This striking 1930 Cord L-29 is one of 140 cars from the Ardell Brown estate to be offered without reserve at the Mecum Las Vegas sale. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ Cadillac plans to temporarily discontinue Book by Cadillac, the premium-priced car subscription service it launched as a pilot program nearly two years ago. More at The Detroit News.
+ Volkswagen reportedly is planning to reduce engineering costs via partnerships with rivals, a step that would sideline Audi as the group’s leading development center. More at Reuters.
+ Aston Martin has released images of its upcoming $3.2 million Valkyrie hypercar, developed in partnership with Red Bull F1 and intended to be the world’s fastest road car. More at Motor1.
+ According to a report from IIHS, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, teenage drivers are safer in older, larger crossovers and SUVS than in new, small cars. More at Motor Trend.
+ Mari Hulman George, daughter of the late Tony Hulman and matriarch of the family that owns and operates the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has passed away at 83. More at the Indianapolis Star.
+ Beginning in 2019, General Motors plans to enter the retail market for e-bikes (battery-electric bicycles) with two models, one compact and one folding version. More at CNN.
+ Jaguar Land Rover is aiming for closer collaboration with suppliers in central and eastern Europe with a new technical engineering office in Hungary. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ Some 140 vehicles from the estate of noted collector Ardell Brown will be offered without reserve at the Mecum Las Vegas sale on November 12-15. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.
+ Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Maurizio Arrivabene struck back at “false rumours” about technical director Mattia Binotto, saying they are designed to damage the team. More at Motorsport.com.
+ The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is threatening legal action against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for failing to deliver on policy promises. More at Hemmings Daily.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from November 2 here.
Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
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“Bigger vehicles provide greater protection,” said Jessica Cicchino, IIHS vice president for research, in a statement. “If you’re riding in one of the smallest vehicles on the road, you’ll be at a disadvantage in a crash with almost any other vehicle around you.”
Now, who would have thunk that? The very same thing I’ve said for years, bigger is safer. That’s why we drive full sized SUV’s and pickups in my household. My wife’s Expedition was rear ended by a new Toyota 4 runner, the Expedition got it’s bumper and tailgate bent a bit, the Toyota folded up like a wet dishrag.
No way I’d ride around in a Smart car or anything that size. My daily driver Freightliner Cascadia would drop kick one of those small cars like a pro football punter. Bigger is safer!
We have kept hearing that 5 star cars are safer. And your base model small VW is super safe. And that 4WDs are not. But VW [and many others tell lies!]
But common sense says that a 2 ton plus vehicle will be stronger than a 1 ton one. Maybe not twice as strong but stronger. Though these days we have tiny tot SUVs which would get crumpled by a full size 4wd.