MCG Executive Briefing for November 9, 2020

Fiat Chrysler’s Mopar parts division will offer a crate-engine version of the Hellcat Redeye V8 good for 807 hp. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. 

 

Today’s Headlines:

 Toyota and Honda, Japan’s two largest automakers, have each more than doubled their annual profit forecasts as the new car market in China rebounds from COVID-19. More at Reuters. 

+   Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess says that once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, the transition to electric cars will be a fight for the company’s survival. More at The Detroit News. 

 Through its Mopar parts network, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will offer a crate-engine version of the Hellcat Redeye V8, boasting 807 hp and a list price of $21,807. More at Car and Driver.  

 Chase Elliott, the 24 year-old son of racing legend Bill Elliott, won the NASCAR season finale at Phoenix in a Hendrick Camaro to claim his first Cup championship. More at Yahoo! Sports. 

 Chinese driverless car startup Pony.ai has raised another $1 billion round of funding, including from the USA, to bring its valuation to $5.3 billion, the company announced. More at CNBC. 

+   General Motors CEO Mary Barra said the company will bring new electric vehicles to market faster than project and has begun to hire workers for its Ohio battery plant. More at the Detroit Free Press. 

+  Italian automobile maker Aznom plans to build an off-road-capable luxury limousine based on the Ram 1500 pickup chassis in a series of 10 for an undisclosed price. More at Classic Cars.com Journal.

 Volkswagen’s Traton global truck division has finalized its agreement to purchase the outstanding shares of U.S. truck maker Navistar International for around $3.7 billion. More at Autoblog. 

 Ford has issued a recall on 375,200 Explorers from the 2013-17 model years to correct a potential suspension defect that has been connected to 13 accidents. More at USA Today. 

 The Bahrain International Circuit has confirmed that due to COVID-19, its two upcoming Formula 1 races will be run “predominantly” without a live audience. More at Motorsport.com. 

Photo courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. 

Review the previous Executive Briefing from November 6 here.

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