MCG Executive Briefing for July 11, 2016

La Principessa 1960 AbarthThe 1960 Abarth 1000 Pininfarina-bodied streamlined record car known as La Principessa will be among the star attractions at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction next month. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

 

Today’s headlines: 

+   AutoNation, America’s largest new car dealer chain, has agreed to acquire four dealerships in Westchester County, New York with Jaguar, BMW, and Land Rover franchises. More at Automotive Business Review.

+   Daimler AG has hired Sabine Scheunert, the head of Citroen’s China operations, to organize a new digital unit for its Mercedes-Benz passenger car brand. More at Reuters.

+   The U.S. government is investigating complaints of total brake failures on 430,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 2008 through 2011 equipped with antilock brake systems. More at ABC News. 

+   Following the British Grand Prix, Mercedes Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg was demoted from second to third place when FIA stewards judged that he received prohibited technical assistance over the radio. More at Sky Sports. 

+   The share price of troubled airbag maker Takata Corp. rose briefly as the company contacted a number of potential buyers, including Bain Capital, PAG Asia Capital, and KKR & Co. More at Bloomberg.com. 

+   Nevada state treasurer Dan Schwartz has questioned how electric car maker Faraday Future will finance the $1 billion plant it is planning in North Las Vegas. More at Autoblog.  

+   Following the departure of Top Gear host Chris Evans after one season, the BBC is expected to perform major changes on the popular automotive TV show. More at the UK Telegraph. 

+   Jeep boss Mike Manley says the next-generation Wrangler due in 2018 will employ aerodynamic design and lightweight components, but remain true to its Jeep heritage. More at Motor Trend.  

+   Featured entries at the Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction on August 20-21 will include a 1960 Abarth Pininfarina record car that is predicted to bring up to $1.5 million. More at Hemmings Daily. 

+   IndyCar President of Competition Jay Frye and Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small have extended the Iowa Corn 300 IndyCar event through at least 2018. More at Motorsport.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from July 8 here.

Photo by Piotr Degler/Degler Studio, courtesy Gooding & Company. 

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