MCG Executive Briefing for November 18, 2016

joseph-and-margie-casinni-iii-1933-chrysler-imperial-lebaron-dual-cowl-phaetonThis imposing 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Phaeton by LeBaron is expected to bring $1.4 million to $1.8 million at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale on January 19-20. Get all the latest automotive news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

 

Today’s headlines:

+   At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles unveiled the new Jeep Compass crossover, which will be manufactured globally at plants in Brazil, China, Mexico, and India. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Ford of Canada president CEO Dianne Craig has been named Director of Sales for the Unites States, as Mark Buzzell takes over the top Canadian post. More at CBC News. 

+   Jaguar will build its forthcoming I-Pace full-electric crossover with contract manufacturer Magna Steyr in Austria, says Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   Ron Dennis has resigned as CEO and Chairman of the McLaren Technology Group, forced out by chief shareholders TAG Group and Mumtalakat. More at Yahoo! Sport. 

+   Volkswagen AG says it expects sales of Volkswagen brand vehicles in China to achieve 3,000,000 units in 2017, an increase of 340,000 over last year. More at Reuters.

+   Shareholders of Tesla Motors and SolarCity have approved a merger plan for the two companies, both of which are controlled by venture capitalist Elon Musk. More at Forbes.

+   Porsche introductions at the Los Angeles Auto Show included the mid-engined 911 RSR race car and the stretched-wheelbase Panamera Executive range. More at Automobile. 

+   Subaru unveiled the Viziv-7 Concept, a large three-row SUV that reportedly will go into production in 2018 as the largest Subaru ever sold in America. More at Autoblog.  

+   The Alfa Romeo unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will use the new Stelvio crossover to lead Alfa’s reentry to the American market after a 30-year absence. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   A 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Phaeton originally owned by LeBaron principal Ralph Roberts will be offered at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale on January 19-20. More at Hemmings Daily. 

+   This year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup champion will collect half as much prize money as last year’s winner due to changes that distribute the purse more evenly over the top 25 points earners. More at Racer. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from November 14 here.

Photo by Bill McGuire for Mac’s Motor City Garage. 

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