MCG Executive Briefing for July 29, 2019

One of the fastest cars to ever turn a wheel at Indy, this ex-Scott Brayton 1995 Lola Buick/Menard will be offered at the Mecum Monterey auction in August. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

 

Today’s Headlines: 

+   Automotive supplier Robert Bosch is forecasting a five percent decline in global automotive production for 2019, after earlier projecting a slip of three percent. More at Automotive News Europe. 

 At the St. John’s Concours, General Motors Design chief Michael Simcoe reported that the 2020 C8 Corvette is nearly sold out of its first-year production run. More at Autoblog.

 The current-generation Mercedes-AMG C63 will be the brand’s final rear-drive-only model, as its successors will be equipped with all-wheel-drive and drift mode. More at The Drive.

 The Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team will appeal the time penalties handed out to both cars after the German Grand Prix, according to team principal Frederic Vasseur. More at Racer. 

+   Cadillac’s best-selling vehicle, the XT5 five-passenger SUV, will receive a new base engine, nine-speed transmission, and other upgrades for the 2020 model year. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   A new study determined that new car sales destination fees have increased nearly 45 percent over the past six years, from an average of $899 to $1,289 in 2018. More at USA Today.

 Nine NASCAR teams failed pre-race inspection for the NASCAR Monster Cup event at Pocono Raceway, and their cars were moved to the rear of the field for the start. More at Jayski.  

 The Indian government has slashed taxes on electric vehicles and chargers to 5 percent as it seeks to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly cars. More at Reuters. 

 Two T95 Lolas driven by Scott Brayton at Indianapolis in 1995 and 1996 with Buick/Menard V6 power will be featured at the Mecum Monterey sale. More at Hemmings Daily.

 The historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, now a museum operated by the non-profit Model T Automotive Heritage Complex, has completed a major improvement project. More at Crain’s Detroit Business. 

+   The Board of Directors of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb have eliminated motorcycles from next year’s event and will study the move’s long-term impact. More at Road Racing World.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from July 26 here.

Photo by Mecum Auctions. 

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