The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles has expanded its popular Vault Tours program that admits visitors to the private basement collection. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ President Donald Trump reportedly told French President Emmanuel Macron last month that he intends to drive the German luxury car makers from the American market. More at CNBC.
+ As scheduled, the Trump administration has imposed stiff import tariffs on steel and aluminum, while Mexico, the Economic Union, and Canada pledged to retaliate. More at CNN Money.
+ A $2.25 billion investment in General Motors for autonomous technology by Japan-based SoftBank Investment Advisers sent the automaker’s share price soaring. More at The Detroit News.
+ Dr. Henry Bock, the longtime medical director at Indianapolis Motor Speedway who was instrumental in key safety innovations including the SAFER barrier, has died at 81. More at the Indianapolis Star.
+ According to an Experian study of 4.7 million loan agreements, the average monthly payment for a new vehicle rose $15 in the first quarter of 2018 to $523. More at USA Today.
+ The final copy of the 2018 Challenger SRT Demon, Dodge’s 800+ hp showroom drag racer, rolled off the line at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario this week. More at The Drive.
+ As sales cool off in North America, Nissan plans to reduce production by 20 percent, scheduling cuts at two assembly plants in the United States and three in Mexico. More at Motor Trend.
+ The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles has expanded its popular Vault Tours program that supplies visits to the hidden basement portions of the collection. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Google’s parent firm Alphabet Inc., will order up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to populate its fleet. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Representatives from the McLaren Formula 1 team will visit the Verizon IndyCar Series paddock in Detroit this weekend, seeking potential team partners for the 2019 season. More at Racer.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from May 28 here.
Photo courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Have you joined Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook? It’s lots of fun with rare photos, lore, trivia, and great discussions. Click here to go the page and join MCG. Be sure to check out our companion Facebook group MOTOROLOGY, too.
> order up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans
This is counter to the rumor that FCA will announce the abandonment of the Chrysler marque later today. It will be interesting to see what develops.
> intends to drive the German luxury car makers from the American market.
I feel this will have result in the reverse of the desired effect. There are people that can afford a Mercedes / BMW / Porsche at triple the cost. Trying to price them out of the market will elevate them to ultra luxury cars and make the Cadillac owner look like hoi polloi. Who wants a Corvette that carries as much prestige as a Miata? And forget the already near-luxury Lincoln.
I don’t think the President realizes that France also makes cars although they don’t export them to the USA. The French State is invested in a PSA/Nissan partnership, and if you push Germany out, what’s to stop you from doing the same to other nations? This plan will not succeed.
Maybe American car makers should distance themselves by creating cars that look uniquely American instead of generic bars of soap. Could there be any doubt that a 1957 Chrysler was made in America? Maybe that’s why the F-150 sells so well. We’re a very nationalistic society.
The president is trying to destroy the auto industry. No one can be that clueless.
I don’t think I would trust much from Macron, he and Trump aren’t exactly buds.