Audi has unveiled this new Sport Quattro Concept in advance of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Sporting a 700 hp hybrid powertrain, it could find production form within two years. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
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+ Ford will roll out its new Vignale sub-brand for the European market at the Frankfurt Motor Show. More at AutoGuide,com.
+ Toyota is adding 60 jobs and investing another $28 million in its powerplant R&D facilities in Southeast Michigan. More at MLive.com.
+ Much of the historic Willow Run B-24 plant in Ypsilanti Township is now set for demolition to make way for a vehicle research center. More at The Detroit News.
+ Target Ganassi driver Scott Dixon has called for the firing of IndyCar director Beaux Barfield after a series of controversial race calls. More at Fox News.com.
+ Ford chief executive Alan Mulally, who is now 68, may step down earlier than scheduled, company sources say. More at Reuters.
+ Daimler AG and Nissan have launched a joint venture to manufacture luxury cars in Aguascalientes, Mexico. More at Autoblog.
+ Audi has revealed its new Audi Sport Quatro concept in advance of the Frankfurt Motor Show. More at the UK Telegraph.
+ Citing lack of funding, NASCAR Sprint Cup veteran Jeff Burton and Richard Childress Racing will part ways at the end of this season. More at Yahoo! Sports.
For the previous Executive Briefing from September 2, click here.
The Vignale schtick is no different than what Ford did with the once- hallowed Ghia name in the seventies and eighties. I guess if it makes them money and keeps the name alive, it’s alright. I sure wish they would build a Fusion wagon similar to the Mondeo.
The article was very conservatively worded but I sincerely hope Willow Run plans go through. It would be a real lift to the Ypsilanti area.
Alan Mulally was a great captain but I’ll have confidence in Mark Fields if he gets the job.
The Vignale seems slightly better than those dreadful designer special editions of the Seventies. My guess is that it’s directed toward the “company car” model used in Europe and wouldn’t translate to the US. Lincoln is already a newar-luxury brand and we have a choice of many others. I also would like a wagon in the Ford lineup but my preference is for the Focus. The original Focus wagon had more cargo capacity than many SUVs and larger wagons.