New U.S. trade regulations could allow collectors to import vintage American automobiles from Cuba, though many are far from original after decades of improvised repairs. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ U.S. marshals raided six Chinese companies displaying at the SEMA and AAPEX auto industry trade shows in Las Vegas for alleged counterfeit auto components. More at Automobile.
+ Troubled Japanese airbag maker Takata is considering a bankruptcy filing for its U.S. division as it seeks partners to finance its liabilities due to faulty airbag inflators. More at Reuters.
+ Detroit auto supplier American Axle and Manufacturing will buy Southfield-based Metaldyne Performance Group, maker of chassis components, in a $3.3 billion deal. More at The Detroit News.
+ Williams has announced that 18 year-old Formula 3 champion Lance Stroll will make his Formula 1 debut with the team in 2017 alongside Valtteri Bottas. More at Racer.
+ After closing in 2012 and reopening on a limited basis, the Walter P. Chrysler Museum will close permanently in December, though Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will retain the historic car collection. More at Allpar.
+ Toyota will debut the U.S. version of its C-HR compact crossover, offering both hybrid and standard drivetrains, at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17. More at Motor Trend.
+ Renault is forming plans to manufacture cars in Pakistan with local partners, with intentions to begin production sometime in 2018. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ New trade regulations intended for items such as cigars and rum could allow collectors to import vintage automobiles from Cuba to the United States. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn says there are “encouraging signs” from seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher as he recovers from a 2013 skiing accident. More at Motorsport.com.
+ Ford U.S. sales fell 11.7 percent in October versus last year as passenger car sales tumbled 27.5 percent and truck sales slipped 2.2 percent. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ For the fourth straight year, automakers outperformed the Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards. More at Autoblog.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from October 31 here.
Photo courtesy of Cars of Cuba group at Facebook.
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