Ford has confirmed two available battery packs for the 2022 F-150 Lightning electric pickup rated at 230 and 300 miles. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Automobile sales in China, the world’s largest market, will likely rise 5.4 percent to reach 27.5 million in 2022, says the the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). More at Reuters.
+ The Chevrolet Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky is expected to restart production this week following repairs to the facility after tornadoes struck the area. More at The Detroit News.
+ Shares in Rivian Automotive skidded nearly 15 percent to a record low after the electric vehicle maker cut back its 2022 production estimate due to supply problems. More at CNBC.
+ In Paris, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, deputy to Jean Todt, was elected president of the FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, defeating Graham Stoker with nearly 62 percent of the vote. More at Racer.
+ Bizzarrini, the fabled Italian marque of 1964-69, has been relaunched with a continuation model of the 5300 GT and backing from Kuwaiti investor Rezam Al Roumi. More at ClassicCars.com Journal.
+ FedEx has received the first five of 500 General Motors Brightdrop EV600 electric delivery vans, which feature a range of 250 miles and a cargo capacity of 600 square feet. More at Autoblog.
+ GMC reported that production of the Hummer EV Edition 1 pickup truck is now under way at the General Motors Factory Zero electric-vehicle plant in Hamtramck, Michigan. More at Motor Authority.
+ Albert Biermann, who joined Hyundai as research and development chief in 2015 after a 31-year stint at BMW, is retiring to take a smaller role with the South Korean carmaker. More at The Drive.
+ Ford has confirmed two available battery packs for the 2022 F-150 Lightning electric pickup: a standard 98-kWh unit good for 230 miles, or a 131-kWh pack rated at 300 miles. More at Car and Driver.
+ NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell affirmed that 670 horsepower will be the likely target engine output for almost all tracks in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series. More at Jayski.
Photo courtesy of Ford.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from December 13 here.