At $125,000, this 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 with original matching-numbers drivetrain was among the top 10 sales at the Mecum Auctions Portland auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s headlines:

+   Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson is reportedly in talks to purchase Italian motorcycle maker Ducati from Audi, which purchased the company for $1 billion in 2012. More at Fox News. 

+   SF Motors, a China-backed electric car manufacturer, plans to buy an AM General assembly plant in Mishawaka, Indiana and invest $30 million in upgrades. More at the Detroit Free Press.

+   Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has submitted a trademark for the ‘Cuda name with the federal government, reviving rumors of a reborn ‘Cuda based on the current Dodge Challenger. More at Autoblog.

+   Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he plans to race in select NASCAR events after his retirement from full-time driving at the end of 2017, possibly including the Daytona 500. More at Racer. 

+   Reid Bigland, Alfa Romeo global brand chief, says the company won’t cut prices or use incentives to meet artificial sales targets in the U.S. market. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   Volkswagen has agreed to buy back diesel cars equipped with illicit emissions control software after deciding to waive its appeal of a German court ruling. More at Reuters. 

+   FEV North America, an automotive powertrain and engineering company based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, will invest $27 million in a new test facility and add 250 jobs. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali says the Italian luxury car maker is currently studying the business case for a four-passenger sports car for 2025. More at Motor Trend. 

+   The Mecum Auctions Portland sale on June 16-17 produced $7.9 million in overall sales, topped by a 1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro  that brought $395,000. More at Old Cars Weekly. 

+   At Byron Dragway northwest of Chicago, Bradley G. Glass, 60, of Mason, Ohio was killed when he was ejected from his car as it rolled over. More at the Rockford Register Star. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from June 23 here.  

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.  

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