Hamlet Pioneer Donates EVs to Train Future Auto Leaders

John C. Felder didn't just break barriers in the automotive world. Now he's handing the keys to the next generation.

The Hamlet native made headlines as the first American to sell automobiles in Cuba in over 60 years. Through his company, Premier Automotive Export, Felder exported Wheego electric vehicles to the island nation, opening doors that had been closed since the 1960s.

But making history wasn't enough for Felder. On August 29, his foundation will celebrate John C. Felder Day by announcing the donation of two electric vehicles to support student education in EV technology.

"Education and opportunity have always been at the heart of my mission," Felder said. "If we want young people to lead tomorrow's transportation industry, we have to provide them with the tools, technology, and inspiration to begin today."

The vehicles will go to Jennifer Everett, chairwoman of The John C. Felder Foundation, to develop hands-on training programs. Students in Hamlet and nearby Dobbins Heights will get real experience working with electric vehicle technology, the same kind that's reshaping the automotive industry nationwide.

The celebration runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Ballroom in Hamlet. Guests will see the premiere of a newly edited documentary called Driving Towards Change, which follows Felder's journey from small-town North Carolina to international automotive pioneer.

The Ripple Effect

This donation does more than put two vehicles in a training program. It creates a pathway for students who might never have considered careers in electric vehicle technology, one of America's fastest-growing job markets.

The foundation also offers the John C. Felder Automotive Scholarship for students pursuing EV careers. By combining real equipment with financial support, Felder is building a complete pipeline from classroom to career.

Community members, educators, business leaders, and elected officials are invited to attend the free event. It's a chance to honor one pioneer while celebrating the pioneers yet to come.

Sometimes the greatest journeys aren't about where you've been, but about the roads you help others travel.