at Reuters. 

+   A one-of-a-kind, special-order 1950 Allard produced with a model K1 body on a K2 chassis will be among the featured attractions at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale. More at Hemmings Daily. 

+   Honda has filed a patent for a two-seat, mid-engine sports car with a motorcycle-type powerplant that is similar to its 2&4 concept vehicle unveiled in 2015. More at Autoblog. 

+   NASCAR has released the 42-car entry list for the Daytona 500 on February 26, which includes six former Cup champions, nine Daytona 500 winners, and six event rookies. More at Motorsport.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from February 13 here.

Photo by Darin Schnabel courtesy of RM Sotheby’s. 

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