Caterpillar Inc. is developing a giant battery-electic truck in partnership with the  mining industry. Get all the latest automotive news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s headlines:

+   Audi has confirmed that 2023 will be the swan song for the R8, its V10-powered, mid-engined supercar, while observers suggest that its eventual replacement will be electric. More at Car and Driver. 

+   Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta software is now available to all owners in North America as the automaker awaits regulatory approval for vehicle operation without human oversight. More at The Verge.  

+   Japanese carmaker Mazda unveiled a $10.6 billion spending plan to electrify its product line and also announced it was considering a further investment in battery manufacturing. More at Rueters. 

+   ESPN reported a record audience of 1.21 million viewers per race across all its platforms in 2022, with significant increases in viewing among women and young adults. More at Sports Media Watch.  

+   Production of the Soviet-era Moskvich automobile was relaunched in Russia at a former Renault factory in Moscow that will be operated by Kamaz, a Russian truck maker. More at CNBC. 

+   Kindred Motorworks, a California-based restoration company, will offer classic 1947-53 Chevrolet 3100 pickups with battery-electric powertrains and a price of $159,000. More at Autoblog. 

+   Photos of two new Cadillacs likely destined only for China, a redesigned CT6 sedan and a new compact crossover called the GT4, surfaced on a Chinese government website. More at Motor Authority.  

+  Caterpillar Inc, the world’s largest producer of construction equipment, is developing  a gargantuan battery-electic dump truck in partnership with several major mining companies. More at The Drive. 

+   Supply chain issues continue to plague the industry as production has been halted on the Chrysler Pacifica minivan at the Stellantis assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Via Twitter, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported that a deal is getting closer for Hélio Castroneves to compete in the Daytona 500. possibly with Trackhouse Racing or Money Team Racing. More at Jayski. 

Photo courtesy of Caterpillar Inc. 

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from November 21 here. 

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