Tag Archives: Sept

Motorsport

Antoine Tessier Named CEO of duPont Registry Group

MIAMI (Sept. 19, 2023) – duPont Registry Group, Driven Lifestyle’s luxury ecosystem for the high-end automotive lifestyle, bringing culture, community, and commerce together at the intersection of technology and digital platforms, announces today the appointment of Antoine Tessier as Chief Executive Officer. A technology and luxury lifestyle veteran, Tessier brings a wealth of knowledge in luxury transformations and digital technologies to the position.

Prior to joining duPont Registry Group, Tessier spent 12 years with LVMH Group, most recently as the Chief Technology Officer of LVMH Americas. In his time at LVMH Group, he spearheaded strategic initiatives, fostered a dynamic and inclusive culture, and consistently delivered exceptional results.

“Antoine Tessier is a visionary leader with a passion for driving innovation and growth,” says Christian Clerc, Chairman of duPont Registry Group. “We’re excited to have him on board, as he has a proven track record for strong leadership skills and a collaborative approach. Antoine empowers his teams to innovate with a customer-centric mindset, and that is exactly what we need as we begin this exciting journey for the duPont Registry Group.”

In his role, Tessier will oversee all worldwide aspects of duPont Registry Group’s strategic direction and global business growth, including its ecosystem of brands: duPont Registry, Sotheby’s Motorsport, Canossa Events, and FerrariChat. He will be responsible for all business functions, including product, content, marketing, and operations.

“It’s an honor to be appointed CEO of duPont Registry Group,” states Tessier. “As a veteran of the luxury lifestyle industry, I look forward to connecting with the millions of ardent fans, luxury car enthusiasts, and stakeholders throughout this integrated ecosystem. The Driven Lifestyle platform, specifically the duPont Registry Group, is the ultimate omnichannel network catering to the high-end automotive lifestyle. I look forward to redefining how these enthusiasts interact with their passion.”

Tessier has over seventeen years of experience in luxury retail. Before becoming Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of LVMH Americas, he worked at Louis Vuitton for ten years, ascending to multiple roles, including International Project Leader, Senior Manager of Digital and Retail, Director of Digital and Retail, and Chief Technology Officer.

“As we build the team at duPont Registry Group, I know my expertise in luxury and technology, combined with my passion for high-end cars, will help design a new and amazing customer experience,” continues Tessier. “Similar to LVMH brands, we will create lifelong and unique relationships for the dreamers and the owners of exotics and supercars. We are building something unseen in the automotive and luxury space with our dealership partners and OEMs who will be paramount to our success.”

About duPont Registry Group

At the heart of the Driven Lifestyle division lies the duPont Registry Group is the world’s leading luxury ecosystem that encapsulates the culture, community, and commerce of the high-end automotive lifestyle. Built by some of the biggest names in the luxury automotive space, the duPont Registry Group represents a vibrant community of hundreds of thousands of members nurtured over nearly two decades. Its portfolio includes duPont Registry, Sotheby’s Motorsport, Canossa Events, Cavallino and FerrariChat.

Mazda

First-Ever Mazda CX-90 Earns 2023 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ AWARD

WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 12, 2023) – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2024 CX-90 and CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) its highest safety rating, the 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+.

IIHS President David Harkey stated, “The excellent performance of these two new SUVs demonstrates Mazda’s commitment to safety. In 2023, we raised our award standards, and Mazda has met the challenge.”

Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Tom Donnelly said, “Safety is a top priority at Mazda, and our engineers continually strive to enhance crashworthiness and crash avoidance technologies to meet and surpass stringent testing criteria. We are incredibly proud that the 2024 CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV have achieved the TOP SAFETY PICK+ for 2023.”

To attain the 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must achieve excellent ratings in driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, and updated side tests. All trims must feature acceptable or good headlights, and a front crash prevention system with advanced or superior ratings in both daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations must be available.

The Mazda3 Sedan, Mazda3 Hatchback, CX-30, CX-5, and CX-50 vehicles have all received the 2023 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award.

To learn more about advanced safety at Mazda, please visit the MazdaUSA.com website – https://www.mazdausa.com/why-mazda/safety.

The IIHS is an independent, non-governmental safety-testing organization funded by the insurance industry. For more information, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, overseeing the sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia through around 795 dealers. Mazda Canada Inc. manages operations in Canada, Mazda Motor de Mexico handles operations in Mexico, and Mazda de Colombia manages operations in Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Stay updated on MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.###

Mazda

Rising Star Recognition for Bob Pan at Mazda

WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 11, 2023) – Bob Pan, the Senior Director of Sales Planning & Supply Chain Innovation at Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), has been honored as a 2023 Rising Star by Automotive News.

The Rising Stars program acknowledges talented and dedicated executives in the U.S. automotive industry who are under the age of 45. These individuals have the potential to become future leaders in various sectors such as manufacturing, supply, mobility, and services.

Tom Donnelly, the President and CEO of MNAO, expressed pride in Bob Pan’s recognition as an Automotive News Rising Star. Donnelly credited Pan’s leadership for transforming Mazda’s operations in the United States and contributing significantly to the company’s growth in North America. Pan and his team utilize a data-driven approach that provides actionable insights.

Bob Pan began his journey at Mazda in 2008 and has been a part of the Sales Planning department. During his time there, he has revolutionized Mazda’s perspective on its business and challenged the organization to be more adaptable in deploying incentives and placing vehicles in markets with the highest potential. As a result, Mazda has achieved three consecutive annual market share records since 2019.

Pan also previously worked in Mazda’s Strategic Planning department, where he played a crucial role in developing and solidifying Mazda’s value creation strategy known as Brand Value Management. This new direction required Mazda to redefine its fundamental beliefs and set goals to increase both volume and transaction price, a rare accomplishment in the automotive industry.

Automotive News has been recognizing rising stars in the industry since 2014. This year’s honorees represent 24 companies and various disciplines, including executive management, purchasing, engineering, mobility, and design.

Mazda North American Operations, headquartered in Irvine, California, oversees the sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support for Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia through around 795 dealers. Mazda Canada Inc. manages operations in Canada, while Mazda Motor de Mexico and Mazda de Colombia handle operations in Mexico and Colombia, respectively.

For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Stay updated with MNAO’s social media channels on Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

Contact:

Tamara Mlynarczyk, Mazda North American Operations, media@mazdausa.com
Drew Cary, Mazda North American Operations, media@mazdausa.com

ToyotaUk

FuelCell Energy and Toyota Complete World’s First “Tri-gen” Production System

PLANO, Texas and DANBURY, Conn. (Sept. 7, 2023) – FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) and Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (Toyota) have announced the completion of the first-of-its-kind “Tri-gen system” at Toyota’s Port of Long Beach operations. The Tri-gen system, owned and operated by FuelCell Energy, produces renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, and water from directed biogas. FuelCell Energy has a 20-year purchase agreement with Toyota to supply the products of Tri-gen.

The Tri-gen system is an example of FuelCell Energy’s ability to scale hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology, which is crucial for reducing carbon emissions globally. It will power Toyota Logistic Services (TLS) Long Beach, making it the company’s first port vehicle processing facility in the world to run on onsite-generated, 100 percent renewable energy. This represents Toyota’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

According to Chris Reynolds, Chief Administrative Officer at Toyota, TLS Long Beach will lead the way for the company by utilizing only renewable hydrogen and electricity production. He believes this real-world example can be duplicated in many parts of the world, helping Toyota achieve its carbon reduction efforts.

FuelCell Energy CEO Jason Few emphasized the company’s commitment to helping customers surpass their clean energy goals. Working with Toyota, FuelCell Energy aims to demonstrate that hydrogen-based energy is beneficial for business, local communities, and the environment. Few is pleased to showcase the versatility and sophistication of FuelCell Energy’s fuel cell technology and support Toyota’s environmental commitments.

The Tri-gen system by FuelCell Energy will support Toyota’s operations at the port by converting directed renewable biogas into electricity, hydrogen, and usable water through an electrochemical process. This process is highly efficient, combustion-free, and emits virtually no air pollutants.

  1. The Tri-gen system produces 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity. Some of the electricity will be used by TLS Long Beach for its operations at the port, which processes around 200,000 new Toyota and Lexus vehicles annually.
  2. The Tri-gen system can produce up to 1,200 kg/day of hydrogen, meeting the fueling needs of TLS Long Beach’s incoming light-duty fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) Mirai. The excess hydrogen can also be used to fuel the nearby heavy-duty hydrogen refueling station, supporting TLS logistics and drayage operations at the port. Hydrogen production can be adjusted based on needs.
  3. The Tri-gen system’s hydrogen production process also co-produces 1,400 gallons of water per day. This water will be used by TLS Long Beach for car wash operations. It will help conserve local water supplies by approximately half a million gallons per year.

The Tri-gen system’s carbon neutral products are estimated to reduce over 9,000 tons of CO₂ emissions from the power grid each year. It will also help avoid more than six tons of grid NOx emissions, which are harmful to people and the environment. Additionally, by utilizing hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks in port operations, the Tri-gen system has the potential to reduce diesel consumption by over 420,000 gallons per year.

Any excess electricity not used by TLS will be supplied to the local utility, Southern California Edison, under the California Bioenergy Market Adjustment Tariff (BioMAT) program. This will add a renewable, resilient, and affordable baseload electric generation resource to the electric grid.

Motorsport

duPont Registry Announces Luxury Automotive Investment Platform, duPont Registry Invest

In a move to leverage its nearly 40 years in the high-end vehicle market, duPont Registry has unveiled its new investment platform, duPont Registry Invest. This platform allows enthusiasts and investors to partake in the thrill of luxury automobile collecting by purchasing fractional shares in investment vehicles that own rare and high-end collector cars. The investment activities will be facilitated through a joint venture with Rally, a pioneering investment platform for fractional ownership of blue-chip collectible assets. This venture is backed by notable figures such as Jimmy Kimmel’s Wheelhouse, Alexis Ohanian, and Kevin Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures.

Starting today, automotive enthusiasts can explore a curated selection of rare and investment-grade luxury cars on the invest.dupontregistry.com website. In the coming weeks, equity purchase and sale transactions for these curated vehicles will be facilitated by Rally, with execution provided by FINRA-registered broker-dealers through Rally’s industry-leading platform.

For many people worldwide, owning a luxury vehicle has always been a dream. With the introduction of duPont Registry Invest, this dream can now become a reality. The platform serves as an accessible entry point for individuals to learn about high-end car collecting and serves as a gateway to Rally’s platform, where they can become fractional owners of the investment vehicles that own each specific car.

Rob Petrozzo, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Rally, expressed his inspiration for the collaboration with duPont Registry, stating, “Before Rally, my co-founders and I collected duPont Registry magazines, drawing inspiration from the state-of-the-art automobiles showcased on each page. Strong collector communities, like the one duPont Registry has cultivated over four decades, are the reason Rally exists today. With the global luxury car market valued at $617 billion in 2022, we are offering everyone the ability to fractionally collect luxury automobiles and invest in their passions.”

Rally has established itself as a leader in technology, product development, and legal expertise required for secure and regulated alternative asset investing. Since its inception in 2016, Rally’s platform has granted over 400,000 investors and collectible car enthusiasts access to the rarest investment-grade vehicles.

About duPont Registry

For nearly 40 years, duPont Registry has been the leading marketplace for exotic and luxury automotive transactions, connecting millions of buyers and sellers worldwide. As part of the Motorsport Network portfolio under the Driven Lifestyle division, duPont Registry will use the advanced technology capabilities and global reach of its parent company to further solidify its position as the most influential, innovative, and sophisticated ultra-luxury and exotic automotive online marketplace. With almost 7 million followers on social media, duPont Registry’s brand authority, publication, and digital properties continue to lead the luxury automotive marketplace.

About Rally

Rally is a platform that offers individuals ownership and liquidity in their passions. It is the pioneer platform for buying and selling fractional equity in unique assets with historical and cultural significance. The platform hosts Initial Offerings, allowing investors to purchase SEC qualified shares of assets similar to buying shares of stocks, with no minimums and no commissions. Rally also facilitates a secondary market for trading shares of these assets through registered broker-dealers within the app, providing daily liquidity during Market Hours. With 25+ investment categories, Rally covers a range of collectibles such as watches, rare books, fine art, wine, high-end sports memorabilia, blue-chip NFTs, and dinosaur fossils. Interested users can visit “The Rally Museum” in Soho, New York, to see select Rally assets on display.

Mazda

Mazda Reports August Sales Results

August Marks the 11th Straight Month of Year-Over-Year Gains

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total August sales of 30,174 vehicles, an increase of 18.7 percent compared to August 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 244,586 vehicles; an increase of 27.6 percent compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in August, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 14.3 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

CPO sales totaled 5,752 vehicles in August, an increase of 26 percent compared to August 2022.

Sales Highlights

– Best-ever August sales of CX-30 with 6,630 vehicles sold.

– Best-ever sales of CX-90 PHEV with 1,700 vehicles sold.

Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported August sales of 5,364 vehicles, an increase of 12.8 percent compared to August last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 38,227 vehicles; an increase of 8.9 percent compared to the same time last year.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported August sales of 5,532 vehicles, an increase of 8.0 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 46,340 vehicles; an increase of 79 percent compared to the same time last year. 

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at News.MazdaUSA.com.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

Month-To-Date

Year-To-Date

August

August

YOY %

% MTD

August

August

YOY %

% MTD

2023

2022

Change

DSR

2023

2022

Change

DSR

Mazda3

2,611

2,100

24.3 %

19.7 %

20,732

18,120

14.4 %

14.4 %

Mazda 3 Sdn

1,596

888

79.7 %

73.1 %

11229

7,259

54.7 %

54.7 %

Mazda 3 HB

1,015

1,212

(16.3) %

(19.4) %

9503

10,861

(12.5) %

(12.5) %

Mazda6

0

0

–

–

0

335

(100.0) %

(100.0) %

MX-5 Miata

733

752

(2.5) %

(6.1) %

6,966

3,819

82.4 %

82.4 %

MX-5

347

327

6.1 %

2.2 %

3727

1,406

165.1 %

165.1 %

MXR

386

425

(9.2) %

(12.5) %

3239

2,413

34.2 %

34.2 %

CX-3

–

0

–

–

–

0

–

–

CX-30

6,630

4,765

39.1 %

34.0 %

52378

32,532

61.0 %

61.0 %

CX-5

13,649

12,920

5.6 %

1.7 %

106113

105,733

0.4 %

0.4 %

CX-9

9

2,106

(99.6) %

(99.6) %

17428

20,205

(13.7) %

(13.7) %

CX-50

2,602

2,783

(6.5) %

(10.0) %

28302

10,553

168.2 %

168.2 %

MX-30

6

0

–

–

100

324

(69.1) %

(69.1) %

CX-90

2,234

0

–

–

8724

0

–

–

CX-90P

1,700

0

–

–

3843

0

–

–

CARS

3,344

2,852

17.3 %

12.9 %

27,698

22,274

24.4 %

24.4 %

TRUCKS

26,830

22,574

18.9 %

14.5 %

216,888

169,347

28.1 %

28.1 %

TOTAL

30,174

25,426

18.7 %

14.3 %

244,586

191,621

27.6 %

27.6 %

*Selling Days

27

26

204

204