This 1954 Taylor Aerocar will be among the featured offerings at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, which opens this weekend. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines:

+   BMW R&D chief Klaus Fröhlich says internal combustion engines could hang on with the automaker another 30 years, but the V8, V12, and quad-turbo diesel will go away. More at Autoblog. 

+   Ford has registered the name Stormtrak, which could be applied to a raised-wagon model that slots into the product lineup where the Fusion sedan now resides. More at AutoGuide. 

+   At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, noteworthy automotive rollouts included the Sony Vision-S concept and the Hyundai/Uber flying taxi. More at Car and Driver. 

+   Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso is reportedly close to securing a deal to enter this year’s Indianapolis 500 with Andretti Autosports. More at Grand Prix 247. 

+   At a news conference in Lebanon, former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said he fled Japan because he feared he would die there without the opportunity to clear his name. More at CNBC. 

+   Fiat Chrysler assembly plants in Windsor, Ontario and Belvidere, Illinois, will idle for two weeks this month following a year of declining sales for the minivans and SUVs. More at The Detroit News. 

+   A recent ruling by the United Stated Patent and Trademark Office could allow classic car clubs and other organizations more control over lapsed automobile brands. More at Hemmings Daily.

+   A 1954 Taylor Aerocar, one of five flying cars created by aircraft inventor Molt Taylor, will be among the featured offerings at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.

+   At $89 billion and nearly $500 per share, the market capitalization of Tesla Inc. has eclipsed the combined market values of General Motors and Ford Motor Company for the first time. More at Reuters. 

+   Ross Chastain will enter the Daytona 500 and one additional race with a Chevrolet Camaro prepared by Chip Ganassi Racing and fielded by Spire Motorsports. More at Frontstretch. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 6 here.

Photo courtesy and copyright of Barrett-Jackson. 

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