MCG Executive Briefing for April 2, 2018

wned by dual world champion John Surtees for six decades, this 1957 BMW 507 is expected to bring up to $3.1 million at the Bonhams Festival of Speed sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

 

Today’s Headlines: 

 The American Center for Mobility, a dedicated test facility for autonomous vehicles on the site of the historic Willow Run, Michigan auto plant, will open this week. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   In response to lower than expected sales, Honda will interrupt production of the Accord sedan over 11 days at the Marysville, Ohio plant to reduce inventory levels. More at Motor Trend. 

+   Volkswagen has been storing nearly 300,000 diesel vehicles it was forced to buy back in 37 storage facilities around the United States, for eventual repair or export. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   With 34 to 36 entries reportedly committed for the Indianapolis 500 in May, bumping is expected to return to the annual qualifying ritual for the 33 starting positions. More at Racer. 

 Tesla Inc. has confirmed that the Autopilot system was engaged during the fatal California crash of a Tesla S, which is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Board. More at ABC News.

 Bentley will enter a modified-production Bentayga in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb on June 24, gunning for a class record in the SUV category with Rhys Millen at the wheel. More at Automobile. 

+   The United Auto Workers added nearly 15,000 new members in 2017, a 3.6 percent increase, according to documents filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. more at The Detroit News. 

 Headliners at the Bonhams Festival of Speed auction at Goodwood on July 13 will include a 1957 BMW 507 originally purchased by dual world champion John Surtees. More at Hemmings Daily. 

+   Waymo will buy and convert as many as 20,000 Jaguar I-Pace vehicles over the next two years to populate its autonomous car fleet, according to CEO John Krafcik. More at Road & Track. 

 Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo says the current Formula 1 package, including its tires, is too wide and aerodynamically disruptive to allow for competitive overtaking. More at Motorsport.com. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from March 30 here.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams. 

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3 thoughts on “MCG Executive Briefing for April 2, 2018

  1. The Accord was the 4th best selling car in the US for 2017, behind the Camry, Civic and Corolla.

  2. So VW can export their illegal lemon cars. Just shove the things into markets that do not care = NIMBY. They should either be repaired or scrapped.
    That Surtees Bimmer still looks modern. lower it a bit and some wider tyres and rims and it would not look out of place with many more modern cars, That 16″ of plastic steering wheel though would have to go!

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