Weekend Roundup: 1.19.18-1.21.18

First 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Sells for $300,000 at Barrett-Jackson

This weekend, the very first example of the new 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt has sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The final price achieved at the auction was $300,000, a hefty sum for a modern Mustang. However, the check would certainly have been easier to write knowing that all of the money was going to a non-profit charity, the Boys Republic school for troubled youth.

Those who have followed the new Mustang Bullitt’s saga from secret to production vehicle will recognize this listing as the very one that revealed the existence of the Bullitt. When the listing was announced in January, featuring a “special new Ford Mustang” it also stated that the proceeds would go to the Boys Republic school. As the school was where Steve McQueen went, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Bullitt movie, it did not take much to connect the dots.

Mercedes Reportedly Not Returning Diesel Engines to U.S. Market

Following the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, and the extra scrutiny this brought diesels in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz has stopped selling diesels in the U.S.. Now, it seems this decision may remain a permanent one.

Speaking to The Detroit Bureau at the Detroit auto show, Ola Kallenius, Mercedes’ Head of R&D, has stated that Mercedes-Benz has dropped all plans to have its passenger vehicle diesel engines certified for sale in the U.S., citing low American diesel demand. As the diesel never amounted to more than 3% of Mercedes sales, this move makes sense.

This decision only applies to passenger vehicles, as the commercial side of Mercedes-Benz is growing in the U.S.. Due to the growing popularity of the Sprinter model of work vans, the diesel will continue to be offered there.