The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, now under the leadership of Roger Penske, has rescheduled the Indianapolis 500 for August 23. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Ford has partnered with 3M and GE Healthcare to manufacture ventilators and respirators, now in extremely short supply due to the coronavirus pandemic. More at USA Today.
+ General Motors announced it has extended its production shutdown indefinitely, while Ford and Fiat Chysler Automobiles hold out hopes to reopen in mid-April. More at The Detroit News.
+ Mitsubishi could potentially take a 10 percent stake in Renault as part of a plan to reinforce the alliance between the French carmaker, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. More at Reuters.
+ The Indianapolis 500 has been postponed until August 23, while the Indianapolis Grand Prix will be run as a double header with the NASCAR Brickyard 400. More at the Indianapolis Star.
+ PSA Group said it remains committed to a merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, following reports that the COVID-19 outbreak endangers the deal. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Spy photographers have captured the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT Biack Series testing on the Nürburgring wearing camouflage wrap and sporting an absurdly large rear wing. More at Car and Driver.
+ Formula 1 has joined the ranks of major-league motorsport series that are temporarily replacing live racing events with virtual race dates featuring real F1 stars. More at Road & Track.
+ The Chevrolet Camaro coupe and convertible enter the 2021 model year with minimal changes, including some new colors and a revised final drive ratio. More at Motor Trend.
+ According to Adam Jonas of Morgan Stanley, Ford will weather the financial storm caused by the coronavirus but its share price ($5.25 at this writing) has not yet bottomed. More at CNBC.
+ NHRA has released a revised 2020 drag racing schedule with five events eliminated and the Countdown to the Championship playoff format abandoned for the year. More at Autoweek.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from March 23 here.
Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Perhaps should have even pushed it back a bit more. Anyone know how freakin hot it can get in Indianapolis in August! Maybe mid to late September or make it the last race of the year.
Of course Ford will whether the storm. They always find a way. Others use the path that goes straight to Washington, but Ford will turn off onto the side roads to see if they NEED to make the whole trip to DC.