This 1912 Mercer 35C Raceabout brought $1.3 million at the Gooding Christie’s Stan Lucas Collection sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ The government of China will tighten the rules for exporting EVs by requiring automakers to obtain export permits beginning next year, the Commerce Ministry announced. More at AP News.
+ U.S. new vehicle sales are expected to reach 4,075,132 units in the third quarter of 2025, a 4.7 percent increase from the same period last year, according to Edmunds. More at CBT News.
+ Shares in Daimler Truck and Traton fell after President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on heavy-duty trucks, adding to trade tensions in the automotive sector. More at U.S. News & World Report.
+ Katharina Nowak has been named president of the Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix after heading business operations for the event since 2023 and serving as vice president since 2024. More at Racer.
+ According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 96 percent of drivers admitted to aggressive driving in the past year, including speeding, tailgating, and cutting people off. More at Autoblog.
+ Momenta, a Chinese driverless technology startup, is raising a fresh round of funding that could value the company at around $6 billion, according to two sources. More at CNBC.
+ BMW is recalling more than 196,000 vehicles in the U.S.to correct a starter relay that may corrode, leading to overheating and a short circuit that could potentially cause a fire. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Lexus will commemorate the LS Sedan, the model that launched the Toyota luxury brand in 1989, with 250 copies of the 2026 LS500 Heritage Edition priced at $100,730. More at Car and Driver.
+ The Gooding Christie’s auction of classic autos from the Stan Lucas Collection reported $33 million in total sales, led by a 1911 Oldsmobile Limited at $5.06 million. More at Old Cars.
+ Mick Schumacher, 26 year-old son seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, will make his IndyCar driving debut in a test with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. More at Motorsport.com.
Image courtesy of Gooding Christie’s.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from September 22 here.
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NHTSA recall report #25V636 begins with two thermal events from suspected accident damage and an improper repair, starter supplier becomes involved. Field complaints of other starter fires lead to a NHTSA hypothesis of water ingress, contractors unable to replicate defect during bench testing but BMW throws in the towel and recalls…
Water intrusion is problematic. I remember a case back in the ’80s where moisture was entering through a connector at the relay center at the top of the EC and then wicking down through a drape in the harness, resulting in a corrosion break a foot or two away.
Absolutely, but it prolly conserves travel mulah & per diem whipping up a plausible hypothesis while enjoying a five star breakfast in the basement of the HUD building rather than taking that train ride to Baltimore to look at a burnt Beemer in the flesh…
Disappointed that the Old Cars article didn’t have a photo of the 1911 Oldsmobile Limited. I’d always heard they were impressive but had never seen one in person until last year. The stories I’d heard were true. It was massive. The top of the fenders were nearly shoulder height.
If you follow the link in the Old Cars story it will be the very first car on the page.
All of the cars are beautiful, but the 1930 Packard is drop-dead gorgeous!