Ford Motor Company Fund is joining Ford dealers across four U.S. regions—Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix—to provide $1 million in scholarship funding to help students pursue careers as automotive technicians. The auto industry has long faced a shortage of technicians due to fewer students entering and graduating from post-secondary programs, according to TechForce Foundation. Despite annual demand for 258,000 new technicians, there are only 48,000 graduates from technician programs each year nationwide. The gap is likely to widen over the next decade without new graduates as there are projected growth rates of 14% in Arizona, 10% in Texas, 7% in Georgia and 3% in Illinois for this career field respectively.
“As we move toward an electrified future, these career opportunities are exciting and require skilled technicians who are proficient in STEM-related study,” said Elena Ford, chief customer experience officer. “Working together with the Ford Fund and our dealers to offer this scholarship program means we will welcome a new generation of diverse students to the industry, and hopefully into our Ford family, to help us better serve our customers."
The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship is open to current and future students who are enrolled in post-secondary auto or auto and diesel technician training programs in the Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix areas. This need-based scholarship is applied to a student’s school tuition account and may be used for all cost of attendance, including tuition, tools, living expenses and transportation.
Scholarships will be administered by TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit supporting students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. This program supports Ford’s greater mission to prepare, empower and grow the future workforce needed to service vehicles and customers to prepare for an electrified future, including:
- A focus on STEM-based curriculum in combination with hands-on learning.
- Reaching students early and reinforcing the opportunities available for upward professional and economic advancement.
- Collaboration with dealers through their involvement in participating schools, career fairs, shadowing days, mentoring and internships.
For more information and to apply for the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship opportunity students can visit www.TechForce.org/FordFund. Applications are due by June 30, and applicants will be notified of the results on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer.
Cummins Announces $1 Billion U.S. Engine Manufacturing Investment
Cummins has announced a $1 billion investment across its U.S. engine manufacturing network in Indiana, North Carolina and New York, according to the White House. The company’s announcement aligns with President Biden’s visit to the Cummins Power Generation Facility in Fridley, Minnesota, earlier this week, which is part of his “Investing in America Tour.”
The investment is set to update facilities “so they can manufacture low- to zero-carbon engines, helping decarbonize the nation’s truck fleets today,” a White House official said. The official added that more than half of all medium- and heavy-duty trucks currently on the road in the United States use engines manufactured by Cummins. The investment in Minnesota is part of the more than $2 billion companies have committed to investing in the state since Biden took office, according to the White House.
Dana Recognized as a GM 2022 Supplier of the Year
Dana Inc. has announced that once again it has been recognized by General Motors as a 2022 Supplier of the Year. GM celebrated honorees at its 31st annual Supplier of the Year event in San Antonio, Texas, last week. GM’s Supplier of the Year award recognizes global suppliers that distinguish themselves by exceeding GM's requirements, in turn providing customers with innovative technologies that are among the highest quality in the automotive industry. Each year, GM's Supplier of the Year recipients are selected by a global, cross-functional GM team for their performance in criteria such as product purchasing, global purchasing and manufacturing services, customer care, and aftersales and logistics.
PerTronix Appoints Sarah Lassek as Chief Brand Officer
PerTronix Performance Brands has appointed Sarah Lassek as the chief brand officer, according to published reports. Lassek will be responsible for marketing initiatives for all brands within the group, which includes PerTronix Ignition, JBA Performance Exhaust, Doug’s Original Headers, Patriot Exhaust, Compu-Fire, Spyke, Aeromotive, Waterman Racing Components and Taylor Cable Products.
An automotive enthusiast, Lassek most recently served as senior vice president of Omaze. She is also a member of The Motoring Club, is on the advisory board for 000 Magazine for Porsche enthusiasts, and is a member of the all-female team of mentors for Petersen Automotive Museum’s Business Incubator Program.
Meyer Distributing Announces Vendors of the Year and Rep of the Year; Awards the Ultimate Truck & Boat Giveaway to Grand-Prize Winners
Meyer Distributing named Banks Outdoors as one of its Vendors of the Year.
Meyer Distributing has named Weather Guard, Retrax, Mickey Thompson, Fab Fours, VP Racing, Chemical Guys, Lippert, Banks Outdoors, Big Ass Fans and Metra as 2022 Vendor of the Year in their respective categories, and Rolston Hogstrom as 2022 Manufacturer Representative Agency of the Year.
In other news, last year, Meyer Distributing launched its Ultimate Truck & Boat Giveaway. Meyer partnered with Airlift, ARP, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bilstein, Covercraft, Holley, Rigid and Westin to make this giveaway happen. Together, they awarded a ’22 RAM 1500 Big Horn Truck and a ’22 Tracker Pro Team Tournament Edition Fishing Boat to one grand-prize winner—Work Horse Manufacturing Inc.
“What a great way to start 2023! We still haven’t gotten over the shock of winning,” said Michael Galindo of Work Horse Manufacturing. “Our company plans to use the truck to give our company’s advertising a big boost. It will make a significant difference in day-to-day operations, and we can’t thank Meyer Distributing enough.”
“The participation level and response to this giveaway were unprecedented,” said Cody Ziegler, vice president of sales for Meyer Distributing. “Seeing the reactions on the winner’s faces was so fulfilling, and it’s a strong reason why we’ll continue to craft similar promotions that give back to our dealer network.”
Hankook Tire Leads off Major League Baseball 2023 Season as Official Tire
Hankook Tire will enter the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season as the league's Official Tire in the United States and South Korea. An official partner of MLB since 2018, this year, the Hankook logo will be featured in signage behind home plate in select games, along with other marketing activities such as advertisements, promotions, and activities at MLB events. Hankook will benefit from media assets on MLB Network, exposure on digital platforms such as MLB.com and also leverage social media content associated with the league. In addition, Hankook will be the presenting sponsor of the Wild Card series during the Postseason.
Hankook Tire's MLB partnership underscores the company's continued commitment to the U.S. market. In addition to its partnership with MLB, Hankook recently announced an expansion of its Tennessee Plant in Clarksville, Tennesee, where Hankook is investing heavily in R&D to develop high-quality, technology advanced products.
AAM Receives 2022 Overdrive Award From General Motors
General Motors recognized American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AAM) as an Overdrive award winner as part of GM’s 31st annual Supplier of the Year awards. AAM was one of 16 companies to earn an Overdrive award for 2022. The company celebrated honorees at an event in San Antonio, Texas, earlier this month.
First presented in 2012, the Overdrive award is a distinction reserved for suppliers who display outstanding achievement across the global purchasing and supply-chain organization's key priorities. These include sustainability, innovation, relationships, total enterprise cost, launch excellence and safety.
Each year, the Supplier of the Year and Overdrive award recipients are selected by a global, cross-functional GM team for their performance in criteria such as Product Purchasing, Global Purchasing and Manufacturing Services, Customer Care, and Aftersales and Logistics.
Speedvision Fast Channel Now Available on Amazon Freevee
Speedvision has announced that it is now available as a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) linear channel on Amazon Freevee in the United States. Freevee customers now can stream titles from Speedvision's lineup of blue-chip vehicle entertainment that is diverse, compelling and an established draw. The network brand that started the auto entertainment revolution, Speedvision returned in October 2022. As a recognized network brand that originated the automotive lifestyle genre in the ’90s, Speedvision delivers a combination of storytelling, iconic hosts and premier production values.
From car-build shows and garage content, to automotive history and auction programming, the network features titles, including “Graveyard Carz,” “AmeriCarna,” “Stacey David's Gearz,” and “Two Guys Garage,” as well as motorcycle and aviation series. Speedvision also boasts a roster of well-known talent and experts, including Wayne Carini, Bill Goldberg, Mark Worman, Stacy David, Ant Anstead, Ray Evernham, and more.
Oracle Named a Leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Transportation Management Systems
Oracle has been named a Leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Transportation Management Systems (TMS) for Oracle Fusion Cloud Transportation Management. Of the 15 companies evaluated, Oracle was positioned highest on the “Ability to Execute” and furthest right on the “Completeness of Vision” axes. Gartner has recognized Oracle as a Leader in Transportation Management Systems for the 2006, 2008, 2009–2012, and 2014–2023 reports.
Part of Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM), Oracle Transportation Management offers a comprehensive set of enterprise capabilities for operational planning, transportation execution, shipment visibility, freight payment and logistics network modeling. With new features added every quarter, Oracle Cloud SCM helps customers create a resilient supply network and processes that outpace change. For additional information on Oracle Cloud SCM applications, visit www.oracle.com/scm.
Hagerty Garage + Social Opens Miami Car Culture Clubhouse
Hagerty Garage + Social has opened its third premium clubhouse and car storage facility in South Florida with its Miami location complementing existing locations in Palm Beach and Delray Beach. The Hagerty Garage + Social network has nine locations throughout North America.
A recent addition to its growing national network of enthusiast facilities, Hagerty Garage + Social Miami offers a premium clubhouse and car-storage facility for car lovers and collectors. Garage + Social Miami features climate-controlled, dust-free storage with 24-hour security, personalized service, maintenance and detailing. The facility includes nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of car storage, plus an adjoining clubhouse for members and their friends to gather and socialize. The facility can house more than 200 cars at its Little River location near Miami Beach, Fisher Island and other luxe Miami locales.
All memberships include free access to the Hagerty Drivers Club, which provides an annual subscription to Hagerty Drivers Club magazine, invitations to members-only events and experiences, automotive discounts, roadside assistance designed for classic and collector cars, premium automotive print and video content as well as promotions with leading automotive lifestyle brands. All members have full reciprocity across the nine Hagerty Garage + Social locations throughout North America, including locations in Delray Beach, Palm Beach, Bedford Hills (New York), Chicago, Toronto, Seattle, Van Nuys (Calironia) and Culver City (California). For more information about how to become a member, visit www.garageandsocial.com.
Overland Expo Launches “Overland News” YouTube Series
Overland Expo has extended “The Compass” coverage to a bi-weekly YouTube series called “Overland News,” hosted by Overland Expo personalities Nick Jaynes and Rick Stowe. From news to trending topics to gear reviews, “Overland News” will cover some of the most compelling subjects in the overland industry in 15 minutes or less.
The first episode—which covers Potential Motors’ pre-order, Mercedes’ Mondo G concept, Stowe’s roundup of the best overland trailers, and Jaynes’ review of MAXTRAX MK II—is live now. New episodes go live every other Tuesday on Overland Expo’s YouTube channel.
Shell USA Inc. Finalizes Acquisition of Volta Inc.
Shell USA Inc. has completed the previously announced acquisition of Volta Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately USD $169 million. With this acquisition, Shell now owns and operates one of the largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in the United States. The closing of the transaction occurred after receiving various regulatory clearances and approval from Volta's stockholders.
Volta provides Shell with an existing public charging network of more than 3,000 charge points at destination sites (shopping centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) across 31 U.S. states and territories, a development pipeline of more than 3,400 additional charge points and capabilities to continue developing, operating, and monetizing EV charging infrastructure.
Volta’s advertising capability and early mover advantage have allowed the company to secure prime spots and portfolio-level contracts with site hosts in high-value, high-traffic markets. While most of Volta's current revenue is generated through advertising, there are plans to increase the number of fast charging DC outlets with a paid charging model. The acquisition enables Shell to scale its existing network and offerings to better participate in the long-term EV charging market opportunity within the United States.
Alfa Romeo Starts Production of ’24 Tonale
Alfa Romeo has announced the official start of retail production for the all-new ’24 Tonale. Alfa Romeo’s first plug-in hybrid is built at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d'Arco, Naples, Italy—one of the company's most advanced production sites. The Tonale will begin arriving at dealers in June. The Tonale enters the premium compact CUV segment with standard all-wheel drive, more than 30 miles of electric range and a starting U.S. MSRP of $42,995. Customers can now build and price their Alfa Romeo Tonale through alfaromeousa.com and align with their preferred dealer to finalize the purchase. Customers who choose to lease their all-new Alfa Romeo Tonale can take advantage of a $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
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