At $7.52 million, this historic 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta was the top sale at Saturday’s Villa Erba auction on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ The U.S. Justice department and General Motors are said to be close to a settlement in the criminal investigation of the automaker’s ignition switch recall. More at The Detroit News.
+ Daimler AG and mobile communications company Qualcomm Inc. have formed a partnership to develop wireless charging and connectivity technologies. More at Reuters.
+ Mitsubishi may produce a high-performance, AWD version of the Outlander Sport crossover that could wear the automaker’s famed Evo badge. More at Autoblog.
+ Driving a Dallara-Chevrolet, Juan Montoya won Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, his second Indy 500 victory and a historic 16th win for car owner Roger Penske. More at USA Today.
+ Sergio Marchionne of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles officially approached General Motors CEO Mary Barra about a possible merger of their two companies in March, but was flatly rebuffed. More at The New York Times.
+ A new study commissioned by AT&T and performed by Braun Research found that drivers are not only texting but using Facebook and other social media while behind the wheel. More at Motor Trend.
+ South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor plans to launch a Sonata plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in its home market this fall. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ Mercedes Formula One team boss Toto Wolff has apologized to driver Lewis Hamilton for the unfortunate pit stop decision that cost him certain victory at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. More at Racer.
+ The RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba sale on the shores of Lake Como in Italy generated nearly $30 million in sales with an 89 percent sell-through rate. More at Sports Car Digest.
Photo by Tim Scott Fluid Images © 2015 courtesy RM Sotheby’s.
Read the previous Executive Briefing from May 22 here.
Why is Sergio so intent on mergers? I fail to see the real benefit.