The Ford Mustang GTD has beaten its own record at the Nürburgring by 5.5 seconds. Get all the latest automotive news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Robyn Denholm, chair of the Tesla board of directors, denied reports that the automaker has initiated a search to find a replacement for controversial CEO Elon Musk. More at MSNBC.
+ Harley-Davidson warned of a hit to its full-year results due to tariff costs and suspended its 2025 forecasts, anticipating a bumpy ride due to President Trump’s trade policies. More at Investing.com.
+ EV startup Slate Auto, which launched its Slate Truck last week, announced that it will produce the vehicles in a former printing factory it will lease in Warsaw, Indiana. More at Autoblog.
+ Current NASCAR commisioner Steve Phelps is said to be the leading candidate to become the next chief executive of the PGA Tour, according to professional golf insiders. More at MSN.com.
+ After a heavy investment, Ford has cancelled its FNV4 next-generation electrical architecture, designed to compete with Tesla and others, citing high cost and delays. More at World Auto Forum.
+ General Motors has lowered its 2025 earnings guidance to include a possible $4 billion to $5 billion in additional expenses resulting from President Trump’s auto tariffs. More at CNBC.
+ Truck maker International unveiled a battery-electric version of its Regional Haul semi, dubbed the eRH Series and engineered for daily hauling routes for heavy-duty trucks. More at Autoweek.
+ With professional driver Dirk Müller at the wheel, the 815-hp Ford Mustang GTD bested its own record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife by 5.5 seconds with a lap of 6:52.072. More at The Drive.
+ Stellantis has paused production of the Jeep Gladiator at the Toledo Assembly Complex’s south plant this week in an effort to “realign parts inventory with demand.” More at CBT News.
+ The Mexico City Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar through at least the 2028 season after a three-year contract extension was secured, the city’s mayor announced. More at Newsday.
Photo courtesy of Ford.
Review the previous MCG Executive Briefing from April 28 here.
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“The problem is the software is all written by 150 different companies, and they don’t talk to each other…
We’re completely committed to building that software-enabled vehicle….
Ford’s next generation software was meant to… shorten the length of the expensive vehicle wiring harnesses and allows for speedier over-the-air updates…
to entice drivers to buy software-enabled features, such as assisted-driving systems, sometimes through subscriptions…”
Excessive tech nonsense! “Look at how clever we are, never mind the fact that all this over-laden technology has made our vehicles more (expensive) unreliable”.