MCG Executive Briefing for June 5, 2020

General Motors hopes to steal some Tesla thunder with a new electric van, currently named the BV1 and due in late 2021. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

Today’s headlines: 

 The German government rebuffed the gasoline auto lobby with a multi-billion-Euro recovery plan that includes powerful incentives for electric vehicle buyers and makers. More at Reuters. 

+   Ford announced that the much-anticipated 2021 Bronco sport ute will get an official introduction sometime in July, with the formalities presumably performed online. More at Autoblog

  Creating an internet uproar, BMW unveiled its latest 4 Series Coupe for 2021 with the enormous twin-nostril grille first seen on the BMW Concept 4 at Frankfurt in 2019. More at CNET Roadshow. 

+   Porsche will shut down its factory GT Le Mans racing program at the conclusion of the 2020 IMSA season, citing financial burdens created by the COVID-19 pandemic. More at NBC Sports. 

 General Motors, which has committed to rolling out 20 new full-electric vehicles by 2023, plans to debut an electric delivery van code-named the BV1 in late 2021. More at The Drive.

 Former United Auto Workers President Gary Jones pleaded guilty to embezzling  more than $1 million from the union and now faces up to five years in federal prison. More at The Detroit News. 

+   Amazon is in talks to acquire California-based autonomous vehicle startup Zoox, reportedly to adapt the company’s self-driving technology to package delivery. More at Car and Driver.

 Ford Motor, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles intend to keep the bulk of their white-collared salaried employees working at home until September. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

 Mecum Auctions will resume live events with the 2020 Gone Farmin Spring Classic sale of farm tractors and associated gear on June 17-20 in Davenport, Iowa. More at Classic Cars.com Journal. 

+   The requirement for unanimous agreement among the 10 teams to approve short-term rule changes must be changed, says managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn. More at Racer. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from June 1 here.

Photo courtesy of General Motors. 

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