A 2006 Ford GT with only 10 original miles will be among the headliners.at the RM Sotheby’s Fort Lauderdale sale, where it is expected to bring up go $350,000. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ The German car industry risks shortages of key raw materials for electric vehicle batteries, potentially capping production, warns BDI, Germany’s largest industry association. More at Reuters.
+ Ford is opening its vehicle first proving ground in China, a $100 million facility covering 160 acres in Nanjing, around 200 miles northwest of Shanghai. More at The Detroit News.
+ According to Kerrigan Advisors, a car dealer consulting firm, many mom-and-pop car dealerships are now looking to sell out while store values are near historic highs. More at CNBC.
+ The Force India Formula 1 team’s plans to change its team name for 2018 have been compromised by “cybersquatters,” says team principal Vijay Mallya. More at Motorsport.com.
+ As previously rumored, the upcoming Wrangler-based 2019 Jeep pickup may be available with a a retractable soft top that can be lowered or removed completely. More at Motor Trend.
+ Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai says the company is planning a new crossover vehicle for 2021 that will be a departure from previous CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9 models. More at Autoblog.
+ South Korean supplier Samsung Electronics expects a four-fold increase in revenue in the next decade due to the growth of autonomous driving technology. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Major product presentations at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show will reportedly include the Audi A8 flagship sedan, BMW X7, and the Hyundai Kona. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Headliners at the 2018 RM Sotheby’s Ft. Lauderdale sale, previously hosted under the company’s Auctions America banner, will include a 2006 Ford GT with only 10 miles. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.
+ Trans-Am champion Ernie Francis Jr., a 19 year-old African-American, has been tabbed by NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program to race in the K&N Pro Series in 2018. More at NBC Sports.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from November 24 here.
Photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
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