CHICAGO, Illinois – The Midwest Automotive Media Association announced today that the 2016 Volvo XC90 has been named the winner of its sixth annual Family Vehicle of the Year award.

The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA), a nonprofit group of automotive journalists and public relations professionals, developed the award to help the consumer make a wise buy when it’s time to shop for a family vehicle. “Choosing a family vehicle is an important decision. It should be versatile, reliable, efficient, and reasonably priced. MAMA members pooled their expertise and experience to select the best family vehicle from an excellent group of new and notably refreshed models, and the Volvo XC90 ended up at the top,” said award coordinator Damon Bell.

To qualify for the award, vehicles had to have four doors, start at less than $50,000, appear at one of MAMA’s two annual rallies, and be new or significantly updated within a year of the 2015 Spring Rally, which took place last May. The MAMA Spring and Fall rallies feature roughly 100 manufacturer vehicles for journalists to drive and evaluate.

Voting took place at both rallies, creating a list of 13 contenders: the Fiat 500X, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sedona, Kia Sorento, Lincoln MKX, Nissan Maxima, Nissan Murano, Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and Volvo XC90.

MAMA members then took part in the final vote. A total of 87 automotive journalists voted the 2016 Volvo XC90 the winner with 128 total points, besting the 2016 Honda Pilot, which garnered 90 total points. The 2015 Kia Sedona placed third with 43 total points.

In each round of voting, three points were awarded for a first-place vote, two points were given for a second-place vote and third-place votes were valued at one point each.

Voting for the 2017 Family Vehicle of the Year award will begin at the 2016 MAMA Spring Rally, which is scheduled for May 25-26 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. The Fall Rally is set for September 28 at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Ill.

About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

Founded in 1991, the Midwest Automotive Media Association is comprised of more than 200 automotive journalists and public relations professionals. Though based in the Chicago area, MAMA welcomes members from all parts of the country. The organization’s primary purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, major issues, and new products in the auto industry.

LOMBARD, Illinois – The 2016 MAMA Business Meeting was held at Harry Caray's on Jan. 27. MAMA board members provided reports on how the organization had progressed over the last year, and the membership elected the board for 2016.

For 2016, the MAMA board will consist of Webmaster Jennifer Morand; Vice President of Membership Fred Ligouri; Secretary Kelley Enright; Treasurer Larry Nutson; Vice President Jill Ciminillo; and President Patrick Olsen.

In addition, Dave Sloan and Mark Bilek provided a preview of the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, which will include a series of vehicle debuts.

The Treasurer’s news for the year was positive. We began 2015 with a balance of $75,720, took in $157,850 during the year, (which includes $10,485 in late payments from 2014 CY), spent $137,447, and ended with a balance of $96,125 in Jan. 2016.

Secretary Jennifer Morand reported that during the 2015 MAMA Business Meeting, there were 28 people in attendance. The 2015 Chicago Auto Show MAMA Breakfast had approximately 400 people in attendance; the Chrysler 200 was named Family Vehicle of the Year. In March, Chrysler hosted 40 guests at The Grove in Glenview to test drive the 300. MAMA hosted its annual Spring Rally last May at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. 160 industry personnel attended, 88 of which were journalists. MAMA held a track school for members last July at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI to get them comfortable with track driving and safety precautions. Space was limited to 24 attendees total, and was split into morning and afternoon sessions; Dodge was the presenting sponsor. Nissan hosted the July monthly meeting to discuss Maxima; there were 35 members in attendance. GM hosted 30 attendees for an August meeting to announce Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 14 GM models. Honda also hosted an August meeting to share details for its light truck lineup; 40 members attended. September’s meeting focused on Jaguar Land Rover and the XE and F-Pace; 27 attended that meeting. MAMA held its annual Fall Rally in October at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet. A private dinner in Bobby Rahal’s garage kicked everything off. There were 120 people in attendance, 77 of which were journalists. Also in October, Toyota shared details with members on the 2016 Tacoma; 30 members attended that presentation. Then, in December, MAMA threw a Holiday Social for 60 members at the historic Danada House in Wheaton. Overall, the average meeting attendance in 2015 was 32 members, not counting rallies or special events.   

Vice President of Membership Fred Ligouri reported that as of the date of the meeting, MAMA’s total membership stood at 246 members. This represents a slight increase, from 233 in 2015, in membership year over year. Of the current 246 members, 82 are affiliate members, 162 are media members, and 2 are in the retired class of membership. 

CHICAGO, Illinois – The 2016 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview will open on Thursday, Feb. 11 with a keynote from Mark LaNeve, vice president, U.S. marketing, sales and service Ford Motor Co. during the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) breakfast from 8-9 a.m.

During the opening portion of the breakfast, MAMA President Patrick Olsen will present the MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year award and introduce Mark LaNeve. LaNeve is responsible for all marketing, sales, service, customer care and dealer relations for the Ford and Lincoln brands. His focus is on continuing to build the Ford brand through innovative new digital communications and transforming the retail experience for customers. LaNeve came to Ford after several years leading the company’s marketing and advertising agency, Global Team Ford, where he was chief operating officer since August 2012. In this role, LaNeve led not only Team Detroit, which services the Ford brand in the U.S., but also the agency’s operations in London, Sao Paulo and Shanghai, as well as Hudson Rouge, the Lincoln agency in New York City.

“The Chicago Auto Show is very important to Ford and its Chicagoland dealers,” said LaNeve. “We look forward to seeing the excitement this show generates as well as the automotive passion of all Chicagoans.”

“It’s an honor to have someone of Mark’s caliber to open the nation’s largest auto show,” said Colin Wickstrom, 2016 Chicago Auto Show chairman. “Ford has long supported the Chicago Auto Show with executive addresses, important product introductions and some of the largest displays it produces worldwide.”

Doors open for the MAMA breakfast at 7 a.m. on Feb. 11. Valid media or exhibitor credentials are required for admission.