MCG Executive Briefing for March 11, 2024

Chevrolet has slashed prices on the Blazer EV after lifting a stop-sale order due to software problems. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

Today’s headlines: 

 The national oil companies of Saudi Arabia (Aramco) and the United Arab Emirates (ADNOC) are making plans to extract lithium ore from brine in their existing oilfields. More at Reuters. 

 The 992.2-generation Porsche 911 due to arrive in 2025 will become available with a T-HEV hybrid system co-developed with Rimac, coupled to a 395-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six. More at Car and Driver.

 The United Auto Workers reported that 30 percent of the hourly workers at a Toyota Motor Corp. subsidiary plant in Troy, Missouri have signed union authorization cards. More at The Detroit News. 

 IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti criticized the series’ proposed team charter system and challenged series owner Roger Penske to invest more in the series or sell it. More at IndyStar. 

 The European New Car Assessment Program says touch-screen controls are not as safe as traditional switches for turn signals, hazard lights, and other safety-critical functions. More at Autoweek. 

The second prototype 1964 Cheetahr, built by Bill Thomas Race Cars and at one point owned by General Motors president John F. Gordon, is listed for sale at $2 million. More at Motor Authority. 

 Factory information leaked via South Korea indicates that the 2024 Tesla 3 Performance due for release in May will have an upgraded rear motor and more than 600 hp total. More at MotorIllustrated. 

Upon lifting a stop-sale order issued back in December to correct a software problem, Chevrolet has slashed prices of the Blazer EV by up to $6,520, reducing the list price to below $50,000 More at Electrek. 

+   Bonhams|Cars will present a live auction of 25 collector cars in front of the podium and on the track at the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix on Saturday, May 4. More at Old Cars. 

+   With a seventh-place finish for Ferrari in his first start at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, 18-year old Oliver Bearman became the youngest driver to score points in a Formula 1 race. More at Road & Track. 

Photo courtesy of General Motors. 

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from March 8 here. 

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One thought on “MCG Executive Briefing for March 11, 2024

  1. I’ve got to agree, touchscreens can’t be as safe as physical buttons and switches. My Jeep Grand Cherokee has a smaller touchscreen, it only houses the radio entertainment system and the GPS, and it’s a pain to try and change stations or volume. Luckily it also has controls on the back side of the steering wheel for these functions or I’d never turn it on. I can imagine one where the HVAC controls are configured in, what a mess. I prefer separate knobs and switches for each function, not having to go through a menu to find what I need. And the glare those screens create at night, really bad on us folks with older eyes and glasses.

    The more of this tech they throw at us, the more I like my older cars…

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