At $1.45 million, this 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible by Touring was the top seller at the Bonhams Greenwich 2018 Auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ At the Busan Motor Show in Korea, Kia formally introduced the Niro electric crossover with 201 horsepower, a 64 kilowatt-hour battery, and a range of 236 miles. More at Motor Trend.
+ Ford plans to close its Blanquefort gearbox plant in southwestern France if no buyer can be found for the facility, which employs 900 workers, the automaker announced. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Super Cruise, a hands-free driver assistance feature for highway travel currently offered on the CT6 sedan, will be available on all Cadillac models beginning in 2020. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Veteran race engineer Leena Gade, who recently parted ways with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, has met with another IndyCar team, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. More at Racer.
+ Honda and General Motors announced that the two companies will partner to develop next-generation electric vehicle batteries with advanced chemistry and greater energy density. More at CNET Roadshow.
+ General Motors President Dan Ammann is stepping down from the board of directors at Lyft Inc., suggesting a rift between GM and the ride-sharing company. More at The Detroit News.
+ Sweden’s largest collection of vintage Volkswagens, numbering more than 60 rare vehicles, will be sold at auction in Pålsboda, Sweden on September 22-23. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ The Freightliner division of Daimler AG will introduce two new heavy-duty electric trucks, the eCascadia and the eM2 106, designed to compete with the Tesla Semi. More at CNBC.
+ The Bonhams Greenwich 2018 sale in Greenwich, Connecticut generated $10.5 million in total sales on 125 vehicles and a 92 percent sell-through rate. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ Effective July 8, NASCAR has mandated the use of a new neurocognitive baseline test to aid in identifying drivers who suffer from post-concussion syndrome. More at Motorsport.com.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from June 4 here.
Photo courtesy of Bonhams.
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The electric vehicle revolution is coming faster than anyone expected.
I’m not sure I understand the concept of an all electric semi-truck. A 40,000 lb vehicle that will go 240 miles ( less in wintertime ) in 3-1/2 hours and then will take 8 hours to recharge. At that rate it will take a total of 72 hours to drive a shipment from Pittsburgh to Denver.
Urban routes, which are the bulk of the traffic. The fuel cost savings are significant.
Here we go again…
http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/06/08/farm-find-huge-hoard-dodge-and-plymouth-cars-and-trucks-heading-to-auction.html
Is it me but the prices being paid for what I consider minor classics. $1.45m for a Aston? Not my style of car but I can understand the attraction. But $145k would be more my valuation.
And million plus cars would be impossible to insure so they sit locked up in a garage forever. Cars are made to be driven, obviously classics are not daily drivers. But should be driven and enjoyed regularly.
This and the part number junkies [Graveyard Cars and other] that cannot use an aftermarket [and most collector parts actually are!!] And then fit up BadDay Polyglass tyres so the car will ever be a trailer queen.
I sell new & used parts and people wanting a date code casting on engine or transmission etc etc is beyond belief. They will buy junk because of codes and part numbers. And,,,, new replacement rims say 1970 car and they want NEW rims to have that code,, the rims made in 2018!
Or alternativly parts and ‘styles’ that look good and are totally impractical, eg very wide rims, very skinny rims, huge inductions, chromed, yes chromed brake rotors!