This 1969 Charger Daytona, described by experts as the finest Hemi four-speed example in existence, sold for $900,000 to actor David Spade at the Mecum Kissemmee auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Despite weak fourth-quarter results due to troubles in South America and Europe, Ford reported a pre-tax profit of $6.3 Billion in 2014. More at The Detroit News.
+ Kia Motor reportedly will unveil an all-wheel-drive concept based on the Soul electric vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show next month. More at Motor Trend.
+ General Motors’ Opel division will stop production for two months at its St. Petersburg, Russia plant due to the economic downturn there. More at The Wall Street Journal.
+ Chase Elliott, 19 year-old son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, will take over Jeff Gordon’s Hendrick Motorsports seat full-time beginning in 2016. More at CBS Sports.
+ Honda Motor Co. reported that a driver in Texas was killed last week in a 2002 Accord equipped with a Takata Corp. air bag that may have ruptured. More at Reuters.
+ Detroit-based automotive lender Ally Financial posted fourth-quarter net income of $177 million, up from $104 million in the same period last year. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ The season-opening Verizon IndyCar Series race scheduled for March 8 in Brasilia, Brazil has been canceled, according to broadcaster Band TV. More at USA Today.
+ The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall on the Polaris Slingshot sports trike and the manufacturer has issued a stop-sale order due to a steering rack defect. More at Autoblog.
+ Japanese auto maker Suzuki Motor has begun construction on a $509 million vehicle assembly plant in Gujarat, India. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ A 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona once owned by Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler sold for $900,000 at the Mecum Kissemmee sale, setting a new auction record for the model. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Verizon IndyCar Vice President of Competition Brian Barnhart has returned to the post of race director for the series in 2015. More at National Speed Sport News.
For the previous Executive Briefing from January 26, click here.