News

Subaru's Tim Mahoney To Speak at the August MPG Luncheon

Tuesday, August 5, 2008. Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Subaru of America, Inc., will be speaking about Niche and Experiential Marketing. Mahoney is the top marketer within the organization and is responsible for leading and managing the Subaru brand in the U.S. market.

Mahoney originally joined Subaru of America in 1984 as a marketing research analyst, and was promoted through the organization holding a variety of management roles in areas including marketing, advertising, merchandising, market research and strategy, as well as product planning. Prior to Subaru, he worked for the Sara Lee Corporation.

Mahoney has also worked for Porsche Cars North America, Inc., as vice president of marketing. There he lead the launch of the brand's first SUV, the Porsche Cayenne.

He received a bachelor's degree in international studies and foreigh languages from Newberry College and University of Vienna in Austria and went on to earn a master's of business administration in marketing management from Drexel University. He is a member of the CMO Council and CMO Marketing Roundtable.

For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, Click Here.

Press Contact MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

Carlos Ghosn to Open the Los Angeles Auto Show
Press Days as Keynote Speaker

LOS ANGELES – July 23, 2008 – Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Renault S.A., will kick off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild (MPG) keynote address the morning of Nov. 19, 2008. The MPG breakfast and Ghosn’s address is open to all credentialed Press Days attendees. A Q&A session will be part of the presentation.

Ghosn joined Nissan as its chief operating officer in June 1999, became president in June 2000 and was named chief executive officer in June 2001. In May 2005, Ghosn was named president and chief executive officer of Renault S.A. in addition to his current responsibilities at Nissan. As head of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Ghosn is responsible for two separate companies with combined annual global sales of 6.16 million vehicles and 9.1 percent global market share in calendar year 2007.

“Mr. Ghosn is among the most significant and influential executives in our industry” said Matt Stone, MPG keynote address committee chairman and executive editor of Motor Trend.  “We’re pleased that he will be here to open the Los Angeles Auto Show, and I know he’ll have plenty to say.  Don’t be surprised if he makes a little news in the process.” 

Prior to joining Nissan, Ghosn served as executive vice president of the Renault Group, a position he had held since December 1996. In addition to supervising Renault activities in the Mercosur, he was responsible for advanced research, car engineering and development, car manufacturing, powertrain operations and purchasing.

The 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show will be held in the fall for the third consecutive year. The dates are Nov. 19-20, 2008 for press and Nov. 21-30 for the public. Media registration opens early September. Last year, the newer fall timing prompted a record number of world and North American vehicle debuts with record media attendance and news coverage from around the globe.

This will be the 10th year that the MPG breakfast has opened the Los Angeles Auto Show Press Days. MPG is comprised of approximately 800 automotive journalists and public relations professionals nationwide, making it the largest automotive press association in the country.

Entry Deadline Approaching Fast for the 2008 Dean Batchelor Award

The Deadline for Entries is September 1, 2008 for the 2008 Dean Batchelor Award. That means the entry must be postmarked no later than Sep 1, 2008.

All nominated works must have appeared for the first time during the 12 months between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008.

Don't forget there are now four categories to enter: articles, audio/visual, book, and photography. The top award will be chosen from one of the winners in these categories.

For rules, Click Here.

For an entry form, Click Here.

To learn more about the Dean Batchelor Award and the man who inspired this highest of journalistic honors, see the Dean Batchelor Award page on this site.

Ford's Dan Kapp Spoke to MPG Luncheon
Crowd Outlining the Company's
Fuel Economy and Efficiency Plans

Tuesday, July 1, 2008. The demand for implementation of advanced powertrain technology has never been greater, and Ford's Dan Kapp, Director-Ford Powertrain Research & Advanced, came to the July MPG luncheon and covered an array of programs Ford labels its "Blueprint for sustainability". Part of this "blueprint" are the Eco Boost engines of four and six cylinders and the "one percent improvements" that will make a tremendous difference when applied to millions of vehicles over time.

Audio, transcript, and MilePost PDF available on the MilePost Online page.

For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, Click Here.

Press Contact MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

MPG Members participated FREE of charge
In The 26th Annual Literature Faire and Exchange

Sunday, June 22. The MPG-sponsored booth space was fully utilized at the recent Society of Automotive Historians Literature Faire held in front of the NHRA Wally Parks Motorsports Museum in Pomona, CA. Members Dean Case, Don Fuller, Chuck Koch with storyteller sidekick Dick Guldstrand, Louise Noeth, Anne Proffit and Barry Winfield all unloaded great piles of auto-related items, made a bit of cash, spun yarns and generally had a lighthearted social adventure. Showing up on the buyer’s side of the booths were bargain-hunters Matt Stone, Joe and Scott Oldham, Phil Skinner, Doug Stokes, Rex Parker, John Meyer III, Art Gould and Dave Kunz.

  “I had a good day,” reported Dean Case, “Cleared out a lot of garage space and made a few hundred in profit after paying to rent a truck—yes, I had that much stuff. “Thanks to MPG for booking the space —if Louise hadn’t done the advance work, I might still have all that stuff in my garage!”

And from cool jewels Don Fuller: “This was about the fifth time I've attended the Lit Faire. Each time it was a great opportunity to put an answer to the eternal question of my long-suffering spouse: "When are you going to get rid of all that s**t in the garage? “So, I made a little pocket change and spent a Sunday morning yakking with a bunch of car loonies at what is basically an automotive version of an Istanbul flea market, but without the camels. And, I've just about got all that s**t out of the garage!”

Planning is already afoot for 2009. —Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth

Suzuki's Gene Brown Outlined Ambitious Plans for Growth in a Difficult Market

Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Gene Brown,Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Automotive Operations, American Suzuki Motor Corporation came to the MPG luncheon with toys galore. Brown outlined plans that might seem overly ambitious to most observers, and which he acknowledged were ambitious for Suzuki. There will be four introductions of product over the next two years, which is a great deal for this car company.

MilePost PDF now available as well as audio, video, and transcript:
see MilePost Online page.

For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, Click Here.

Press Contact MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

Gene Brown on Suzuki B King. photo by Pete Lyons

The Equator pickup. photo by Lorna Lyons

Motor Press Guild members and their guests got to enjoy two car shows on the Spring Power Trip

Saturday, May 17th. The first car show was in the parking lot of Specialty Transport, where interesting rides began rolling in just as the weather started to warm up. Muscle cars, sports cars, vintage luxury cars and even two hydrogen fuel cell vehicles gathered during the pre-departure hour. Inside Specialty’s offices, Eric Goetz had arranged a “caffeine and calorie” buffet to get participants’ bloodstreams going.

At 10:00 am, everyone was gathered and our destination was announced: The Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. Each driver was given a professionally produced route sheet, complete with mileage numbers and a map, thanks again to Eric. Then, Carl Sheffer handed out sealed envelopes with poker hands inside to each driver.

An easy route took us along the shore, then back inland a few miles to the museum for our second car show. The Automobile Driving Museum features a diverse display of vehicles from just about every era, all of which are driven on a regular basis (hence the museum’s name). Director Laurie Lewis and her staff of docents took members through the rows of cars, which are arranged in a giant room that resembles a town square built inside a movie sound stage. At the far end of the room, a huge marquee greeted us with “Welcome Motor Press Guild.”

After our tours of the cars, everyone was invited into a special section where Heather Curtin had arranged a catered lunch, sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales. Before our hungry group took to the great spread, the drivers were instructed to open the envelopes and reveal their poker hands. Lady luck was with member Jay Parille, as his royal flush garnered him the big prize. He and his son took home a fantastic assortment of car care products, courtesy of Mother’s.

Full of lunch, members were free to continue touring the museum, where photography was not only welcomed but encouraged. From the comments overheard during and after our day, this combination of interesting cars and people was quite a success.

If you missed it, rest assured there will be another Power Trip in the fall. Don’t get left behind!

-Dave Kunz

Our thanks to our sponsors:
Lunch sponsored by Toyota. Special prize from Mothers Polish.

Dave Kunz (with megaphone) and Eric Goetz (on right) get things started at Specialty Transport. photo by Albert Wong

The Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo put a big "Welcome Motor Press Guild" up on the marquee. photo by Albert Wong

Part of the collection at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, CA. photo by Jan Wagner

Jay Parille won the Poker Hand challenge with a royal flush. He and his son, Conner, took home a fantastic assortment of car care products, courtesy of Mother’s. photo by Jan Wagner

Track Day Moves to October

Tuesday, February 19, 2008. MPG Board of Directors decided at their February meeting to change Track Day dates from November to October 22-23, 2008. More information will be available on this soon.

Photo at Top: William McGee (left) and Brian Takahashi enjoy their own presentation. Photo at Right: Brian Takahashi demonstrates a "defect" in a vehicle's gas cap mechanism that was easily resolved. (photos by Pete Lyons)

Cold Hard Facts About Lemon Law Revealed at May Lunch Courtroom Drama

Tuesday, May 6, 2008. This month's meeting went outside the usual guidelines of MPG luncheons. Organized and moderated by our own Don Fuller, who is an expert witness at Lemon Law trials, the presentation was by two highly accredited Lemon Law attorneys: for the plaintiff, William McGee, and for the defense, Brian Takahashi. These men, key players in courtroom battles between unhappy vehicle owners and manufacturers, squared off and explained what Lemon Law is, how it works and what it all means. MPG lucheon guests got to be the jury and make their own decisions.

Special thanks to Don Fuller for organizing this luncheon.

For complete audio, transcripts, and MilePost PDF as they become available, Click Here or click on MilePost Online on navigation bar at left.
For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, Click Here.
Press Contact: MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

James Bell, Publisher, IntelliChoice, Appointed to MPG Board

Tuesday, May 1, 2008. At the regular monthly meeting of the MPG Board, James Bell was appointed to fill the vacancy left when Tim Considine resigned. James, publisher of IntelliChoice, brings to the board a desire to serve the membership and an enthusiasm for the Motor Press Guild's underlying objectives. MPG welcomes him to the Board.

The Board now consists of: OFFICERS: Aaron Robinson, President; Dave Kunz, Vice President; Louise Ann Noeth, Secretary; Eric Dahlquist, Treasurer. DIRECTORS: James Bell, Jeff Holland, Michael F. Hollander, Carl Sheffer, and Jessica Tullman.

Cool Concept Vehicles Were On Display for this Panel Discussion on Automotive Design

Tuesday, April 1, 2008. This luncheon featured cool concepts vehicles and a look inside the world of automotive design. Charlie Vogelheim, MPG Chair of the Speakers Committee, introduced Eric Noble who moderated the panel. Guest speakers included (on left above) Stewart Reed, Transportation Design Department Chair, Art Center College of Design; Tom Matano (center), Executive Director, Academy of Art University; and Mark West (right), Interim Transportation Department Chair at the College for Creative Studies.

Special thanks to John Grafman from AutoDesignO for organizing this outstanding MPG event.

For complete audio, video, transcript, and MilePost PDF as it becomes available, go to MilePost Online.

For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, Click Here.

Press Contact: MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

Greg Clark, AMG Brand Strategist, Mercedes-AMG Brought Two AMG C63s to Lunch

Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Greg Clark, AMG dealer and brand strategist from Mercedes-AMG brought two AMG C63s to lunch and members poured over the cars.

Clark discussed the company’s branding plans for AMG in the U.S. market including the establishment of the all-new AMG performance-center project in the United States this year.  Mercedes-AMG is launching this new initiative to further enhance the customer purchase and ownership experience, as well as further strengthen AMG’s position in the U.S. market.

Clark has spent more than seven years at Mercedes-Benz, based in Montvale, N.J.  Joining the company in 2000, he has spent the majority of his tenure in the Product Management department.  Clark coordinated product and launch strategy of the current generation Mercedes-Benz CL-Class and flagship S-Class.  He also spent a year at Acura, developing the product, marketing and launch strategy for the next generation TL and RL.  Clark returned to the Mercedes Car Group in 2007 to take responsibility for U.S. dealer and brand strategy for the AMG performance division.

Clark was raised in the U.K. outside of Oxford, England.  He earned his degree in International Business from the University of Sunderland.

For complete audio, a transcript, and a PDF of MilePost as they become available, Click Here

For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, Click Here.

Press Contact: MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.or

MPG Office has New Address and Phone Number

Saturday, March 1, 2008. MPG Executive Administrator Chuck Koch announced today that there is a new address and phone number for the MPG Office. Office Administrator Whitney Cline will be the voice on the phone when you call MPG at 310-693-4943. The complete contact is:

Motor Press Guild
4561 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Tel: 310-693-4943
Fax: 888-877-9719

You can also reach Whitney Cline by emailing her at whitney@motorpressguild.org

Chuck Koch Named MPG Executive Director and Whitney Cline Named Office Administrator

Tuesday, February 19, 2008. MPG Board of Directors named Chuck Koch to be MPG’s new Executive Director, and the Office Administrator will be Whitney Cline.

Chuck has served MPG for over 22 years and is always the person to whom questions of policy/history are directed. He was on the Board of Directors from 1986 to 1997 and on committees during that period and through the present day.

Chuck Koch and John Dinkel started the Dean Batchelor Award in 1994, and the first award was presented in 1995. (See the Dean Batchelor Award page for complete information.) He continues to this day making sure that the annual award process runs smoothly and culminates in the annual award banquet in December.

Whitney Cline brings familiarity to her job since she assisted with MPG office details when she worked for Vista Group from 2000 to 2002. Chuck and Whitney began their duties officially March 1, 2008.

Peter Butterfield Entertained MPG Members With "Confessions of a CEO"

Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Peter Butterfield, president and CEO of ATK VEGE and long-time automotive industry veteran, was the featured speaker at MPG's February luncheon. Butterfield provided an entertaining look back at the auto industry from the 1960s to today in a candid view of the industry. He called his presentation "Confessions of a CEO: Be Careful Who You Eat Dinner With."

Butterfield took a personal look at major political, world and socio-economical events throughout the decades that have shaped the automotive business today. He covered top trends and issues including the rise of the Asian automakers, the decline of the domestics and the privatization of Chrysler, all with his own personal take on events. His look at "unintended consequences" was amusing and entertaining.

Prior to consulting, in his five decades in the industry Butterfield, was the CEO of Kia North America, served as executive vice president for Volvo North America, and began his career with Ford Motor Company in 1976, quickly rising through the ranks.

For complete audio, a transcript, and a PDF of MilePost as they become available, Click Here.
For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, Click Here.

Press Contact: MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

Robert Genat Submitted the Winning Photo for the Cover of the 2008 Media Guide

January 22, 2008. Robert Genat submitted the winning photo in this, the first annual cover photo contest. The contest was a big success with many outstanding photos submitted. MPG wishes to thank all who participated and encourage everyone to submit images next January for the 2009 cover. We want to show off what great photographers we have in MPG.

More details about the photo will be available in this space soon. But for now, the image at right is the winning image.

For further information, contact Lorna Lyons at lorna@motorpressguild.org

Ed Peper, General Manager of Chevrolet, Sets the Record Straight At First MPG Lunch of 2008

Tuesday, January 8, 2008. General Manager of General Motor's Chevrolet Division, Ed Peper, is the first important automobile executive to speak to MPG members and guests in the new year. He spoke of "Setting the Record Straight" about Chevrolet, where it has been and where it is going. He presented the idea that Chevrolet was ready to "go on the offensive about our sales," stressing the positive results across the board in 2007, and plans for growth. Peper impressed a large crowd of MPG members and guests with his enthusiasm and humor.

For more including the audio and a transcript of today's presentation, see MilePost Online.

For more information on MPG Luncheon Meetings, click here.

Press Contact: MPG: Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

MPG wishes to thank its sponsors of the 2007 Dean Batchelor Award Banquet.
They are:

LA Auto Show Press Days
Began with MPG Breakfast and
Keynote Speaker Alan Mulally,
President and CEO, Ford Motor Company

Wednesday, November 14, 2007. Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer for Ford Motor Company, kicked off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild keynote address on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 8:20 am. This marks the eighth year MPG has hosted the LA Auto Show's Keynote Address. A Q&A session was part of Mulally's presentation. The MPG breakfast was at 7:30 am. These events were open to all credentialed news media attending the show’s press days, November 14-15.

"It's an honor for MPG to help kick off the media preview for the LA Auto Show," said MPG president Mitch McCullough. "The Motor Press Guide chooses and invites the keynote speaker each year, and we thank the LA Auto Show organizers for giving us that opportunity. Alan Mulally graciously accepted our invitation and we were fascinated to hear what he had to say about the future of Ford Motor Company. Providing a forum for leaders in the auto industry is a core function of MPG."

See also MilePost Plus for audio and video.

MPG's Automotive Public Relations Survey 2007 Results

The Motor Press Guild announces that Toyota and Chrysler ranked as having the best overall performance in media relations, according to the organization’s third annual Automotive Public Relations Survey.  The survey, conducted by the Gronstedt Group of Denver, Colo., measures the media’s satisfaction of seven criteria of the 20 major automobile manufacturers identified as being crucial to the success of their public relations programs.  Journalists are asked to rate each manufacturer’s press materials, Web site, ease and frequency of contact, level of a PR staff’s knowledge, product launch programs and more.

For more on the Survey, Click Here.
Contacts: email survey@motorpressguild.org