Prewar offerings at the Bonhams Scottsdale auction next week will include this 1928 Mercedes-Benz Supercharged Sports Tourer, which is expected to fetch up to $6 million. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Volkswagen will plead guilty in the U.S. to conspiracy and obstruction of justice in the diesel emissions scandal, while six individual VW executives have also been charged. More at USA Today.
+ At the New York International Auto Show in April, Dodge will unveil a new Demon Challenger SRT with even more power than the current 707-hp Hellcat models. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Japan’s Takata Corp. is expected to plead guilty to criminal wrongdoing as part of a $1 billion settlement with the U.S. Justice Dept. over its handling of airbag failures. More at Reuters.
+ IndyCar management reports it is in talks with several automakers who could join the series as engine suppliers alongside current participants Honda and Chevrolet. More at Racer.
+ Ford President of the Americas Joe Hinrichs says the upcoming Ford Bronco sport utility vehicle will be “true to its heritage” with full off-road capabilities. More at Motor Trend.
+ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has charged Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with failure to disclose emissions-defeating features on its diesel-powered vehicles. More at The Detroit News.
+ NASCAR star Carl Edwards announced he will not drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2017 season for personal reasons, but declined to call his departure a retirement. More at Fox Sports.
+ Ford is recalling another 816,000 vehicles to replace defective Takata passenger airbags, including the 2005-2009 Mustang and the 2006-2006 Ford GT. More at Autoblog.
+ A 1928 Mercedes-Benz Type S and a 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C will be among the featured offerings at the 2017 Bonhams Scottsdale auction on January 19. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ Renault Formula 1 team principal Frederic Vasseur has left after one season, reportedly due to disagreements with Renault Sport managing director Cyril Abiteboul. More at BBC Sport.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 9 here.
Photo courtesy of Bonhams.
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