MCG Executive Briefing for October 23, 2023

Toyota will debut a Maverick-sized EV pickup at the Tokyo Auto Show that could be ready for production soon. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

Today’s headlines:

 United Auto Workers members on strike for a month at Mercedes-supplier ZF’s plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama have voted to ratify a tentative contract and have returned to work. More at Reuters. 

 Ford Motor Co. reports it would face $1 billion in fines from 2027 to 2032 under stricter proposed average fuel economy rules that target SUV and truck manufacturers. More at The Detroit News. 

 A study by the climate action group Possible found that new vehicles today contribute more pollution than those of 10 years ago due to the growing popularity of SUVs. More at Autoblog. 

 After the U.S. Grand Prix, the cars of second-place finisher Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in sixth were disqualified from the event for technical rules violations. More at Motorsport.com.  

+   Andretti Cadillac is still aiming to compete in Formula 1 in 2025 despite the ongoing opposition from a number of current teams it is facing in its plans, Michael Andretti has confirmed. More at Racer. 

+   According to BMW development boss Frank Weber, the next-generation i3 will  be base on the Neue Klasse EV platform and employ more traditional BMW styling than the previous i3. More at The Drive. 

 Honda and General Motors will form a joint venture to operate self-driving robotaxis in Tokyo, with plans to form a new company next year and have vehicles in operation in 2026. More at Autoweek. 

 Volkswagen has cut its profit margin projection or the current year, citing costs of raw materials hedges at the end of the third quarter, but kept its outlook on revenue and sales. More at World Auto Forum. 

 Audi reports the next-generation A4 product line due in 2025 will be all electric, based on the e-tron design language and powered by a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. More at Motor Illustrated. 

 Toyota will unveil a Maverick-sized compact electric pickup at the Tokyo Auto Show  that is said to be nearly production-ready, but as yet no power, range, or price info has been released. More at Car and Driver.  

 NASCAR Xfinity series driver Chandler Smith is expected to join Joe Gibbs Racing after Kaulig Racing announced that he will not be returning to the team next season. More at Jayski. 

Photo courtesy of Toyota.

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from October 20 here.

Join Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook and Twitter to receive notices when every new story is published.