In 1966, kustomizer George Barris created the famed TV Batmobile from a castoff Lincoln showcar. This past weekend he sold it for $4.2 million. See this car biz news and more in today’s Executive Briefing.
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+ Alfa Romeo will re-enter the U.S. market in late 2013 with the new 4C sports car. More here at the Detroit Bureau.
+ Production remains halted at Ford’s Genk, Belgium plant due to worker protests. More here at Bloomberg. com.
+ Quarterly profits at Johnson Controls slipped 17 percent as the parts supplier predicted further declines due to weak sales in Europe. More here at Reuters.
+ At the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale this past weekend, the original George Barris Batmobile from the 1966 television show hammered down for $4.2 million. More here at Speed TV.
+ Driving an X-raid Mini, Stephane Peterhansel of France has won the Dakar Rally for the 11th time. More here at ESPN.
+ Honda is recalling 750,00 Pilot crossovers and Odyssey minivans to correct airbag defects. More here at NBC News.
+ Fiat and Mazda will team up to produce an Alfa Romeo two-place roadster based on the next-gen Miata MX-5 platform at Mazda’s Hiroshima, Japan plant. More here at USA Today.
+ Aric Almirola in a Petty Ford turned the fastest lap at the rain-shortened pre-season NASCAR Sprint Cup test at Charlotte. More here at NewsObserver.com.
For the previous Executive Briefing from Jan. 18, click here.
I’ve seen the Batmobile and to me it’s an old pile of junk. Maybe it’s a generational thing.
Witch! Burn her! …actually, I sort of agree. Okay, it’s fun, but $4.2 million? Whatever.
Wild fifties Ford concept car, Hollywood movie car and cultural icon. If I had $4.3 million, it would be headed to Akron.
Good news on the Alfa 4C, if the marque’s return becomes reality this time around. Funny how Marchione says it has to have a “wop engine” while, at the same time, he’s planning on having Mazda build a roadster.
That was something a reversal by Sergio, who not long ago said no way.