Mazda confirmed that the Iconic SP sports car concept may be headed for production. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Cup champion, winner of 85 Cup races, NASCAR Hall of Famer, and leader of stock car racing’s Alabama Gang, has passed away at 86. More at CNN.
+ In a strategy pivot, Toyota now plans to ramp up production in China to least 2.5 million vehicles a year by 2030, bringing its sales and production operations closer together. More at MSN.
+ Stellantis will indefinitely lay off 400 workers at its Freud Street material logistics facility across the street from the Jefferson Assembly plant in Detroit, the automaker confirmed. More at CBS News.
+ The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says Tesla is telling owners their cars can drive themselves, a claim at odds with the carmaker’s legal position. More at The Detroit News.
+ In the season finale at Phoenix, Joey Logano fought off Penske teammate Ryan Blaney over the final laps to take the 2024 NASCAR Cup championship, his third Cup title. More at USA Today.
+ BMW’s latest 2 Series Gran Coupe, based on the front-drive Mini’s UKL platform, has been unveiled with revised front and rear end styling and a base price of $42,775. More at Autoblog.
+ China’s passenger vehicle sales jumped 11.2 percent in October year-on-year, the second straight monthly rise and the fastest growth since January, led by domestic champion BYD. More at World Auto Forum.
+ According to the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI), wholesale prices declined 3.2 percent in October over the same month last year, and 1.9 percent since September. More at CBT News.
+ According to Mazda design chief Masashi Nakayama, the Iconic SP concept was specifically designed for volume production, but he stopped short of any announcement. More at The Drive.
+ The last Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe of the 1954-57 production run will be among the lots at an exclusive RM Sotheby’s auction in Las Vegas on November 22. More at Motor Authority.
+ Audi is reportedly on the verge of selling a significant share of its Sauber Formula 1 team to Qatar, with an announcement potentially coming ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix. More at Motorsport.com
Photo courtesy of Mazda.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from November 8 here.
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The Mazda SP would make a fine RX-7 but historically, the MX-5 is due for a new generation. The SP’s pop-up headlights may be a throwback feature.
In the not so distant past, motor vehicle safety improvements were proven on the race track before being foisted upon the public; rear view mirrors, safety belts, ABS, traction control, etc. Ask yourself why self driving autono-mouse technology has not been proven on the race track. NHTSA is actually on to something big holding Tesla’s feet to the fire. Is there video or test data available of any autonomous vehicle successfully conducting an emergency double lane change at freeway speeds?
Mercedes-Benz has Level 3 autonomous driving available on the E and S Class. That’s the highest in the USA so far. Level 3 is the lowest of the levels where the car monitors the environment. Level 5 is fully automated.
Audi has a Level 3 system on the A6 and A8 that’s not yet available in the US. I believe Tesla, GM and Ford are Level 2, where the driver is still responsible.
Level 4 will accomplish your lane-change test and still allow the driver the ability to take control. Level 5 has no pedals or steering wheel.
Once we reach level 5, I believe any lesser cars will be restricted to toll lanes where you have to pay to enjoy driving. Your insurance costs will ensure that only the richest will have the privilege. Ironically, Elon Musk will be able to drive himself and you won’t.