MCG Executive Briefing for June 5, 2023

This 1932 Aston Martin Le Mans is expected to bring up to $1.45 million at the RM Sotheby’s Le Mans auction. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

Today’s headlines:

+   Two of the largest pension funds in the United States, representing retired employees in New York and California, have voted not to re-elect Akio Toyoda as chairman of Toyota. More at Reuters. 

 The automotive media got its first look at the U.S. version of the Volkwagen !D Buzz electric minivan, which is 10 inches longer than the Euopean model and features three-row seating. More at Motor Trend. 

+   State, local and federal officials will celebrate the groundbreaking this week for the first building at the new Flint Commerce Center on the site of the former Buick City complex. More at The Detroit News. 

 Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says he expects to meet with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff soon and a contract renewal with the team is imminent. More at Motorsport.com. 

+   Stellantis and General Motors paid a total of $363 million in civil penalties for failing to meet U.S. fuel economy requirements for the years 2016 through 2019, documents show. More at World Auto Forum. 

 Ford has introduced a Whipple supercharger package for 2021 through 2023 F-150 pickups with 5.0-liter V8s that is rated at 700 hp and includes a three-year factory warranty. More at Car and Driver. 

 General Motors chairman and CEO Mary Barra is standing behind the automaker’s investment in autonomous vehicle technology, calling it “a giant growth opportunity.” More at US News & World Report. 

+   The RM Sotheby’s Le Mans auction the day before the race will feature a number of significant vintage race cars with event pedigrees, including a 1932 Aston Martin factory team racer. More at Autoblog. 

+   Sources at Mini say the next-generation platform can accommodate a manual transmission and it hasn’t been ruled out for future models, though applications will be limited. More at The Drive. 

 After the Fords driven by Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney failed inspection twice at this past weekend’s NASCAR Cup race, both car chiefs were ejected from the event. More at Jayski. 

Photo by Simon Clay courtesy and copyright of RM Sotheby’s. 

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from June 2 here. 

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