In advance of the Chicago Auto Show, Subaru has released a teaser photo of the 2015 Legacy sedan that looks a lot like the Legacy concept (above) unveiled last November. Get all the latest car biz news in the Executive Briefing.
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+ Pat Garlits, wife of drag racing legend Don “Big Daddy” Don Garlits for nearly 61 years, has passed away. More at Bangshift.com.
+ Ford will invest $80 million at its Lousville, Kentucky truck plant to meet the increasing demand for F-Series Super Duty models. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ Subaru is teasing a shadowy image of the production 2015 Legacy sedan in advance of the Chicago Auto Show later this week. More at The Detroit Bureau.
+ Fiat will introduce a Jeep-branded small SUV at the Geneva Auto Show in March and the 500X crossover at the Paris Motor Show in October. More at Reuters.
+ Formula One manager Ross Brawn ended months of speculation over his future by confirming that his retirement is permanent. More at The UK Telegraph.
+ United Auto Workers vice president General Holiefield has taken a leave of absence one month after he accidentally shot his wife in their Harrison Township, Michigan home. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Mitsubishi Motors is overhauling its top executive ranks in Japan, with managing director Tetsuro Aikawa replacing Osamu Masuko as president. More at USA Today.
+ The Interlagos, Brazil round of the FIA World Endurance Championship for sports cars has been rescheduled from August to season’s end in November. More at NBC Sports.
+ European police agencies reportedly are working on a program to equip all new production vehicles with remote disabling systems. More at Motor Trend.
+ Government subsidies to Australia’s auto manufacturing industry, including Toyota, should be ended in 2020, reports a government commission. More at Bloomberg.com.
For the previous Executive Briefing from January 31, click here.
Thanks to MCG for breaking the news of Pat Garlits to me. I think we all knew she was sick for a while, but sad just the same. I saw an interview with “Big Daddy” a while back, and he said , if it wasn’t for Pat, the rear engine dragster might not have happened, or been severely delayed. After Swamp Rat Xlll broke in half, almost taking Big Daddy’s foot off, he was designing a new front engine dragster, when Pat came in the shop, and read him the riot act. That’s when he designed the rear engine dragster.
Even that “new”( hardly) Subaru looks sad or pissed off. If you ask me, this is what new cars should look like. http://www.britishcarlinks.com/Copy%20of%20Bugeye.jpg
Some car company should have trademarked that rising side crease and rocker panel bulge motif. They could have closed the production lines for a decade and lived off royalties.
Some still do look like that
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/o2cls/MX5%20Stuff/04-mazda-mx-5-miata-spyder.jpg
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Pat Garlits. I had the opportunity to meet her on several occasions in drag racing and she was a gracious and lovely lady.