Look, it’s a Camaro. Longtime sponsor Ford has pulled out of pro drag racing for 2015, but John Force has landed on his feet with a new multi-year deal with General Motors. Get all the latest car biz news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Ford has tapped aluminum manufacturing specialist Constellium to supply structural aluminum components for the F-150 pickup. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ Canadian auto suppler Linamar Corp. will invest $425 million and add 1,200 jobs at its Guelph, Ontario transmission plant, with backing from the Canadian government. More at Reuters.
+ The site of the historic Cadillac Clark Street plant in Detroit is now being developed as a trucking logistics center with 200 employees. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ FCA US (formerly Chrysler) is considering a hybrid powertrain option for the next-generation Jeep Wrangler when it appears in 2017. More at Motor Trend.
+ John Force Racing’s three-car NHRA funny car team, featuring drivers Robert Hight, Courtney Force, and John Force himself, will race with Camaro bodies and badges starting in 2015. More at NBC Sports.
+ The share price of Tesla Motors took a tumble after CEO Elon Musk warned that the company would not become profitable until 2020. More at Autoblog.
+ Autoliv Inc., the world’s largest maker of airbag inflators, will supply up to 25 million units to the automakers to replace recalled inflators manufactured by Takata Corp. More at Bloomberg.com.
+ BMW will advertise its all-electric i3 in the Superbowl XLIX broadcast, the first time in decades the automaker has aired commercials in the event. More at The Detroit News.
+ Formula One tire supplier Pirelli is recommending wider tires to series management to improve competition and enhance spectator value. More at Racer.
For the previous Executive Briefing from January 12, click here.
Thanks MCG for giving the John Force story top billing (picture wise) I’m a huge fan of John Force, and I think we all expressed a collective sigh of relief. While I was saddened by the loss of Ford, I’m glad he decided to go with Chevy, who he has his roots with, as he started his career with Chevy. John Force bleeds red,white and blue, and if he would have gone with Toyota, who I’m sure tried to get him on board, I don’t know what I would have done. I wonder if Tim Wilkerson will follow John’s lead, although, I just can’t see Bob Tasca driving a Chevy, both of which, drove Mustang’s.
If you’ve never been to a NHRA drag racing event, and you are a gearhead, I strongly urge you to check it out. Nitro Funny cars and Top fuel dragsters are the most impressive cars on the planet. ( if you go, don’t forget the ear plugs)
Thanks for your input, Howard. Nitro cars are truly impressive — they really do shake the ground and rattle your innards in person. Was wondering what you think of current funny car bodies. Should they return to a more stock appearance in your view? The Pro Stock cars are also heading down this same road.
Well, the shape of the Funny Cars is more about aerodynamics and down force more than looks. Even the upswept headers contributes to the down force as well. Once I saw a funny car lose a header on one side, and the thing took off sideways. I’m not really into Pro Stock as much, as, while impressive in their own right, there seems to be a rivalry amongst the drivers that I don’t care for. The Nitro drivers all stick up for each other, even donating parts to help a fellow driver complete a run. I love the warm-up in the pits (you can get right next to them) when they complete a rebuild ( they blow up a motor after every run) and once when John Force “blipped” the throttle, it blew my sunglasses off my head. I’m up to 20 seconds of being exposed to the nitro fumes before I have to run.
Good for the Force Team! Never hurts to poke a stick in the eye of corporate marketing. Not surprising is the lack of FCAUSINC sponsoring any racing. You need to keep Fiat propped up & can’t spare the marketing money. At least they don’t hop in & out…