MCG Executive Briefing for June 13, 2016

1933-Packard-Twelve-Coupe-RoadsterHeadline entries for the RM Sotheby’s Motor City auction next month will include this 1933 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster, which is expected to bring up to $475,000. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

 

Today’s headlines: 

+   At the Paris Motor Show in October, Daimler will unveil its much-anticipated Mercedes electric crossover, which is expected to compete against the Tesla X with a projected 310-mile range. More at Reuters. 

+   Navistar will assemble cutaway van chassis for General Motors starting next year, freeing up production capacity for midsize trucks at GM’s Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri. More at The Detroit News. 

+   General Motors will add up to 1,000 new engineering positions in Canada, mainly in self-driving technology, and invest $10 million in the company’s Kapuskasing, Ontario cold-weather test facility. More at Yahoo! Finance. 

+   Motor Trend editors spotted a prototype of the replacement for the Jeep Compass and Patriot models cruising in camouflage wrap on the Interstate near Detroit. More at Motor Trend. 

+   Two more riders competing in the Isle of Man TT motorcycle races have been killed, bringing the total number of fatalities for this year’s event to five. More at Sky News.

+   California-based electric car maker Faraday Future has hired former Ferrari North America CEO Marco Mattiacci to serve as Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer. More at CNET. 

+   Shares of the auto retailer AutoNation Inc. fell when a Goldman Sachs analyst reported that the Takata airbag recalls would have the greatest impact on the larger U.S. dealership chains. More at Bloomberg.com.

+   After ending its relationship with musical performer Kid Rock, Chevrolet has launched a new marketing partnership with country artist Luke Bryan. More at Crain’s Detroit Business. 

+   Featured American classics at the 2016 RM Sotheby’s Motor City auction on July 30 will include a pair of Packard Twelve Coupe Roadsters and a Cord L-29 Cabriolet. More at Sports Car Digest.

+   Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne continues to assert that electric cars cannot generate profits, but is somewhat more positive about the prospects for autonomous vehicles. More at Autoblog. 

+   Drivers and NASCAR officials reported that the revised Sprint Cup aerodynamic package used in this past weekend’s race at Michigan was a step in the right direction. More at Motorsport. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from June 10 here.

Photo by Darin Schnabel courtesy of RM Sotheby’s. 

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