Ford Bronco, Maverick and Ram 1500 Recognized by Car and Driver in “10Best Trucks and SUVs” List
The ’23 Ford Bronco and ’23 Ford Maverick and also the ’23 Ram 1500 have been recognized by Car and Driver in the “10Best Trucks and SUVs” list. For Bronco, it marks the second consecutive year appearing on a “10Best” list. The vehicles were reviewed on a 100-point scale by Car and Driver editors and selected based on the publication’s criteria: delivering on the vehicle’s intended purpose better than its competition, offering great value and entertaining to drive.
“It’s an honor to see Maverick and Bronco receive this recognition,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, Ford product development operations, cycle planning and internal combustion engine programs. “Both vehicles are the result of intensely focusing on meeting customer needs and providing iconic vehicles they love to drive.”
This marks the fifth consecutive year the Ram 1500 has earned this award.
“For everyone looking for a full-size pickup, which is a lot of Americans, the Ram 1500 meets all your needs and exceeds expectations. Its coil-spring rear suspension provides luxury-SUV-like ride quality, making the bouncy competition feel like farm trucks,” said Joey Capparella, senior editor, Car and Driver. “The Ram’s interior is its most impressive and delightful attribute featuring carefully selected materials, including leather, metal trim, open-pore wood and the kind of attention to detail we’d expect from a luxury sedan.”
The full list is available now on the Car and Driver website and will be in the publication’s February/March issue, which will be available everywhere by February 7.
Tread Lightly! Board Shifts Leadership and Appoints New Member
Tread Lightly!, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through stewardship and educational programs, has announced the appointment of a new board member, the election of its new treasurer and re-election of four previously appointed directors. The board’s newest elected member is Nena Barlow, founder and CEO of Barlow Adventures. Barlow will serve a three-year term. Tom Zielinksi, president of Z Performance, will now serve as the Tread Lightly! board secretary.
The re-elected directors include: Harold Phillips, Tread Lightly! board chair and global general manager for BFGoodrich Tires; Tyler Ruby, Tread Lightly! board vice chair and senior director of customer and technical service and LATAM for Webasto; Dave Logan, 4WD School; and Jerome Dzieschiez, senior category manager, merchandising operations, CarParts.com.
Metra Electronics to Host Training Sessions at KnowledgeFest in Las Vegas
Metra Electronics is heading to Las Vegas, February 3–5, to host new training sessions at KnowledgeFest and showcase its latest aftermarket installation products. At the booth will also be a Ford F-150 Lightning, built by Professional Car Audio of Visalia, California, and customized with Metra products. Metra’s training sessions will cover new products launched at the 2022 SEMA Show, including new Shuriken Lithium Series batteries, dash kits, Axxess integration products and DSPs, lighting and audio upgrades for Harley-Davidson and Can-AM Ryker, aftermarket accessories that fit Jeep and Bronco.
TBC Corporation Recognizes 2022 ASE Master Technicians of the Year
TBC Corp. has recently recognized the 2022 ASE Master Technicians of the Year for its retail brands, Tire Kingdom Service Centers and NTB Tire & Service Centers, and franchise brands Big O Tires and Midas. Every year, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) selects technicians based on specific criteria, including ASE certification level, commitment to total customer satisfaction and community involvement. This year’s winners, listed below, were chosen from approximately 250,000 ASE-certified technicians, were recognized on November 17, 2022, at the ASE Board of Governors Meeting in San Diego:
- Steve Whittenberg, an ASE Master Technician at Big O Tires in Jefferson City, Missouri
- Jacob Boone, an ASE Master Technician at NTB Tire & Service Centers in Washington, Missouri
- Kenneth Veiera, an ASE Master Technician at Tire Kingdom in Hollywood, Florida
- Lorenzo Ramos, an ASE Master Technician at the Leeds West Group Midas location in Tulsa, Oklahoma
John Driscoll Promoted to Southeastern Regional Manager of Mobile and Powersports at Maxxsonics
Effective Monday, January 16, John Driscoll will be promoted from regional sales manager to southeastern regional manager of mobile and powersports at Maxxsonics. Driscoll’s main focus will be on planning territory development, traveling the territory to build new business opportunities and developing new distribution partners to better service the southeastern region.
Driscoll brings more than 30 years of experience in the consumer electronics and powersports industries. He has been a car audio hobbyist since 1986 and started participating in car audio events in 1987, going on to IASCA Finals in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Being one of the first in the nation to be certified as “MECP Installer First Class,” Driscoll worked for several CE retailers, including Audio Express, Circuit City and Ultimate Electronics. In 1997, he started with Current Marketing as a manufacturer’s rep for car and home electronics and continued until 2009, when he became a national sales manager for Cerwin-Vega Mobile. In 2012, he entered the powersports industry with the Arthur Fulmer Companies (Memphis Car Audio and Fulmer Helmets). In 2020, he joined Maxxsonics.
Rob Eberhart of R&R Marketing Named BOLT Lock 2022 Manufacturer’s Representative of the Year
Rob Eberhart of R&R Marketing has been named BOLT Lock’s Manufacturer’s Representative of the Year for 2022. Candidates for BOLT Lock’s Manufacturer’s Representative of the Year award are recognized for excellence in sales and for going beyond the requirements of a superior sales representative by exhibiting comprehensive knowledge of the BOLT “Breakthrough One-Key Lock” technology product line, while building strong
relationships with both existing and prospective accounts.
According to Jason Buckles, BOLT Lock sales account manager, “Rob has been an integral part of BOLT Lock’s growth over the last five-plus years. Through his hard work, BOLT Locks are now available in every O’Reilly Auto Parts store across the country, and we have also been able to gain shelf space in Bass Pro Shops.”
Atturo Tire Corp. Introduces Industry-First Trail Hazard Protection for UTV Tires
Atturo has established a powersports industry-first Trail Hazard protection program to cover tire damage from both on- and off-road use. The Atturo Trail Hazard program will cover all Trail Blade SXS tires anywhere a consumer may go in their UTV. This protection is provided by Atturo at no additional charge to the consumer with every new Atturo Trail Blade SXS tire. Coverage applies to use on any surface—pavement, rocks, trails, sand and open fields. The manufacturer’s Trail Hazard program covers every Atturo Trail Blade SXS tire for: 24 months from the date on the customer’s tire purchase invoice, flat-tire repairs up to $40 per occurrence, and tire replacement when the tire is not repairable.
Holley Announces 2023 Event Dates
Holley Performance Parts has revealed the dates for its high-performance race events, including an all-new gathering for LS enthusiasts in Texas. Holley is again bringing its LS Fest to the west for the Holley LS Fest West, April 28–30, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Holley will then return to Texas for the second annual Holley LS Fest Texas set for Texas Motor Speedway, May 19–20. The Holley LS Fest East will visit Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, September 8–10.
The Holley MoParty—a Mopar-based autocross event—is set for September 15–17, at Beech Bend Raceway Park. The Holley Intergalactic Ford Festival will coincide with the NMRA World Finals at Beech Bend, September 28–October 1. Autocross, road courses and related racing events are scheduled.
The Holley High Voltage Experience—which is all about experiencing the community and performance potential of electric vehicles—will return, with 2023 dates and location set to be revealed at a later date. In addition, the Brothers Show & Sign is set for June 11, in Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, California. For more information, visit holley.com/event.
ORMHOF Welcomes Fardad Niknam to Board of Directors
The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) has announced Fardad Niknam as the newest member of the ORMHOF board of directors. Fardad will serve a three-year term, 2023–2025. Fardad is the senior director of product planning for Yokohama Tire Corp. An avid motorsports enthusiast with more than 20 years of involvement in the off-road community, Fardad is leading Yokohama’s effort to effectively participate in all forms of off-road racing, events, and sponsorship. Also serving on the current all-volunteer ORMHOF board of directors with Fardad are Frank DeAngelo, Mark McMillin, Frank “Butch” Arciero Jr., Colin Butcher, Dave Cole, Bud Feldkamp, Jeff Furrier, Bob Ham, Josh Hall, Rafael Navarro III, Bonnie Vessels and Rory Ward.
Pertronix Performance Brands Appoints New Vice President of Sales
The group comprising as PerTronix Performance Brands has announced the appointment of Jeff Stacy as its new vice president of sales. This change takes effect immediately. In his new role, Stacy will oversee sales for all brands within the PerTronix Performance family, including PerTronix Ignition, JBA Performance Exhaust, Doug’s Original Headers, Patriot Exhaust, Compu-Fire, Spyke, Aeromotive Inc., Waterman Racing Components and Taylor Cable Products. Stacy brings nearly 40 years of experience in the automotive industry to his new position and has previously served as executive vice president of Aeromotive Inc. and Waterman Racing Components, both part of the PerTronix Performance family of brands.
In his previous position as executive vice president of Aeromotive Inc. and Waterman Racing Components, Stacy guided the companies’ executive leaders in formulating and implementing strategic plans and oversaw operations. He has also served as the Aeromotive Inc. and Waterman Racing Components sales and marketing manager, vice president of operations and vice president. Stacy has also previously worked for Keystone Automotive Operations, Fragola Performance Systems, FK Rod Ends and R&R Marketing Consultants, Inc.
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