On the eve of this week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Buick unveiled two new cars: the 2016 Cascada convertible and this flagship sedan concept called the Avenir. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Daimler AG chief executive Dieter Zetsche says the company’s Mercedes brand will introduce four new or redesigned sport utility vehicles in 2015. More at Reuters.
+ The Indian auto industry posted a 9 percent growth rate in 2014, with passenger vehicles scoring a 12.41 percent increase for the year. More at Autocar Professional.
+ Transgender people in Russia are prohibited from driving under new regulations that describe such individuals as having “sexual disorders.” More at the UK The Guardian.
+ Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, 30, is in line to become the sport’s most highly paid driver with a new $38 million annual deal from Mercedes. More at the UK Daily Star.
+ This week in Detroit, General Motors is expected to unveil the Chevrolet Bolt, a $30,000 battery-electric sedan with a range of 200 miles. More at Motor Trend.
+ FCA US (formerly known as Chrysler) will debut a new custom ordering system for the Dodge Viper with greatly enhanced paint, interior, wheel, and aero trim options. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Volkswagen AG delivered more than 10 million vehicles in 2014, reaching the target four years ahead of schedule thanks to strong sales in China. More at Bloomberg.com.
+ On the eve of the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Buick unveiled two new models: the 2016 Cascada convertible and the Avenir sedan concept. More at The Detroit News.
+ Pioneering CART safety team member Dave Hollander, known on race control radio as Safety 2, has passed away at 66 due to cancer. More at Racer.
For the previous Executive Briefing from January 9, click here.
I kinda’ like the Cascada despite the fact that it’s a Buick built in Poland. Either Buick is changing or I’m just getting old.
Chevy Bolt, at first I thought that was a fairly humorous typo until read the article. However I don’t see the value in a $30,000 car that you can’t drive more than 25 miles from home.
This is OT but, I keep seeing that Chevy truck ad where they tout the fact that Chevy trucks are made with “Rolled” steel. I’m not sure what they are trying to say. That all new Chevy Trucks are Roll formed ? I don’t think so. All new Chevy trucks are NOT a casting or machined from billet? I doubt that too. If they are trying to say their trucks are made using HSLA sheet steel or AHSS sheet steel, their ads don’t really say that either.
Maybe they’re saying you shouldn’t allow advertising wanks anywhere near engineering concepts they know nothing about.