USA Today automotive reporter Chris Woodyard led a panel discussion on the current state of the automotive aftermarket on May 14 at the Proud Bird. Woodyard was joined by Myles Kovacs from DUB Magazine, Pat Dougherty from Mopar Parts, and SEMA VP of Communications Peter MacGillivray. The disparate group offered a broad view of the what's happening with the aftermarket today.

Click here for an audio recording of the discussion. Get the full story and photos in the June issue of MilePost. 

Ford Truck Marketing Manager Doug Scott gave MPG an exclusive first look at the new Raptor SVT Special Edition plus a fresh update on the F150 truck lineup at its design center in Irvine on April 9. 

Click here for an audio recording of the presentation.  Get the full story in the May issue of MilePost. 

A well-informed panel of automotive tech experts gathered at the Proud Bird on Tuesday, March 12 to discuss the hot-and-getting-hotter topic of automotive apps. Car technology guru Doug Newcomb moderated the panel which covered a broad range of related topics from diverse perspectives.

The panelists included:

• Michelle Avary, Director of Technology Strategy, HARMAN International Industries, Inc. 
• Henry Bzeih, Head of Kia's North American Infotainment Technology & Business Unit 
• Jim Pisz, Corporate Manager, North American Business Strategy, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 
• Andrew Poliak, Director, Automotive Business Development, QNX Software Systems 
• Wayne Ward, Vice President of Emerging Solutions, Sprint Nextel

Click here for an audio recording of the event. Get the full story in the April issue of MilePost. 
 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at the Proud Bird

Shrinking the Army's appetite for fuel

Featured speaker Dr. Grace M. Bochenek, first Chief Technology Officer for the U.S. Army Materiel Command, discussed what the world's largest consumer of fossil fuel is doing to reduce its carbon footprint. 

Click here for an audio recording of the presentation.
 

Sneaking a peek at an upcoming So Cal racing documentary 

Special guest Harry Pallenberg gave MPG members a sneak preview of his new documentary, "Where They Raced," an online film series beginning on February 12.

Click here for an audio recording.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at the Proud Bird

NHTSA Chief David Strickland reveals U.S. government auto safety policy and activity

From distracted driving to electric vehicle noise requirements, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland provided insight into some thorny and challenging issues that his agency is tackling. 

Get the full report in the February issue of MilePost.

In the mean time, you can click here for the audio recording.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at the Petersen Automotive Museum

Karl Ludvigsen wins the 18th Annual Dean Batchelor Award

The Motor Press Guild came together on December 11 to honor the best automotive journalism of the year at the 18th Annual Dean Batchelor Award banquet at the Petersen Automotive Museum.

The 2012 Dean Batchelor Award went to Karl Ludvigsen for his book, "Porsche: Origin of the Species" (Bentley Publishers) which also earns Best Book of the Year.

Best Article of the Year went to Greg Sharp for "The World's Fastest Hot Rod" (The Rodder's Journal, Spring 2012).

Taking Best Audio/Visual of the Year were Micah Muzio and Michael DeLano for "KBB Races a Mazda Miata" (Kelly Blue Book - KBB.com, Feb. 22, 2012). 

MPG capped the evening by honoring former Road & Track editor Thomas L. Bryant with its Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Thursday, November 29, 2012 at the L.A. Auto Show

MPG presents 2012 Vehicle of the Year Award to Cadillac

MPG President Laura Burstein presented the 2012 MPG Vehicle of the Year Award to Cadillac Vice President of Marketing Don Butler for the 2013 Cadillac ATS today at the L.A. Auto Show.  

• Hi-resolution photo

— photo by Brad Nelson

Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at the L.A. Auto Show

Toyota President and CEO Jim Lentz delivers MPG Keynote Address at L.A. Auto Show

• Audio of speech (including Q&A)
• Full text of speech
• Hi-resolution photo

— photo by Brad Nelson

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at the Auto Club in Costa Mesa

Electric Car Panel: Plugging into the reality of EV ownership

MPG brought a strong cast of electric vehicle experts together on Tuesday, Sept. 11 to discuss the reality of electric car ownership. The panel discussion was held at Auto Club of Southern California in Costa Mesa, a fitting venue as the organization deals directly with automotive realities on a daily basis.

Charlie Vogelheim moderated the discussion with panel members Steve Mazor from the Auto Club's Research Center, Plug-in American co-founder Paul Scott, Motivo Engineering CEO Praveen Penmetsa, and Charlie Botsford from Aero-Vironment. The panel was informative and the format made for a lively interaction with the audience during much of the meeting.

Get all the details in the October edition of MilePost. 

Charlie Vogelheim (left) led the discussion with panelists (from left): Steve Mazor, Charlie Botsford, Praveen Penmetsa and Paul Scott.  — photo by Brad Nelson

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at the Proud Bird

VW of America EVP Tim Mahoney reveals brand strengths, challenges and direction as quest for No. 1 in the world continues

Volkswagen of America Executive Vice President and Chief Product Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney dropped in at the Proud Bird on Tuesday to give MPG members a good look at the current successes and challenges VW is finding in the U.S. market as the company continues efforts to grow and improve its reputation here.  Mahoney also touched on where the brand is going in the U.S. and how it plans to get there.  

Full details available in the next MilePost newsletter on Sept. 1. 

VW Executive VP Tim Mahoney at the Proud Bird.  — photo by Brad Nelson

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at the Proud Bird

Honda Mfg. VP Rick Schostek details major U.S. manufacturing moves as company nears 30 years of car building in America

With more than 20 million cars produced in its North American plants in 30 years of business, one might be tempted to think Honda manufacturing has peaked in the U.S. Not so according to Senior VP of Mfg. Rick Schostek as he detailed a comprehensive expansion of manufacturing activity throughout the country at the MPG luncheon on Tuesday, July 24. 

Schostek said that investments announced in the last 18 months total $2 billion, and Honda's annual North America build rate will grow from 1.63 million to 1.92 million units by 2014. By that time, nine out of every 10 vehicles it sells in America will be made here as well. 

Get the full story in the next installment of MilePost on August 1. 

Honda Mfg. Senior Vice President Rick Schostek speaks to MPG at the Proud Bird.  —photo by Brad Nelson

Monday, June 18, 2012 at the Petersen Automotive Museum

MPG design panel explores "Eurasian" automotive trends

Four prominent designers from some of the hottest brands in the automotive world discussed emerging design trends and influences under the theme, "Eurasian Persuasion" at MPG's annual Design Panel at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Monday, June 18.  Designers Richard Kim (BMW), Peter Schreyer (Kia), Derek Jenkins (Mazda), and Jae Min (Volkswagen) shared their thoughts as the always capable Eric Noble from the Car Lab probed with insightful questions.

The evening was made possible with event partner, AutoDesignO, and  sponsors, Auctions America by RM, Mothers, Bunkspeed and Linkage Design.  A special thanks to the Petersen Museum for providing the venue.

Design Panel 2012, from left: Richard Kim (BMW), Peter Schreyer (Kia), Derek Jenkins (Mazda), Jae Min (Volkswagen).  —photo by Myles Regan 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Proud Bird

Dodge CEO Reid Bigland tells of Chrysler resurgence, Calif. marketing and the dirt on the new Dart

Dodge CEO Reid Bigland took the speaker's podium at the Proud Bird on Tuesday, briefing MPG members on the company's U.S. resurgence, California market plans plus an inside look at its new Dart—the first joint vehicle development between Chyrsler and Fiat and a crucial part of Chrysler's U.S. strategy.

Bigland kicked off his presentation with some notes on Chrysler's rapid recovery from its 2009 bankruptcy, noting the company paid back its federal loans in full last year, along with a sobering $1 billion in interest.  A retail sales increase of 43 percent in 2011 helped accelerate the payback, followed by a 37 percent increase in the first quarter of 2012 that resulted in Chrysler's "strongest quarterly profit in 13 years," said Bigland. 

The new Dodge Dart is also part of a renewed emphasis in the California market where the firm hopes to spread some of the old "Dodge fever," a mythical condition featured in corporate advertising in the '60s and '70s when the firm sold nearly 4 million Darts. 

With a platform based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and "MultiAir" engines sourced from Fiat, the new car has an unusual pedigree that Dodge clearly plans to play to its advantage.  MPG members were able to sample the new Italian-American hybrid with test drives around the Proud Bird/LAX area. 

Look for a complete report in the June 1 issue of MilePost.   

Dodge CEO Reid Bigland and the 2013 Dodge Dart. —photos by Brad Nelson 

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at the Proud Bird
 
California Congressman John Campbell brings D.C. insight and O.C. car biz perspective to April MPG luncheon

Republican Congressman John Campbell addressed the Motor Press Guild today, giving members a peek into the current state of affairs in Washington as it relates to cars, the auto industry, and what it all means for how and what we'll be driving in the future. Campbell brought his unique combination of D.C. insight and 25 years as a Southern California auto dealer owner/advisor, covering such topics as infrastructure, CAFE, alternative fuels, taxes and the car hobby.

The congressman noted that the internal combustion engine has plenty of life remaining but we should encourage alternative technology and fuels. Exactly how that's accomplished is one of the major challenges in the current political climate, but Campbell feels that congress is ready to make things happen; "There's a hunger to get things done," he says. And "2013 is likely to be extremely productive."

One way Campbell is encouraging automotive innovation is through a bill he authored last fall designed to make low-volume auto manufacturing more affordable by reducing safety and emissions-related regulatory burdens on smaller car makers.

For more on MPG luncheons and meetings, click here.

Congressman John Campbell. —photo by Brad Nelson

Audio of the presentation:

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 

Erich Merkle at the Ford Design Showroom

Ford hosted our luncheon at the Ford Design Showroom in Irvine, CA. Ford’s U.S. sales analyst, Erich Merkel discussed the new Ford Fusion and its place in the mid-size segment, and displayed a prototype of the 2013 Ford Fusion.

For the audio, click here.
For more on MPG luncheons and meetings, click here.

Freeman Thomas (left) and Erich Merkle with the 2013 Ford Fusion. —photo by Pete Lyons for MPG

Tuesday, February 28, 2012: Back at The Proud Bird

Bill Tally of Fisker Automotive Presents:
The 2012 Fisker Karma

Fisker's Director of Vehicle Integration, Bill Tally, presented the 2012 Fisker Karma. Assembled in Finland, three of the American luxury car were showcased in front of the Proud Bird. Limited test driveswere available after the presentation.

For the audio of the presentation, click here.
For more on MPG events, click here

The Fisker Karma at The Proud Bird. —photo by Lorna Lyons for MPG

January 12, 2012: Board of Directors Meeting

The Motor Press Guild announces election results and officers for 2012

Congratulations to newly elected Board members Joni Gray, Brendan Flynn, and Michael Harley. They replace Mike Levine, James Bell, and Jeff Holland whose terms expired at the end of December. MPG thanks all of them for their service.

The new officers for 2012 are:
President: Laura Burstein
Vice-President: Aaron Gold
Treasurer: Chris Martin
Secretary: Joni Gray

Committees for 2012 are currently being formed. Anyone wishing to be considered for a committee slot in 2012 should contact President Laura Burstein, Laura@motorpressguild.org, as soon as possible.

Track Day 2011. One of MPG's premiere events. —photo by Pete Lyons for MPG