This 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato with Essex Racing provenance brought more than $13.26 million at the record-breaking Bonhams Goodwood sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines:

+   Guangzhou Automobile Group of China is investing $4.4 million in a new research and development facility in the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills that will employ 62 people. More at The Detroit News. 

+   At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, BMW unveiled the M2 Performance Parts concept, which makes extensive use of carbon fiber to reduce weight by 132 lbs. More at Motor Trend. 

+   Renault Group’s Alpine sports car brand is increasing production of its popular A110 coupe from 15 to 20 cars per day in an effort to reduce a 14-month order backlog. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   The Pirelli World Challenge has rolled out its plans for 2019, which include a commitment to its three existing race series and the addition of two regional programs. More at Racer. 

+   Automakers are crying foul over a 34-page questionnaire from the Trump Commerce Department that they say requires them to reveal proprietary information. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   UK-based McLaren Automotive will launch 18 new models and derivatives between now and 2025 and go 100% hybrid as part of a $1.58 billion investment plan. More at Automotive Business Review.

+   With more than 200,000 units sold by the electric vehicle maker since 2010, Tesla buyers are scheduled to lose half and then all of the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. More at CNBC. 

+   The 2018 Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed auction produced more than $37 million in sales, with a 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato leading the results. More at Classic Cars.com Journal. 

+   In a joint venture with Panasonic, Honda has launched a pilot program to offer a battery-sharing service for electric motorbikes in several cities in Indonesia. More at Autoblog. 

+   Renault is planning to introduce a new front wing package on its Formula 1 car for the German Grand Prix next week, says team technical director Nick Chester. More at Motorsport.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from July 13 here. 

Photo courtesy of Bonhams. .

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