MCG Executive Briefing for January 26, 2018

This custom built 1965 Corvette cutaway demonstrator brought $1.1 million at last week’s Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

 

Today’s Headlines: 

+   Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reported that its net profit for 2017 nearly doubled over the previous year to $4.35 billion, compared to Ford’s gain of 65 percent to $7.6 Billion. More at The Detroit News. 

 Opel, now owned by PSA Group, is threatening to move production of the Corsa from its Zaragoza, Spain plant after failing to reach a deal with unions over wages and hours. More at Automotive News Europe. 

 Hyundai has released a teaser photograph of the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe crossover in advance of the official introduction at the Geneva Auto Show in March. More at Motor Trend. 

+   NASCAR has responded to driver Kyle Busch calling the marketing program for younger drivers “stupid,” breaking down the strategy behind the promotional campaign. More at Racer. 

 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a California crash in which a fire truck was struck by a Tesla S with its Autopilot feature engaged.  More at CNBC. 

+   Ford announced that it is buying two startup companies that specialize in mobility services to empower the automaker in the big push to autonomous vehicles. More  at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   New Center Stamping Co. has named Ray Fernandez as its new president, replacing founder Greg Smith, who becomes chairman and CEO of the Detroit auto supplier. More at Crain’s Detroit Business. 

+   Big-ticket sales at the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction included a 1970 GTO Judge at $440,000 and a 1965 Corvette cutaway show car at $1.1 million. More at Hemmings Daily. 

+   A “baby Jeep” based on the Fiat Panda minicar platform and targeted for international markets could be in the works, says Mike Manley, head of Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep brand. More at Automobile. 

 The Force India and Sauber teams have dropped the complaint they made to the European Union Competitions Commission regarding Formula 1’s governance and payment structure. More at Motorsport.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 22 here. 

Photo by courtesy of Barrett-Jackson. 

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4 thoughts on “MCG Executive Briefing for January 26, 2018

  1. To heck with the Tesla, I want a fire truck. That photo shows not even a chip in the paint with a totaled Tesla wrapped around it.

    • Exactly what I was thinking! That truck is basically a tank.

      Oh, and isn’t this the second time a Tesla has had trouble with truck? Seems it still has trouble with elevated ride heights.

  2. Self driving vehicles should simply be banned, they are in reality quite dangerous. IF it could not see a bright red fire truck seemingly on a nice day they should all be pulled off the road and the autonomous crap removed in total before allowed back on the road.

  3. People don’t know enough of anything about how to operate and do simple maintenance now. And they certainly are losing the ability to drive due to all the driver assist items. What’s going to happen in a few years when your self driving car with two flat tires, decided it’s should keep going? Sorry, even though it’s hard for me to say . . . leave the driver in control.

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