Tag Archives: tell

News

A Different Scooter Specialist? SOCA Specializes In Vespa

Have you heard of SOCA? Well, now you have and let me tell you more about them. A few of us were approached by a new distributor, and let’s just say that they’re quite crazy when it comes to Vespas.

The distributor and the brand themselves are quite fanatic when it comes to Vespa scooters. Hailing from Indonesia, SOCA is a brand that was born out of a passion for Vespa, a certain lifestyle, and the craving to create parts that are a visual expression of performance and passion, akin to the very scooters that SOCA designs for.

When it comes to vision, the brand is more than just parts and accessories. Given that owning and riding a Vespa is a lifestyle, the brand caters to more than just the odd mod that you may find sitting pretty at the shop. SOCA’s products are expressions of Vespa riders’ passion for riding in style, and they’re meticulously designed and provide seamless and eye-catching interaction with Vespa scooters—as the brand has mentioned in its press materials.

SOCA’s selection of parts offers enthusiasts a break from the norm, namely from the likes of popular Polini—to name one out of a few dozen popular marques. However, other than the odd mirror blanking screw, the product line extends to 12-inch Cast Alloy Rims, a Ducktail, Sportscreen, and—yes—mirror hole covers to name a few.


SOCA Press Photos

8 Photos

The brand got its start in Indonesia, and the name “SOCA” is derived from the Sudanese dialect of its home country, translated roughly, it means “eye.” SOCA is already a worldwide brand, and it enjoys widespread availability in Europe, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam (where Vespas are born), and most recently: The Philippines.

SOCA has recently expanded to another territory, and its products are not only unique and indicative of the brand’s personality but also of quality, with industrial-grade materials and techniques being employed for every part that’ll find a home on a Vespa scooter.

There are a number of interesting items to note, namely the SOCA Ducktail. While I know it’s rather pointless on a Vespa, unique and eye-catching it still is, and perhaps we could see more of the brand in the near future, perhaps further west.

Car review

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N prototype

Hyundai is keeping a lot of details about its first electric performance car, the Ioniq 5 N, under wraps. This includes information on price, power, torque, weight, battery size, and even how some of the modes work.

However, after driving the car extensively on both road and track, it’s clear that Hyundai’s N division, known for producing engaging hot hatches, has fully embraced the electric era. The Ioniq 5 N delivers a fun and exciting driving experience like no other electric vehicle I’ve ever encountered.

The Ioniq 5 N is a big and tall crossover that has been reinforced in certain areas, similar to what N did with the i20. It features new suspension subframes and unique kinematics, including enhanced camber, quicker steering, a reinforced steering rack, and four-wheel drive with motors at each end. The car also has the ability to divert power as desired by the driver. Other notable features include 235/35 R21 Pirelli P Zero tires, the largest front brake discs ever fitted by Hyundai (measuring 400mm), and improved battery cooling. N aims to make this car suitable for track driving, with a 20-minute drive and 15-minute charging capability.

In terms of driving modes, the Ioniq 5 N offers a wide range of options. It combines the numerous driving-mode combinations found in the i30 N with all the capabilities of a four-wheel drive electric vehicle, including torque-vectoring and adjustable front-to-rear power distribution. The car even features synthetic engine noises, including one that mimics an internal combustion engine, along with a simulated tachometer and gearshift via steering-mounted paddles. An engineer sitting beside the driver prevented the use of the drift mode during the drive, highlighting that the Ioniq 5 N offers more than just silliness. It provides exceptional dynamic performance. This car represents a significant advancement in the fun and enjoyment of electric vehicles, far exceeding what was possible in the previous year’s big EV handling test. While the Kia EV6 GT finished third in that test, the Ioniq 5 N has raised the bar by delivering genuine performance-car capabilities.

ToyotaUk

Celebrating Father’s Day: Working with Dad — Toyota Employee Stories

When it comes to being close, these fathers and their adult children tell how their Toyota work bond has brought them lasting memories.

Providing, Just Like Dad

  • Father: Darrell Brock, Body Weld Seibi manager, Production Engineering and Manufacturing (PEMC); 34 years at Toyota
  • Son: Craig Brock, senior engineer, Internal Logistics Engineering, PEMC; 7 years at Toyota

What’s the best thing about working with your father?

Craig Brock: I’m thankful for having peace of mind in providing a future for my daughter the same way my father provided for me.

What’s your greatest work memory with your father?

When I was able to show my father my Toyota badge.

Supporting One Another

  • Father: Walter Burroughs, senior engineering manager assembly, PE VMC, Toyota Mississippi; 28 years at Toyota
  • Daughter: Kristen Burroughs, Corporate Communications analyst, Toyota Mississippi; one year at Toyota
  • Son: Brad Burroughs, strategic planning senior analyst, Toyota Logistics Services (TLS); 12 years at Toyota

What’s the best thing about working with your father?

Kristen Burroughs: Being able to discuss and relate to one another’s work life. For my dad, he loves knowing that his kids have valued his time and dedication to Toyota and saw what a great company it is to pursue our careers as well. All three of us also serve/served in the U.S. military.

What’s your greatest work memory with your father?

Having my dad by my side while I spoke to employees on Veterans Day about my experiences. He also showed up for me during my first planned event at Toyota Mississippi, which was a holiday toy drive/grant presentation for the Salvation Army.

Following in His Footsteps

  • Father: Monty Hagstrom, group manager, chief production engineer, PEMC; 28 years at Toyota
  • Daughter: Morgan Kennard, project manager, Safety, PEMC; 7 years at Toyota

What’s the best thing about working with your daughter?

Monty Hagstrom: Besides getting to see each other while in the office, we have a common goal to contribute to the success of the company while sharing common core values in how we approach our daily tasks.

What’s your greatest work memory with your daughter?

The day she was hired full time. I knew she would be working for a great company that would support her development and value her contribution. Following in my footsteps was a great feeling as well!

Like Father, Like Son

  • Father: Phil Nunn, safety analyst, Toyota Logistics Services (TLS) Princeton; 28 years at Toyota
  • Son: Phillip Andrew Nunn, production association track team member, TLS Princeton; Less than one year at Toyota 

What’s the best thing about working with your son?

Phil Nunn: Andrew gets to experience the type of work I did for 11 years as a production employee at TLS.

What’s your greatest work memory with your son?

When Andrew first applied his “Critical Eye for Safety” at work.

Growing a Bond

  • Father: Donnie Johnson, production group leader, Plant Chassis 2, Toyota Kentucky; 28 years at Toyota
  • Son: Triston Taylor Johnson, skilled team leader, Stamping, Toyota Kentucky; 3 years at Toyota

What’s the best thing about working with your son?

Donnie Johnson: We’ve always bonded with sports, now we have things that are happening at work to talk about, too. I also get to see him more now than I did when he was a teenager.

What’s your greatest work memory with your son?

When Taylor was promoted to team leader.

Family, Friends and Colleagues

  • Father: Lance Brittle, manager, Dealer Facilities Operations, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA); 35 years at Toyota
  • Daughter: Maggie Brittle, manager, Marketing Communications and Operations, Toyota Credit Corporation; 12 years at Toyota

What’s the best thing about working with your father?

Maggie Brittle: The best thing? Guilting him into buying me lunch! In all seriousness, working at the same company as my dad has been a blessing. Growing up, I admired him for his dedication to Toyota and passion for his work. He started at Toyota because he had a dream of doing more for his family. He took a huge risk by leaving a steady job as a mechanic and leaving his hometown to relocate to California, and I will forever be grateful for his courage to face the unknown. Working at Toyota with my dad has provided me with the incredible experience of knowing my dad, not just for being an awesome father, but for being a dependable, loyal and dedicated part of a larger team.

What’s your greatest work memory with your father?

When we attended the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show for the first time together. When I found out he was going to be attending as well, it dawned on me that this was the first time that our corporate paths had actually crossed. We were both working Toyota booths, and at one point I realized that no one else in my family would ever have the opportunity to see my dad like this. It was also the first time he got to see me in a professional setting. We left that event with a better understanding that our relationship was now both professional and personal, and it helped me build a friendship with my dad as an adult.

Proud Father and Son

  • Father: Dwayne Beisel, VMO Operations manager, TMNA; 29 years at Toyota
  • Son: Collin Beisel, Commerce content platform manager, TMNA; 6 years at Toyota

What’s the best thing about working together?

Collin Beisel: It was great to be able to get lunch or coffee with each other when we both worked on site. Now it’s just nice to have a family member to bounce things off of and someone that understands the way things work in OneTech.

Dwayne Beisel: When we were both at headquarters, I enjoyed having lunch with Collin regularly and periodically passing him in the hallways.

What’s your greatest work memory?

Collin: It’s always nice when someone recognizes my name and already has a positive association with it due to a relationship with my dad.

Dwayne: Hearing from my peers about what a fine young man my son is and the great work he does. It makes me even more proud of him and to be his father.

A Bright Future

  • Father: Kevin Newell, Body Weld Production manager, Toyota Kentucky; 24 years at Toyota
  • Son: Tyler Newell, skilled group leader, Plastics-Maintenance, Toyota Kentucky; 7 years at Toyota
  • Son: Tevis Newell, team leader, TL Powertrain, Toyota Kentucky; 3 years at Toyota

What’s the best thing about working with your sons?

Kevin Newell: The pride that our family feels working for such a great company and being able to not only have contributed to past successes but also working toward future ones as well.

What’s your greatest work memory with your sons?

Seeing my sons achieving their career goals and be recognized for their successes.