Developed from the ground up for those seeking extended adventures, Tacoma Trailhunter will build upon Toyota's off-road and overlanding credibility with purpose-built engineering and robust components. Stay tuned for more.
Speedway Motorsports' Michael Hodge Promoted to CFO
Speedway Motorsports has announced Michael Hodge has been promoted to CFO. Hodge, who previously served as the company's chief accounting officer, brings more than 15 years of financial and accounting experience with the company to his new role. As CFO of Speedway Motorsports, he will be responsible for overseeing the company's financial strategy, reporting and analysis. In addition to his role at Speedway Motorsports, Hodge will also serve as CFO at Sonic Financial Corp., where he has been an officer since 2016. Since 2022, Hodge has also served as a member of the board of directors at Sonic Automotive, the automotive retailer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hodge joined Speedway Motorsports in 2006 and has served in various financial management positions with the company. Prior, he worked as an audit and assurance manager at Deloitte.
Ford's Oakville, Ontario, Complex to Build Next-Gen EVs
Ford Motor Co. is investing C$1.8 billion in its Oakville Assembly Complex to transform it into a high-volume hub of electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada--a key part of the company’s plan to scale production of electric vehicles and make them more accessible to millions of customers. The campus, to be renamed Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex, will begin to retool and modernize in the second quarter of 2024 to prepare for production of next-generation EVs.
The investment allows Ford to repurpose and transform existing buildings into a state-of-the-art facility that leverages Ford of Canada's skilled and experienced workforce. Ford is building new greenfield sites and also transforming existing manufacturing sites, such as in Oakville and Cologne, Germany.
The current 487-acre Oakville site includes three body shops, one paint building and one assembly building. The transformed campus will feature a new 407,000 sq.-ft. on-site battery plant that will utilize cells and arrays from BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky. Oakville workers will take these components and assemble battery packs that will then be installed in vehicles assembled on-site.
Metra Electronics Reintroduces Tsunami Brand
Metra Electronics has announced the revival of its Tsunami brand, to be sold exclusively to brick-and-mortar dealers for in-store sales only. New clean wire solutions are available now. Products from this brand will include audio connections; power, ground and speaker wire; amp installation kits; battery terminals; distribution blocks; fuse holders; and more. Tsunami is also offering an economy series with RCA audio cables, fuse holders, amp kits and speaker wire. These new products will be serialized using unique labeling, with no online sales permitted, for better supply-chain control, according to the company.
2024 Acura Integra Type S to Go on Sale in June
Making its public debut last weekend at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the '24 Acura Integra Type S delivers a new interpretation of ultimate street performance for a new generation of enthusiast drivers. The Integra Type S features a four-cylinder engine producing 320 hp. Standard hardware includes a turbocharged 2.0L VTEC engine, class-exclusive six-speed manual transmission, limited slip differential and performance-tuned Adaptive Damper System. Brembo front brakes and lightweight 19-in. wheels wrapped in high-performance summer tires complete the dynamic package.
The fourth Acura Type S performance variant to launch in the last 24 months, the Integra Type S features an aggressive wide-body design, center-mounted triple exhaust outlets, large front air intakes, hood vent and a rear diffuser. The high-performance sedan is available with an extensive list of Genuine Acura Accessories, including a carbon-fiber rear lip spoiler, carbon-fiber mirror caps, black illuminated front Acura badge, copper metallic finished 19-in. wheels and an Integra Type R-inspired titanium shift knob. The '24 Integra Type S will go on sale this June.
EGR USA Introduces Creator/Influencer Program for Truck Accessories
EGR USA now offers truck content creators/influencers the opportunity to promote EGR products under the hashtag #EGRUSA in exchange for free or deeply discounted EGR products. The program is directed to influencers in the United States and Canada only and requires installation on the proposed vehicle. Products cannot be resold. Truck influencers/creators with strong social-media presence on the top platforms (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube) are encouraged to fill out the online application form located on the EGR USA website. Images of the applicant's truck are required.
LEER Group Cuts Ribbon for New Commercial Aluminum Cap Manufacturing Facility
The LEER Group, a business unit of J.B. Poindexter & Co., has completed its first targeted reinvestment, focused on increasing the manufacturing capacity of commercial aluminum truck caps. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the start of this dedicated facility was held on April 5.
"The facility will provide increased production capacity needed to accommodate significant growth, specifically in the commercial and fleet segments of our business. This facility opening couldn't have come at a more opportune time; when lead times are extreme, it gives us the capacity to reduce delivery times to better meet the needs of our customers in today's important commercial segment," according to Curt Cline, vice president of operations at J.B. Poindexter & Co. "LEER Group's engineering and advanced manufacturing teams have designed and outfitted this facility with more than $1.5 million of the latest equipment and technology."
Turn 3 Media Appoints Angie Skinner Director of SPEED SPORT Sales
Turn 3 Media has announced Angie Skinner has joined its team as the director of sales. In her new position, Skinner will be responsible for developing and managing advertising and sponsor relationships against SPEED SPORT's portfolio of editorial, digital and television media projects and services, as well as the new SPEED SPORT 1 TV network. She will also play a key role in developing new business and strategic partnership opportunities, the company stated.
Prior to the appointment, Skinner helped manage the career of her husband Mike Skinner, a longtime NASCAR driver. She served as the vice president of business operations at Mike Skinner Enterprises in 1999 before joining SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in 2011 as co-host of Sirius Speedway and later on Skinner Round-Up, a program she still works on with her husband today. She also owns Accelerated Communications Solution and Skinner 5 Media.
For more information, visit the announcement here.
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