Did Kevin Schiele Leave Kindig-it Design? 2026 Status, Bitchin' Rides Updates, And Shop Reality

Rumors periodically sweep through the custom automotive community regarding the core cast of MotorTrend’s hit reality show Bitchin' Rides. Among the most persistent queries from fans and car enthusiasts is whether shop foreman Kevin Schiele—affectionately known to millions as "Kev-Dogg"—has departed Kindig-it Design. As of 2026, Kevin Schiele has not left Kindig-it Design. He remains an active, essential leader of shop operations and a central figure alongside business owner Dave Kindig at their premier fabrication facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The speculation surrounding Schiele's career status often arises from production breaks between television seasons, high-profile appearances at trade shows, and personal custom build projects that divert him from daily social media posting. Understanding the structure of high-end custom automotive shops and modern television production schedules clarifies why these rumors surface—and why Kev-Dogg continues to be the operational backbone of the Kindig-it garage.

Operational Insight: High-end custom automotive restoration relies on strict division of labor. While master designer Dave Kindig envisions the aesthetic silhouettes and body modifications, Kevin Schiele manages crew logistics, chassis integration, mechanical plumbing, and quality assurance across multiple multi-year builds.

The Truth About Kevin Schiele's Status at Kindig-it Design

Kevin Schiele continues his long-standing tenure as the Shop Foreman at Kindig-it Design in 2026. Having joined Dave Kindig in the early 2000s long before cable cameras entered the shop, Schiele has logged over two decades of hands-on fabrication, crew management, and chassis setup.

His ongoing presence at the 27,000-square-foot Salt Lake City headquarters is evident across both shop operations and ongoing television broadcasts on the MotorTrend Network and streaming platforms.

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Schiele’s dual role as lead shop administrator and television personality requires balancing intense build deadlines with public event schedules. Far from stepping down or launching a competing enterprise, Schiele's responsibilities at Kindig-it Design have expanded to oversee advanced chassis integration, air-suspension engineering, and mentoring junior fabricators entering the hot-rod restoration industry.

Why Departure Rumors Keep Circulating

In the digital age of automotive media, brief lulls in onscreen visibility or changes in social media activity frequently trigger false departure narratives. Several operational factors contribute to the recurring question of whether Schiele has left the facility:

1. Television Production Cycles and Hiatuses

Bitchin' Rides operates on rigorous filming and editing schedules. During post-production windows or seasonal hiatuses, cameras stop rolling while the shop continues routine, non-televised customer builds. Viewers accustomed to weekly television appearances often interpret broadcast breaks as a sign that cast members have exited the shop.

2. Independent Trade Show and Event Touring

As one of the most recognizable figures in the automotive aftermarket, Schiele is frequently booked for solo appearances, judging panels, and technical seminars at major industry events such as the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the Detroit Autorama, and regional Goodguys Rod & Custom Association events. When fans see Schiele traveling independently without the full Kindig-it crew, speculation occasionally spreads online.

3. Personal Projects and Side Builds

Schiele is an avid truck enthusiast and custom builder in his own right, known for personal projects involving slammed haulers, air-ride setups, and vintage hot rods. Documenting these personal garage builds on private social media channels leads some casual followers to assume he has established an independent commercial shop, when in reality these are purely personal hobbies pursued outside his duties at Kindig-it.

4. Cast Evolution Over Time

Over more than a decade on television, various team members have naturally transitioned out of Kindig-it Design to pursue alternative careers or open private shops. When former employees move on, casual viewers sometimes mix up names and faces, attributing departures to core personnel like Schiele.

Kevin Schiele’s Technical Role and Shop Contributions

Managing a world-class hot rod shop requires deep expertise across metal shaping, suspension geometry, drivetrain packaging, and shop safety compliance. Schiele’s position as Shop Foreman involves far more than television banter; he is responsible for translating Dave Kindig's conceptual renders into functional, road-tested machinery.

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Key technical areas managed by Schiele include:

• Chassis Engineering and Suspension Alignment: Coordinating with aftermarket leaders like Art Morrison Enterprises and Roadster Shop to fit custom independent front and rear suspensions, ensuring correct track width, scrub radius, and ride-height dynamics.
• Air Suspension Integration: Designing and plumbing custom AccuAir and Ridetech pneumatic systems, ensuring leak-free performance, hidden reservoir placement, and optimal bump-steer characteristics.
• Brake Systems & Safety Protocols: Specifying multi-piston Wilwood or Bear brake packages, selecting master cylinder bore sizes for proper pedal ratio, and inspecting high-pressure brake lines across every build.
• Workflow and Shop Logistics: Directing metal fabricators, body technicians, wiring specialists, and assembly crews to maintain progress across 15 to 20 complex, simultaneous vehicle builds.

Key Personnel and Operational Breakdown at Kindig-it Design (2026)

To provide clear context on where Kevin Schiele fits within the organization, the following status breakdown outlines the current operational roles of key team members at Kindig-it Design:

The Reality of Managing High-End Custom Restorations

Creating six-figure and seven-figure custom vehicles requires thousands of hours of skilled labor. A single project—such as a custom 1953 Corvette CF1 or a ground-up 1968 Dodge Charger build—often demands 3,000 to 5,000 man-hours spanning two calendar years.

Technical Specification Standard: Every turnkey build completed under Schiele's supervision undergoes rigorous dynamic testing. Vehicles undergo thermal checks on cooling systems, high-speed alignment verification, electrical harness load tests, and road testing in Utah's elevation variations prior to client delivery.

Because builds take extended periods to complete, shop management relies heavily on Schiele's ability to keep specialized technicians moving efficiently between metal shaping, bodywork, paint preparation, final assembly, and interior upholstery trimming.

What Lies Ahead for Kev-Dogg and Kindig-it Design in 2026

As 2026 progresses, Kindig-it Design continues to expand its footprint in the custom car universe. Kevin Schiele remains central to several high-profile initiatives currently underway:

1. Expansion of the CF1 Roadster Lineup: Following the success of the carbon-fiber body CF1 roadster platform, Schiele continues to oversee frame assembly, drivetrain mounting, and final mechanical setup for customer orders nationwide.
2. Advanced Drivetrain Integration: Incorporating modern EV conversions alongside high-horsepower supercharged LT4 crate engines requires updated shop wiring protocols and advanced cooling system design, which Schiele oversees.
3. National Event Appearances: Schiele and Dave Kindig maintain an active tour schedule representing Kindig-it Design at international automotive expos, offering fans direct access during Q&A sessions and booth demonstrations.
4. New Broadcast Seasons: Production for Bitchin' Rides continues, capturing the daily triumphs, mechanical headaches, and detailed fabrication work that define the Salt Lake City shop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Did Kevin Schiele leave Kindig-it Design?

No, Kevin Schiele has not left Kindig-it Design. He continues to serve as the full-time shop foreman and primary manager of garage operations alongside Dave Kindig in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Why was Kevin Schiele absent from some social media posts?

Schiele often takes breaks from social media during intensive build phases, private vacations, or independent trade show appearances. Lack of online posting reflects focus on shop work rather than a change in employment.

What is Kevin Schiele's nickname on Bitchin' Rides?

Kevin Schiele is widely known to fans, crew members, and show viewers by his nickname, "Kev-Dogg."

How long has Kevin Schiele worked with Dave Kindig?

Kevin Schiele has worked with Dave Kindig since the early 2000s, joining the business long before Bitchin' Rides premiered on the MotorTrend Network.

Where is Kindig-it Design located?

Kindig-it Design operates out of a state-of-the-art facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah, where all vehicle fabrication, bodywork, painting, and assembly take place.

Conclusion: Kev-Dogg’s Enduring Legacy at Kindig-it

The persistent rumors asking whether Kevin Schiele left Kindig-it Design are false. Kevin "Kev-Dogg" Schiele remains the operational engine of the shop in 2026, leading a world-class team of fabricators and painters while continuing to star on Bitchin' Rides. His technical skill in chassis architecture, air suspension geometry, and shop management ensures that Kindig-it Design remains at the absolute pinnacle of the custom hot rod industry.

For fans of custom automotive craftsmanship, Kevin Schiele's leadership guarantees that every vehicle rolling off the salt flats of Utah carries the precision, durability, and style that defined the shop from day one.