With the NASCAR season shut down by the COVID-19 outbreak, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin will headline an online digital NASCAR series. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles each announced they are shutting down their plants in North America to limit contagion of the COVID-19 outbreak. More at The Detroit News.
+ Ford and General Motors also report that they are studying the feasibility of manufacturing breathing ventilators, which are in dire need for treating virus victims. More at Barrons.
+ Bowing to pressure from local and state health authorities, Telsa CEO Elon Musk agreed to shut down the Fremont, California plant, which employs around 10,000. More at Business Insider.
+ Following the shutdown of NASCAR until May 3, Dale Earnhrdt Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch will headline an online racing series launched by NASCAR and iRacing. More at For The WIn.
+ After shutting down this year’s Dutch, Spanish, and Monaco Grand Prix dates, Formula 1 officials have postponed the proposed 2021 rules overhaul for another year. More at Racer.
+ Spy photographers have captured images of what appears to be a Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye in camouflage wrap, complete with hood bump for the 2.7-liter blower. More at Car and Driver.
+ With the live collector car auction circuit effectively shut down by the virus outbreak, the action has shifted to online auction sites such as Bring a Trailer, where a rare Auto Union was offered. More at Autoblog.
+ General Motors has closed the window to order a mid-engined 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8, declaring the first model year’s production run sold out. More at Motor Trend.
+ Ed Garlits, younger brother of Don “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and a successful drag racer in his own right with an AHRA national event win in 1961, has passed away. More at BangShift.
+ Volkswagen board chairman Dr. Herbert Diess confirmed that the automaker’s Amorak pickup will be based on the Ranger from new technical partner Ford. More at The Drive.
+ The National Hot Rod Association announced that it will postpone the remainder of the 2020 drag racing season and suspend track operations in response to the virus outbreak. More at Dragzine.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from March 16 here.
Image courtesy of JR Motorsports.
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