MCG Executive Briefing for April 19, 2021

This 1930 Duesenberg SJ Rollston Convertible Victoria will be among the star attractions at the annual Mecum Indy auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

Today’s Headlines:

 Daimler chief executive Ola Kallenius says he expects “intense competition” if tech giants Google, Apple, and Chinese e-commerce leader Alibaba enter the auto industry. More at CNBC

+   Electric truck start-up Rivian is ramping up operations at its Normal, Illinois plant, a former Mitsubishi facility, to begin production in June on its $75,000 pickup and $77,000 SUV. More at the Chicago Tribune. 

+  The state of Washington is the latest government jurisdiction to ban the sale of gasoline autos with a working plan to phase out all new fossil-fuel vehicles by 2030. More at The Verge. 

+   Formula 1 officials have signed a deal with a group including Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to stage the Miami Grand Prix at Miami Gardens for 10 years starting in 2022. More at the Miami Herald. 

 Volkswagen has unveiled the ID.6 seven-seater electric crossover for the China market, but company officials say the vehicle could eventually come to North America. More at Car and Driver. 

 South Korea’s giant Hyundai Motor Group has formed a new mobility division and has named engineer Song Chang-hyeon, an Apple and Microsoft veteran, to head it. More at Reuters. 

 Harrison Burton, the 20 year-old son of retired NASCAR star Jeff Burton, will make his NASCAR Cup debut at Talladega driving a Toyota for Gaunt Brothers Racing. More at NBC Sports. 

  Police in Daytona Beach, Florida are still looking for the driver of a Hyundai Santa Fe who smashed through a traffic barrier and jumped the Main Street drawbridge. More at The Drive. 

+   Headliners at the annual Mecum Indy auction on May 14-22 will include a 1958 Kurtis-Offy roadster, a 2019 Ford GT Lightweight, and a 1930 Duesenberg Rollston. More at Sports Car Digest. 

+   NHRA and Atlanta Dragway officials announced that the upcoming Southern Nationals will be the last national event at the historic track, which is being sold by NHRA. More at Speed Sport. 

  Some 2,900 United Auto Workers members at the Volvo truck plant in New River Valley, Virginia, went on strike after a March 16 deadline passed without an agreement. More at Commercial Carrier Journal. 

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from April 16 here. 

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