Later this week at the RM Auctions Monaco 2014 sale, this incredible 1956 Maserati 450SS prototype by Fantuzzi is expected to bring up to $7.63 million. Get all the latest car biz news in the Executive Briefing.
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+ The IndyCar series will race at NOLA Motorsports Park near New Orleans in 2015, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal confirmed on Sunday. More at USA Today.
+ General Motors is recalling 51,640 Buick, Chevy, and GMC crossovers from the 2014 model year to repair defective fuel gauges. More at The Detroit News.
+ Jeremy Clarkson, presenter on the popular BBC program Top Gear, faces censure from the network for allegedly using a racist slur. More at The UK Guardian.
+ At its Lagos assembly plant, Nissan has built its first car in Nigeria following the introduction of the new Nigeria Automotive Policy. More at Automotive Business Review.
+ Max Verstoppen, the 16 year-old son of F1 driver Jos Verstoppen, scored his debut FIA Formula 3 victory at the Hockenheimring. More at Motorsport.com.
+ Honda will double the number of models it sells in China to about 20 by sharing platforms and components with its two joint venture partners. More at Reuters.
+ Ex-Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney, 56, the key figure in the McLaren Formula One Spygate scandal in 2007, was killed in a road accident. More at the UK Telegraph.
+ With net income of $33.6 million, American Axle & Manufacturing reported its strongest quarterly earnings in more than a year. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.
+ Nine of the vehicles offered at the RM Auctions Monaco 2014 sale on May 9-10 are projected to bring €1,000,000 or more. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ A $25 million termination payment from Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, sponsor of driver Pastor Maldonado, allowed the Williams F1 team to turn a profit in 2013. More at Racer.
For the previous Executive Briefing from May 2, click here.
The Ferraris at auction are very attractive and would ordinarily stir my blood, but that Maserati is spellbinding. I’m certain it will happen, but I can’t imagine how today’s prototype sportscars will generate the same lust. The new Porsche 919 is as clinical as an Ikea bookcase.