Category: Dealer News

Employee Spotlight: Rocky Dorsey

Our latest Employee Spotlight features Buick New Car Manager, Rocky Dorsey.  Rocky has been with the VanDevere bunch for about 15 years.  We sat down with Rocky to learn more about him and thank him for 15 great years!

VanDevere: Hi Rocky, thanks for taking the time with us today.  Congrats on 15 years.

Rocky:  Thank you and glad to do it!

VanDevere: What is the best thing about your job?

Rocky: The ability to help people and help the sales team grow and achieve their goals!

VanDevere: That does sound rewarding.   What is the best thing about VanDevere?

Rocky: The family atmosphere! They are a big company that truly cares about employees and treats then like family.

VanDevere: We hear that a lot from employees.   What are 3 words to describe VanDevere?

Rocky: Family, fun and fantastic!!

VanDevere: That was a little freaky!  What do you like to do when not at work?

Rocky: I love spending time with my family, my wife Heather, and our kids, Keyshawn 20 and Skylar 7.  I also enjoy photography and watching “MY” Massillon Tigers play football.

VanDevere: We heard a that you may like the Massillon Tigers.  What inspires you?

Rocky:  Easy, my family.

VanDevere: Very good. Now on to some fun questions.  Fill in the blank: I once met______!

Rocky:   My wife, Heather, 10th grade science class.

VanDevere: Awwwww how sweet!  That is a great person to meet.   If you could pick any superpower, what would it be.

Rocky:  That is a tough one, I guess I’ll go with the ability to fly!

VanDevere: That could definitely come in useful with my next question, what is your favorite travel spot?

Rocky:  LAS VEGAS!!!!!

VanDevere: Yes, that is a fun place.   Since you are in Massillon, what is your favorite place to visit there?

Rocky:  Easy Paul Brown Tigers Stadium!

VanDevere: We should have known.   OK last one.  What is your dream car?

Rocky:  A new Chevy Corvette Z06, white with red interior.

VanDevere: Good choice, we won’t tell the Kia/Buick gang. Thank you for the time. Congrats again!

Kia EV6 Concept Photos

From: https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/17207/kia-reveals-new-design-philosophy-and-full-images-of-ev6

Kia reveals new design philosophy and full images of EV6

Kia Corporation has today revealed the first images of the exterior and interior design of EV6, its first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV), ahead of the car’s world premiere in March.

EV6 was designed under the brand’s new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’, which takes inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity. At the center of the design philosophy is a new visual identity evoking positive forces and natural energy, with contrasting combinations of sharp stylistic elements and sculptural shapes.

Boasting a distinctive crossover-inspired design and based on the brand’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated BEV to be influenced by the new design philosophy, which embodies Kia’s shifting focus towards electrification.

“EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centered, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV market,” said Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Design Center. “With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes, while providing a unique space as a futuristic EV.”

Opposites United: a design philosophy for all future Kia vehicles

The Opposites United design philosophy makes its debut on EV6, and will inform the design of all future Kia models. The philosophy is based on five key design pillars: ‘Bold for Nature’, ‘Joy for Reason’, ‘Power to Progress’, ‘Technology for Life’, and ‘Tension for Serenity’.

Bold for Nature is based on interaction with nature, informed by the details, shapes and proportions found both in the natural and human worlds. This design pillar creates organic, yet technical structures and finishes for vehicle interiors; exterior designs are characterized by a combination of clear and simple lines with bold, ever-changing surfaces.

Joy for Reason focuses on the feel and ambience of Kia’s future vehicles. Future designs will fuse the emotional with the rational, creating vehicles that influence the mood of passengers, by relaxing and inspiring. It will also influence the adoption of new organic materials and more daring colors, expressing a sense of youth and playfulness.

Power to Progress builds on the brand’s current design strengths. By drawing on and developing the skills and expertise learned throughout Kia’s recent era of design-led transformation, the designs and layouts of the brand’s future products will continue to evolve. Future designs will draw on experience and creativity to invent and innovate new designs.

Technology for Life embraces new technologies and innovations to foster positive interactions between humans and machines. The brand’s future vehicles will adopt a next-generation in-car user experience (UX) through design and innovation and advancements in lighting, feel and in-car connectivity – to help customers engage with their cars.

Tension for Serenity evokes the tension between opposing forces and creative contrasts, and recognizes the design equilibrium that comes from two opposing forces. It delivers striking design concepts that use sharp, highly technical details to create surface tension – and realize a harmonized, future-oriented design vision.

“We want our products to deliver an instinctive and natural experience that improves the daily lives of our customers. Our aim is to design the physical experience of our brand and to create original, inventive, and exciting electric vehicles. The ideas of our designers and the purpose of the brand are becoming more connected than ever, with our customers at the center of what we do and influencing every decision that we make,” added Karim Habib

Employee Spotlight: Justin Griffith

This month we sat down with Sales Manager at our Kia and Buick, Justin Griffith. Justin has been with us for 2 years now. In honor of his anniversary, we sat down with Justin and our questions.

VanDevere: Hi Justin, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Congrats on 2 years here. We will
start easy. What is the best thing about your job?

Justin: I get to do what I love to do. I have a passion for this business and every day is a new
challenge.

VanDevere: That is great. What is the best thing about VanDevere?

Justin: There are many great things about this company but I feel our core values are what makes this company so special.

VanDevere: They are a great list of values. What 3 words describe VanDevere?

Justin: Family, Fun, Integrity

VanDevere: Speaking of the core values…. Ok enough about work. What do you like to do when not at work?

Justin: When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my wife and four daughters.

VanDevere: I bet they keep you busy. What inspires you?

Justin: Oh, they do. Every day is a new day. I truly feel there is a new opportunity and a new challenge every single day and that inspires me to always strive to better myself or the people around me.

VanDevere: Well said. Fill in the blank: I once met ________.

Justin: I once met JR Smith, Former SG of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sold him a Shelby F-150 and the opportunity to deliver it to his house.

VanDevere: That is awesome. If you could pick one super power, what would it be.

Justin: I guess super human strength

VanDevere: Good one. What is your favorite travel spot?

Justin: Dominican Republic

VanDevere: Favorite place to eat in Akron

Justin: That is a tough one… there’s a lot of good spots in Akron. If I had to choose one I would say Ken Stewart’s.

VanDevere: We have heard good things about Ken’s Ok last question. What is your dream car?

Justin: Bugatti Veyron, go big or go home!

VanDevere: Nice! Thank you again for spending some time with us. Cheers to many more years here for you.