Honda has introduced a cute electric van for its home market priced at just $15,600, but there are no plans to bring it to the USA. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ At Tesla’s latest shareholder meeting, CEO Elon Musk teased three new models in the works, which could include a van and the previously announced tobotaxi and roadster. More at Car and Driver.
+ General Motors veteran Tony Roma will become executive chief engineer for the global Corvette and performance cars team with the retirement of Tadge Juechter. More at Road & Track.
+ Two major Toyota shareholder groups are demanding a vote on keeping chairman Akio Toyoda on the board following an emissions testing scandal at several of the divisions. More at The Detroit News.
+ Dale Earnhardt Jr. says that he and Kelly Earnhardt Miller, his sister and racing-team partner, are still interested in a NASCAR Cup charter but it would have make sound business sense. More at Jayski.
+ BMW’s all-electric Mini, which is manufactured in China, could be a major victim of the European Economic Union’s provisional plan to increase tariffs to as much as 38.1 percent. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Stellantis announced that it is phasing out the use of chromium plating on its production vehicles due in part to its extreme toxicity, which presents a danger to workers. More at The Drive.
+ Automobile manufacturers in China sold more cars than their U.S. counterparts for the first time last year, boosted by BYD’s success and growth in emerging markets. More at CNBC.
+ Honda has introduced a cute electric microvan for the Japanese domestic market priced at $15,600 and available in a variety of configurations, but there are no plans to bring it to the USA. More at Autoblog.
+ Stellantis has filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent on a front airfoil design for the Dodge Charger Daytona that employes active aerodynamics. More at Motor Authority.
+ Ferrari scored its second consecutive overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the 499P of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen bested Toyota by 14 seconds. More at the Guardian.
Photo courtesy of Honda
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from June 14 here.
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I can totally understand why Honda is choosing not to import the electric microvan. Still, there might be a surprisingly large market for an electric delivery/utility van for business. And you never know, city cars might even catch on in the U.S.