Driving a Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Johnny O’Connell won his second straight Pirelli World Challenge GT championship at the series finale in Houston. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. -Richard Prince photo for Cadillac Racing
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+ The 2014 Toyota Corolla received an unfavorable Marginal grade in a critical portion of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s crash tests. More at USA Today.
+ Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk says a fire in a Tesla S last week was caused by a large metal object in the road that impaled the battery. More at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
+ Sen Bob Corker (R) of Tennessee says VW would be making the “biggest mistake” by allowing the UAW to represent workers at its Chattanooga plant. More at Reuters.
+ Three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti suffered back and ankle fractures and 13 spectators were injured by debris in a last-lap crash at the Houston IndyCar race. More at ESPN.
+ Actor Will Ferrell as comically insipid newsman Ron Burgundy pitches the 2014 Durango in a series of Dodge commercials tied to Paramount’s Anchorman 2. More at Variety.
+ The huge River Rouge plant of Russian steelmaker Severstal is running near full capacity due to high auto industry demand, but at thin margins. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ In meetings this week, Ford directors are expected to discuss the plans of CEO Alan Mulally, who reportedly is the leading candidate to lead Microsoft. More at Bloomberg.com.
+ Johnny O’Connell (GT) and Lawson Aschenbach (GTS) captured their respective Pirelli World Challenge championships with dramatic victories in the season finale at Houston. More at National Speed Sport News.
For the previous Executive Briefing from October 4, click here.