MAMA News

  • 10 Feb 2020 5:27 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Chicago, Illinois (Feb. 6, 2020) – The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) announced today at the Chicago Auto Show that the 2020 Kia Telluride has been named the winner of its 10th annual Family Vehicle of the Year award, and the 2020 Lincoln Aviator has been named the winner of the second annual Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year award.


    MAMA is a nonprofit group of automotive journalists and public-relations professionals, and it developed the awards to help car-shopping families make a wise decision when they’re ready for a new vehicle.

    To qualify for the award, vehicles had to have four doors, appear at one of MAMA’s two annual rallies, and be new or significantly updated within a year of the 2019 Spring Rally, which took place last May.

    Voting took place at both the Spring and Fall Rallies, which narrowed down the field of contenders. Mainstream finalists were the Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Honda Passport, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Gladiator, Kia Telluride, Mazda 3, and Subaru Outback. The finalists in the luxury category were the BMW X7, Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Aviator, Lincoln Nautilus, and Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 53 Coupe.

    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.


    MAMA’s journalist members then voted in one final round. The 2020 Kia Telluride was selected as Family Vehicle of the Year with 205 points, ahead of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, which garnered 174 points. The 2020 Subaru Outback placed third with 69 points.

    The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was crowned Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year with 192 points, edging out the 2019 BMW X7, which netted 148 points. The 2020 Cadillac XT6 rounded out the top three with 108 points.


    Voting for the 2021 FVOTY awards will begin at the 2020 MAMA Spring Rally, which is scheduled for May 20-21 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

    For more information, please visit www.mamaonline.org

    About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

    Founded in 1991, and now in its 29th year, the Midwest Automotive Media Association comprises 258 automotive journalists and public relations professionals from 22 states and DC. 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.

  • 02 Feb 2020 8:17 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Nissan’s Keith St. Clair, director of product planning, Nissan USA, was the speaker at the January MAMA meeting to discuss the all-new 2020 Sentra.

    Since the car’s introduction 37 years ago, more than six million Sentras have been sold—spanning eight generations. St. Clair discussed all the ways this sedan is Nissan’s best-selling nameplate.


    First, why sedans? St. Clair said that while the industry has certainly seen a big shift to SUVs and CUVs, sedans are still very popular. In fact, more than four million sedans have been sold here in the U.S., and 78 percent of folks who don’t own sedans noted they would consider buying one. Furthermore, 86 percent of 18-34-year-olds who don’t own a sedan would consider buying one.

    And, according to St. Clair, this sedan is one that’s changing the way people think of sedans.


    Expressive style, an emotional driving experience, value, efficiency and ease of maneuverability are all characteristics of the vehicle. Exceeding expectations in the compact segment, the Sentra offers style, craftsmanship, safety, technology, performance and value.

    “The only thing we’re carrying forward is the name – everything else is brand new,” said St. Clair of the Sentra.

    In terms of tech, the Sentra receives an all-new infotainment system with a standard 7-inch high-definition screen. St. Clair explains that this is a key factor of the upgraded sedan because it makes drivers more comfortable and confident.

    Safety also comes standard on this car, including Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 (a suite of six advanced driver-assist systems), ten air bags, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Driver Attention Alertness.


    The vehicle is also agile and exciting to drive, according to St. Clair. This is the first time that Nissan is offering a new platform with a multi-link independent rear suspension on the Sentra. Wider and lower, the new platform offers improved NVH. Standard active ride control (which helps improve handling when driving over a bumpy environment, smoothing out the ride and ensuring driver’s confidence), intelligent trace control and vehicle dynamics control.

    Additionally, the Sentra has an all-new powertrain with 149 horsepower—20 percent more than before.


    St. Clair refers to a “simple grade strategy:” Good, Better and Best (S, SV and SR). Overall, he says the Sentra is fun-to-drive, offers advanced technology, has unmatched safety features, high-level craftsmanship and expressive design. “It’s not just another compact car; it’s really a midsized car masquerading as a compact car,” he said. It’s the new era of sedans.

    The Sentra is set to go on sale in early February.

  • 16 Jan 2020 9:29 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA), an organization comprised of automotive journalists and related industry professionals, elected its 2020 board of directors during its annual January business meeting.

    Secretary Kelley Enright, treasurer Larry Nutson and communications director Jennifer Morand were all re-elected to serve two-year terms.

    Damon Bell continues to hold the role of MAMA president, Harvey Briggs continues as MAMA senior vice president and Jennifer Newman continues as vice president, membership.

    Jill Ciminillo, who served a two-year term as MAMA president from 2017-2018, will carry out her second-year term as president emeritus.  

    During the annual business meeting it was reported that the association currently maintains a membership of 253 automotive journalists and industry professionals serving in the automotive industry or related fields.

    It was also announced that MAMA will continue to host the opening breakfast at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview on Thursday, Feb. 6, where the association will announce its 2020 Family Vehicle of the Year Award and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year Award recipients.

    The Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and Subaru Outback are the finalists for the MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year Award, and the BMW X7, Cadillac XT6 and Lincoln Aviator are the finalists for the luxury category. Following the award ceremony, Toyota North America’s Group Vice President Edward Laukes will present a program.

    For more information on the Midwest Automotive Media Association and upcoming events, visit www.mamaonline.org.

    ###

    About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

    Founded in 1991, and now in its 29th year, the Midwest Automotive Media Association comprises 253 automotive journalists and public relations professionals from across the country – though based in the Chicago area. The organization’s primary purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, major issues and new products in the auto industry.

  • 22 Nov 2019 3:41 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The chief engineer of the Lincoln Corsair, John Jraiche, presented the 2020 Lincoln Corsair to Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) members during the latest MAMA meeting.

    The Lincoln team strategically selected the Lang House in Chicago as the venue to present the vehicle, as the historical building exudes sophistication and charm while offering views of the neighboring Emil Bach House, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The significance is that Corsair Chief Designer Kemal Curic picked up design cues from Frank Lloyd Wright when designing the vehicle, including his love for dramatic horizontal lines.


    The 2020 Corsair rounds out Lincoln's portfolio of luxurious SUVs, and is available with a 250-hp 2.0-liter or more powerful 2.3-liter engine that puts out 295 horsepower. Five selectable drive modes--Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions and Conserve--alter powertrain parameters to suit road conditions and/or drive tastes. With a new 8-speed transmission and 4-wheel independent suspension, the Corsair is designed to provide agility, nimbleness and easy handling. Furthermore, all 2020 Corsairs come standard with a push-button start, hill-start assist, a power liftgate and LED headlights.

    According to Jraiche, the body of the Corsair was designed to incorporate peaks and valleys, and the exaggerated lines draw a vision of continuous light play reflecting its surrounding environment. Lincoln describes the Corsair’s exterior as a “sculpture in motion.” Unique wheel designs feature both directional and radial lines, and a variety of metallic color choices, including Flight Blue, are offered. 


    The Corsair’s interior was designed to be a “sanctuary for the senses.” To ensure the tranquility of the ride, a dual-wall dashboard was utilized to provide additional division between the engine and the passengers. This arrangement provides an air gap that helps prevent vibrations from entering the cabin.  

    The Corsair's design team thought of everything, such as replacing harsh standard electronic alerts with six unique symphonic chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

    Not only is wireless charging available for compatible devices, but the Corsair also offers tech-savvy passengers multiple power outlets and in-vehicle Wi-Fi to keep them connected. Additionally, the Corsair’s SYNC 3 infotainment system allows the driver and passengers to simply plug in their devices to access apps directly from an 8-inch touch screen.


    The Lincoln Corsair also provides personal customization to enhance the individual’s preferred interior sanctuary experience. Owners can set up to 80 preference features within their designated profile, including preferred radio stations, customized seat adjustments and desired cabin climate.

    To top it all off, the Corsair offers a Lincoln-first technology called “Phone As A Key.” The technology can be accessed through The Lincoln Way app, where owners can now open the liftgate, lock and unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle and locate it just by using their compatible smartphone.  

    To further provide convenience to its customer base, Lincoln offers a pickup and delivery service called Lincoln Service Valet. The owner can simply schedule a service via The Lincoln Way app and Lincoln Service Valets will come to pick up the vehicle and bring it a nearby Lincoln dealership, while providing the owner with a loaner vehicle while their vehicle is being serviced. Progress updates are delivered via the app, and the vehicle is delivered back to the owner when the service has been completed.


    The 2020 Lincoln Corsair comes in two trims, with the Standard coming in at $36,940 and the Reserve starting at $43,625. All-wheel-drive versions of each are also available for a bump in price: $39,140 and $45,825, respectively. The Corsair is now available at Lincoln dealerships.  


  • 31 Oct 2019 4:23 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Article by Harvey Briggs, Publisher and Editor - Rides & Drives

    Growing Your Social Media Influence

    The world is digital now – just ask the folks from Autoweek – and building your audience online is more important than ever. One of the best places to do that is social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms are sources of both audience and revenue. But how do you grow your presence from a few hundred followers to the thousands necessary to attract readers and viewers to the content you produce?

    A lot of it is common sense regardless of the platform:

    1.       Your profile is important – Create a profile on your social media account that lets people know who you are, what you do, your point of view, and what they can expect if they follow you. This is where they come to connect with you personally, so include a good photo as well.

    2.      Make sure people know how to find you – Put links to your social accounts on your author page of your website or blog. If possible, embed tweets or Instagram posts into your articles so readers can click to your account and comment.

    3.      Post consistently – Nothing looks worse than an account with little or no activity. You don’t need to post 10 times a day but a consistent schedule will help people find you. According to Chad Kirchner, who, with more than 26,000 followers is one of MAMA’s more prolific Tweeters, “Don’t just use Twitter as a dumping ground for content, be authentic.”

    4.      Use relevant hashtags on Twitter and Instagram – The key here is relevant. There are sites like https://ritetag.com/best-hashtags-for/automotive to help you find trending tags that will help users find your content

    5.      Tag manufacturers in your posts – most social media teams look for content to share on the brand pages. Be sure to @ and # the manufacturers to make it easy to find your news and reviews about their products.

    6.      Think visually – on Instagram, you’re competing with millions of other users, make sure your photos are high quality and have a strong point of view. Adding photos and videos to your Twitter posts increases engagement.

    7.      Follow other relevant accounts – It’s the birds of a feather effect. Follow auto execs, brands, other journalists, and consumers who are interested in automotive. When they comment on, like and share your posts, their followers will see that and enhance your reach.

    8.     Engage with your followers – Ask questions, respond to their questions and comments, like their comments, thank them for following. There are a number of things you can do to engage your audience.

    9.      Use the platform appropriately – Instagram is great for showing what you do, but since you can’t put links in posts, it’s lousy for driving readers and viewers to your site or channel. According to Josh Smith from gottabemobile.com, “Instagram is show and tell. I just use it to build awareness. Twitter brings readers to the site. But engaging on both is important to keep people coming back.”

    10.  Schedule time for social activity – It’s hard to add one more thing to an already overbooked day. My trick that has helped me be consistent with my posts is to put daily reminders in my calendar to post. Every day I get a notification at 10 AM and 4 PM to put something up. It’s just a reminder to take 5 minutes to share things with my audience and since I’ve started doing it, I’ve doubled my followers on Instagram and Twitter.

  • 31 Oct 2019 4:20 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Article by Marlon Hanson, fellow MAMA member and dear friend 

    “I first met Bob Kocher when I was President of the Texas Automotive Writers Association and he was President of the Midwest Automotive Media Association. We immediately struck up a friendship because of his passion for MAMA and wanting to make it the best it could possibly be for all members, journalists and manufacturers.

    We immediately decided to compare notes and attend each other's events to see what we might do to improve our respective organizations. I learned a lot from Bob, witnessing first-hand how MAMA put together its events and he, likewise, learned how to make MAMA more user friendly for all.

    I am particularly grateful for his urging me to attend the MAMA Spring Rally ... I was astounded at how many vehicles were registered and we had an opportunity to drive. Because of Bob, and his introducing me to the Rally, I urged my board to create the TAWA Spring Challenge (now the Spring Roundup). We had 45 vehicles registered for our first Challenge, largely due to Bob's help in assisting me with the nuts and bolts of doing such an event for only automobiles. Being in Texas (the Truck Capital of the world), we had mastered our fall event, the Texas Truck Rodeo, and Bob eagerly worked to institute some of the aspects of the Rodeo into the MAMA Fall Rally.

    As members of MAMA, you know what a great foundation Bob was instrumental in creating for you. But, enough about Bob, the car guy, aka AutoBob! What I will miss most is Bob, the man.

    Bob loved fun and always drove to get the most out of life. I often met him and his beautiful wife, Connie, in Las Vegas, where we spent many an hour, day, and week in various gaming activities as well as enjoying world-famous automotive events such as the SEMA show. In addition to our escapades in Las Vegas, we loved to cruise.

    Our first cruise together was on the Norwegian Breakaway out of New York. Yes, we loved the ship, the world-famous Rockettes from Radio City Music Hall, who were on the ship with us, but the thing I will remember most about that cruise happened one night while sitting at a slot machine in the ship's casino.

    Bob ran up to me, giant grin on his face, bubbling with excitement. You have to come to O’Sheehans Pub, he exclaimed. Now!! They have the best Hot Fudge Sundaes you have ever had. They are as big as your head! I had to abandon my machine and follow him to O'Sheehans. Bob and I marveled at the size, sweetness, and wonder of our Sundaes. Connie was not as much of a sundae lover as us and, I believe had apple pie ala mode or something else as we immersed ourselves in our newfound delight.

    As late as early August, we spoke of taking future cruises, possibly in November, but for sure in December. We were also looking at a few possibilities for 2020 and decided we would decide where and when to go next at this year's SEMA show in early November.

    Life is so fleeting. I got a message from Bob on August 14th: 

    “I am hanging in. Just waiting for a time for my kidney biopsy. No one seems to be in a hurry. Went to a kidney doctor yesterday and he didn’t seem to be worried. I give up trying to understand it all. I guess no lung cancer is a big plus. Will let you know as we get information. Hope you’re having a great time. Hope to see you soon. Bob”

    Bob then sent some bad news on August 22. He began with the better news that although they had found some “spots in my lungs, a large mass on my kidney and a small mass on my spine,” there was no cancer in his lungs or kidney. Then came the bad news: “However, I did not luck out so well with my spine biopsy. I do have a rare cancer. The spine biopsy showed angiosarcoma cancer with is relatively rare and I guess harder to treat. Next we wait and see what treatment the oncologist suggests.”

    By August 30, he had yet to receive news on what was going to be done about it but said pain had intensified and he had to see another oncologist. There was nothing that could be done.

    The morning of September 12, I got a call from our good mutual friend, Kelley Enright. Bob was in the hospital and it was terminal. We could not believe it. It had been a couple days less than a month since his first diagnosis. And, now they were giving him two weeks to live. That night, my wife Kristin was working on making arrangements for me to fly to Ohio to see him. The next morning, Friday the Thirteenth, Connie told me he was gone. Impossible to believe. We would not be taking that next trip to Vegas. We would not be taking that last cruise. We will not be having that next hot fudge sundae.

    I will never take another cruise without having a hot fudge sundae in honor of Bob. I will never walk into a casino in Las Vegas without thinking of Bob. I have had a hard time putting together this year’s Auto Judge Awards program with one of our founding judges and most influential people gone.

    AutoBob … I love and miss you. I cannot think of a tribute great enough for our colleague, leader and friend, Col. Robert Kocher!

  • 31 Oct 2019 4:19 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Earlier this month MAMA held its annual Fall Rally, where nearly 80 media members gathered to test-drive more than 50 of the industry’s latest cars, trucks and SUVs. Held at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, the 2019 MAMA Fall Rally was presented by Subaru and offered journalists ample opportunities to put brand-new vehicles – such as the 2020 Cadillac XT6, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 2020 Ford Escape, 2020 Lincoln Aviator and 2020 Toyota Supra – through their paces on track, on street and off road. To read more on the Fall Rally, click here.

  • 31 Oct 2019 4:17 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We’re already well into fall, and that means it’s time for pumpkins, apple cider, trick-or-treating, and another MAMA Newsletter. Hope you’re all enjoying the foliage and getting ready for the colder weather that’s on the way.

    MAMA hosted another great Fall Rally at the Autobahn Country Club on October 2. There was just enough rain to make the off-road course nice and muddy, but it seemed to taper off by late morning so we weren’t soaked. You can read our full event recap in this issue; thanks once again to our sponsors for their support and our tireless Rally Team for all their hard work.

    On a sad note, we observed the passing of former MAMA president Bob Kocher at the event; Bob lost his battle with spine cancer on September 13—just a couple weeks before the Fall Rally. Former MAMA president Mark Bilek said a few words in remembrance of Bob at the Fall Rally lunch, as did Marlon Hanson, who made special plans to attend the Rally when he heard of Mr. Kocher’s passing. At the end of lunch, we had hot fudge sundaes for dessert in memory of Bob—read Marlon’s tribute to Bob in this issue for the story behind that.

    On Wednesday, October 23, we had our October monthly luncheon meeting at the gorgeous and historic Lang House in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. The all-new 2020 Lincoln Corsair compact crossover was the topic; Lincoln brought along a pair of Corsairs for our members to drive, as well as Corsair Chief Engineer John Jraiche, who gave an informative presentation.

    A quick note on RSVPing to MAMA events: If you’ve registered for a rally or a monthly luncheon meeting and your plans change for whatever reason and you can no longer attend, PLEASE email us to let us know as soon as you can so we can remove you from the attendee list. Our catering and/or hotel costs are determined by head count, and MAMA and our event sponsors have to eat those costs when members register and then don’t attend.

    Mark your calendars… our Holiday Social is December 9. We’ll again be at The Dawson in Chicago, but this year we'll have the upstairs private room to ourselves. Keep your eye on your inbox for an invite in the near future. Hope to see you there!

    All for now,

    Damon Bell, MAMA President 

  • 08 Oct 2019 2:39 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Joliet, Illinois (Oct. 7) – The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) recently held its annual Fall Rally, where nearly 80 media members gathered to test-drive more than 50 of the industry’s latest cars, trucks and SUVs. Held at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, the 2019 MAMA Fall Rally was presented by Subaru and offered journalists ample opportunities to put brand-new vehicles – such as the 2020 Cadillac XT6, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 2020 Ford Escape, 2020 Lincoln Aviator and 2020 Toyota Supra – through their paces on track, on street and off road.


    Toyota revved attendees’ engines with a breakfast and an opening presentation on the 2020 GR Supra. Toyota North America Senior Product Specialist Thomas Kretschmann discussed the highly anticipated return of the Supra – after a 21-year hiatus – and highlighted the sports car’s performance, capability and style.

    “The 2020 GR Supra was designed to evoke passion in driving,” said Kretschmann. “Seeing the MAMA members who got to experience the vehicle at the rally with smiles on their faces shows the GR Supra is the complete package – great both on and off the track.”

    The 2020 Supra is now on sale and is available in 3.0 and 3.0 Premium trim levels, as well as an exclusive Launch Edition based on the 3.0 Premium grade. The manufacturer didn’t miss the opportunity to bring not one, but two 2020 Toyota GR Supras for MAMA journalists to experience.

    Following the morning session of driving on track, on street and off road, Honda refueled Fall Rally attendees with lunch and a presentation on the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, signaling the first electrified SUV from the Honda brand in the U.S. 


    “The Honda CR-V is the best-selling CUV over the past two decades and the updates we've made to the 2020 model, including a new hybrid-electric variant, solidify its position in this highly competitive segment,” said Steve Kinkade, head of Honda brand public relations, American Honda Motor Co. “We were excited to share key details on this important vehicle as well as our broader electrification strategy with the Midwest Automotive Media Association.”

    Throughout the day, journalists also had the opportunity to maneuver 4WD and AWD trucks and SUVs through an off-road course, sponsored by Jeep. Participating vehicles included the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, 2019 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk, 2020 Kia Telluride and 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.


    MAMA also encouraged members to test-drive contenders for the MAMA Family Vehicle and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year Awards. To qualify, candidates for each category must be four-door, family-capable vehicles and be present at the MAMA Spring or Fall Rallies. Voting MAMA members chose the following Family Vehicle of the Year finalists at the 2019 MAMA Fall Rally: the 2020 Ford Escape, 2020 Ford Explorer, 2020 Hyundai Palisade, and 2020 Subaru Outback. The Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year Award finalists are the 2020 Cadillac XT6 and 2020 Lincoln Aviator.


    These vehicles will join the list of finalists from the 2019 MAMA Spring Rally, and a final round of voting will take place online. Both the MAMA Family Vehicle of the Year Award and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year Award winners will be announced at the MAMA opening breakfast during the 2020 Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 6.

    The MAMA Fall Rally is one of two track events the media association hosts each year. MAMA also organizes monthly meetings for its members; the upcoming meeting event schedule can be found at www.mamaonline.org.


    For more information on the Midwest Automotive Media Association, please visit www.mamaonline.org.

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    About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

    Founded in 1991 and now in its 28th year, the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) comprises more than 250 automotive journalists and industry professionals from approximately 23 states and the District of Columbia. 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, current issues and new products in the auto industry.

  • 21 Aug 2019 10:17 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Last week, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) hosted MAMA’s August meeting to share an update on the advanced high-strength steel industry, as well as provide attendees a glimpse at what an autonomous vehicle may look and feel like through a virtual reality experience.


    According to AISI, as autonomous vehicles grow in popularity, “traditional” virtues such as performance, value sustainability and occupant protection will become that much more critical. Dr. Jody Hall, vice president, automotive, AISI, shared recent findings with the MAMA group to reinstate why it’s safer, more efficient and more sustainable for manufacturers to build vehicles with steel versus aluminum or carbon fiber, for example. Hall cited aluminum as steel’s direct competition, as carbon fiber is used in niche circumstances.


    Consumer Preferences

    Based on a recent study, AISI found that 90 percent of consumers believe that steel is stronger, safer and more durable than aluminum, and that most consumers prefer a vehicle made from steel versus one manufactured with aluminum. These assumptions greatly impact their purchase decision.  

    Moreover, 71 percent of consumers cite price as being one of the most important criteria when purchasing a vehicle.

    Finally, 60 percent of consumers buy a vehicle for its appealing physical design and ease of entry and exit.


    Cost and Efficiency

    AISI states that the strength of steel allows automakers to design more efficiently and safely to achieve important objectives such as performance. Because of its higher strength, manufacturers can use less of the material to complete the same amount of work. It’s all about input vs. output.

    AISI also argues that, with aluminum, manufacturers have to change a vehicle’s structure to achieve the same objectives, thus driving up the cost to produce the vehicle and being less efficient overall.

    Steel is known for its outstanding formability, interior spaciousness and smaller structural sections, hitting on the aforementioned points regarding consumer preference.


    Steel and the Industry

    A study conducted by Ducker Worldwide in 2014 predicted that seven out of 10 new pickup trucks produced in North America would be aluminum-bodied within a decade. Seven years later, the Ford F-150 is the only pickup that is all-aluminum. AISI lists cost, efficiency and sustainability as the top three reasons automakers have stuck with steel.  


    Steel and the Environment

    Not only is steel safe, cost-effective and efficient, it’s also easily recycled (steel is recycled more than any other material) and low on CO2 emissions (due to its efficiency). Only the greenest cars rely on steel and its light carbon footprint. Dr. Hall reinforced the importance of looking at the entire lifecycle of a product.

    In conclusion, AISI’s stance is that steel continues to be a sound material for automakers. With more than 200 grades of advanced high-strength steel, the steel industry is providing automakers numerous benefits in design capabilities, fuel economy, strength, durability and value for both traditional and, in the near future, self-driving vehicles.

    Media members are encouraged to visit AISI’s press site for additional details and assets: https://www.autosteel.org/press.

    In regards to upcoming MAMA events, registration is now open for the 2019 MAMA Fall Rally, which will be held at the Autobahn Country Club on Wednesday, Oct. 2. If you have questions regarding the rally, registration or sponsorship opportunities, please contact webmaster@mamaonline.org.

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