Mar 082024
 

Marking Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Reuters released its list of Top 20 Trailblazing Women in Automotive. Latino Traffic Report (LTR) has learned that included in the list were two Latinas, Genesis Motor North America chief operating officer Claudia Marquez and Angela Zepeda, chief marketing officer for Hyundai Motor America. In naming recipients for its list, the publication sought nomination of individuals who have had a lasting impact on their industries, with a demonstrable track record of influence, impact, and leadership. Nominations were received from a broad set of industry stakeholders including but not limited to Reuters Professional and the communities served by Reuters Events.

Photo by Jonathan Vandiveer

“Having Angela Zepeda recognized as a global Trailblazer by Reuters is an exceptional recognition for Angela and the company,” said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor Company. “Angela brings many natural talents to her role as CMO, and we applaud her for the significant contributions she has given to the organization and the Hyundai brand DNA through her creative marketing abilities and successful leadership. Keep on trailblazing!”

Zepeda (right) has made several significant achievements in her role at Hyundai including a first-ever social media initiative to celebrate football’s biggest game. Hyundai went offline to conquer the Big Game weekend in the all-new Santa Fe SUV and handed its Instagram account over to twenty-two other brands including, Weber Grills, the Los Angeles Rams, the Houston Texans, Mint Mobile and more. Thereby, creating never-before seen unique product content and applauses from many audiences.

Zepeda is also an expert in marketing to women, with a keen understanding of the emotional triggers involved in women’s retail habits. She has spoken on the topic at various conferences, including the ISSM CONVERGE Conference, the WLN Conference, the M2W Conference in Chicago, and the Marketing to Women Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In response to the recognition for Marquez (right), José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, and president and CEO of Genesis Motor North America said: “Claudia has been blazing trails in this industry since I’ve known her, so it’s no surprise that Reuters is recognizing her leadership. Since joining Genesis two years ago, Claudia has made a tremendous impact on the business and the brand. As a leader she lives the Genesis brand values of performance and excellence and is well respected throughout the industry and with our retail partners. We are so very proud to honor her and the other Trailblazing women in this wonderful industry.”

Under Marquez’s leadership, Genesis strengthened its position in the United States with recording-breaking sales, expansion of its U.S. retail network, and increasing brand awareness.

In 2023, Genesis reported a best-ever annual U.S. sales achievement with 69,175 vehicles sold, representing a 23 percent year-over-year increase. The brand also expanded its U.S. retail network with the opening of several standalone facilities.

Marquez has more than 28 years of experience in the automotive industry. Previously, she served as CEO of Hyundai Motor Mexico and has held positions in multiple automotive brands, including BMW, MINI, Land Rover, Nissan, and Infiniti.

LTR celebrates the accomplishments of these Latinas and wishes them continued success.

 

Chevrolet, Jeep, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Toyota, and Volkswagen Models Win Hispanic Motor Press Awards

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Nov 202023
 

2024 Hyundai Kona HMPA Electric Vehicle of the year

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – November 16, 2023 – The Hispanic Motor Press Awards (HMPA)—
the premier automotive awards by independent Hispanic media and content creators including Latino Traffic Report founder Valerie Menard—revealed the winners for 2024 during the recent opening of the Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) and AutoMobility LA.

The fourteenth annual HMPA program presented by Quaker State identifies the best new vehicles for Hispanic car buyers, considering manufacturer advancements in cleaner mobility, technology, safety features, infotainment, and driver experience.

The HMPA top 2024 vehicles for Hispanics are:
Electric Vehicle – Hyundai Kona Electric
Family Vehicle – KIA Telluride
Pick Up Truck – Chevrolet Colorado
SUV – VW Atlas 7
Luxury Vehicle – Genesis Electrified GV70
Adventure Vehicle – Jeep Wrangler 4Xe
Best Tech – Toyota Prius

2024 Chevrolet Colorado HMPA Pickup Truck of the year.

“We are delighted to return to AutoMobility LA to announce our HMPA winners in collaboration with Quaker State,” states Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, a veteran automotive journalist and founder of the Hispanic Motor Press. “Hispanics continue to rise as a driving force shaping U.S. culture while impacting our economy including the automotive industry with 25 percent of vehicle sales. Today’s winners represent brands offering class-leading vehicles that align with Hispanic car buyers’ preferences as we assist them in making informed decisions.”

At the annual HMPA program, Quaker State joined forces with Hispanic Motor Press to award scholarships to college students specializing in communications,

2024 Genesis Electrified GV70 HMPA Luxury Vehicle of the year.

automotive, and technology fields. Adding even more excitement to the occasion, Daniel Suárez, driver of the #99 Quaker State Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, had the honor of presenting these prestigious scholarships.

 

“We are honored to support these aspiring future leaders by helping to energize their educational journeys,” says Amanda Luce, Quaker State Brand Manager. “On behalf of Quaker State, congratulations to the scholarship recipients and the winning brands for demonstrating automotive excellence among Hispanic car buyers.”

The winning vehicles will be showcased in an exclusive staged area throughout the duration of LAAS taking place through November 26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

VW Atlas 7 HMPA SUV of the year

The 2024 HMPA Jurors represent a distinguished, independent group of Hispanic automotive journalists, content creators and industry influencers selected by the organization’s advisory board who volunteer their own time to participate and to help the Hispanic consumer make an informed choice. Over 100 new vehicles were tested during 2023.

Auto manufacturers voluntarily submitted their entries, and the jury panel evaluated the vehicles’ features
including overall design, comfort, safety, economy, handling, performance, functionality, infotainment
integration, interior design, environmental requirements, driver satisfaction, and value.

Toyota Prius HMPA best technology of the year.

“These car makers have consistently shown an interest in the HMPA awards by making their vehicles available to Latino auto journalists to drive and review,” says Menard. “Considering Latino auto buying power and that Latino car buyers trust opinions from Latino journalists more than most, it makes good business sense to do so.”

Hispanic Motor Press Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 with the objective to educate and help the
Hispanic Consumer to move towards mobility that is clean, affordable, and capable of reducing greenhouse
emissions and improve our air quality.
For more information, visit HispanicMotorPress.org. Follow Hispanic Motor Press on
X@HMotorPressOrg, Facebook@HispanicMotorPress, and Instagram@HispanicMotorPress.

The All-New 2024 Toyota Tacoma Debuts in Blue Beetle

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Sep 032023
 

Latino Traffic Report has learned that the 2024 Tacoma, Toyota will appear in DC’s newest movie, Blue Beetle, featuring a Latino cast.  The action-packed movie, filled with heart and humor, features multiple generations of Tacoma as Jaime Reyes is forever changed when an ancient piece of alien technology, the Scarab, transforms the college grad into the hero, the Blue Beetle.

Jaime and the entire Reyes family depend on their favorite third generation Toyota Tacoma throughout the movie. The “Taco” is the pride and joy of Jaime’s Uncle Rudy, played by George Lopez. Watch how Blue Beetle, his family, and their trusty Tacoma are able to take on anything. Also, be on the lookout for a special cameo appearance by the All-New fourth generation Tacoma.

Toyota’s design and engineering teams collaborated with DC to develop a unique 2024 Tacoma design and signature paint featured in the film.

“We tasked our talented CALTY Studio team, led by Scott Roller, to conjure up a Tacoma that matched the singular style of the beloved, soon-to-be-iconic ‘Taco’ Uncle Rudy has made his own over the years, but in a way that was modern and integrated with the new 2024 Tacoma design,” said Tacoma Chief Engineer Sheldon Brown. “This is where the design of the ‘Blue Taco’ came from, and it was a pleasure to work on.”

Toyota trucks have a history in Hollywood, as the 1985 Toyota SR5 Xtra Cab was the coveted truck of Marty McFly in the 1980s film Back to the Future. Additionally, the first-generation Tundra was featured in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, with 600 T3 Special Edition Tundras sold that same year.

The 2024 Tacoma is the latest iteration of this off-road 4×4 icon and features an available i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain offering up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft. of torque. This new truck has a rugged style, multiple powertrain options, 4×4 capability, and the latest safety and tech features. Also, new for 2024 is the first ever Trailhunter grade, which has been engineered from the ground-up to be the ultimate overlanding machine. The all-new 2024 Tacoma will be in dealerships by the end of the year.

Hyundai CEO Receives Top Honor in Spain

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Jul 222023
 

Muñoz is pictured here in the middle, holding the award.

Latino Traffic Report has learned that José Muñoz, president and global chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor Company, and president and CEO, Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America has joined the ranks of Rafael Nadal, Carlos Sainz, and other prominent Spaniards in receiving one of Spain’s top automotive honors.

Recently selected to receive the prestigious “El Abrazote de Manolo” award by the Spanish members of the Europe Car Of the Year (COTY) jury, the jury selected Muńoz for his longstanding global leadership in the automotive industry and ongoing advocacy for the industry in Spain and around the world.

“José Muñoz continues to make significant contributions to the motoring industry in Spain and internationally. On behalf of all of the COTY jury members in Spain, we offer our heartfelt congratulations,” said Xavi Pérez, COTY member. “This recognition by the Spanish members of the COTY jury is a tribute in memory of Manolo Domenech who left us 10 years ago and who represented a benchmark in motoring reporting.”

El Abrazote de Manolo, “the hug of Manolo,” is named after prominent Spanish motoring journalist Manolo Domenech who passed away in 2013. The award represents the Asturian expression ‘hug’ that Manolo Domenech used with people close to him.

“On behalf of the global team at Hyundai, I am deeply honored,” said Muńoz at a ceremony in Madrid. “Serving our customers with fantastic products and being part of a team with such a compelling vision for the future of mobility is reward enough; however, I am very thankful to the Spanish Car of the Year jury and sending a big abrazote to Manolo Domenech.”

This is the sixth El Abrazote de Manolo award. Previous recipients have included tennis champion Rafael Nadal, Formula One driver Carlos Sainz, Audi’s head of electrification Fermin Soneira Santos and COO of Kia Motors Europe Emilio Herrera, among others.

As the president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and the president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America, Muñoz is responsible for driving greater performance in key strategic regions, including Europe, India and the Middle East and Africa. This includes leading global talent acquisition & management to recruit and retain core talent in new technology-based businesses. He is also responsible for global sales, service and product planning as part of the global business operations divisiond and oversees the entire Americas market, including Hyundai Motor North, Central and South America, as the head of the Hyundai Motor Americas Region.

A native of Spain and earned his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Polytechnic University of Madrid and has an MBA from Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School in Madrid. He has also completed executive management programs from Cranfield School of Management in the U.K. and INSEAD Business School in France. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

¡Felicidades señor!

Toyota and SHPE Award Latino Scholars

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Mar 022023
 

Nunca Pares Scholarship winners, (left to right): Tyler McBride, Sr. manager, Brand, Growth Audiences, Cross Vehicle Line Marketing, Vehicle Marketing and Communications, Toyota Motor North America; Ruben Bonett, Giana Aguilar-Valencia, and Maximiliano Pombo Hernández.

Latino Traffic Report has learned that Toyota’s Nunca Pares (Never Settle) Scholarship campaign, in partnership with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), has awarded three Latino students with a $25,000 scholarship each.

The scholars were celebrated at a ceremony held at Toyota’s North American headquarters in Plano, Texas on February 28:

  • Giana Aguilar-Valencia – Junior at DePaul University, studying computer science
  • Ruben Bonett – Junior at Texas A&M University, College Station, studying electrical engineering
  • Maximiliano Pombo – Junior at Texas A&M University, College Station, studying computer science

With these scholarships, Toyota joins SHPE in the shared mission of expanding science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities for Hispanic-heritage students. Each student demonstrated unyielding determination to making their dreams come true.

“We recognize these students for their commitment to creating solutions for a better tomorrow,” said Tellis Bethel, group vice president, Social Innovation, Toyota Motor North America. “Driving educational opportunities to Hispanic students is important to the development of future innovations for a more equitable and sustainable society. We’re excited to see how far these students go and to have the opportunity be a part of their continued educational journey.”

For more than 20 years, Toyota has engaged with SHPE on a regional and national level, including participation in their national conference. Toyota’s college programs with SHPE encompass recruitment efforts, co-ops, internships and scholarships.

“We’re excited to see this scholarship opportunity come to life for our members thanks to Toyota,” stated Monique Herrera, chief external relations officer, SHPE. “The Toyota Nunca Pares Scholarship gives these students the opportunity to continue pursuing their higher education goals by providing much needed financial support so they can achieve their dreams.”

Katya Echazarreta joined the ceremony to share her inspiring story. As an electrical engineer and the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space, Katya’s journey to becoming one of the youngest women in space exemplifies her resolve to be an example of success for others pursuing a career in STEM.

Toyota’s Nunca Pares brand campaign celebrates Latino’s collective spirit of pushing forward, to never give up on achieving their goals, regardless of the challenges. It was developed by Toyota’s marketing agency, Conill.

 

Hispanic Motor Press Announces Awards at LA Auto Show

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Nov 182022
 

Kia EV6

Latino Traffic Report (LTR) has learned that the Hispanic Motor Press has revealed the first round of winners for the 2023 Hispanic Motor Press Awards (HMPA), the premier independent Hispanic awards presented in the country for the Latino community to help, educate, and pre-select the best vehicle options in the market, during today’s opening of the Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) and AutoMobility LA.  The thirteenth annual HMPA program identifies the best new model year 2023 vehicles for Hispanic car buyers, considering manufacturer advancements in technology, safety features, infotainment, and cleaner mobility.

“We are delighted to announce the winners of the Hispanic Motor Press Awards right here once again in Los Angeles which represents the largest Hispanic market in the country. With the segment representing one in four of new vehicle purchases, we empower Hispanic consumers across the nation with information on adopting clean and safe transportation that enhances their vehicle experience while helping them make the right decision at the time of purchase,” states Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, veteran automotive journalist and founder of the Hispanic Motor Press.

The 2023 HMPA vehicle winners in respective categories are:

Best Technology of the Year – General Motors Super Cruise

City Car of the Year – Hyundai Kona

Luxury Vehicle of the Year – Jeep Grand Wagoneer

EV Car of the Year – Kia EV6 (top)

SUV of the Year – Kia Telluride

Truck of the Year – Chevrolet Silverado

 

Winning vehicles will be featured in an exclusive staged area throughout the duration of LAAS taking place through November 27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The remaining HMPA 2023 winners will be chosen from two categories,  EV Truck of the Year and Family Vehicle of the Year, and will be announced in 2023.

Auto manufacturers voluntarily submit their entries, and the jury panel evaluates vehicles features including overall design, comfort, safety, economy, handling, performance, functionality, infotainment integration, interior design, environmental requirements, driver satisfaction, and price.

The 2023 HMPA Jurors, of which LTR is included, represent a distinguished, independent group of Latino automotive journalists, content creators and industry influencers selected by the organization’s advisory board. Over 20 juror members evaluated over 100 new vehicles during 2022. The jury panel is comprised of national Hispanic journalists, content creators, and influencers who assess the vehicles while considering key purchase drivers for Hispanic families in quality, reliability, style, safety, and value.

Hispanic Motor Press Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 with the objective to educate and help the Hispanic Consumer to move towards mobility that is clean, affordable, and capable of reducing greenhouse emissions and improve our air quality.

For more information, visit www.hispanicmotorpress.org. Follow Hispanic Motor Press on Twitter@HMotorPressOrg, Facebook@Hispanicmotorpress  or Instagram@hispanicmotorpress.

Hyundai Invests in Latino Community During Hispanic Heritage Month

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Oct 152022
 

(l to r) Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor America, Sandra Pisano, PsyD, Director, Behavioral Health, AltaMed, Fanny Oliveira, Sr. director of Development, AltaMed Foundation, in Los Angeles, Calif. on October 14, 2022. (Photo/Hyundai)

At the close of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) Latino Traffic Report has learned that Hyundai  honored the Hispanic and Latinx communities with a multifaceted program that included philanthropic and community-based support and sponsorships including:

  • Hyundai Hope donations to empower future generations through education
  • Community support from Hyundai’s employee resource group (ERG), Amigos Unidos
  • Partnership with the Latin American Museum in Long Beach (MOLAA)
  • Participation in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) leadership conference
  • Hyundai’s Hispanic marketing agency, Lopez Negrete Communications, FIFA campaign

“Hispanic and Latino Americans have long played a pivotal role enriching our culture and economy and serve as a key driving force of the automotive industry,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “America’s diversity has always been one of our greatest strengths as a nation and we are proud to support and spotlight the Hispanic community’s rich and diverse heritage, achievements and contributions that have made our country better and stronger.”

Members of Hyundai’s Employee Resource Group, Amigos Unidos, with Lourdes Ramos, PhD, president and CEO, MOLAA, Alison Heney, PhD, vice president of learning and public programs, MOLAA, in Long Beach, Calif., October 10, 2022. (Photo/Hyundai)

Philanthropic Commitments
Hyundai donated $25,000 to The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) College Success Program to increase the number of Hispanic and Latino first-generation students from underserved communities majoring in the fields of STEM and business.

Hyundai Hope contributed to the AltaMed Foundation to support programs and resources providing mental health services to underserved communities.

Amigos Unidos Community Work
Hyundai and its employee resource group (ERG), Amigos Unidos, hosted the Fifth Annual Hyundai Career Experience Virtual Program for first- and second-year college students to learn about automotive career opportunities.

For a second year in a row, Hyundai’s Amigos Unidos ERG members volunteered their time and provided financial assistance to community-based organization, Project Youth OCBF in Santa Ana to keep at-risk youth in school, healthy and drug-free through education, counseling, mentoring, and family strengthening.

Latin American Museum in Long Beach (MOLAA) Sponsorship
Hyundai donated $14,000 to the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) Youth Art and Hispanic Heritage Programs and is sponsoring the Día de los Muertos community celebration and exhibit. For more information, please visit 2022 MOLAA Day of the Dead Festival.

Thought Leadership
Hyundai Motor North America’s Gil Castillo, senior group manager, product strategy and regulatory compliance, participated in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Leadership Conference “Building a Climate Resilient Nation: Green American Communities and Business” in Washington, D.C to discuss Hyundai’s electrification and carbon neutrality goals.

Hispanic Agency of Record and FIFA Content
Hyundai’s multicultural marketing group together with its newly selected U.S. Hispanic agency, Lopez Negrete Communications, unleashed the passion for soccer, starting with families, with original, culturally curated content awarding four Hispanic winners to attend the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Selected winners will be sharing their experience and journey of a lifetime during the live, global event that scores high among U.S. Hispanics.

Not all automakers make reaching out to the Latino community a priority. Bravo to Hyundai for its efforts.

Albaisa Named Designer of the Year

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Sep 052022
 

Senior Vice President for Global Design for Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (NML)

Latino Traffic Report has learned that Nissan lead designer Alfonso Albaisa was recently recognized for his lifetime of work as Designer of the Year in Newsweek‘s inaugural World’s Greatest Auto Disruptors awards. From the Ariya to the Nissan Z and several new models in between, Albaisa has imprinted his vision on the brand in many ways since joining the company more than 30 years ago.

The Newsweek World’s Greatest Auto Disruptors awards highlight the best and brightest in the auto industry across six categories. Albaisa received the award amid the Nissan NEXT transformation, a four-year global initiative that kicked off in 2020, promising 12 new models including the all-new Nissan Ariya, Frontier, Pathfinder, Rogue, Nissan Z and others.

“Disruption is the job description, so I take great honor in this formal recognition of doing what my team and I were born to do day in and day out” said Albaisa, senior vice president for Global Design for Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “It’s also incredibly humbling to receive acknowledgement alongside my incredibly talented industry peers for 34 years of wonderful collaborations at Nissan.”

Since joining Nissan in 1988, Albaisa has worked on many models and all brands under the Nissan Motor Corporation umbrella including Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun. His recent notable vehicle designs for U.S. market vehicles include the Z Proto concept, Ariya, Frontier, Pathfinder, Rogue and Sentra for Nissan Brand and Infiniti QX60, QX55 for Infiniti. Albaisa’s designs were also recently recognized in the Newsweek Auto Awards “Best Car Lineup” for 2021.

In addition to overseeing vehicle design, Albaisa also provides direction for the company’s logos, display spaces, dealerships and even building architecture.

Albaisa received this award at the Newsweek offices in Manhattan on the eve of the 2022 New York International Auto Show.

Hyundai Manager Named Woman of the Year

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Jul 092022
 

 

Latino Traffic Report has learned that Kristin Gomez (above right), Hyundai senior group manager, regulatory compliance and eco-mobility, was named Woman of the Year by the National Hispanic Business Women Association (NHBWA) for her contribution to corporate responsibility. NHBWA annually recognizes three women for outstanding work in corporate responsibility, small business/entrepreneur and community service/nonprofit/education.

“NHBWA Woman of the Year is an incredible honor to recognize the impact that Kristin has not only in her environmental work but also in her passion and dedication to supporting her local community,” said Yuval Steiman, director, eco-compliance and research, Hyundai Motor North America. “From implementing eco-initiatives to advocating for youth programs, Kristin’s commitment to building a better tomorrow for future generations is an inspiration.”

Gomez is president of the associate board and a longtime volunteer at Project Youth Orange County Bar Foundation (OCBF), an Orange County-based nonprofit which helps at-risk youth in Santa Ana with education resources. She is an active member of Hyundai’s “Amigos Unidos” employee resource group, which is tasked with community engagement and raising cultural awareness at Hyundai.

Woman of the Year is awarded to women who are active in the community or with the NHBWA and have a history of business and entrepreneurial professional achievements.

Honda Issues First Ever Inclusion and Diversity Report

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May 282022
 

Latino Traffic Report has learned that as part of Honda’s efforts to promote equality in its workforce and society, the company today released its inaugural Inclusion & Diversity Report: “Living Our Values.” The report outlines Honda’s commitments to advancing inclusion and diversity and shares recent actions the company has taken, including key initiatives within its workforce and the communities where its associates live and work. The report, which will be released annually, marks the first time the company has publicly shared comprehensive data on the diversity of its operations in the United States, including its workforce, dealers, suppliers, and corporate giving, demonstrating Honda’s focus on transparency and accountability. 

“We initiated this report to emphasize our commitment and share our progress in the areas of inclusion and diversity. The report is an important tool in holding ourselves accountable for continuous improvement,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion and Diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda was founded on a strong respect for people, and we are committed to living our values through actions that strengthen equality in our own workplace and in communities across America.”

The company claims that while it has always prioritized aligning its actions with its belief that inclusion and diversity make us stronger, the social awakening of 2020 led Honda to reexamine and renew its efforts in championing fairness, justice and equality. The company committed to several new actions to better reflect the demographic makeup of America within its operations and deepen its support of social justice. One of these actions was to be more transparent in sharing its commitments and beliefs, and the diversity of key stakeholder groups.

The report also outlines new actions Honda has taken over the past two years, including:

  • Improved processes for hiring and promotion by implementing diverse slates of candidates and diverse interview panels, and a more transparent job posting process
  • Revised the company’s social media policy to enable Honda to take action when anyone affiliated with the company posts racist or discriminatory content
  • Prepared Honda leaders throughout the company to hold meaningful discussions with associates about race, with organizational tools that included a leadership check-in conversation guide and manager resource guide to help facilitate candid conversations
  • Provided tools for associates to educate themselves on the topic of social justice
  • Introduced anti-racism and allyship training to leaders and associates to promote social justice and inclusion across Honda’s U.S. operations.

Honda has established specific partnerships with national Latino organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) Education Foundation (TEF), and since 2003, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to help undergraduate Latino students achieve their dream of a college education. In 2021 42 percent of the participants in Honda’s Professional Automotive Career Training program were Latino but the report also reveals that Latinos made up only five percent of Honda’s workforce in 2021.

“We have more work to do, but this report shows that Honda is making progress and is deeply committed to creating the inclusion, diversity and equity that is rooted in our values and will make us stronger as a company,” said Hunsicker.