With a pre-sale estimate of $450,000, this 1933 Packard Twelve Sport Phaeton will be among the featured attractions at the RM Sotheby’s Motor City 2015 Auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will invest $166 million in its Sterling Heights, MI stamping plant, said to be the largest in the world, adding three new press lines. More a MLive.
+ Famed Corvette builder/driver John Greenwood, who raced successfully in Trans-Am, IMSA, and Le Mans, has died at the age of 71. More at Vintage Racecar/Vintage Roadcar.
+ The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is fining two heavy-duty truck manufacturers, including Michigan-based Spartan Motors, a total of $44 million for failing to recall vehicles in a timely fashion. More at The Detroit News.
+ Veteran IndyCar pilot Justin Wilson will drive the last five races of the season with Andretti Autosport, starting this weekend at Milwaukee. More at National Speed Sport News.
+ Ford will move production of the Focus and C-Max out of its Wayne, Michigan assembly plant to a location outside of the United States. More at Click On Detroit.
+ Volvo’s North American division has introduced a lifetime warranty on parts and labor on service or maintenance work performed at authorized dealers. More at Autoblog.
+ Michael R. Argetsinger, founder of the International Motor Racing Research Center and award-winning motorsports author, has passed away at age 70. More at WTOP. com.
+ Led by Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen management has launched a public display of support for new VW brand chief Herbert Diess. More at Reuters.
+ The RM Sotheby’s Motor City 2015 auction on July 25 will feature 80 select automobiles, including American classics, sports cars, and muscle cars. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ Honda has recalled another 4.5M vehicles globally to correct potential defects in their Takata airbag components, expanding the largest recall ever. More at Bloomberg.com.
+ NASCAR legend Buddy Baker announced he has inoperable lung cancer and is retiring as co-host at SirusXM NASCAR Radio, effective immediately. More at NBC Sports.
Read the previous Executive Briefing from July 6 here.
Photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.