This 1967 Austin Healey 3000 brought $92,000 in the first online-only auction conducted by RM Sotheby’s. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

Today’s Headlines:

+   Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is poised to announce an operational tie-up with Renault that could eventually lead to a full merger between the two international automakers. More at Automotive News Europe.  Update: FCA has offered a formal merger proposal to Renault. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+  Volkswagen is ramping up discussions with Swedish startup Northvolt on plans for a joint project to manufacture battery cells at a $1 billion plant in Salzgitter, Germany. More at Reuters. 

+   At $21.9 million per year, Mary Barra of General Motors  is the highest-paid female business executive in the USA, according to the Associated Press and Equilar. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Fighting off Alexander Rossi over the final laps, Simon Pagenaud scored his first victory in the Indianapolis 500 and the eighteenth for team owner Roger Penske. More at NBC Sports. 

+  Nissan North America is looking to add a $41 million crash test facility to its technical center in the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills in a move that would create 25 jobs. More at Crain’s Detroit News. 

+   BMW has recreated the 1970 Garmisch, a lost and little-known BMW concept car designed by noted Italian stylist Marcello Gandini and constructed by Bertone. More at Motor Trend. 

+   RM Sotheby’s declared its first online-only auction a success, as a 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 brought $92,000, exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $60,000 to $70,000. More at Classic Cars.com Journal. 

+   Ford Australia has sold its Broadmeadows assembly and Geelong engine plants to the Pelligra Group, the same company that bought GM Holden’s Adelaide facility. More at CarAdvice.

+   Honda’s Acura division has renewed the trademark for the Legend name, which could be applied to a new flagship sport sedan due to be unveiled at Pebble Beach. More at The Drive. 

+  Ferrari F1 team principal Mattia Binotto has apologized for a tactical error that caused the elimination of driver Charles Leclerc in the first qualifying round at Monaco. More at Racer. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from May 24 here.

Photo courtesy and copyright RM Sotheby’s. 

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