
José Muñoz, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor North America, announced the promotion of five key members of his executive team. The five promotions are effective Aug.1.
Randy Parker is promoted to CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Parker will be responsible for Hyundai’s commercial automotive operations in the United States and report to Muñoz. Parker was previously the senior vice president of national sales at HMA.
Edgar Carranza is promoted to CEO of Hyundai Motor Mexico. Carranza will oversee commercial automotive operations in Mexico reporting to Muñoz. Carranza was previously the chief operating officer of HMM.
Tedros Mengiste is promoted to vice president, sales operations, Genesis Motor America. Mengiste will continue to oversee Genesis sales, production, distribution, incentives, and field operations in the United States. He will continue to report to Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer, Genesis Motor North America. Mengiste was previously the executive director of Genesis sales.
Bob Kim is promoted to vice president, national sales, Hyundai Motor America. Kim will oversee sales and field operations in the United States and report to Parker. Kim was previously the general manager of the southern region.
David VandeLinde is promoted to vice president, after-sales, Hyundai Motor America. VandeLinde will continue to be responsible for leading dealer service programs and operations, parts and accessory sales, and owner marketing, and will report to Parker.
AutoNation will host complimentary one-hour Teen Driver Safety Clinics to help promote a safe ride.
“The top risks for new teen drivers range from distractions from their phone to inexperience, speeding, and nighttime driving,” said Marc Cannon, executive vice president for AutoNation. “Education is key to helping young new drivers stay safe on the road, which is why we are partnering with local organizations to host clinics around the country that will teach teens safety skills, along with some essential car care tips. We are proud to offer this complimentary community service for the first time this year.”
AutoNation’s Back to School Teen Driver Safety Clinics are one hour and taught by a community expert on the topic. Driver safety curriculum includes a range of topics such as distracted and impaired driving, proper driving positioning, and seatbelt usage, as well as instruction on what to do when pulled over for a traffic violation or when faced with a field sobriety test.
A local AutoNation Service Associate will also be present at each location to share hands-on car care tips such as jumpstarting a battery, proper tire inflation, changing a flat tire, checking vehicle fluids and safety items to store in a car in case of an emergency.
An anonymous donor has given Northwood University a $1 million gift, which will support the school’s commitment to be “a destination for all those who aspire to drive economic and social change to positively impact their communities,” said Northwood President Kent MacDonald.
The donation will sponsor complimentary online public courses that introduce ethics and American values consistent with our country’s founding principles to a domestic and global audience. It also will continue funding an existing scholarship program and provide five years of funding support for faculty teaching principles consistent with The Northwood Idea and Northwood’s Code of Ethics.
Since Northwood University’s founding in 1959, Northwood has prepared students to be business leaders and entrepreneurs. Known as America’s Free Enterprise University, Northwood emphasizes what its founders and intellectual mentors called the Northwood Idea. The Northwood Idea teaches students the importance of individual moral responsibility, private property, free markets and self-governance.
“We are incredibly thankful for the donor, their longstanding support, and this generous gift that will enhance Northwood’s ability to educate a new generation of industry leaders,” stated Justin Marshall, vice president of business development and advancement. “Donors at all levels who believe in the principles of liberty, and are interested in supporting America’s Free Enterprise University, can work with Northwood University to create a lasting gift.”
Audi and Netflix have collaborated on “The Gray Man” to bring the world of Sierra Six (Ryan Gosling) to fans around the world. As the film’s official automotive brand, four Audi vehicles are featured including the all-electric Audi RS e-tron GT and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, as well as the Audi RS 7 Sportback and Audi R8 Coupe.
“The Gray Man” opened in select theaters globally on July 15 and was released on Netflix July 22. “The Gray Man” is a modern-day global action thriller.
“Audi worked with the directors Joe and Anthony Russo on selecting the new cars. It was fascinating to be partners on this film production and to work closely with Netflix,” said Henrik Wenders, head of brand, Audi AG.
For shoppers in the market for a used 4x4, Kelley Blue Book’s editors recommend the following trucks:
“Summer is the perfect time to enjoy off-road adventures with a capable truck,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Kelley Blue Book. “To make traveling off-pavement safer and smarter – and to have the most fun – you need a truck with the right features to power through even the worst terrain. We have unpacked everything drivers need to know about off-roading, from detailing the basics to lists of must-have features and technology, along with recommendations for the best new and used off-road trucks for car shoppers to consider.”
For off-roading shoppers in the market for a new 4x4, Kelley Blue Book’s editors recommend the following 12 trucks from 2022:
Linda Robertson, executive director of the Association of Dealership Compliance Officers, announced that Shaun Petersen, executive vice president and chief legal officer for Buckeye Dealership Consulting, is joining ADCO’s Board of Directors. Buckeye is a leading provider of re-insurable products for automobile dealers. Petersen is responsible for the company’s legal and compliance operations, partnerships, and other business strategies.
Petersen previously served as the senior vice president of legal & government affairs for the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA). He supervised all legislative and regulatory matters, often appearing in front of the executive and legislative branches of both the federal and state governments.
“We are thrilled to welcome Shaun to the Board,” said Linda Robertson. “Besides his valuable knowledge and expertise in the legislative and regulatory arena, he brings experience in a dealer segment that was under-represented among our directors.”
Prior to his position with NIADA, Petersen was a founding partner in a boutique law firm in Columbus, Ohio, representing businesses primarily in the automotive industry in matters related to state and federal consumer financial protection laws. He was also a senior deputy attorney general and chief of the consumer protection section in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Petersen attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, graduating with a B.A. in History. He received his J.D. from Capital University Law School in Columbus.
Montway Auto Transport, a third-party logistics brokerage, has hired Erin Almand as vice president, moving & relocation. In this role, Almand’s focus will be to develop long-term relationships with Montway’s moving and relocation partners through innovation, leadership, teamwork and a high level of customer service and satisfaction.
“Moving can be a stressful time and I want to do everything possible to make the process easy for both the employer and their transferee,” said Almand.
With 20 years’ experience in privately owned vehicle relocation, Almand has an extensive background in sales, service, operations, IT and claims. Prior to joining Montway, she was vice president of business development for CarsArrive Auto Relocation. She also holds seats on several volunteer and industry associations.
Used car buyers in Pennsylvania’s Bucks County will have an added layer of protection starting next year under the county’s new “Lemon Law” ordinance.
The Bucks County Commissioners recently voted unanimously to approve Ordinance #168 which, when it goes into effect in January, will require car dealers to provide warranties on used car purchases, make repairs and ensure the used cars they sell can pass inspection.
State law provides similar protections for buyers who purchase new cars but does not extend those to used purchases.
“Most of our auto dealers by far are honest and do a good job,” said Michael Bannon, director of the county Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures Department. “But I’m afraid there’s a few businesses out there that have given the industry a black eye, and that’s what we’re looking to address right now.”
The ordinance will also expand local enforcement capabilities, allowing the county Department of Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures to crack down on dealers who make misrepresentations about or fail to disclose issues with the used cars they sell.
Warranty requirements vary based on a vehicle’s mileage. Some vehicles, such as those determined by an insurance company to be a “total loss” or vehicles sold “as-is” are exempt from the requirement. Buyers may waive the warranty requirement during the negotiation process if they so choose.
Bannon’s department modeled the ordinance after New Jersey’s Lemon Law.
Cox Automotive’s Mid-Year Reviews forecasts 37.1 million used-car sales this year, falling from 40.6 million in 2021.
Cox predicts a small boost in 2023 with 37.5 million.
The Mid-Year Review reports that used-car prices are up 15% year over year but dipped 1% last week.
The company also reports that delays in tax returns kept the “spring market slower and longer than usual.”
But it also reports used car prices are “declining at a normal, seasonal pace.”
The average list price in June 2022 is $28,208 with average mileage of 67,893. That jumped from last year’s average list price of $24,589 with similar mileage.
Good news for dealers is that supply is 7% above last year’s at the same time. Cox cited lower sales for the increased supply.
William E. “Hap” Carty, U-Haul’s first employee, died on June 24. He was 95.
Carty was nicknamed “Hap” for being a happy child with a big smile.
An 18-year-old Carty, while on leave from the U.S. Army in 1945, helped his sister and brother-in-law with an upstart company they were building – quite literally – in a milk house on the family ranch in Ridgefield.
The concept was to create a line of trailers families could rent for one-way moves. The business was to be called U-Haul
Carty joined U-Haul full-time in 1946 following his discharge at the end of WWII, and in doing so became the company’s first employee. While he never cashed his paycheck from the first 10 trailers he helped build in that milk house, his commitment and influence over the next 43 years shaped the foundation and growth of one of North America’s most recognizable companies and successful entrepreneurial stories.
“U-Haul would not exist today but for Hap,” stated Joe Shoen, U-Haul CEO and son of the company’s late founders L.S. “Sam” and Anna Mary Carty Shoen. “He was a recognized industry innovator who crossed paths with many industry stalwarts including John Rock, Red Pohling, Don Peterson, John DeLorean and Roger Penske.
“Hap and John Rock designed the only medium-duty air-ride truck that GMC ever built. He worked with Navistar and Dana to produce a medium-duty truck with a 24-inch frame rail height. That truck revolutionized do-it-yourself moving.”
During his career, Carty served as president and Chairman of the Board for U-Haul International. In 1971, as president of U-Haul, he brought the Company’s network of independent U-Haul dealerships to 15,000, a record that stood for more than 30 years.
“One of the reasons I’ve had good luck in management is that I always hire good people,” Carty told Amerco World (now U-Haul News) in 1981. “I get them strong in the areas I’m weak in, and we work together. I’ve lived this way for years and looked like a genius many times, because I had the buoyancy of good people.”
Carty retired on Jan. 1, 1988, and remained on the Board of Directors for AMERCO, parent company of U-Haul, through 2006. Even still, Carty could be seen frequently in the company lunchroom, counseling younger managers and attending U-Haul functions, including one Team Member’s 50th anniversary celebration one week before he died.
Texas dealer Tommy Gregory won the 46th National Quality Dealer of the Year Award to cap off this year’s NIADA convention.
Gregory was one of a dozen state quality dealers from across the country who were nominated for the national award.
Gregory got his start in automotive work in a high school work/study program, which allowed him to earn certification as a master technician.
In the 1980s, he started Abilene Used Car Sales with his father.
Like other state and National Quality Dealer Award winners, Gregory is heavily involved in his state association and charity. He donates time and money for a variety of children’s causes and also gives away vehicles to the underprivileged.
Gregory is the fifth Texas dealer to win National Quality Dealer.
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Expo was held last week in Las Vegas.
Ollen Bruton Smith, the founder and executive chairman of Sonic Automotive, Speedway Motorsports and Speedway Children’s Charities, died June 22 of natural causes. He was 95.
Born March 2, 1927, Smith was the youngest of nine children and grew up on a modest farm in Oakboro, N.C. Smith built a business empire through the automotive and motorsports industries and left a legacy to inspire generations of his family, friends and colleagues.
Smith founded Speedway Motorsports by consolidating his motorsports holdings in December 1994, and in February 1995, he made it the first motorsports company to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Today the company owns and operates 11 motorsports entertainment facilities.
Speedway Motorsports also owns and operates subsidiaries SMI Properties, U.S. Legend Cars International, Performance Racing Network and zMAX Micro Lubricants.
In January of 1997, Smith founded Sonic Automotive and took it public on the New York Stock Exchange in November of the same year. In 2000 it was first officially recognized as a Fortune 500 company based in Charlotte, N.C. Sonic Automotive is now a Fortune 300 company and one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers with over 160 retail dealerships in over 23 states, representing 25 automotive brands.
In 2014, Smith’s passion for automotive retail continued with the creation of EchoPark Automotive. The company currently operates over 40 EchoPark Automotive locations nationwide.
Among his accolades, Smith was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s 2016 class. In 2007, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and he became a member of the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2006.
Smith founded Speedway Children's Charities in 1982 as a memoriam and legacy to his son, Bruton Cameron Smith, who died at a very young age. Speedway Children’s Charities chapters work with organizations to identify and resolve pressing issues ranging from learning disabilities and broken homes to hunger and childhood cancer.
Under Smith’s leadership, Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $61 million to local organizations across the country that improve the quality of life for children in need.
Survivors include sons Scott, Marcus and David; his daughter, Anna Lisa; their mother, Bonnie Smith; and seven grandchildren. Information regarding funeral arrangements will be released at a later date.
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association is introducing a new way for its members to show – and sell – their inventory.
NIADA’s dealermallUSA, the official NIADA marketplace for dealers, is an online digital retailing platform powered by MOTOix, featuring vehicles for sale in an environment created to bring efficiency to online shopping while helping dealers boost sales.
“Digital retailing is a reality, and dealermallUSA provides NIADA members with the tools to give their customers the smooth, seamless purchase process they’re looking for, as well as a national platform for their inventory,” MOTOix CEO and founder Larry Bruce said.
In addition, dealermallUSA will showcase vehicles in the NIADA Certified program.
NIADA Certified has been redesigned to give independent dealers the ability to compete on a level playing field with franchise operations in the certified pre-owned arena – the most popular and profitable segment of the used vehicle market.
The program includes multiple program administrators – GSFSGroup, GWC Warranty, ProGuard Warranty, SouthWest Dealer Services and AUL Corp – as well as partnerships with Carfax and other providers.
DealermallUSA by NIADA joins Carketa’s 200-point digital inspection and condition report as the latest additions to the new NIADA Certified 360 program – a comprehensive suite of products and services designed to support NIADA CPO dealers and customers in all aspects of the automotive sales process.
More services are coming soon to NIADA Certified 360, including vehicle financing options, vehicle transport, title and registration services, reinsurance and more.
“NIADA’s revolutionary program brings together digital inspections, national brand recognition, financing options and trusted logistics services,” NIADA vice president James Gibson said. “MOTOix provides a proven platform to take this program to new heights of service for our members and their customers.”
DealermallUSA by NIADA will be launched during the NIADA Convention and Expo, now through June 23 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
RumbleOn, a national technology-based omnichannel powersports platform, has entered into an exclusive sponsorship agreement with the City of Sturgis, S.D., for its annual City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally event.
Held in August every year, the City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was founded in 1938 by a group of Indian Motorcycle riders, and has grown into an iconic event, attracting 555,000 attendees in 2021. This sponsorship agreement between RumbleOn and the City of Sturgis consists of a 10-year exclusive Powersports category sponsorship for the City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally events and a prime downtown retail property lease through 2031.
“There is no greater event in the motorcycle community for displaying the passion of ownership than the iconic City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally,” Peter Levy, RumbleOn president and COO stated.
“Seldom do brands have the opportunity to promote their products on the biggest stage to the highest concentration of their most defined demographic. Every one of the hundreds of thousands of annual attendees sits on the seat of the motorcycles we proudly sell.”
Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen praised the decade long deal.
“The annual pilgrimage to Sturgis brings hundreds of thousands of people with a passion for machines,” he said. “Whether on the roadways or the trails, the Black Hills have so much to offer. RumbleOn has been a valued partner with Sturgis since 2018, and we look forward to our continued partnership and to fueling the passion for motorsports into the future.”