For 2026, the Mustang Shelby GT350 will be offered in both a coupe and a convertible. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Ford is reportedly in discussions with the Chinese manufacturing giant BYD to supply batteries for some of the Detroit automaker’s hybrid vehicle models built outside the USA. More at EV.
+ In the fourth quarter of 2025, 29.3 percent of the trade-ins toward new vehicle purchases involved negative loan equity, according to new data from car website Edmunds. More at CNBC.
+ Interim Lucid Motors CEO Marc Winteroff says the EV maker has replaced virtually its entire software team following reports of numerous electronic glitches in the new Gravity SUV. More at The Drive.
+ After broad criticism of the playoffs formats in recent years, NASCAR is reverting to the Chase structure for 2026 with 16 drivers qualifying for the 10-race championship run. More at Yahoo! Sports.
+ In December, only 69 percent of new car buyers described the dealer purchasing experience as easy, with vehicle availability and price negotiation among the chief obstacles. More at CBT News.
+ Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng is targeting sales of 550,000 to 600,000 vehicles this year, which translates into a 28 to 40 percent increase from last year. More at World Auto Forum.
+ The Federal Trade Commission finalized an order General Motors Co. banning the company from disclosing personal vehicle data to consumer reporting agencies for five years. More at The Detroit News.
+ Tesla agreed to enter mediation that could resolve the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s lawsuit alleging a pattern of racial discrimination against workers. More at Westlaw.
+ Shelby American announced that the 2026 Mustang Shelby GT350 will be offered in both coupe and convertible models, with power by a 5.2-liter V8 with up to 800 horsepower. More at Car and Driver.
+ Australian Jack Doohan, who started six races for Alpine Formula 1 in 2026 before he was replaced by Franco Colapinto and was demoted to reserve driver, has been released. More at Racer.
Photo courtesy of Shelby American.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from January 12 here.
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> 29.3 percent of the trade-ins toward new vehicle purchases involved negative loan equity
You can’t fix stupid. Although they’re probably getting a better interest rate than the previous loan. But that won’t help if you booked it for 72 months.
> NASCAR is reverting to the Chase structure for 2026
Call me when season-long points decide the championship.
> only 69 percent of new car buyers described the dealer purchasing experience as easy
That actually sounds like a good number to me. I wish you could still spec a car off a list of options instead of having to take whatever the dealer and manufacturer were pushing for maximum markup. Even the experienced get frustrated with car salesmen. Too bad we can’t dump the ADA and buy online.
> banning the company from disclosing personal vehicle data
Five whole years? Thanks for nuthin’.