This 1955 Mercedes 300SL alloy gullwing coupe was the top seller of Arizona Auction Week at $6.825 million. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines: 

+   General Motors CEO and chairwoman Mary Barra told investors this week that the company plans to deliver 400,000 electric cars and trucks by the end of 2023. More at Car and Driver. 

+   Ford Motor Company reports that its 2022 operating profit could rise as much as 25 percent, driven by solid North American demand and a strong vehicle pricing environment. More at Reuters. 

+   Under new federal guidance, states can now tap billions more highway dollars for roadway safety programs, including automated cameras for speed limit enforcement. More at Autoblog. 

+   The Alpine Formula 1 team has restructured its technical operation, promoting technical director Pat Fry to chief technical officer and filling his former slot with Matt Harman. More at Autosport. 

+   The shutdown of the 3G cellular communications network is reportedly causing some electric vehicle charging stations lose their internet connections and cease operating. More at The Drive. 

+   General Motors is discontinuing the Chevrolet Spark, its lowest-priced model and one of the few cars remaining in a product line dominated by SUVs and crossovers. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Shares of Electric Last Mile Solutions plummeted by more than 50 percent after the EV start-up’s chairman and CEO both suddenly resigned following an internal probe. More at CNBC. 

+   Arizona’s annual Auction Week show was a record setter with total sales of $266.7 million exceeding expectations and prices up an average of 33 percent over last year. More at ClassicCars.com Journal. 

+   The U.S. Postal Service deal with Oshkosh Defense for new mail trucks has been challenged by the Environmental Protection Agency, citing poor emissions and fuel economy. More at Motor Trend. 

+   NASCAR will debut its highly anticipated next-generation Cup car at the season opener this weekend on a temporary 1/4-mile track in the Los Angeles Coliseum. More at Jayski. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 31 here.