Auto Industry News: Collector Car Excitement on Amelia Island, Manufacturing Concerns in DC, & Quick-Hit Industry Updates

The Amelia Concours d’Elegance wrapped on Sunday, closing out several days of collector car auctions and a top-notch car show. The Engine Block has highlights from the event, along with the Best in Show winners. Additionally, keep reading to learn more about the growing tensions in the U.S. auto sector due to Chinese EV makers’ expansion efforts – including recent moves by the White House to shore up domestic protection.

Plus, we have what’s going on with Apple’s never-ending autonomous vehicle project; when we can expect to see the 2025 electric Daytona Charger; and a rallying cry for more physical buttons in modern vehicles.

All that and more in this week’s Auto Industry News.

Amelia Auctions Recap

Big week for the collector car crowd, as the Amelia auctions wrapped up in sunny Florida this week. The multi-day event is an absolute bonanza of the best-kept examples of automotive history and craftsmanship. Just under 350 vehicles motored their way across the block over three days.

Amelia is special for a few reasons, but an interesting facet of the event is where it falls on the calendar – near the end of Q1, a couple months out from the big n’ buzzy January auctions, and just before enthusiasts start dusting off their own classic rides for spring.

This unique positioning makes Amelia a car event to watch, as it helps set the tone for what the collector car market will look like for the coming year.

RM Sotheby’s Does Its Own Thing

This year, things looked a little different. Only three of the four regular auction house attendees participated, with RM Sotheby’s not only sitting out but actually hosting its own “lifestyle event” at the same time in Miami.

According to ABC News, when Hagerty took control of the Amelia from founder and car collector Bill Warner, it removed RM Sotheby’s as the official auction house and swapped in its own newly-acquired company, Broad Arrow Auctions.

Rob Myers, CEO of RM Sotheby’s, apparently did not take the news well. His response was to build ModaMiami, a curated weekend that celebrates all-things-luxury — from art to cuisine to automotive excellence — and is intentionally positioned to compete with Amelia.

Despite RM Sotheby’s move, the Amelia still had plenty to offer.

Impressive Rides, Incredible Records

The action started with Bonhams’ 80 lots on Thursday, opening with a 1966 Vespa. Gooding kept the bidding alive with 53 more vehicles, highlighting its first day of auctions with eight seven-figure sales, including a very rare ’31 Duesenberg, a groovy ‘70s Ferrari Daytona Spider, and several Porsches.

Thankfully, Friday’s rain didn’t dampen the excitement. Gooding opened the day with its 70 remaining lots, and then Broad Arrow picked up the afternoon with another 61. Highlights from the day included a 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 60 HP, which closed out at an eyewatering – and record-setting – $12M, as well as the first Hennessy Venom F5 to come to public auction, which sold for $2.2M.

Saturday’s auctions all belonged to Hagerty’s Broad Arrow, 89 lots total. The star was a road-going 1967 Ford GT40 Mk I with racing history, which sold for $4,405,000 and drew plenty of fan excitement. The day ended with a sale indicative of the massive variety to be found at Amelia: a 1960 Porsche Diesel 217 Standard Tractor, which went to its new owner for a cool $42,000.

According to Hagerty, the March Classic Auctions of 2024 finished with $174.9 million trading hands across 468 vehicles spanning 121 years of automotive history. This total includes RM Sotheby’s event in Miami.

“2024’s auctions have so far demonstrated a return to stability in the collector market. Big sales of remarkable cars continue to wow enthusiasts, but buyers have gotten more deliberate with their choices. Sellers, for their part, have begun to meet buyers on their turf.” – Hagerty Insider

Sunday Concours Winners

This year’s Amelia Concours d’Elegance Best of Show winner was a 1947 Delahaye 135 MS Figoni et Falaschi Narval Cabriolet. Whoo, try saying that 10 times fast. Or, well, even one time fast.

Designed by noted French coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi and now owned by Dana Mecum, (yes, that Mecum), the Narval is one of only seven made and beautifully embodies the hallmarks of post-war automotive design.

Mecum says he’s put about 100 miles on the Narval since its restoration – and he plans to put more on the odometer.

The winner of the Best in Show Concours de Sport award went to a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, also owned by a recognizable name – David MacNeil, founder of WeatherTech.

It too has French connections. The vehicle finished fourth overall in the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Pierre Dumay, and later, secured an overall win in the 1964 Tour de France. Incredibly, it has continued to participate in vintage races and rallies since 1992. How much does such pedigree cost? Rumors say this Ferrari sold for $80M back in 2018.

Like Mecum, MacNeil says he can’t wait to hit the open road and let the 250 GTO do what it was bred to do.

Threat of Chinese Automakers Still Looms Large

Chinese EV maker, BYD, admits it is looking to build a new factory in Mexico but promises it is “not planning to come to the U.S.”

The assurance was made by Stella Li, executive vp of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas. “It’s an interesting market, but it is very complicated,” she said, noting both the U.S.’s lack of charging infrastructure, as well as its growing animosity toward Chinese companies.

Instead, she said BYD’s plan is to build the facility for the local Mexican market.

With the Biden administration now investigating the national security risks posed by Chinese connected vehicle technology, BYD’s decision to focus its expansion efforts outside the U.S. is understandable. However, the company is now the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer; and it’s unlikely to always feel that way.

Domestic automakers are nervous – and for good reason. China effectively owns the EV supply chain, and the low-cost vehicles offered by its country’s major players would seriously undercut any home field advantage the U.S. auto sector holds.

Not Just A Price War to Worry About

Additionally, many Chinese automakers are owned by the government, raising concerns that a foreign adversary could access or exploit sensitive information obtained through ADAS, telematics, and other on-board management systems.

“These cars are connected to our phones, navigation systems, critical infrastructure, and the companies that made them,” President Joe Biden said in a statement Thursday. “Connected vehicles from China could collect sensitive data about our citizens and our infrastructure and send this data back to the People’s Republic of China.”

The U.S. Commerce Department is considering what action it could take, such as rules or bans, but is still in the learning phase, an administration official told reporters during a press briefing. For now, the department is just starting the regulatory process, which will allow it to seek feedback and gather important information.

Did you know…?

Despite more stringent requirements to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, 71 models still qualify for 2024 accolades. Of those, 22 earn TOP SAFETY PICK+, and 49 earn TOP SAFETY PICK. IIHS President David Harkey said this year’s winners are “true standouts,” and offer “the highest level of protection” for people both inside and outside of the vehicle. You can learn more about the IIHS’s tough new standards and the 2024 winners at the organization’s website.

What Else You Need To Know This Week

Here are a few headlines we’re keeping an eye on and think you should too.

Remember Apple’s Car?

Well, after nearly a decade of development and teasing, Apple has officially pulled the plug on its ambitious car project. The decision to end “Project Titan” came as a surprise to the nearly 2,000 employees involved in the endeavor, according to sources who broke the news to Bloomberg. Many of the workers will now shift to the AI division to work on generative AI projects.

It seems that concerns over profitability and expenses led to the termination, leaving some investors sighing a breath of relief – and Elon Musk unable to resist poking fun. Looks like Apple is sticking to what it knows best – iPhones, iPads, and Siri’s sassy comebacks.

More Hard Buttons, Please

Crash test body, Euro NCAP, revealed new safety guidance aimed at resolving what it calls “the overuse of touchscreens” in modern vehicle design. Starting in 2026, the agency will downgrade automakers safety ratings if they do not use physical buttons to perform at least five basic functions: indicators, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn, and SOS features.

Automakers save big money by swapping software for buttons, knobs, and related wiring. But vehicle safety experts have long argued that using touchscreen controls puts drivers at risk.

Sometimes, just adjusting the cabin temperature or radio volume requires a user to navigate multiple sub-menus, meaning their eyes are off the road and on a screen. Such interfacing defeats the purpose of hands-free driving laws, safety advocates say.

While Euro NCAP’s rules will not be mandatory, non-compliance will negatively impact automaker’s safety scores — and potentially impact consumer sales. The agency hopes the decision will motivate manufacturers to rethink how it designs in-cabin controls and put user safety above profits.

MotorTrend+ Canceled

Warner Bros. Entertainment is waving goodbye to MotorTrend+ streaming, nudging subscribers to Discovery+ instead if they want an automotive fix. By the end of March, MotorTrend+ will cease to exist, so you’ll need to catch beloved shows like “Roadkill,” “Wheeler Dealers,” and “Top Gear America” on the new platform.

No official reason was given for the decision, but “cost-cutting” is the most likely culprit. MotorTrend+ has a relatively small customer base, one that may not generate enough revenue to justify its maintenance costs. On the bright side, subscribers will supposedly retain their $5.99 monthly rate even at Discovery+’s ad-free tier.

Electric 2025 Dodge Charger Set to Debut March 5

Mark your calendars – the production-ready electric Charger Daytona SRT will make its grand debut on Tuesday, March 5. Senior VP of Dodge/SRT sales and marketing, Matt McAlear, spilled the beans at the J.D. Power Auto Summit in Las Vegas last month, assuring fans that “this is the real thing” and not just another concept.

Representing the future of the brand, the electric Charger rides on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform and promises to “set a new bar” for muscle cars. We’re not exactly sure what that means yet, but know that it includes a two-door fastback design, three power output options at launch, and an industry-first “faux” exhaust system that can hit 126 decibels. Keep an eye out for reservation openings and prepare for some interesting pricing come launch day.

The Engine Block is your one-stop source for any and all auto industry news. Keep an eye on our weekly round-up of enthusiast coverage, product reviews, vehicle spotlights, auto show/expo features, and more. Be sure to check back Wednesday for a recap of Keystone’s recent BIG Show, and then come back Friday for a list of the best muddin’ trails across the U.S.