The lone 1956 Fina Sport convertible prototype known to exist, bodied by Vignale and powered by a Cadillac V8, will offered at the Bonhams Quail Lodge auction next month. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Senior management at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says it had no prior warning of the serious illness that led to the sudden death of CEO Sergio Marchionne on July 25. More at Bloomberg.
+ The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is the latest to claim the record time at the Nürburgring for a production car with a lap of 6 minutes and 44.97 seconds. More at CNet.
+ Ford blamed a supplier fire that disrupted F-150 production and poor sales in China for second-quarter profits that were down nearly $1 billion versus last year. More at The Detroit News.
+ James Key will leave a similar position at Toro Rosso to become the new technical director of the McLaren Formula 1 team, filling the role vacated by Tim Goss in April. More at BBC Sport.
+ BMW announced it will debut a new production car at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance next month, which observers expect will be the next Z4 roadster. More at Motor Trend.
+ Warren Brown, veteran reporter and columnist for the Washington Post who covered the auto industry for more than three decades, has passed away at 70. More at the Washington Post.
+ Daimler AG has restructured its global motor vehicle business from 700 divisions in 60 countries to three: Mercedes-Benz AG, Daimler Truck AG and Daimler Mobility AG. More at Autoblog.
+ General Motors has lowered its profit outlook for the year and will raise vehicle prices as necessary to offset increasing raw material costs and unfavorable exchange rates. More at CNBC.
+ The sole 1956 Fina Sport convertible prototype known to survive, bodied by Vignale and powered by a Cadillac V8, will offered at the Bonhams Quail Lodge auction on August 24. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ The bankrupt BK Racing NASCAR Cup team will be sold under court supervision on August 13-20, with current owner Ron Devine planning to bid on the company. More at NBC Sports.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from July 23 here.
Photo courtesy of Bonhams.
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Wow, Sergio Marchionne got out at FCA just before he died. He must have had a feeling his time was about up. Wonder if the new head will continue the path set out, or change it up.
Marchionne’s retirement was announced at least six months ago, maybe a year. But I don’t think he had settled on a successor, and he had planned to be there for at least six months more. I never liked the guy, but feel badly for anyone who works all their life and never gets to enjoy a few years of retirement.
What’s curious is how shoulder surgery resulted in death. They said cardiac arrest, but that just means your heart stopped. Everyone dies of cardiac arrest. I would guess that it was sepsis. Hospitals are the worst thing for your health.