Tesla has started taking deposits for the American-made Model 3 electric sedan in China, with deliveries scheduled for March or April of 2019. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines: 

+   Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance chief Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Japan on charges of under-reporting his salary as Nissan chairman by around $44.6 million. More at The Asahi Shimbun. 

+   Current troubles at Maserati were caused by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles treating the carmaker “almost as if it were a mass market brand,” says FCA CEO Mike Manley. More at Automotive News Europe.

+   Volkswagen is up to two years behind Waymo in self-driving cars but is committed to catching up, CEO Herbert Diess told the German Sunday newspaper Welt am Sonntag. More at Reuters.

+   Irv Gordon, the Guiness record-holding Long Islander who bought a new Volvo 1800 sports car in 1966 and drove it more than 3.4 million miles, has passed away at 78. More at Hemmings Daily.

+   Tesla Inc., which signed a deal in July to build a $2 billion plant in China, is now taking orders there for U.S.-built Model 3 sedans for delivery in March or April 2019. More at Autoblog. 

+   Driving a Team Penske Ford, Joey Logano dominated the closing laps at the Homestead-Miami Speedway season finale to claim the 2018 NASCAR Monster Cup championship. More at ESPN. 

+   Toyota has unveiled TRD (Toyota Racing Developments) versions of the 2020 Camry and Avalon with suspension, braking, and appearance upgrades. More at Motor Trend. 

+   Mecum, the only major American collector car auction company without a presence at Arizona Auction Week each January, has scheduled an Arizona sale for March 2019. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.

+   Troy, Michigan-based engine parts maker Dayco Products could fetch $1 billion as it fields purchase offers from Apollo Global Management, Gores Group, and others. More at Crain’s Detroit Business. 

+   Seventeen year-old Formula 3 driver Sophia Florsch of Germany suffered a spinal fracture in a horrifying high-speed crash at the Macau Grand Prix in China. More at BBC Sport. 

+   NHRA and Fox Sports have unveiled the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series TV schedule with more live coverage and the addition of announcer Brian Lohnes. More at Racer. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from November 16 here. 

Photo by Tesla Inc. 

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