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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.

Featured

Ford Enters 2024 Dakar Rally with New Ranger Raptor T1+

Ford is set to make its mark in the intense world of rally racing with the new Ford Ranger Raptor T1+. The Dakar Rally, known for its demanding off-road stages, is a highly respected event in the rally racing community. Winning the rally can earn a driver, car, or manufacturer a prestigious place in rally history. Ford aims to achieve this distinction with its latest Raptor machine, the Ford Ranger Raptor.

The Ford Ranger Raptor is known for its increased power and performance, with the Raptor name being synonymous with high-performance off-road capabilities. In line with this, Ford has developed the Ford Ranger Raptor T1+ specifically designed to compete for victory at the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

The Dakar Rally presents a new frontier for Ford Performance, who have already achieved victories at renowned racing venues such as Le Mans, Monaco, and Daytona. By entering the Dakar Rally, Ford not only aims to win in the T1+ category but also to gather valuable knowledge and information that can be used for future rally efforts and the development of production performance off-roaders.

The Ranger Raptor T1+ is based on the previous generation Ranger and is equipped with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Before participating in the Dakar Rally, it will compete in the Baja España Aragón and the Rally du Maroc. In preparation for the 2025 Dakar Rally, Ford Performance and M-Sport plan to create a custom-built Ranger Raptor T1+ that adheres to the category’s regulations.

Ford’s decision to venture into the Dakar Rally is an exciting announcement that showcases the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the racing world.

View All Fords for Sale

Cars

Is the Pricey Mercedes G-Wagon Really Worth It?

Back in 1979, the G-Wagon had a measly 71 horsepower. Today, each G550 model features a powerful twin-turbocharged 4.0 liter V8 engine, providing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This impressive power is delivered to the wheels through a standard all-wheel drive system with locking differentials on both the front and rear. Additionally, the G-Wagon sits 9.5 inches above the ground, allowing it to handle various obstacles with ease.

The newer second-generation G-Wagon offers a better ride, thanks to its independent front suspension and lower center of gravity. However, its boxy shape and tall profile still result in significant wind noise and uncertainty when maneuvering corners. Despite this, the G550 surprises with its quick acceleration, able to reach 0-60 MPH in just over five seconds, with a top speed limited to 130 MPH.

In recent years, other luxury SUVs like the Land Rover Defender, Audi RS Q8, and Maserati Levante have challenged the G-Wagon’s status as the go-to luxury off-roader, offering lower prices. Nonetheless, for those in the market for a G-Wagon, the higher price tag may not be a deterrent. It’s worth noting that the G550 does have some downsides, including a small cargo area, cramped rear seats, and poor fuel economy.

Ultimately, the G-Wagon appeals to buyers because of its rugged toughness, military heritage, celebrity endorsements, and timeless design.

News

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE to be Released in India by October 2023

Suzuki has recently been criticized for being slow to innovate. Many of its models still use technology that is more than a decade old. However, the brand has recently been making waves with its new middleweight lineup. With the GSX-8S and the V-Strom 800DE, Suzuki seems to be reinventing itself.

The GSX-8S has already proven itself as a strong competitor in the middleweight naked bike market in the US and Europe. Meanwhile, the V-Strom 800DE aims to challenge the Yamaha Tenere 700 in the adventure bike segment.



 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE - Yellow, Side, Right

The V-Strom 800DE has been seen being tested in India, and it is expected to be released there by October 2023. Suzuki dealerships have already stopped taking delivery of the V-Strom 650XT, which is built on a platform that is over a decade old.

Although bookings for the new model have not yet opened in India, there is a market for adventure-tourers like the V-Strom. Models like the BMW F 850 GS and the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally are popular among affluent off-road and adventure enthusiasts. The V-Strom is expected to be assembled in India, which should reduce taxes and make it more affordable.

The V-Strom 800DE boasts a brand-new 776cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree crankshaft. It produces an impressive 83 horsepower and 53 pound-feet of torque. Power is transferred to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual gearbox. The bike also features modern technology like a bi-directional quick shifter, traction control, and multiple riding modes. It has a full-color TFT display that provides riders with a wealth of information.

The V-Strom 800DE has a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel, which improves its off-road performance. It has Showa suspension both at the front and rear, with a range of adjustability, enhancing its overall off-road capability. The bike offers a ground clearance of 220 millimeters and a tall seat height of 855 millimeters, making it an ideal choice for adventure riding.

NewsNew

The Ride Shop AZ 2023 Gas Gas 380 “White Knight” Two-Stroke Project: 2-Stroke Tuesday

The Ride Shop AZ has created another innovative machine, this time for their long-time client Scott Whittington. The “White Knight” is a highly customized 2023 Gas Gas 450 chassis with an early 2000s KTM 380cc engine. The clean execution and attention to detail on the “White Knight” is awe-inspiring.

The bike features a unique color scheme and P3 Carbon skid plate that provides excellent protection against impact and debris. It also has Rocket Exhaust’s carbon fiber Racer Series design silencer.

The “White Knight” boasts Motomaster MXC billet calipers, brake rotors, and steel braided lines on both ends. The swingarm is coated in white, which makes the red accent parts from TM Designworks, Motomaster, and Dubya USA stand out.

Look for an upcoming video on The Ride Shop AZ’s YouTube channel and a complete story in an upcoming printed issue of Dirt Bike Magazine.

NewsNew

2023 SUZUKI DR-Z400 TEST

In the year 2000, Suzuki released the DR-Z400S, which was a perfect timing as the motorcycle industry was about to go through significant changes. The four-strokes bikes soon took over the market, and most Japanese two-stroke bikes went out of production. The DR-Z was Japan’s second-best dual-sport bike and was considered the best in its category until the release of the Honda CRF450L in 2019. Even now, the Suzuki sells for $7099, which is approximately $3000 less than the Honda, making it an excellent purchase.

AS TIMES CHANGE
Time flows, and although the DR-Z was built in a different era, it wouldn’t be that different if it were built today. Of course, the carburetor would have to go, but the motor is a compact, double-overhead-cam four-valve with electric start and a counterbalancer. It is not much different from most modern four-stroke motocross bikes. The DR-Z uses a shim and buckets to drive the valves directly, and there are other old-school design elements like the “right-side up” fork, steel tank, frame, and handlebar.

The DR-Z soon became the Suzuki off-road race team’s primary weapon out west since there were no Honda CRF450R or serious motocross four-strokes from Suzuki or Kawasaki at the time. Mike Kiedrowski won back-to-back WORCS championships in 2001 and 2002 on a Yoshimura-built DR-Z against a field of Yamaha 426s.

Despite being an exceptional bike, it’s challenging to find a dual-sport version of Kiedrowski’s DR-Z. It’s still possible but would cost a lot and still not match the modern 450s. Today, the Suzuki DR-Z400S is more of a trail bike than a competition bike. It performs reasonably well in its stock form, with only two horsepower less than a Husqvarna FE350S at peak performance.

There is a range of aftermarket parts available for the DR-Z400S, including Keihin FCR carburetors and DOT-approved knobbies. However, the main appeal of the Suzuki is its low price. It’s more effective than one might think, and with decent tires, it can keep up with more modern dual-sport bikes on moderately difficult singletrack. It has great handling and suspension, and the ergonomics are almost modern-like, giving the rider a comfortable experience.

The only significant limitation is the stock Bridgestone Trail Wing tires, which are street-oriented and unsuited for rough terrain. It would be best to equip the Suzuki with aftermarket DOT-approved knobbies, but it’s important to note that they wear out faster than stock tires, which aren’t ideal for mostly pavement riding. It might be a good idea to have an extra set of wheels with knobbies set aside for special off-road occasions.

The Suzuki DR-Z400S is an

Motorsport

Spofec Takes Rolls-Royce Phantom to the Next Level with 24-Inch Wheels and 685 HP

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is not typically known for its performance capabilities. While the V12 engine provides plenty of power, the luxury vehicle has never been designed to be sporty. Nonetheless, Spofec has given the dignified limousine a healthy dose of power, amped up its appearance, lowered its stance, and turned it into a formidable four-door sedan.

Taking a look at its appearance, it’s impossible to ignore the massive wheels. The Phantom Series II now boasts 24-inch Spofec SP3 alloys, which are polished and brushed, and developed in partnership with Vossen and built by the American company using precision CNC machining technology. The small openings on the wheels are not purely decorative, however. They also provide airflow to cool the brakes. Additionally, Spofec states that these wheels are exceptionally robust and are suitable for the Phantom EWB long wheelbase model.


Motorsport

New Hybrid Version of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe Spotted During Testing

Back in January of 2022, Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe was spotted by our spies for the first time. Now, 18 months later, we still have yet to see the final production version. However, some new spy shots have emerged of a plug-in hybrid prototype, spotted by Spanish publication Motor.es. The tell-tale sign is the yellow stickers, indicating the presence of a PHEV.

The charging port cap on the rear bumper also confirms that this sports car is an electrified vehicle. Other notable features include 20-inch wheels with Pirelli tires measuring 295/35 ZR20, and carbon-ceramic brakes, recognizable from their gold calipers. The car’s recognizable Panamericana grille is flanked by various air intakes, hinting that this is probably a high-end model in the lineup.


News

Wait For It: This Triumph Street Scrambler’s Restoration

When a motorbike crashes, it often indicators the tip of a experience, however does the identical crash imply the tip of the bike’s life? Accidents occur to the very best of us, however here’s a traditional (fairly actually) instance of “it’ll buff out.” 

Jish, on YouTube, makes a speciality of customized bike content material on the platform with some vehicles within the combine in current months. As a content material creator for bikes, he’s gathered expertise from customizing a Suzuki GS250, a Yamaha XJ650, and now this Triumph Street Scrambler 900. After finishing the Suzuki a few 12 months in the past, shopping for a BMW 235i, and asserting new initiatives on the horizon, he’s again to constructing bikes, and this time it is the Triumph’s flip to shine. 

Though, it’s not fairly shiny in the intervening time, in order predicted, a motorbike wash was so as, however even with a little bit of grime caked on, it doesn’t take a educated eye to see that the Street Scrambler was fairly roughed up after its encounter with a truck. Stuff just like the exhaust headers was bent in, the mufflers have been nowhere to be seen, the handlebars appeared a bit of worse for put on, and even a aspect cowl was lacking. Luckily, it’s a traditional, and the harm doesn’t look to sign the tip of the street for the Street Scram. 

So the primary a part of this video is usually an introduction paired with a brief guidelines of first-orders-of-business, which embody the completely mangled instance of an exhaust pipe on this crashed Street Scrambler. Even if the bike might begin, with a newly-installed Yuasa battery, the exhaust gasses would in all probability have nowhere to go. That, together with the engine cowl was additionally addressed, whereas Jish was at it, a brand new change of oil was given to the Street Scram. 

Following that, it was all a matter of beginning it up and letting it rev up after a protracted hibernation. The bike begins, and that’s the inexperienced mild for extra mods. Check out the channel and keep tuned for extra episodes on this restoration from Jish. 

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RIDING THE SHERCO 125SE FACTORY: THE WRAP

We don’t get many Shercos to test, so we were delighted when a big crate showed up on our doorstep with a 2023 125SE enclosed. Sherco is one of those sneaky companies that quietly stays just ahead of the curve. The 125SE has been around for years with a mix of old-school tradition and cutting edge technology. Electric start? Got it. Electronic powervalve? Got it. Multiple maps available on the fly? Got it. The 125SE still has a carburetor, and that’s fine with us.

Pete Murray, our resident 125 lover, on the Sherco 125SE.

This isn’t our first experience with this bike, but it is the first time we have had a chance to ride one on U.S. soil. When the bike was first introduced in late 2017, Sherco invited us to test  it in Italy. We loved it, but in the wildly unfamiliar environment over there, we had no idea how it would stack up to other 125s off-road bikes. Actually, “other” 125 off-road bikes were rare. Beta and TM had them, but the KTM 125XC and Yamaha YZ125X were still years away.

The Sherco 125SE Factory sells for $9999.

To back up a little, Sherco started off as a Spanish maker of trials bikes, then built a fancy new factory in Nice, France to expand into the off-road world. They had immediate success in extreme enduro and most Americans perked up when Cody Webb signed up with the Sherco FactoryONE team. The 125SE is very similar to the 300 two-stroke that Cody Webb rides in extreme enduros. It has a steel frame, KYB suspension and Brembo brakes. The motor has had an electronic powervalve from the start. There’s no kickstarter and no place to put one. The battery is mounted so low in the chassis it’s hard to find. Check under the air filter. The carb is a 36mm Keihin PWK.

The bike arrived a little rich, but we dropped the needle one position and it came alive. The bike is super easy to ride. It has decent low end (for a 125) and over-rev that’s not bad. We had a brand new Yamaha YZ125X for comparison, and the Sherco held its own. It had more low-end, a smoother transition and similar peak power. One area where the Yamaha has an advantage is weight. The Sherco weighs 226 on our scale without fuel, which is about 20 pounds more than the Yamaha. Why such a difference? Most of it is in the electric starter, of course. But the Sherco is a very substantial feeling bike. It has a hydraulic clutch and many frame components that seem like they were taken straight from the 300. As we have pointed out many times, though, engine characteristics have as much to do with handling as the chassis. The Sherco has such a mellow, benign power delivery that you feel like you can toss it around like a BMX bike. We will be testing the bike for some time, and a feature will appear in the September, 2023 print edition of Dirt Bike.

FUN WITH GIFs

Want to see how the 2024 Kawasaki KX450 compares to the ’23 model? Here’s a fun tool. The two bikes obviously are similar in overall dimension. There are big changes in the motor’s top end, muffler, frame and bodywork.

VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS

The 2023 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Royal Enfield takes place July 21-23 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The event will include many exciting opportunities for classic-bike fans, including North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, a classic bike show, vendor displays and much more.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Steve Wise will serve as the Grand Marshal of the three-day event and will be on site to sign autographs, speak to enthusiasts at the AMA Soundstage, participate in a Lap For History on each day and more.

There will also be plenty of vintage motorcycle racing — from hare scrambles, to motocross, to road racing, to flat track and more — for racers and spectators to enjoy. Racers can register to participate in all the vintage racing fun at VintageMotorcycleDays.com/page/racing/.

THUNDER VALLEY