The Jeep Cherokee will return in 2025 as a hybrid, reportedly. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Volkswagen sees no chance of avoiding layoffs and plant closures in order to cut $4.2 billion in costs, brand CEO Thomas Schaefer told the German weekly Welt am Sonntag. More at Reuters.
+ More than 240,000 Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia vehicles are being recalled to correct a defect that causes a lack of electrical power, says the National Highway Traffic Administration. More at The Detroit News.
+ Representing the U.S. auto industry, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation has sent a letter to President-elect Trump urging him to continue the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit. More at CBT News.
+ In finishing fifth at the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen clinched his fourth world drivers’ championship for Red Bull against his sole remaining rival, Lando Norris. More at NBC Sports.
+ Peter Carlsson, the co-founder and CEO of Swedish EV battery maker Northvolt, has stepped down to become a senior advisor after the company’s Chapter 11 filing in the USA. More at CNBC.
+ A few months after signing a memorandum of agreement to collaborate on future products, General Motors and Hyundai are considering a joint venture on a pickup. More at The Drive.
+ Spanish automaker CUPRA, a unit of Volkswagen AG, has begun preliminary discussions with Penske Automotive Group to distribute vehicles in the United States. More at Motor Illustrated.
+ At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa confirmed that a hybrid midsize SUV will arrive next year, which observers believe will be called the Cherokee. More at Car and Driver.
+ Chris Gabehart, crew chief for Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR Cup entry at Joe Gibbs Racing, has been promoted to competition director, with his former position taken by Chris Gayle. More at Essentially Sports.
+ Nissan has persuaded a federal appeals court to decertify 10 class actions accusing the Japanese automaker of selling vehicles with defective emergency braking systems. More at World Auto Forum.
Photo courtesy of Stellantis.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from November 22 here.
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