MCG Executive Briefing for July 21, 2014

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????One of only three constructed, this Ferrari 275 GTB/C Berlinetta Competizione is expected to bring eight figures at the RM Auctions Monterey sale in August. Get all the latest car biz news in the Executive Briefing.    -Darin Schnabel photo for RM Auctions                           

 


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+   Noted actor, car enthusiast, and racing team owner James Garner, who starred in Grand Prix and drove the Indy 500 pace car three times, is dead at 86. More at Time. 

+   General Motors confirmed that the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups will include standard eight-speed automatic transmissions. More at Autoblog.

+   Nissan will introduce self-parking cars in 2016 as the automaker seeks to lead the industry in automated driving features. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Dr. John Melvin, a University of Michigan professor, NASCAR consultant, and one of the world’s leading authorities on motorsports safety, has passed away. More at Fox Sports.

+   The LMP2 category at LeMans is set to become a coupe-only class for 2017, according to sources at the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. More at Racer. 

+   Auburn Hills-based Continental Structural Plastics Inc. has agreed to acquire five North American plants from Magna International Inc. More at Crain’s Detroit Business. 

+   The Maserati brand, which sold 15,400 vehicles in 2013, plans to cap global production at 75,000 units annually by 2018. More at The Detroit Bureau. 

+   A 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale will be among the starring attractions at the 2014 RM Auctions Monterey sale on August 15-16. More at Sports Car Digest.

+   The Red Bull and Ferrari F1 teams considered protesting Mercedes for changing brake rotor suppliers before the start of the German Grand Prix. More at Yahoo! Sport UK. 

+   Mike Alexander, who with his late brother Larry formed the famed Detroit customizing team known as the Alexander brothers, has passed away at 79. more at Hot Rod. 

For the previous Executive Briefing from July 18, click here.

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