Toytota is testing a GR86 sports car with the 1.6-liter turbo from the GR Corolla, and the combination could go into production. Get all the latest industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has begun delivering its electric SUVs to local customers, with U.S. vehicle deliveries planned to begin as soon as this December. More at Reuters.
+ Spy photographers have captured images of a prototype 2023 Mazda CX-90, a new three-row crossover to be available with a hybrid powertrain or a longitudinal inline six. More at Car and Driver.
+ Executives at EV leader Tesla Inc. are considering a plan to construct a giant lithium refinery on the gulf coast of Texas to process raw lithium into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. More at CNBC.
+ With a third-place finish at the IndyCar season finale in Monterey, California, Team Penske driver Will Power claimed his second season championship at the age of 41. More at Motorsport.com.
+ Members of the United Auto Workers have gone on strike at the Stellantis aluminum casting plant in Kokomo, Indiana, citing broken equipment and health and safety concerns. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Online retail giant Amazon is taking down the U.S. and UK sales listings for products designed to defeat vehicle seatbelt alarms, just one day after doing the same in India. More at Autoblog.
+ Brightdrop, General Motors’ commercial electric vehicle division, intends to offer self-driving delivery vehicles in the future, although CEO Travis Katz did not offer a timetable. More at the Detroit Free Press
+ Toyota is currently testing its GR86 sports car with the three-cylinder G16E turbo engine from the Corolla GR, and the combination could possibly go into production. More at The Drive.
+ At the Detroit auto show on Sept 13, the Chrysler brand of Stellantis will reportedly introduce a performance version of the 300 sedan, which last offered a sport model in 2014. More at CNET Cars.
+ NASCAR insiders say a deal is all but done to send veteran driver Kyle Busch from his current Toyota ride with Joe Gibbs Racing to a Richard Childress Chevrolet next year. More at Jayski.
Photo courtesy of Toyota.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from September 9 here.