Author: mead_admin

I was honored to be chosen as a Facilitator/Pro Driver for the US Introduction & Launch of the all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80.

This program consisted of 7 months of In-Dealership Product & Competitive Comparison Training driving the QX80 and a very capable competitor, the Lincoln Navigator. We started at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Formula 1 Racetrack in Austin TX doing demo and hot laps. This was followed by over 70 Dealership visits, traveling from Maine to El Paso, TX. The QX80’s 450 HP and 516 lb.-ft. of torque made it fun and effortless to drive and the Klipsch® sound system with 1200 watts/24 speakers (including speakers in the front headrests) provided an amazing soundtrack for the journey. Even with a curb weight near 6000 lbs., the QX80 was very predictable and responsive both on the racetrack and the freeways. Additionally, I was amazed to see fuel mileage figures in the high teens/low 20’s, even as high as 23 mpg when running 70 mph and under.

I was honored to be chosen as the Performance & Technology Facilitator/SME for the US Introduction & Launch of the all-new 2024 Lexus GX.

The GX delivers legendary TMS Quality with Lexus Style & Luxury, and then adds serious Off-Road Capability. As an example, the GX550 Overtrail has wheel articulation of over 24″ on each corner and an approach angle of 26°, breakover angle of 24°, and a departure angle of 22°. Power is provided by a 3.4 liter Twin-Turbo V6 (hybrid available) and the GX can be equipped to tow over 9,000 lbs.

Launch cities included Las Vegas, NV, Parsippany, NJ, Baltimore, MD, San Francisco, CA and Orange County, CA.

I was honored to be chosen as the Performance & Technology SME/Facilitator for the US Introduction & Launch of the all-new Lexus TX. Launch cities included Louisville, KY, Princeton, IN (US Production Facility), Parsippany, NJ, and Baltimore, MD.

I was honored to be chosen as the Electrification SME/Facilitator for the US Introduction & Launch of the all-electric Lexus RZ 450e, the 1st all-electric Lexus vehicle sold in the US.

As an In-Dealership Trainer for Volvo for five years, I delivered quarterly Product, CX, and CSI/SSI classes including the US Launch for the All-Electric XC40 Recharge, and trained on the full product line including(at the time) the XC60, XC90, S60, S90, and the V60/V90 wagons.

Territory covered included dealerships in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

One of my favorite projects involved working as a Client Liaison for the Acura NSX VIP Customer Experience, providing Guided VIP Tours of the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, OH, where the 2nd Generation Acura NSX was assembled.
I was also retained as the Lead Technology & Performance Facilitator for the US launch of this amazing vehicle. Classes & High-Speed Driving events were held at the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, OH.

As a Contract Trainer for Toyota, I have conducted literally thousands of classroom sessions over the past 2 decades. In addition, I have written and produced Certification Classes for Toyota Sales & Service Personnel and delivered these classes in-Dealership, In-Market and Virtually. Topics have included Product, Safety, Value, Competitive Comparison, and Customer Service (CX). I have also Facilitated dozens of New Vehicle Launch and Press events for Toyota. One of the most effective programs I created for Toyota was the Toyota Tundra Active Chassis, which highlighted the new (at the time) Tundra Pickup and how it compared to the competition. While static cut-away vehicles have been used for training purposes before, what made this class and chassis different was that many vehicle components were active and visible, to promote better understanding. Active demonstration features included Cylinder Heads, Brake Calipers, Locking Differential, Double-Wishbone Suspension, and Engine/Oil/Trans Cooling Technologies. Many of these components fully operational and available to be passed around to the participants, to make the experience less passive and more dynamic. In addition, the chassis was self-powered to make for easy transport and setup.