Boasting an extensive racing pedigree, this 1954 Jaguar D-Type is expected to bring $12 million to $15 million at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona Auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Annual auto sales for 2017 are expected to fall two percent, the first decline in the U.S. since 2009 and the end of a historic seven-year boom market. More at The Detroit News.
+ Volkswagen and Hyundai Motor have formed partnerships with Silicon Valley startup Aurora Innovation Inc. to develop technology for autonomous vehicles. More at The Verge.
+ Residents in Oregon are adjusting to pumping their own fuel after a new law took effect on January 1 allowing the state’s first self-service gas stations. More at the Salem Statesman Journal.
+ Fusion Motor Company (FMC) is now producing an officially licensed 1967 Mustang Eleanor tribute with a six-month build time and prices starting at $189,000. More at Motor Trend.
+ NASCAR has denied a report that Brian France, chairman of the sanctioning body, is part of a group negotiating to purchase an NFL team, the Carolina Panthers. More at NBC Sports.
+ Ford is cancelling a planned 2020 redesign of the North American Fusion as passenger sedans continue to decline in popularity and consumers opt for crossovers and SUVs. More at Autoblog.
+ General Motors sales rose 4.4 percent in China in 2017 to more than four million vehicles, which represents more than half the automaker’s global annual volume. More at The Drive.
+ Tesla continues to fall short on its production goals for the new Model 3, with only 1,550 examples of the mid-priced sedan delivered in the fourth quarter of 2017. More at CNBC.
+ A 1954 Jaguar D-Type featuring a long race pedigree with a number of famous drivers will be among the star attractions at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale on January 18-19. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ Ed Carpenter Racing has selected FIA Formula 2 driver Jordan King to pilot the team’s Dallara-Chevy on the road and street course venues for the 2018 IndyCar season. More at Racer.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 1 here.
Photo by Patrick Ernzen courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
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> Residents in Oregon are adjusting to pumping their own fuel
They’ll regret that law the first time it’s under twenty degrees for a week.
> Ford is cancelling a planned 2020 redesign of the North American Fusion
I have the feeling this attitude will bite them eventually. Like how they kept making their small cars larger until 1973 and when they got on the good foot they were far behind Datsun & Toyota. If and when autonomous cars take over, they’ll be smaller. SUVs may persist as electrics because their larger size allows for more batteries and longer distances. But if all the cargo room is taken up by fuel, will anyone want them?
< Residents in Oregon are adjusting to pumping their own fuel after a new law took effect on January 1 allowing the state’s first self-service gas stations. More at the Salem Statesman Journal.
I'll bet all the real car people and especially the car collectors have finally breathed a sigh of relief now that they don't have to put up with someone who doesn't care about chipping paint or spilling fuel on their paint anymore have been relieved of duty!
Poor folks in Oregon going to have to join the rest of the world! We’ve been pumping out own gas here since the 70’s. What do those poor pitiful people do when they drive to other states, pay some other motorist to fuel their cars for them? Or do they just stay in their own state, afraid of the world around them? Snowflakes indeed!