General Motors will offer buyouts to all 2,000 Buick franchises in the USA to clear out dealers that don’t wish to invest in the changeover to EVs. Get all the latest industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Volkswagen’s management and supervisory boards will meet this week to discuss whether the long-anticipated public share offer for the Porsche unit should proceed. More at Reuters.
+ Ford sales climbed 27.3 percent in August over the same month last year, led by a 47.7 percent increase in SUV sales and a stunning 307.3 percent rise in electric vehicles. More at The Detroit News.
+ Subaru has released a dimly lit, 15-second teaser video of a new crossover to be formally introduced on September 15 that is presumed to be the next-gen Crosstrek. More at The Drive.
+ Following an apparently premature announcement from Alpine that he was returning next year, driver Oscar Piastri will officially join the McLaren Formula 1 team next year. More at the UK Guardian.
+ Utility officials in California are asking residents to avoid charging their electric vehicles during peak hours to alleviate a power shortage due to hot weather in the state. More at TechCrunch.
+ General Motors will offer buyouts to all 2,000 Buick franchises in the USA to clear out dealers that don’t want to make the investment in the changeover to electric vehicles. More at Autoblog.
+ Honda has released more details on the U.S.-spec 2023 CIvic Type R due to arrive in showrooms this fall, including a 315-hp output rating and a full list of electronic driver aids. More at CNET Cars.
+ At the invitation of Michigan development officials, President Joe Biden says he plans to attend the North American International Auto Show in Detroit later this month. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ General Motors startup Cruise LLC reported that it recalled and updated software in 80 self-driving vehicles after a June crash in San Francisco that left two people injured. More at World Auto Forum.
+ Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who has struggled in his second career in IndyCars, says he hopes to return next year with Chip Ganassi Racing. More at Racer.
Photo courtesy of Sewell Buick-GMC.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from September 2 here.
Sales are well down at Buick this year, maybe in part due to supply chain issues. But this could be a retrenchment in the USA. Perhaps Buick could become a China-only brand eventually.