This 1934 Packard Custom Cabriolet Victoria is expected to bring up to $4.5 million at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines: 

+   Volkswagens, Porsches, and 189 new Bentleys are among the cars aboard the Felicity Ace, a transport ship on fire and adrift in the Atlantic after the crew was safely rescued. More at The Drive. 

+   Nissan Motor Co. will build two battery-electric vehicles for the U.S. market, one branded as an Infiniti, at its plant in Canton, Mississippi, where it will invest $500 million. More at The Detroit News. 

+   According to data collected by Edmunds, 82.2 percent of new car buyers paid more than manufacturer sticker price in January, compared to .3 percent the same month last year. More at Autoblog. 

+   Formula 1 race director Michael Masi, under fire for his role in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy, has been removed from his position and replaced with two officials.  More at the UK Guardian.

+   Noted American satirist P.J. O’Rourke, a passionate car enthusiast who was known for his work in both National Lampoon and Car and Driver, has passed away at 74. More at Car and Driver. 

+   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is opening a formal investigation into 416,000 Tesla vehicles over reports of phantom braking in their Autopilot systems. More at Reuters. 

+   According to data from General Motors filed with the Environmental Protection Agency, the 2022 Hummer weighs more than 9000 lbs, with its battery accounting for 2923 lbs. More at Road & Track. 

+   Pre-war American classics and modern hypercars will be among the 80 “blue-chip” collector cars presented by RM Sotheby’s at its Amelia Island sale on March 5. More at ClassicCars.com Journal. 

+   In response to a question from a user on an internet discussion group, Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess replied that an electric Volkswagen pickup is a “good idea.” More at Motor Trend. 

+   After stepping away from a full-time ride in the IndyCar Series at the end of last year, Marco Andretti will attempt his 17th start in the Indy 500 this May for Andretti Autosport. More at NBC Sports. 

Photo courtesy and copyright RM Sotheby’s. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from February 14 here.