This customized 1967 Ford Bronco is among the consignments at Barrett-Jackson’s second online collector car auction in July. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Ford and Volkswagen are moving forward with their joint-venture vehicles, starting with a Ford-developed, Ranger-based midsize pickup to be marketed by VW. More at WardsAuto.
+ General Motors’ ambitious $20 billion investment in electric and self-driving vehicles could pose serious near-term risk, according to a study by Bank of America Global Research. More at The Detroit News.
+ NASCAR officials have banned the confederate flag from all its its events and facilities, igniting widespread controversy within the series and fan community. More at ESPN.
+ After just four months on the job, Simon Sproule, formerly of Aston Martin, has resigned as head of communications for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in North America. More at PR Week.
+ Porsche engineering legend Hans Mezger, who developed numerous Porsche engines and race cars in his 37 years with the Stuttgart automaker, has passed away at 90. More at Autoblog.
+ Ford Mustang owners have filed a class-action suit alleging that the Getrag MT-82 six-speed manual transmissions installed in 2011–2019 Mustangs are defective. More at Car and Driver.
+ The Aussie Invader land speed record team, targeting a goal of 1,000 mph, has applied to the FIA for rules changes that would make two-way runs safer to perform. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Rental car giant Hertz, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, is offloading 20,000 cars at below market prices, including BMW and Mercedes luxury models. More at CNET Roadshow.
+ Mercedes Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas says he has been told by the team that free agent Sebastian Vettel is not being considered as a possible replacement for him. More at Racer.
+ Auto parts supplier Visteon is forecasting a 20 to 25 percent drop in vehicle production this year, warning that it could take years to return to previous volume levels. More at Reuters.
+ Canadian racing star Eppie Wietzes, who drove in the Can-Am and Formula 1 and won the 1981 Trans-Am championship in the United States, has passed away at 82. More at Autosport.
+ Barrett-Jackson’s second Online Only auction on July 6-9 will featuring a collection of approximately 50 premium vehicles and more than 250 items of automobilia. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from June 8 here.
Photo courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.
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Nascar just spit in the face of about half of their fans and founders. I don’t see this ending well for them in the South. Other areas of the country may be different, but that flag is a symbol of being a rebel more than anything else.
I pretty much tuned out Nascar after Dale Sr died, it was going down hill then, even worse now. More like an IROC race now than a run what you brung anymore. Now you can’t tell one car from another without a score card, too much equality. Competition used to make for better racing and cars, now, it’s just who gets the most lucky breaks.