At more than $8 million, the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale custom-built for Batista Pininfarina was the top seller at the Gooding & Company Scottsdale Auctions. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

Today’s Headlines: 

+   Anticipating a lack of demand, Mercedes-Benz does not intend to offer diesel engines on its models sold in America anytime soon, says R&D chief Ola Kallenius. More at Motor Trend. 

+   Peugeot and Citroen maker PSA Group, now planning a return to the U.S. market, aims to locate its North American headquarters in the Atlanta area. More at Automotive News Europe. 

+   The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will probably be renegotiated successfully with only minor changes, according to a majority of economists in a Reuters poll. More at Reuters.

+   Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne disclosed that the company is considering an entry in the IndyCar Series for the Alfa Romeo brand. More at Motorsport.com. 

+   A leaked Ferrari dealer presentation provides details on the upcoming special performance version of the 488, which is expected to be the automaker’s hottest V8 ever. More at Autoblog. 

+   Automakers are studying the case for special heavy-duty models and option packages aimed at buyers who drive for ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. More at USA Today. 

+   Volkswagen reports that the eighth-generation Golf sedan will go into production in June 2019, with the home plant in Wolfsburg serving as the main assembly plant. More at Automobile. 

+   Though big-ticket sales were reportedly down, business was brisk at the multiple collector car auctions that make up the Phoenix area’s Arizona Auction Week. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.  

+   Chinese auto supplier Zhongding, which operates several plants in the United States, will invest $6.9 million in a technology center in Northville Township, Michigan. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.   

+   For the first time in nearly 30 years, Al Unser Jr. will compete in the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, driving a ’36 Chevy Modified for NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham. More at Racer. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from January 19 here. 

Photo by Bob Golfen courtesy of Classic Cars.com Journal. 

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