This 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder will be among the consignments at the Bonhams Scottsdale auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Tesla held onto the global sales crown for electric vehicles in 2023 with more than 1.8 million vehicles delivered, but Chinese maker BYD is rapidly closing in at 1.6 million. More at Car and Driver.
+ Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis stepped in when a Mississippi dealer reportedly reneged on a purchase agreement for a Challenger SRT Demon 170 with a U.S. serviceman on active duty. More at The Drive.
+ Toyota GR Supra sales struggled in 2023, as the Japanese carmaker sold only half the number it did the previous year despite the addition of a manual transmission option. More at Motor Authority.
+ Sauber Formula 1 technical director James Key says the Audi team will not be a “final product” until 2027, its second year of officially flying the Audi flag in the series. More at Motorsport.com
+ General Motors edged out rival Toyota to remain the top-selling automaker in the U.S. in 2023, posting a 14.2 percent gain over 2022 with more than 2.9 million vehicles sold. More at Reuters.
+ A Morgan County, Georgia, judge dismissed a lawsuit by a group of local residents who attempted to stop the construction of electric vehicle startup Rivian’s $5 billion factory. More at The Detroit News.
+ Ford reported sales of nearly two million vehicles in 2023, a 7.1 increase compared to the previous year but a smaller improvement than for the U.S. auto industry overall. More at CNBC.
+ Stellantis, a car show regular, announced it is pulling out of next month’s annual Chicago Auto Show as it reevaluates its spending amid a “challenging U.S. automotive market.” More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ The Bonhams Scottsdale auction will feature a number of high-end consignments, including a 1930 Duesenberg J, a 1930 Cadillac V16, and a 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder. More at Old Cars.
+ Bill Abel, who currently fields a multi-car team in the Indy NXT junior series under the Abel Motorsports banner, is making plans to enter the IndyCar series full-time in 2025. More at Racer.
Photo courtesy of Bonhams.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from January 1 here.
Join Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook and X (Twitter) to receive notices when every new story is published.
Sounds like dealer Mac Hiak needs their franchise removed. Perfect bunch of crooked liars to sell used cars.
Can’t help but wonder though, if the victim in this case hadn’t been a US Serviceman, would the factory have stepped in this way?