This flyweight 1956 Lotus VI is one of the feature attractions at a new show at the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA called The Art of Lightness. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. -Michael Furman photo
Today’s headlines:
+ General Motors earned $1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2014, beating analysts’ forecasts and posting double the earnings for the same period last year. More at USA Today.
+ Two Motor City auto suppliers, Lippert Components and Oakland Stamping, have been awarded $500,000 in state grants that will generate 200 new jobs and $11.8 million in new investments. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.
+ Daimler AG has sold its remaining 4 percent in electric car maker Tesla Motors, clearing a reported $780 million on the deal. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ A doctor treating Michael Schumacher says the seven-time Formula One champion is making progress and could recover in one to three years. More at BBC News.
+ U.S. federal prosecutors have opened a probe to determine if air bag supplier Takata Corp.misled authorities about the number of defective units involved. More at Reuters.
+ Earnings at Hyundai Motor plunged 28 percent in 3Q 2014, mainly due to unfavorable exchange rates, on total sales of 1.12 million units. More at The Korea Herald.
+ A new exhibit at the Antique Auto Club of America’s Hershey, PA museum, entitled The Art of Lightness and celebrating Colin Chapman and Lotus, will open on January 24, 2015. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ With two events left in the NHRA season, superstar crew chief Jimmy Prock has left John Force Racing and moved to Don Schumacher Racing. More at Drag Racing Online.
For the previous Executive Briefing from October 20, click here.
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For a while drag racing fans grumbled about the amount of cars John Force put in a field. These days it seems like Don Schumacher is trying to fill the entire field with his cars in the three pro classes.
Wow, I’m shocked at the announcement of Jimmy Prock leaving JFR. I thought for sure, he was a lifer. Obviously, he doesn’t have much faith in JFR’s future. DSR could use a tuner like Jimmy Prock, and must have made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. While I believe there are plenty of talented crew chiefs, Jimmy Prock was good, but no Austin Coil. It makes me wonder how hard of a guy John Force must be to work for. While I still enjoy watching Fuel cars, I really couldn’t care less who wins. To me, they are still the most exciting race cars on the planet to watch.