Business /Finance

Michelle Anderson-Director of Operations, The National Road Safety Foundation, presents a check for $500 to  Carlyale Kiel, Second Runner-Up, along with David Reich-Public Relations Director-The National Road Safety Foundation.  Photo Credit-Parthenia Luke.  

The second runner up P.S.A. video was created by Carlyale Kiel with the message of “Whose Fault”-speak up before it’s too late. Viewers voted for their favorite videos on Facebook, and winners were chosen based on viewes' votes. Carlyale was presented with a $500 prize.

Carlyale Kiel, from Fort Wayne, Indiana. talks about the message in her PSA "Whose Fault.." Photo Credit-Parthenia Luke.  

Riley Wilds from Fort Wayne, Indiana, receives 1,000 as first runner up in the PSA Video contest. The award was  presented by Michelle Anderson-Director of Operations, The National Road Safety Foundation and David Reich-Public Relations Director-The National Road Safety Foundation.  Photo Credit-Parthenia Luke.  

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The first runner up P.S.A. was created by Riley Wilds with the message of “My Job”-It is the job of the passenger to adjust the music, send/answer texts, and do other actions that may distract a driver. Riley received a prize of $1,000 for his P.S.A. Video, based on the number of votes he received on Facebook.

Texas Maki, from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, receives his $2,000 prize for first place video, presented by Michelle Anderson-Director of Operations, The National Road Safety Foundation and David Reich-Public Relations Director-The National Road Safety Foundation. Photo Credit-Parthenia Luke. 

The first place winning P.S.A. video was created by Texas Maki with the message of “Late Realizations”-Speaking up takes courage but your life’s worth it. The three student entries profoundly brought home the message of the passenger’s role in driver and passenger safety, A lesson that is important, no matter the age of the driver.

Crowds swarm the Chicago Auto Show to see exhibits on the official opening day Saturday February 10, 2024, Photo by Parthenia Luke.

CHICAGO - The doors opened to the public to experience this year's Chicago Auto Show Saturday February 10 and potential  car buyers filled the McCormick Place showroom to hear presentations from automobile manufacturers.  Thursday February 8th was an opportunity for the media to preview the event and Friday's black-tie event First Look For Charity fundraiser benefitted 18 area nonprofits. Over the past 31 years, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity benefit has raised nearly $60 million for local charities. Saturday's opening ceremonies brought Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to greet the many thousands who came from across Illinois and surrounding states for the largest automobile exhibition in the nation. The show kicked off Friday February 10 and extends until Monday February 19, 2024.

Chicago Auto Show General Manager Dave Sloan and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at the grand opening of the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Drive. Photo by Parthenia Luke.

The Chicago Auto Show provided an opportunity for unique creativity in helping car buyers visualize themselves in the latest automobiles. Chevrolet offered potential customers a chance to experience an exciting adventure in a Chevrolet Silverado truck as a comic strip character., saving someone from being trapped in an avalanche of snow coming down from a mountain.  What better way to illustrate the sturdiness and dependability of the Chevrolet Silverado! 

The Award Winning Chevrolet Trax on display at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show. Photo by Parthenia M. Luke..

The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) has awarded the Chevrolet Trax as MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of 2024. The overall winner was voted on by the association’s 189 nationwide media members and announced at the Chicago Auto Show welcome breakfast on Feb. 8, 2024.

“The new Chevrolet Trax packages style, features, and value unlike any new car,” said Robert Duffer, MAMA President. “Priced at less than $25,000, it costs nearly half of what new car shoppers are paying on average. It outshined more than 100 qualifying vehicles, and MAMA members responded by awarding it MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of 2024.”

Revamped for 2024, MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle awards build on the strength of the association’s prior Family Vehicle of the Year and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year awards. It was expanded to highlight the eclectic number of vehicles available and of interest to the readers, viewers, and listeners of MAMA’s membership base. Before determining the overall winner, members voted for the seven category winners after each of the association’s three drive events in 2023: The MAMA Spring Rally held at Road America, MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest, and Chicago Drives Electric.

Two trophies were presented to representatives from GM at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show welcome breakfast, with the Chevrolet Trax being awarded to both MAMA’s Favorite Affordable Vehicle and MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of 2024.

Robert Duffer, Senior Editor of the Car Connection and Olabisi Boyle host a panel discussion at the MAMA Breakfast at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show. This year's autos focused on the many activities that occur inside a vehicle, requiring more high tech capabilities and safety features, as well as ecological considerations. Photo by Parthenia Luke.

Tia Battle, Director and General Manager, Olabisi Boyle, Vice President of Product Planning and Mobile Strategy, and Kristin Gomez, Senior Group Manager, Regulatory Strategy Eco Mobility for Hyundai Motor North America, discuss the importance of family friendly and eco friendly standards in today's motor vehicles.  Photo by Parthenia Luke

The Honda Company presented a special new display at the auto show. Photo by John L Alexander

A close up view of the dashboard in the cockpit of the HondaJet Elite II. Photo by John L Alexander