Volkswagen’s Spanish performance brand Cupra could enter the U.S. EV market, says CEO Wayne Griffiths. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ In a closely contested race, Shawn Fain has defeated incumbent Ray Curry in a historic, first-ever direct election to become the next president of the United Auto Workers. More at The Detroit News.
+ The European Union and the German government have reached a compromise on the future of intenal combustion engines that will allow some hydrocarbon vehicles beyond 2035. More at Reuters.
+ Although used vehicle prices in the USA declined in the second half ot 2022, analysts at Cox Automotive expect inventories to remain low and the seller’s market to continue. More at CNBC.
+ Three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet was fined nearly $1 million by a Brazilian court for racist and homophobic comments aimed at Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. More at CNN.
+ After selling only 6000 Toyota Camry sedans in Japan in 2022, the automaker will stop offering the model in its home market by the end of the year, marking the end of a 43-year run. More at Car and Driver.
+ On Twitter, Ford CEO Jim Farley posted a video of the Mustang GT3 race car on the course at Sebring and asked his audience if the automaker should produce a road version. More at Motor Trend.
+ At a Ram dealer conference, Stellantis unveiled a concept for a proposed mid-sized battery-electric pickup, which insiders say received a very enthusiastic response. More at The Drive.
+ Cupra, the performance brand of Volkswagen’s SEAT unit in Spain, is studying a global expansion that could include the North American EV market, says CEO Wayne Griffiths. More at Autocar.
+ Investigators determined that the explosion and fires at the Dicastal facility in Greenville, Michigan, were caused by sparks from a hand grinder that ignited aluminum dust. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ NASCAR officials announced that Hendrick Motorsports’ appeal of the historic penalties handed to all four of its Cup Series race teams will be heard this week. More at Jayski.
Photo courtesy of Cupra.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from March 23 here.
Join Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook and Twitter to receive notices when every new story is published.