MCG Executive Briefing for January 8, 2024

This 1970 Plymouth Superbird will be among the star attractions at the Mecum Kissimmee sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

Today’s headlines:

 Toyota will resume normal production this week at a number of plants in Japan following shutdowns due to the New Year’s Day earthquake and a series of aftershocks. More at Reuters. 

+   For the first time in recent memory, the Detroit three all report they will not be airing commercials during this year’s television broadcast of the Superbowl on February 11.  More at The Detroit News. 

 According to iSeeCars, the most popular vehicles on the used market in 2023 included the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevy Equinox, Ram 1500, and Toyota Camry. More at Autoweek. 

+   Red Bull Formula 1 chief technical officer Adrian Newey says Max Verstappen’s “almost sub-conscious” driving ability puts him in the company of the sport’s all-time greats. More at Motorsport.com. 

 Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT) is teasing specs and images of its upcoming hypercar, the RB17. which sports a 1,250 hp hybrid drivetrain and a $6 million price. More at Autoblog. 

+   A Philadelphia used car dealer was charged with mail and wire fraud in a scheme involving phony sales and non-deliveries of wheelchair-accessible vans.to disabled people. More at Hemmings. 

 Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million electric vehicles exported to China to correct issues with self-driving features and door lock operation via over-the-air software updates. More at USA Today. 

+   A 1970 Plymouth Superbird in FJ5 Limelight green and a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible in Inca Silver will be among the star attractions at the Mecum Kissimmee auction. More at The Drive. 

 A group of U.S. senators sent a letter to Tesla’s Elon Musk and other auto executives urging them not to interfere in the United Auto Workers’ efforts to organize workers. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+   Cal Wells III, chief executive officer of the Legacy Motor Club NASCAR Cup team, says the operation will have “tier one” support from Toyota after cutting ties with Chevrolet. More at Jayski. 

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from January 5 here. 

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2 thoughts on “MCG Executive Briefing for January 8, 2024

  1. “If you ever see Ford Motor Co. doing a Super Bowl ad on its electric vehicles, sell the stock.” – literally LOLed at that one :O

  2. UAW President Shawn Fain, in a news release, said, “every autoworker in this country deserves their fair share of the auto industry’s record profits, whether at the Big Three or the non-union thirteen. …

    No, I’m sorry Mr Fain, you’re wrong. Autoworkers deserve their salaries without union thugs stealing a part of their wages. Whatever profits the auto industries make belong to them. Workers don’t get anything over their wages without the companies making profits. If a company decides to share a portion of their profits, that is entirely up to them to make that decision, not have it forcibly taken from them by a union.

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