Dodge has announced its power rating for the hairy supercharged 6.2L V8 in the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat: a whopping 707 hp. Get all the latest car industry news in the Executive Briefing.
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+ Due to strong sales of SUVs and pickups, the Detroit Three will shorten or eliminate their traditional summer shutdowns at many U.S. plants. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ BMW has confirmed it will construct a new $1 billion plant just outside San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to be completed by 2019. More at Motor Trend.
+ Despite mounting recall troubles, General Motors posted its strongest June sales figures since 2007 at approximately 267,500 units. More at MLive.
+ A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO will cross the block at the Bonhams Monterey sale in August, where it could well break auction price records. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ The Caterham Formula One team has been sold to a group of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors led by Colin Kolles. More at CNN.
+ The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has received an official output rating of 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. More at Autoblog.
+ Former NASCAR Truck Series driver Brian Rose has been arrested and jailed for mail fraud and wire fraud in a coal mine investment scheme. More at Sporting News.
+ The 2016 MX-5 Miata will make its global debut simultaneously in Japan, Spain and Monterey, California on Sept. 3. More at Edmunds.com.
+ Wynnchurch Capital Ltd. has acquired Warren, Michigan-based U.S. Manufacturing, producer of truck and trailer axle components. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.
+ The promoter at Baer Field Speedway in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has closed the track for the season, citing weak crowds and negative feedback in social media. More at the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.
For the previous Executive Briefing from June 30, click here.
OK, I’m showing my age but I really miss the days when collector car auctions were events where enthusiasts got together to trade their cool cars. These days, it has become just as much as commodities market with the majority of the focus on values and price speculation. It was a lot more fun when you had to go to Old Cars Weekly for auction reports, not the Wall Street Journal.
I totally agree. Personally, I couldn’t care less about the mega-car prices, but since it’s the info people are seeking, we have to lead with it. Even on Antiques Road Show on PBS, the price is the punch line, you’ve surely noticed.
Either Bonham’s needs a new photographer or the finish on the Ferraris they’re selling is very poor. Both this GTO and the 375 Plus you featured on the 30th look washed out and dull. I understand that cosmetics were not the priority at the factory, but it’s the photographer’s job to make the car look good. I’m often impressed by how auction photographers can make even the blandest car look like a Duesenberg.
I guess the owner of the most expensive car ever sold doesn’t really care how it drives or what it looks like.