The very first Porsche 917, built in 1969 but never raced in competition, has been carefully restored for a company exhibit. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ BMW Group is bundling its BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands into a single sales division led by Pieter Nota, currently sales chief for the BMW marque. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Ford Motor Co. is reducing its German staff by more than 5,000 and cutting an unspecified number of jobs in the U.K. as part of its European realignment. More at The Detroit News.
+ The annual Chattannoga Cruise-In has been moved by host Coker Tire from downtown to a larger and more suitable venue at Camp Jordan just outside the city. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ NASCAR pledged to revise its Monster Cup qualifying procedure following a bizarre final round at California Speedway in which no drivers made an attempt, prompting boos from the crowd. More at Racer.
+ Mercedes-Benz and BMW say they will lower their prices in China following a government announcement that it will reduce the country’s value-added tax (VAT). More at Reuters.
+ Cadillac will offer a “second installment” of the 550 hp CT6-V performance sedan with the price increased to $92,790, $4,000 more than the original pre-order price. More at Autoblog.
+ A spokesman for luxury supercar maker Bugatti reports that according to their data, the average Bugatti owner owns 42 vehicles, including two Bugatti models. More at The Drive.
+ Via Twitter, President Trump attacked General Motors CEO Mary Barra and a local United Auto Workers official over the closure of the company’s Lordstown, Ohio plant. More at CNBC.
+ Following a painstaking restoration, the 1969 Porsche 917 Geneva Motor Show car will be displayed in a new exhibit at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.
+ Formula 1 teams will be formally presented with a final framework for the 2021 rules package at a Strategy Group meeting later this month, FIA president Jean Todt reports. More at Motorsport.com.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from March 15 here.
Photo courtesy of Porsche.
Have you joined Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook? It’s lots of fun with rare photos, lore, trivia, and great discussions. Click here to go the page and join MCG. Be sure to check out our companion Facebook group MOTOROLOGY, too.