This 1932 Packard Twin Six will be among the featured attractions at the annual Kruse Auctions Auburn sale .Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Ford Motor Company and Geely of China have agreed to form a joint venture at the U.S. carmaker’s underused factory in Spain to co-develop EVs and launch four new models. More at Transport Topics.
+ Stellantis has named Tianshu Xin to lead its China and Asia-Pacific region and appointed former Volkswagen executive Pablo Di Si as its first chief performance officer. More at CBT News.
+ The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill to bar sales by carmakers with more than 15 percent ownership by Chinese entities, potentially locking Mercedes out of the U.S. market. More at Car and Driver.
+ Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has purchased one of the 25 IndyCar Series charters from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as it lays plans to campaign in complete seasons. More at ESPN.
+ Renault Group sales rebounded in the second quarter as strong demand for its Renault 5 EV helped the French carmaker resist mounting pressure from Chinese rivals. More at U.S. News & World Report.
+ Honda has confirmed that a third-generation Ridgeline is in development, with a more ruggedly designed midsize pickup expected to arrive within the next two years. More at Autoweek.
+ Insiders report but Cadillac will not confirm that the next-generation CT5-V will be equipped with a normally aspirated V8 engine and a traditional manual transmission. More at The Drive.
+ Aston Martin has secured $735.57 million in new debt financing led by funds managed by BlackRock-owned HPS Investment Partners, the carmaker announced. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Early consignments for the annual Kruse Auctions Auburn sale include a 1932 Packard Twin Six Dual Cowl Phaeton and the 1953 Cadillac Elegante bodied by Rocco Motto. More at Old Cars.
+ NASCAR Cup veteran Alex Bowman has signed a one-year contract extension to drive a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports next year, after which he plans to retire. More at The Athletic.
Photo courtesy and copyright of Kruse Auctions.
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Poor Mercedes Benz, the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 cleared the Senate Commerce Committee on July 22, but not final passage. The bipartisan measure, led in the Senate by Sens. Bernie Moreno (OH) and Elissa Slotkin (MI), was introduced as S. 4429 in April; companion legislation was subsequently introduced in the House by Reps. John Moolenaar (MI) and Debbie Dingell (MI). It must still pass both chambers in identical form then signed by President Trump before becoming law of the land.
https://www.wttlonline.com/stories/connected-vehicle-security-act-advances-in-senate,15431
Volvo is explicitly grandfathered and completely safe until December 31, 2031, because the text of the Connected Vehicle Security Act features a specific legal loophole that automatically honors any pre-existing authorizations granted by Commerce. Volvo evidently lobbied that federal process in May 2026, granting them immunity…
Never fear, their final bill will be tweaked by lobbyists for MB’s benefit. When it comes to digital code running inside the machine, limiting Chinese software is a technical illusion. It is physically impossible to completely scrub Chinese-written code from a modern computer system or vehicle, no matter what any federal lobbyist or battery zealot claims.
In an amazing contradiction, there are no specific federal statutes at all that explicitly bans or limits Chinese software in any American voting device or tabulator. Our U.S. Constitution leaves election administration to individual states rather than the federal government. Congress has never passed any law targeting Chinese software inside American election equipment. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
That’s a fine looking Packard. Does anyone know what that tiny door is low down between the main doors? Definitely not for golf bags.
What’s the point of excluding manufacturers with 15% Chinese ownership if they can just get a waiver to override the restriction? God forbid we do anything to allow US companies to work for a stronger position.