Analysts project that China became the world’s largest automaker in 2025, producing 27 million cars. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Hyundai of Korea will not exercise its soon-to-expire option to buy back its assembly plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, which it sold following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Tesla deliveries are expected to decline in the fourth quarter, as the loss of U.S. tax credits and rising global competition sap demand despite the launch of lower-priced models. More at MSN News.
+ A new Subaru WRX STI performance model will be revealed on January 9, according to a teaser video the company recently posted to its Japanese social media accounts. More at Car and Driver.
+ Dennis Hamlin, the father of NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, was killed in a house fire in Stanley, North Carolina, while the driver’s mother, Mary Lou Hamlin, received severe burns. More at NBC News.
+ A standoff is emerging between Senator Ted Cruz and the Detroit three automakers over whether their chief executives will testify at a planned Senate hearing on vehicle affordability. More at CBT News.
+ James Moylan, the veteran Ford interior trim designer who invented the arrow on the fuel gauge to indicate on which side of the car the filler is located, has passed away at 80. More at Autoweek.
+ Stellantis is returning the high-performance Ram TRX to market for 2027 with SRT badging, 36-inch tires, and a supercharged 6.2-liter hemi V8 with 777 hp and 680 lb-ft of torque. More at Motor Illustrated.
+ The Colorado Department of Transportation has completed the I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass project to allow large animals to pass safely over the six-lane Interstate. More at The Drive.
+ Analysts are projecting that China became the world’s largest auto manufacturer in 2025, producing 27 million cars to Japan’s 25 million, propelled by electric vehicle sales. More at Autoblog.
+ Mick Schumacher, son of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, will receive his first test on an oval track with Rahal-Letterman-Lonigan Racing at Miami-Homestead Speedway. More at Racer.
Photo courtesy of BYD.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from December 29 here.
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Happy New Year!
According to online media, “big 3″ CEO’s are balking at Sen. Cruz’s latest dog & pony show because Tesla only has to send a V.P. not Elon hisself. Cruz’s office said his committee expects all three Detroit automakers to participate in his hearing titled “Pedal to the Policy: The Views of the American Auto Industry on the Upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization”.
Looks to me like just another act in the post-modern private equity fantasy replacing humans drivers with artificial reality no matter the consequences. The smoke, mirrors and free money bankrolling this one coutresy of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (of course.)..
I believe we are now in the pre-post-post-modern era–please respond accordingly.
Of course Ted Cruz’ knowledge of affordable cars is limited to getting the cheapest Mexican-spec rental at Cancun airport.
Self-driving cable boxes for every class of highway vehicle, powered by the midnight sun harvested in the dark doldrums of Ohio & the northern latitudes. Never mind those pesky laws of thermodynamics because emergency obstacle avoidance manuers, occupant egress, school bus & railroad crossing detection are usually available optional at extra cost, see your dealer for details, quantities limited…