This 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder brought $18.15 million at the annual Mecum Auctions Spring Classic. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Stellantis announced a $70 billion turnaround strategy that aims to refocus the automaker on core brands, partnerships. and more efficient use of factory capacity. More at Fox Business.
+ Japanese vehicle exports to the Middle East were nearly wiped out in April, government data shows, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted shipping to a key region. More at AOL News.
+ Two-time NASCAR Cup champion and 63-time Cup race winner Kyle Busch, 41, died suddenly after being hospitalized this week for an unspecified “severe illness.” More at ESPN.
+ Demand for electric vehicles in Europe has surged as high fuel prices due to the Iran war propel sales of new and second-hand EVs, marking a 95 percent year-on-year increase. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Toyota has added 44,000 more 2024 Tundra pickups to the 225,000 vehicles subject to recall for machining debris left inside the automaker’s 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V6 engines. More at The Drive.
+ General Motors and Samsung SDI have paused construction on their $3.5 billion EV battery plant in New Carlisle, Indiana, in response to weaker-than-expected EV demand. More at CBT News.
+ As teased last week, Stellantis introduced the Ram Rumble Bee muscle truck with a choice of three engines, from a 395-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 to a 6.2-liter Hellcat with 777 hp. More at Car and Driver.
+ Global chief marketing officer Lisa Materazzo is leaving Ford three years after moving from Toyota to take the position, with Dean Stoneley taking an interim role. More at Ford Authority.
+ A 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, documented as the last California Spyder ever built, brought $18.15 million at the annual Mecum Auctions Spring Classic. More at Old Cars.
+ Alexander Rossi was cleared to drive in the Indianapolis 500 this weekend after suffering injuries to his left hand and right ankle in a crash in a post-qualifying practice session. More at Motorsport.com.
Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from May 18 here.
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My sincere condolences to the family, friends and fans of Kyle Busch.
Life is short, we all owe our loved ones the best we can do, safety is never optional…
Ford Motor Company’s blatant negligent marketing of BlueCruise created expectations that were far beyond what that crap could ever deliver IMHO. Ford executives like Lisa Materazzo absolutely bear responsibility for how these “level 2 AV” systems are sold to the public as full AV:
“Proud to share our latest campaign featuring Ford BlueCruise, our hands-free highway driving technology created to support the hands-on lives our customers lead. Whether it’s a long trip with family or a daily commute, BlueCruise is designed to reduce stress behind the wheel and help drivers stay more present with the people and moments that matter most… BlueCruise hands-free highway driving can help you stay connected to those around you, whether you’re taking the kids to a soccer tournament or heading to your favorite local hike. How are you using BlueCruise?”
The word safety is no where to be found in this drivel, copy pasta’d from her linkedin posts. The NTSB officially criticized Ford executives like her for overstating BlueCruise capability while understating (hiding) limitations, more Loophole Cascade failure mode right in front of your lying eyes. What Lisa Materazzo promoted as a Ford CMO shaped this messaging around “autonomous‑feeling experience” and “next‑generation driving freedom” that NTSB labeled as “misleading marketing with fatal results.”
Ms. Materazzo’s job title at Ford is CMO (CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER), recruited specifically from Toyota just 3 years ago, is not an engineer nor a human factors expert at all, she has a MBA from Binghamton University School of Management, class of ’97 according to her linkedin profile.
This is a professional critique of Ms. Materazzo based on public facts called ACCOUNTABILITY, not a personal attack…
Modern airliners, commercial jets, cargo aircraft and private aviation do NOT rely on just an autopilot to avoid crashes into the ground, mountains, other airplanes or hazards like towers and power lines. Instead, multiple redundant independent safety systems like EGPWS prevent terrain impact, TCAS issues climb/descend commands to avoid other aircraft, and FMS enforces safe altitudes and legal routes, with GA and BJ’s adding ADS‑B traffic avoidance and synthetic vision.
These layers work together to prevent any controlled flight into terrain or mid‑air collisions, and is reinforced by mandatory pilot licensing and constant training combined w/aviation’s trustworthy and always vigilant “see and be seen” safety culture, where sterile cockpit rules and strict avoidance of distraction are treated as non‑negotiable.