Partial proceeds from the sale of this 2017 Ferrari LeFerrari Aperta at the RM Sotheby’s Palm Beach auction will go to a COVID-19-related hunger relief fund. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ According to new research from London-based IHS Markit, global auto production could fall by more than 1.4 million vehicles for the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More at CNBC.
+ General Motors is partnering with Ventec, a Seattle area-based ventilator maker, to boost production of the medical devices for seriously ill COVID-19 patients. More at The Detroit News.
+ Volkswagen AG CEO Herbert Diess warned that the coronavirus crisis may force the company to keep its factories closed longer than expected, up tpo three weeks or more. More at Reuters.
+ Denny Hamlin edged out Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win Sunday’s eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series debut event at the (virtual) Homestead-Miami Speedway. More at Jayski.
+ Lead designer Stefan Sielaff says Bentley will “rejuvenate and modernize” its design language, encouraged by the response to the limited-edition Bacalar. More at Autoblog.
+ Despite a no-gouging policy, a handful of Chevrolet dealers across the country are offering 2020 C8 Corvettes at hefty markups over list, as much as $25,000. More at The Drive.
+ Renault may seek French government financial aid in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, but seeks to avoid renationalization, said Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Headliners at the RM Sotheby’s Palm Beach sale, now an online-only event, include a 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari with a portion of the proceeds going to hunger relief. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.
+ Falling demand caused by the COVD-19 outbreak is driving down gasoline prices across the country, with Kentucky falling below a dollar per gallon at one outlet. More at Car and Driver.
+ The McLaren Formula 1 team will switch from Renault to Mercedes engines in 2021 despite a new requirement forcing teams to run the same chassis for two seasons. More at BBC Sport.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from March 20 here.
Image courtesy and copyright RM Sotheby’s.
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