Auto Industry News: Mint 400 Military Challenge, Sweet New Rides, and Corporate Drama
Coming off the heels of Veteran’s Day, we thought it appropriate to open with a nod to our troops before we dive into the latest new vehicle updates and, of course, a full recap of all the auto industry happenings from the past week.
Let’s get to it!
Mint 400 Military Challenge
When it comes to honoring our troops, it’s totally appropriate to go all-out. There are few things more all-out than an off-road desert race featuring eyeball-popping military vehicles. Specifically, a race that includes two fully outfitted Flyer GMV 1.1’s from 5th Special Forces, a WarfighterMade Vintage Light Strike Vehicle (LSV), and a 1988 AM General High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).
In its second-ever year, the Mint 400 Military Challenge raised more than $100,000 for charities and foundations dedicated to focusing on the needs of the great men and women who serve this country. The race featured 16 teams of retired and active duty members of all five branches of the United States Military. Eleven different charities benefitted from the event.
Inspiration for the Mint 400 Military Challenge grew from U.S. Marine Jody Lynch and UFC fighter Josh Koscheck. The two used their participation in the 2019 Mint 400 as a fundraiser for the Marine Raider Foundation. Seeing potential for a large-scale event, they and their support crew built up the Military Challenge with some help from Zero 1 Off-road and Mint 400 owners, The Martelli Brothers.
A cool race featuring epic military vehicles with 100% of the proceeds going towards helping out our veterans? We’re very much looking forward to the Mint 400 Military Challenge for years to come.
53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000
Itching for more off-road fun? Looking to increase that racing pulse and put some dirt in your grin?
The Annual SCORE BAJA 1000 is a grueling test of grit that puts the baddest off-road racers to the test. Together, they battle it out across miles of track spread throughout the legendary Baja California Desert. Watch in awe as trucks blast through sand at incredible speeds, cut through turns that’d scare anyone to death, and even fly through the air like a bat out of hell.
This year’s event runs November 17-22. Remember to check in with The Engine Block for updates!
LOORRS No More
Sad news for the motorsport world this week. Lucas Oil Products announced its decision to discontinue ownership and operation of the popular Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS).
Since 2009, LOORRS has been widely regarded as the world’s premier short course off road racing championship series. The announcement also includes discontinuation of the Lucas Oil Regional Off Road Series.
“This year, Lucas Oil made an incredible financial effort to keep our off road commitments to our employees, promoters, racers and sponsors, during arguably one of the roughest periods of time for our country,” said Director of Race Operations, Ritchie Lewis. “As we look ahead, there are too many variables that could impact the financial commitment and overall health of the series going forward, which necessitated this difficult course of action.”
It’s undoubtedly a shame to see Lucas Oil bow out of the series. As one disappointed fan expressed online, the company never had any obligation to invest in this form of racing. They did it out of true passion for racing—and that’s something to be commended.
We tip our hats to Lucas Oil and to all they did for grassroots racing. Here’s hoping a similar series steps in to fill the empty space. We’re pretty optimistic, as there is certainly enthusiast demand. So, keep an eye on this space to see how things shake up.
For now, Championship Off-Road plans to expand its foothold in the short-course racing market, despite the challenges of 2020. That’s certainly something to look forward to.
I Spy Some New Rides
This article is called Auto News for a reason, right? Here are some of the exciting reveals from the last few days.
Acura Previews New 2022 MDX
The MDX is Acura’s flagship, and boy are they treating it like one. The luxury three-row SUV enters its fourth generation packed to the brim with high-end goodies. These include an all new, performance-focused platform with MDX’s first-ever double wishbone front suspension and the first application of the Type S high-performance moniker to an Acura SUV. Not to mention, a laundry list of cutting-edge tech and safety features.
“We knew we needed to deliver something more emotional and premium with performance at its core,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president and Acura brand officer. “This new MDX builds on the past 20 years of success and elevates the model to an even stronger position in the market.”
KBB reports the 2022 Acura MDX will again come with a 3.5-liter V6 when it goes on sale in early 2021. The higher-performance MDX Type S packs a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 making 355 horsepower and includes standard all-wheel drive. That model should arrive by the summer of 2021.
Christmas Comes Early for FCA
It’s been a good week for FCA. As a result, it’s been a good week for Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler fans.
This past week, the automaker offered close-up looks of its new Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept, V8-powered Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept, 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, 2021 Dodge Charger Redeye, 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle and even the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the first Wrangler plug-in hybrid, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept
The long-awaited Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept originally debuted in early September, looking particularly production-friendly. Advertised as “the return of an American icon,” the vehicle certainly lives up to its billing.
The seven-seater SUV, analogous to a Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator, serves up a plush, sustainably-crafted interior and host of luxury features. Think: fully digital instrument panel and split-screen center stack, fully customizable interior ambient lighting, and a gorgeous full pane glass roof.
The Grand Wagoneer maintains its body-on-frame truck platform, but adopts a much more modern design. (Truth be told, we would have liked to see something a little more retro. Read: wood paneling.)
Jury’s still out on what exactly is under the hood. Best guesses include the automaker’s 3.6-liter V-6 with eTorque mild hybrid system and more powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. Perhaps the revised diesel 3.0-liter V-6 will make an appearance? One things for certain: a plug-in-hybrid powertrain will be on the menu.
Dodge Charger Redeye
Those interest in mo’ power likely enjoyed a close-up of the Dodge Charger Redeye, which the badge proudly calls the world’s fastest mass-production sedan. The specially-built ride features the brand’s supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V-8, serving up 797-hp and 707 lb.-ft. of torque. Which frankly speaking, is pretty bananas in a sub-$80k vehicle.
Better yet, MOPAR is taking that powerhouse engine on the road and democratizing its world-class capabilities as a crate engine. That means, for about $22k, you can slam this beast into anything your heart desires.
“2021 marks the year that Dodge is distilled to a pure performance brand with 700+ horsepower models available across the entire lineup,” said Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Alfa Romeo and Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America.
“The new 807-horsepower Hellcrate Redeye crate engine gives any pre-1976 vehicle owner another opportunity to become a member of the Dodge Brotherhood of Muscle by tapping into the Dodge//SRT power that wasn’t available then, but is now.”
Updates on Industry Happenings
Here’s a quick rundown of the most interesting headlines throughout the auto industry, broken down in quick-hitter fashion.
Top 100 Women Across the Auto Industry
For the fifth time since 2000, Automotive News honored 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. “Twenty years ago, it was hard to find enough executives with authority,” writes the publication. “This year, the challenge was choosing among hundreds of powerful female executives.”
Check out the list and read more about the strategies leading women use to stay ahead in a still-male-dominated auto industry.
Interestingly, while these female execs, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators are busy breaking glass ceilings, some of their male counterparts are feeling the recoil of corruptive tactics.
Nikola and Founder Subpoenaed for Fraud
In what might go down in history as the longest bad day ever recorded, electric car company Nikola and its founder, Trevor Milton, wound up on the wrong end of a subpoena last week for straight-up fraud.
According to CNBC, a regulatory filing also said the company received a grand jury subpoena from the New York County District Attorney’s Office in September. Grand juries are typically impaneled in criminal investigations.
We’ve covered this saga in a previous Auto News, so you can read up on the drama here. In short, this is a bad look bordering on death knell for Nikola.
Nissan Sues Carlos Ghosn for $95 Million in Damages
On that note of industry shenanigans, let’s talk disgraced Nissan CEO and cartoonish escape artist Carlos Ghosn. He currently faces a civil suit launched by Nissan. The brand is seeking $95 million in damages.
It seems Ghosn’s elaborate plans to escape the long arm of the law are racking up in cost. Fortune reports life on the run shrunk Ghosn’s fortune by 40% since his initial arrest.
Prosecutors Want 34-Month Sentence for Ex-UAW President
Speaking of white-collar criminals getting away with their many crimes with minimal to no real punishment, let’s talk former UAW chief and ex-GM board member Joe Ashton.
Federal prosecutors want a 34-month prison sentence for a guy who, along with committing federal crimes, is directly linked to the closure of GM’s worker training center in Detriot and the loss of 71 jobs. Corrupt labor union official has got to be a stereotype by this point, right? Do better, guys.
GM Fast-Tracks EV Plan and Hiring Initiatives
Wrapping up on a lighter note, GM announced plans this week to accelerate EV and self-driving cars. The automaker started hiring what will be more than 1,000 new employees for its new EV battery plant in Ohio. It also began calling back workers to Factory ZERO in Detroit-Hamtramck as it continues retooling the facility for EV production.
GM also announced its green light from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to test autonomous vehicles without a safety driver on the streets of San Francisco. We’re less optimistic about this nugget of news, but recognize it as a win for ol’ GM anyway.
