MCG Executive Briefing for February 20, 2017

This 1938 Bentley by Partout is one of five aerodynamic coupes from the collection of Arturo and Deborah Keller that will be on display at the Concours d’Elegance of America in July. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

 

Today’s headlines:

+   PSA Group has promised the German government that it will keep all four Opel plants there running as part of the French carmaker’s proposed $2 billion buyout of the General Motors division. More at Reuters. 

+   In a joint venture with ride-sharing partner Lyft, General Motors is planning to deploy thousands of self-driving Chevy Bolt electric cars in test fleets starting in 2018. More at Motor Trend. 

+   BMW is recalling more than 19,000 i3 REx plug-in hybrids in the U.S. to repair a potential fuel line vapor leak that could cause a fire. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Formula 1 engine supplier Renault was “there or thereabouts” in comparison to Ferrari in engine power last year, according to chief technical officer Bob Bell. More at Motorsport.com. 

+   Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will lay off 3,200 workers in April as part of its $700 million plan to retool the Toledo plant to produce the next-generation  Jeep Wrangler. More at USA Today. 

+   At the end of February, General Motors will permanently close ordering on the phased-out Chevrolet SS, its Holden-based rear-drive sedan with 415 hp. More at Autoblog.

+   Audi dealers in China are demanding $4 billion to cover losses over the past three years that they blame on the automaker adding too many distributors. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   The share price of car-buying website TrueCar jumped 14 percent when the company posted a lower than expected loss for the fourth quarter of 2016. More at CNBC.

+   The Concours d’Elegance of America on July 30 will recognize Arturo and Deborah Keller as Collectors of the Year with a display of five aerodynamic coupes from their collection. More at Hemmings Daily. 

+   Dodging a last-lap crash, Joey Logano won the Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway to open the 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup season. More at Fox Sports. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from February 17 here.

Photo courtesy of Bentley. 

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