Ram is officially returning to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. Get all the latest automotive news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Ferndale, Michigan-based Detroit Axle, a major industry parts supplier, warns it may go out of business in weeks unless it gets certain tariff relief on goods imported from China. More at The Detroit News.
+ Geely chairman and founder Li Shufu says the global automotive industry is facing “serious overcapacity” and the company has placed a moritorium on new plant construction. More at Reuters.
+ Tesla is blocking the city government of Austin, Texas from disclosing safety data on the self-driving Cybertaxi program, claming that it would expose propreitary information. More at CleanTechnica.
+ Ferrari Formula 1 principal Fred Vasseur says that while his team still has far to go, its climb into second place in the constructors’ points shows it is getting closer to McLaren. More at Racer.
+ According to the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, used vehicle prices eased 1.5 from April to May but remain 4 percent higher than in the same period one year ago. More at CNBC.
+ Automakers and suppliers have lost at least 18 months of strategic product planning due to continually changing tariffs under the Trump administration, according to S&P Global. More at CBT News.
+ Porsche unveiled the 963 RSP, a one-of-a-kind, highway-legal version of the 963 LMDh Prototype Le Mans racer that was commissioned by team owner Roger Penske. More at Car and Driver.
+ Struggling carmaker Maserati plans to present a new business plan after parent company Stellantis’ new CEO Antonio Filosa officially starts in his job later this month. More at World Auto Forum.
+ General Motors veteran Mike Trevorrow, currently head of global engineering manufacturing, will now add senior vice president of global manufacturing to his duties. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Ram, which last raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2012, is officially returning to competition in 2026, while a Dodge entry in the senior Cup Series could follow. More at The Drive.
Photo courtesy of Stellantis.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from June 6 here.
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The data generated from publicly funded testing on public roads directly involving the public are indeed public records, change my mind. Public safety information is proprietary? NHTSA is in full cranial/rectum mode as usual on autonomous vehicles. The “spat” with Tesla is just another publicly financed “skit” to hide R&D’s incompetence IMHO. NHTSA seems beholden to someone who doesn’t have good outcomes inmind for us. The CleanTechnica article is a hoot, reads like Steven King movie script…
I notice from pictures that the new Ram Craftsman truck looks like a Dodge Rampage sitting next to the trucks it’s supposed to represent. The top of the race truck’s roof is even with the bottom of the Ram’s window. The grille is half the height and the hood is about the height of the top of the truck’s bumper. It appears to be narrower as well.
Yep. Like the Cup cars.
NASCAR hasn’t been based on truly stock vehicles since the 1970s. Since then, it’s been mission-creeped into spec series racing. I think NASCAR jumped the shark decades ago.
The Truck Series uses Spec engines based on the LS Series GM Motor. Nothing “Ram” or “Hemi” here except for the decals!
NASCAR has a truck series??