To mark the 50th anniversary of the Mustang GT350, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion for 2015 will include a special racing class and a paddock display for the Shelby ponycars. Get all the latest car biz news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ At least 17 workers were killed and 20 more were injured when explosions ripped through a Fuwa Engineering auto parts plant in Foshan, Guangdong, China. More at the Financial Times.
+ General Motors has repurchased $3.9 billion in Series A preferred shares, a transaction that will reduce the automaker’s net income in the fourth quarter by $800 million. More at The Detroit News.
+ Noted actor, Dodge spokesman, and classic car enthusiast Edward Hermann has passed away at age 71. More at Motor Trend.
+ A Toyota dealer group in China is warning the automaker that 10 percent of the retailers may drop out due to an unprofitable sales system. More at Bloomberg.com.
+ After failing a drug test in the Malaysian Formula E round in November, Andretti Autosport driver Franck Monagny says his career may be over. More at Speedcafe.
+ FCA US (formerly Chrysler) is recalling 66,819 pickup trucks from 2005-2006 to replace defective clutch ignition interlock switches. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ Six Chinese automakers will recall more than 300,000 vehicles due to a fuel pump defect that could cause oil leaks, China’s oversight agency announced. More at Reuters.
+ The 50th anniversary of the Shelby Mustang GT350 will be recognized at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on Aug. 13-16 with a dedicated racing category and a display area. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ Riley Technologies intends to return to LeMans in 2015 with the ex-factory Viper GTLM race cars, this time as a privateer effort without FCA support. More at Racer.
For the previous Executive Briefing from December 29, click here.
Since Chrysler won’t support the Viper’s return to LeMans, maybe FCA wil…
Haha you got me. Good catch! Copy revised.