MCG Executive Briefing for June 6, 2014

Mercer Austin ClarkThis 1911 Mercer Raceabout, owned for decades by pioneer car collector Henry Austin Clark, Jr., could fetch up to $3.5 million at the RM Auctions Monterey sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 


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+   General Motors has terminated 15 employees following a devastating 300-page report on the ignition switch recall that cited “a pattern of incompetence.” More at The Detroit News here and here.

+   Johnson Controls has opened a $154 million, 1.4 million square-feet battery manufacturing plant in Chongqing City, China. More at Automotive Business Review. 

+   Ford expects to report a significant second-quarter loss in South America due to falling sales and currency devaluations in Venezuela and Argentina. More at Reuters.

+   NASCAR owner/driver Ed Negre, who gave Dale Earnhardt, Sr. his first Winston Cup ride in 1975, has passed away at 86. More at That’s Racin’ at the Charlotte Observer.

+   Southfield, Michigan-based Denso International America has acquired a majority stake in vehicle diagnostics company Ease Simulation Inc. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.

+    The U.S. Justice Dept. has indicted former Takata Corp. executive Gikou Nakajima for bid-rigging seat belt contracts from 2005 through 2009. More at the Detroit Free Press.

+   A 1911 Mercer 35R Raceabout once owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr. of the Long Island Auto Museum is among the feature attractions at the RM Auctions Monterey sale. More at Old Cars Weekly. 

+   IndyCar dealt out multiple penalties following the Detroit Grand Prix, including a $5,000 fine for Juan Montoya’s Team Penske entry coming in underweight. More at Racer.

For the previous Executive Briefing from June 2, click here.

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