The U.S. launch of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz electric minivan has been pushed back another year to 2023. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Automotive executives and analysts are mildly optimistic that U.S. vehicle sales will return to some form of normalcy in 2021, projecting volume of 15.5 million to 16 million. More at CNBC.
+ General Motors is launching a startup business called BrightDrop that will manufacture electric trucks and provide other products and services for FedEx and UPS. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Mazda has confirmed that the Skyactiv-D diesel engine, previously offered here in the CX-5 crossover and slated for the Mazda6, will no longer be marketed in the USA. More at Autoblog.
+ French Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean, most recently of Haas F1, is understood to be close to signing a deal to race in the IndyCar Series with Dale Coyne Racing. More at Racer.
+ Fiat Chrysler’s Maserati brand has named William Peffer, former chief operating officer at Kia North America, as its CEO of North America, effective immediately. More at The Detroit News.
+ A former Nissan executive testified that deposed chairman Carlos Ghosn concealed his income at the Japanese carmaker, fearing he would be forced out at Renault. More at Reuters.
+ According to Volkswagen of America CEO Scott Keogh, the U.S. rollout of the much-anticipated ID.Buzz electric minivan has been pushed back another year to 2023. More at Car and Driver.
+ Ecurie Ecosse is expanding its line of brand-new but vintage-styled vehicles, adding a run of seven Ecurie Ecrosse C-types to the LM69 the UK firm introduced in 2019. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.
+ BMW is dropping dual-clutch transmissions across the product line, including in the M series, in favor of traditional eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmissions. More at The Drive.
+ The final entry list for the 59th annual Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona on January 30-31 includes 50 cars, a dozen more than last year and the largest field since 2018. More at NBC Sports.
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 11 here.
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