By SEMA News Editors
Bridgestone Recognized as 2024 Supplier of the Year by General Motors
Bridgestone Corporation was recognized by General Motors (GM) as a 2024 Supplier of the Year, marking the tire maker's 10th consecutive and 23rd overall recognition from the automaker. Bridgestone was awarded this distinction during GM's 33rd annual Supplier of the Year event in Phoenix, Arizona, and was one of 92 companies across 12 countries to earn GM's 2024 Supplier of the Year award out of its network of more than 20,000.
"This recognition is not only a testament to the decades of collaboration between Bridgestone and GM across our global operations, but the work we are doing each and every day to continue strengthening our partnership," said David Colletti, president of consumer original equipment tires, North America, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. "Our shared values and commitment to innovation and performance remain the foundation for our ongoing success."
GM's Supplier of the Year awards recognize global suppliers for their execution across key categories like safety, innovation and resilience. A global cross-functional team makes award selections based not only on an organization's performance across 2024, but also their alignment to GM's core values and ambitious goals.
"For more than 30 years, General Motors has recognized the company's top global suppliers at our annual event, spotlighting their innovation and resiliency through even the most challenging circumstances," said Jeff Morrison, global chief procurement officer at GM. "Together, we're helping bring advanced technology and the industry's broadest portfolio of vehicles to market for GM customers."
Bridgestone's Supplier of the Year recognition from GM aligns with the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," which consists of eight "Bridgestone-like values starting with the letter 'E' (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment)." By developing innovative tire solutions for GM, Bridgestone is delivering on its "Ecology" and "Extension" commitment, the company stated. Learn more at bridgestoneamericas.com and gm.com.
Honda Leaders Honored as Automotive News '100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry'
Four Honda leaders have been honored by Automotive News in its 2025 list of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. Roxanna Metz, plant lead of the Indiana Auto Plant (IAP) of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA); Jane Nakagawa, vice president of the R&D Business Unit at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM); Bobbi Curran, vice president of procurement and manufacturing planning control at Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM); and Susan Kenny, division manager of purchasing at HCM were selected after a nomination and judging process that attracted hundreds of entries from throughout North America.
Metz leads day-to-day manufacturing operations at IAP in Greensburg, Indiana, one of the most flexible in America, where the facility's 2,600 associates produce the Honda CR-V and Civic Hatchback, including hybrid versions of both models, and a new CR-V TrailSport variant on the highest capacity, single-line Honda plant in the world. Metz started her Honda career in 2008, the year IAP began production with the Honda Civic Sedan.
Nakagawa is based in Torrance, California, where she oversees multiple divisions responsible for the design and development of Honda and Acura products and user experiences, as well as business innovation focused on new products and services, including new mobility solutions like the all-electric Honda Motocompacto e-scooter. Nakagawa joined Honda in 2016.
Curran is based in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, where she oversees the company's manufacturing strategic direction for the Honda Civic Sedan and hybrid, CR-V and CR-V hybrid. Curran started her career with Honda of Canada Mfg. in 1998.
Kenny is based in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, where she oversees direct and indirect procurement activities related to supplier quality, on-time delivery and new-model development for the Honda Civic and CR-V models. Kenny started her Honda career in 1993, and this is her second time earning the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry honor.
The 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry Award recognizes women who are leaders in the automotive field. Automotive News has published the list of the industry's top female executives every five years since 2000.
Learn more here.
Porsche Marketing VP Recognized Among Auto Industry's Leading Women
Ayesha Coker, vice president of marketing for Porsche Cars North America (PCNA), has been named among the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry by Automotive News. Coker and her co-honorees are recognized in the May 19 issue of the magazine.
A graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the Fashion Institute of Technology, Coker began her career with PCNA in 2010 as an experiential brand event manager, responsible for planning, developing and managing major event marketing programs, including automotive shows and brand events. During her tenure at PCNA, she has held various roles within the marketing department, including manager and senior manager of events and sponsorships and director of experiential marketing. She joined the executive committee at PCNA in January 2022 as the vice president of marketing, making her the first African American and first woman of color to join the leadership team.
"I'm honored to be recognized alongside so many remarkable women who are shaping the future of mobility," says Coker. "This award is not just a reflection of my journey--it's a celebration of the bold ideas, relentless passion, and incredible teams that continue to drive this industry forward."
For more information, visit porsche.com/usa.
Ken Block Signed Photos of the HOONICORN Selling at Auction to Benefit the Block Family, Fund Celebration of Life at Petersen Automotive Museum
Donna Block, older sister of the late Ken Block, is selling two signed, framed photos of the "HOONICORN" to raise funds to attend the "Peoples Champ: The Impact of Ken Block" exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. Proceeds from the sale will additionally fund the family's Celebration of Life for Ken Block at the museum, and a donation to the 43 Institute, an initiative launched after Block's passing to help provide resources for underserved individuals interested in action sports, motorsports and the creative arts.
The framed photos signed by Ken Block will be offered as two separate listings on eBay. The seven-day auction begins on Sunday, May 25, and closes on Sunday, June 1. Each of the framed photos from the set, titled "L.A. HOONICORN," was part of a limited production of 150 prints.
For more information, email Donna Block at dcblock58@gmail.com.
Hyundai Motor Company, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Break Ground on Automotive Manufacturing Facility
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East (HMMME), a joint venture between the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Hyundai Motor Company, recently broke ground on a new manufacturing facility to be built in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Arabia.
PIF owns a 70% stake in HMMME, with Hyundai holding the remaining 30%. The manufacturing plant, Hyundai's first facility in the Middle East, will roll out its first vehicle by the fourth quarter of 2026 and targets an annual production of 50,000 vehicles, the automaker said. This will include both internal-combustion-engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EV).
For more information, visit hyundai.com.
PHINIA Names Marcus Meteer as Aftermarket Senior Sales Manager—Retail
PHINIA, a provider of fuel systems, electrical systems and other aftermarket solutions, has named Marcus Meteer as its new aftermarket senior sales manager--retail.
In his new role, Meteer will lead the sales and marketing efforts for the company's Delphi-branded aftermarket product lines focusing on its retail customers.
Prior to joining PHINIA, Meteer served as the senior sales manager for retail/powersports/OEM/OES for Hitachi ASTEMO, where he was a national account manager for retail accounts. Prior to Hitachi ASTEMO, Marcus also represented Motorad and Johnson Controls in various retail segment capacities.
For more information, visit phinia.com.
Toyota Reveals All-Electric '26 bZ Woodland
Toyota has revealed a new, rugged addition to its electric-vehicle (EV) lineup with the first-ever '26 bZ Woodland.
Equipped with standard all-wheel drive with X-MODE, the bZ Woodland will have a combined system net output of 375 horsepower with a manufacturer-estimated all-electric driving range of 260 miles. It also offers 8.3-in. of ground clearance, 3,500-lb. towing capacity, and available all-terrain tires.
Visually, the '26 bZ Woodland takes the Toyota hammerhead front end with full-width LEDs and adds wide, black overfenders. It also has a slightly different vehicle profile due to nearly 6-in. of additional length and just under 1-in. of additional height in the rear, giving it more than 30 cubic feet of rear cargo space. Its standard roof rails are also a different feature, giving it even more utility for accessories like luggage or bicycle racks. It is also equipped with bZ Woodland-unique 18-inch aluminum wheels with removable covers, and all-terrain tires are available for drivers who want to take on rough roads.
For more information, visit toyota.com.