MCG Executive Briefing for September 30, 2016

two-duesenbergsTwo rare Duesenberg Phaetons, including a unique Model A/Y prototype, will be the featured attractions at the RM Sotheby’s Hershey Auction on October 6-7. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

 

Today’s headlines:

+   Nissan seeks compensation for costs due to Britain’s exit from the European Union before committing to more investment in its UK plant, says CEO Carlos Ghosn. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   General Motors Co.’s Cruise Automation autonomous vehicle software start-up now has 100 employees, up from 40 when GM acquired the firm. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Troubled airbag maker Takata has sold its Irvin car interiors division to the Piston Group of Redford, Michigan, owned by Detroit basketball great Vinnie Johnson. More at the Wall Street Journal. 

+   Toyota has dropped diesel engines on its new C-HR compact and will probably do the same for future models, says Executive VP Didier Leroy. More at Yahoo! News.  

+   Veteran California sports car racer and multi-time SCCA national champion Scooter Patrick passed away on Sept. 27 at age 83. More at Racer. 

+   At the Paris Auto Show, BMW introduced the X2 crossover concept, which could appear in a production version for global markets late next year. More at Motor Trend.  

+   Volkswagen’s Czech division Skoda reports it will study the possibility of building cars in the United States, targeting a decision for the end of 2017 or later. More at Reuters. 

+   Tesla Vice President Diarmuid O’Connell says Michigan’s move to block the car maker from direct sales there will not help the state in bids for a Tesla assembly plant. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   At the Texas State Fair, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles unveiled the Ram Rebel TRX pickup concept, powered by a 575 hp version of the Hellcat 6.2-liter supercharged V8. More at Autoblog.

+   Two rare Duesenberg touring cars, a Murphy Dual-Cowl Phaeton and a unique 1927 Model A/Y prototype, will headline the RM Sotheby’s Hershey Auction on October 6-7. More at Sports Car Digest. 

+   The Brazilian, Canadian and German Grands Prix are all in doubt for the 2017 Formula 1 season, according to a provisional schedule issued by the FIA. More at BBC Sport. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from September 26 here.

Photo by Darin Schnabel courtesy of  RM Sotheby’s. 

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