Owned by the same family since new, this 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing sold for $1.46 million at the Gooding & Company Scottsdale auction, surpassing pre-sale estimates. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ The White House announced that President Trump is considering a 20 percent import tax on goods from Mexico, a step that would have profound impact on the North American auto industry. More at The Detroit News.
+ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reported a net profit of $1.9 billion in 2016 on gross earnings of $6.5 billion, triggering $5,000 profit-sharing checks for the company’s hourly employees. More at MLive.
+ With growing scrutiny on emissions testing procedures, the European Commission issued tougher new guidelines for how member countries should enforce the ban on emissions defeat devices. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Aston Martin has unveiled the Vanquish S Volante, a convertible version of the Vanquish S coupe that debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2016. More at Motor Authority.
+ The two Cadillac DPi-VR Prototypes of Action Express Racing have qualified first and second on the grid for this weekend’s Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. More at Motorsport.com.
+ Ford Motor Co. reported a $783 million loss for the fourth quarter of 2016, citing an accounting change to pensions and costs for dropping a factory in Mexico. More at The Globe and Mail.
+ Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, Volkswagen’s head of integrity and legal affairs, has resigned from the company over differences in the company’s direction. More at USA Today.
+ A firm in East Sussex, England has introduced the Eagle Spyder GT, a lighter, more powerful version of the Jaguar XKE roadster with contemporary suspension and brakes. More at Motor Trend.
+ Top sellers at the Gooding & Company 2017 Scottsdale sale included a 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix at $3.30 million and an original 1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing at $1.46 million. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Liberty Media, the new owner of Formula 1, has selected its executive team, with Ross Brawn as competition director and Chase Carey replacing Bernie Ecclestone as chief executive. More at Racer.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 23 here.
Photo by Brian Henniker courtesy of Gooding & Company.
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