MCG Executive Briefing for March 15, 2024

Marcello Gandini, famed Bertone stylist who designed the Lamborghini Miura, is dead at 85. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.

 

Today’s headlines: 

 Volkswagen brand chief Thomas Schaefer says the company plans to launch an entry level electric vehicle in 2027, with the production design to be chosen in a few weeks. More at Reuters. 

+   The current R35 Nissan GT-R will be reportedly be discontinued following the 2025 model year after 1,500 copies are produced, according to the Japanese publication Mag X. More at Car and Driver. 

 Gerald Johnson, executive vice president of manufacturing at General Motors, is retiring after 44 years, to be replaced by former Tesla and Google executive Jens Peter Clausen. More at CNBC.  

 NASCAR Cup 2021 champion Kyle Larson says the output of the current race cars could be boosted to 1,000 hp to improve the on-track competition without adding cost. More at Motorsports Wire. 

 Federal legislators in the House and Senate say they are closing in on the number of votes needed to require automakers to include AM broadcast radio on all new vehicles. More at The Detroit News. 

 Struggling electric vehicle startup Fisker Inc. has hired restructuring advisers and a law firm to assist with a possible bankruptcy filing, the Wall Street Journal reported this week. More at Autoblog. 

+   Porsche reports that it expects its profit margins to dip this year as the German luxury carmaker funds the launch of four new models to improve its competitive position. More at World Auto Forum. 

+   Marcello Gandini, famed Bertone stylist who created countless European sports car and GT designs, including the Lamborghini Miura and BMW 5 Series, has passed away at 85. More at Classic & Sports Car.

+   Kelley Blue Book announced the winners of its 22nd annual Best Resale Value Awards, with Toyota winning the Best Resale Value Brand Award for the eighth time since 2014. More at CBT News. 

 Filling in for injured Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver David Malukas, Callum Ilott of Great Britain will continue in the car through March for the Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge. More at Racer. 

Photo courtesy of Lamborghini. 

Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from March 11 here. 

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