Chevrolet has unveiled the battery-electric 2024 Blazer EV, priced at  $44,995 in 1LT base trim and $65,995 for the SS model with 557 hp. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

Today’s Headlines: 

+   Ford is reportedly planning to eliminate 8,000 salaried jobs in its Ford Blue internal combustion vehicle development unit to fund its expanding electric vehicle production plans. More at Engadget. 

+   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating reports that General Motors paid 20 Cadillac Lyriq buyers $5,500 each to sign non-disclosure agreements. More the Detroit Free Press. 

+   Shares in Tesla jumped nearly 10 percent after the electric car maker posted record sales volume and second-quarter earnings that were better than analysts expected. More at CNBC. 

+   Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastien Vettel, now 35, says he has a “clear intention” to extend his contract with the Aston Martin team for one more season. More at BBC Sport. 

+   Reversing its earlier postiion, the United States Postal Service has announced that half of its initial order of 50,000 new Oshkosh Defense postal trucks will use electric power. More at Jalopnik. 

+   General Motors and Ford have asked U.S. auto safety regulators to grant exemptions for the production of self-driving vehicles without steering wheels or pedals. More at World Auto Forum.

+   According to data compiled by the CoPilot car-shopping app, consumers are paying an average of $10,000 more per used car transaction than before the COVID pandemic. More at CNBC. 

+   Chevrolet has unveiled the battery-electric 2024 Blazer EV, based on GM’s Ultium architecture and priced at  $44,995 in base trim and $65,995 for the SS model with 557 hp. More at Autoblog. 

+  Honda has unveiled the 2023 Civic Type R, which features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four that the company says will make it the most powerful Type R in Civic history. More at The Drive. 

+   NASCAR has added a road course event on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile temporary street circuit in downtown Chicago to its tentative 2023 season schedule, to be held July 2. More at the UK Guardian. 

Photo courtesy of General Motors. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from July 18 here.