A Houston businessman has obtained rights to the Cord name and hopes to manufacture Cord 810 replicas, taking advantage of newly relaxed regulations for low-volume car makers. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Volkswagen’s Audi division has gone outside the company to choose a new head of technical development, selecting Volvo executive Peter Mertens. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Government safety regulators are asking smartphone manufacturers to develop the means to block the use of mobile device apps while driving. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is slashing prices up to $3,900 on the Fiat 500 and offering financial support to dealers to prop up the struggling model line in the U.S. More at the Wall Street Journal.
+ ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks, a subsidiary of Luxembourg steel maker ArcelorMittal, will invest $83 million in a new Detroit plant, creating 120 jobs. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.
+ Robbie Reiser has been relieved of his duties as general manager at Roush Fenway Racing, while driver Greg Biffle has left the NASCAR team after 19 years. More at Motorsport.com.
+ At the Guangzhou Auto Show, BMW introduced a new 1 Series sedan for younger drivers in the Chinese market that will not be offered in North America. More at Motor Trend.
+ Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Deiss says the company will permanently drop diesel engines in the U.S. and focus on SUVs and electric vehicles as it reboots its marketing plan for America. More at Reuters.
+ The new Jeep Wrangler JL due for 2018 will likely employ bonded aluminum hood and door panels and more aerodynamic styling than previous Jeep models. More at Autoblog.
+ Automakers are pushing for greater flexibility and the ability to protect proprietary technology as federal regulators implement new guidelines for self-driving cars. More at The Detroit News.
+ Texas entrepreneur Craig Corbell has obtained rights to the Cord name from the Glenn Pray family and plans to produce replica Cord 810 automobiles. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ McLaren driver Jenson Button, winner of 15 Formula 1 races and the 2009 world championship, says he will retire after Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. More at BBC Sport.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from November 21 here.
Photo by Bill McGuire for Mac’s Motor City Garage.
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