Car Culture

Car Culture

Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame chairman Mark McMillin announced that three new members have been appointed to serve on the ORMHOF board of directors: Jim Bramham, Nate Hunt, and Emily Miller. Each will serve a three-year term on the all-volunteer board.

“Each of these individuals is highly accomplished in their area of expertise as it relates to off-road,” said McMillin, “and we are fortunate that they have agreed to share their time and knowledge to benefit the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.”

Also serving on the board along with chairman Mark McMillin and the three new board members are Frank ‘Butch’ Arciero Jr, Frank DeAngelo, Bud Feldkamp, Jeff Furrier, Josh Hall, Bob Ham, Gary Haugley, Rich Klein, Rafael Navarro III, Fardad Niknam, Bonnie Vessels, and Rory Ward.

In the week ending Aug. 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 231,000 to 232,000. The 4-week moving average was 230,000, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 231,500 to 231,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending August 24, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending August 24 was 1,838,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 8,000 from 1,868,000 to 1,860,000. The 4-week moving average was 1,853,000, a decrease of 8,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 2,000 from 1,863,250 to 1,861,250.

The Independent Automobile Dealers Association of California named its 2024 IADAC Foundation Scholarship winners.

The winners include:

Kaylee Beas, from of the family of Beas Auto Sales, is attending Fresno State pursuing a B.S. in criminology.

Chandler Leinbach, from the family of Exclusive Car & Trucks is attending the University of Alabama, pursuing a B.S. in kinesiology.

Kylee Rippe, of GJD Wholesale Auto, is attending UC Irvine, pursuing an M.A. in education.

Harleen Singh, from the family of Mega Motors Inc., is attending College of the Pacific, pursuing a B.S. in biology.

Ryan Kraft has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, according to Mark Anderson, Chairman and CEO of United Road, the largest provider of finished vehicle transport logistics in North America.

“Ryan’s leadership of multiple initiatives has contributed to our progress and growth,” Anderson said. “His deep experience in logistics and spirit of innovation continually lead him to find creative solutions for our team and customers. Importantly, Ryan embodies our culture of safety, quality, respect, and collaboration while putting our car haulers and customers first and foremost.”

Kraft, 43, most recently was the chief digital officer. He has held information technology, project management, and financial analyst positions at United Road and has been with the organization for over 15 years. Additionally, he was the chief information officer for over three years at Wilbanks Energy Solutions after starting his career at Ford Motor Company, where he worked for three years as a financial analyst. Kraft earned a BS in finance from Indiana University Bloomington in 2003. 

“I enjoy the challenges of logistics and how technology can lead to tremendous advantages that help our professional car haulers and customers,” Kraft said. “For example, I helped lead the team that developed our home-grown Transportation Management System, OVISS, which we later spun off. United Road sells a service, making our people our most valuable asset. We work hard, but there’s a balance and appreciation for personal needs. I look forward to working with Mark and the leadership team to continue innovating and leading.”

Job Openings Dip

September 05, 2024

The number of job openings slid to 7.7 million on the last business day of July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the month, hires changed little at 5.5 million. Total separations increased to 5.4 million. Within separations, quits (3.3 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.8 million) changed little. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by establishment size class.

On the last business day of July, the number of job openings was little changed at 7.7 million and was down by 1.1 million over the year. The job openings rate, at 4.6 percent, changed little in July. The number of job openings decreased in health care and social assistance (-187,000); state and local government, excluding education (-101,000); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-88,000).

Job openings increased in professional and business services (+178,000) and in federal government (+28,000).

David Wilson, group vice president and president of Toyota Racing Development, will retire on Dec.16 after 35 years with the organization. General Manager Tyler Gibbs will succeed Wilson as president of TRD, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor North America.

During his long-standing career at TRD, Wilson has held many roles, including design engineer; track support engineer; vice president, operations and engineering; vice president, production and strategic planning; vice president, sales, operations and planning; and vice president, finance, operations and planning. Wilson was appointed to the position of TRD president in January 2014, where he has led Toyota’s U.S. motorsports arm for the past 11 years.

“It’s been such an honor to be a member of this Team and work alongside so many dedicated, talented and passionate men and women,” said Wilson. “I’m humbled and grateful for the trust, support and friendship afforded me throughout my career by my colleagues at TMNA, the Toyota Motor Corporation, our industry and team partners and our athletes. But now, I’ve completed my lap and I’m proud to hand the keys over to my friend and ‘brother in arms’, Tyler Gibbs. I have every confidence that Tyler and his team will continue to grow and strengthen TRD’s world-class legacy on and off the track.”

Wilson played a significant role in many championships and race wins with Toyota, Lexus and Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) teams and drivers during his 35-year tenure, including championships in CART, CORR, Grand-Am, IMSA, Indy Racing League, MTEG, NASCAR, NHRA, SCORE and USAC. He has also been a part of many noteworthy victories in iconic races across motorsports, including wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring, Baja 500 and 1000, Rolex 24 at Daytona, Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, Petit Le Mans, Chili Bowl, and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Additionally, Wilson played an integral role with the Toyota and TRD leadership team that planned, supported and executed the company’s momentous entries into both CART/INDYCAR and NASCAR.

Prior to joining TRD, Wilson was employed by Johnson & Johnson and was an officer in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division, where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist’s Badge and the Air Assault Badge. Wilson earned a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

In his new role, Gibbs will be responsible for all TRD operations and activities in North America. These include engine engineering, chassis engineering, manufacturing, administration and operations. He will oversee all TRD facilities, including the organization’s headquarters and engine operations in Costa Mesa, Calif., the chassis and team support operation in Salisbury, North Carolina, and the GR Garage and Toyota Performance Center (TPC) in Mooresville, North Carolina.

“I have big shoes to fill,” said Gibbs. “Dave has been the cornerstone of TRD’s growth and culture over the last 35 years. During my 28 years working for Dave, he has given me countless opportunities to learn and grow, and this is another one of those opportunities. I’m excited and grateful for the privilege to work with so many incredible people at TRD and TMNA, along with our many partners, and together we’ll seek to continue TRD’s history of success.”

Gibbs joined TRD in 1996 and has held various roles during his nearly 30-year tenure with the organization. He currently oversees competition, engineering, commercial and administration activities at TRD. In addition, he works closely with TMNA and Toyota Racing as well as with race team relationships and key motorsports partners.

A Westmont College graduate, Gibbs began his career with Cosworth Engineering in 1992. He later earned his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

The all-electric Kia EV6 and Telluride SUV each received 2024 Winter Vehicle Awards from the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). The EV6 was recognized for the third year in a row as Official Winter EV of the Year, for its all-around engineering excellence and durability in the harshest climatic conditions by the journalist guild representing internet, radio, television, newspapers, and magazines from the New England region. The Telluride was named Best Mid-Size SUV by NEMPA, thanks to its sophisticated design and recently introduced X-Pro capability.

“New England winters are the defining, real-world tests of vehicle durability, and the EV6 and Telluride each rise to the occasion as temperatures drop, and overdeliver as pace-setters in their respective segments,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America.

Now in its third model year, the EV6 maintains its position as integral to Kia’s “Plan S” strategy. The 2024 model year introduces the 77.4-kWh battery to the EV6 Light, and with it, two new trim designations in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (e-AWD). Across all EV6 models, newly standard are charge port lighting and charge door marking to facilitate access.

“The Kia EV6 handily won our NEMPA Official Winter EV of the Year for the third time,” said Clifford Atiyeh, President, New England Motor Press Association. “Its blend of unique style and performance, especially the GT, continues to impress. The accurate range estimates, along with a standard heat pump, make the available all-wheel drive EV6 a capable and trusted car throughout the winter season.”

“New Englanders have loved the Telluride since it came out five years ago, and the latest refresh makes Kia’s mid-size SUV even more appealing,” Atiyeh said. “The new screens, the X-Pro model with the all-terrain tires, and a very handsome exterior—the Telluride is Kia’s best model by far.”

The unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in July, and nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 114,000, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Employment continued to trend up in health care, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing, while information lost jobs. 

The number of unemployed people increased by 352,000 to 7.2 million. These measures are higher than a year earlier, when the jobless rate was 3.5%, and the number of unemployed people was 5.9 million.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (4.0%) and Whites (3.8%) increased in July. The jobless rates for adult women (3.8%), teenagers (12.4%), Blacks (6.3%), Asians (3.7%), and Hispanics (5.3%) showed little or no change over the month. Among the unemployed, the number of people on temporary layoff increased by 249,000 to 1.1 million in July. The number of permanent job losers changed little at 1.7 million. accounted for 21.6%of all unemployed people in July.

The Riding Academy program of Harley-Davidson has trained its 1 millionth rider, cementing its status as the largest rider training program in the United States.

“We’re proud to hit one million riders trained – and it’s a significant milestone for the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy. Promoting rider education and training, for riders new and old is an important part of the overall riding ecosystem. At Harley-Davidson, we’re committed to building ridership and deepening our connection with customers, ultimately reinforcing our goal to be the most desirable motorcycle and lifestyle brand in the world,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, CEO and President, Harley-Davidson.

Launched in 2000 as Rider’s Edge, the program was rebranded in 2013 as Harley-Davidson Riding Academy. Today, Harley-Davidson Riding Academy provides training through a network of more than 225 Harley-Davidson dealerships in 43 U.S. states, making it the largest rider training network in the United States and the only nationwide rider licensing program sponsored by a motorcycle manufacturer.

 The foundation of Riding Academy training is the New Rider Course that helps students to achieve their dream of riding a motorcycle.

Riding Academy also offers courses for intermediate level riders, those wanting to learn how to operate a 3-Wheel vehicle, Adventure Touring riding, and Skills Practice for riders wanting to gain skills on their own motorcycles. In most states, successful completion of the New Rider Course, Intermediate, or 3-Wheel Course earn the student a license waiver to get a motorcycle endorsement on their license at the stat DMV.

The majority of Harley-Davidson Riding Academy coaches are dual certified by Riding Academy and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) to ensure they adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and adult-learning principles. Riding Academy is proud to have more than 1,500 certified coaches in its network.

Polaris Inc. announced that its president of Off Road, Steve Menneto, is leaving for a new career opportunity.

“From his start as a part of the sales team, to overseeing our Motorcycles business, to these last five years leading our Off Road team, I want to thank Steve for the lasting contributions he made over his 27-year tenure at Polaris,” said Polaris Chief Executive Officer Mike Speetzen. “We wish him the very best as he moves into this new chapter. I will be taking on more direct management of our largest business segment and am excited to work more closely with all the talented leaders and employees within Off Road as well as with the dealer network.”

These leadership changes were effective July 19.