Along with AWD, early Foresters featured a tall stance and an “SUV-tough, car-easy” mantra. The Forester was a spearhead of the compact-SUV movement that is now one of the industry’s most important segments.

“Those early Foresters were over-engineered and over-built,” Subaru’s Dominick Infante told NEMPA. “That’s why you still see so many of them on the road.”

Subaru car line manager Todd Hill and communications executives Dominick Infante and Jessica Tullman traveled to the Automotion garage on April 11 to show off both the 2.5i and turbocharged 2.0XT Forester models.

Subaru car line manager Todd Hill and communications executives Infante and Jessica Tullman came to the Automotion garage in Middleboro, Massachusetts, on April 11 to show off the 2014 Forester, both the normally aspirated 2.5i and turbocharged 2.0XT models.

The recent rollout of this fourth-generation Forester has pushed sales to new heights, and these are good times for Subaru. “We’re coming off our best month ever in March,” Infante said, “and Forester sales never dropped off the way sales usually do during the phasing-out of a previous-generation model.”

For the first three months of 2013 Subaru has sold 16,874 Foresters, 25.3 percent of the company’s sales of 80,568 units in that period. While Subaru always has done well in the Northeast, Northwest and Colorado, its share of the overall US market has nearly doubled, from 1.2 percent to 2.3 percent.

“We’re continuing the momentum we built over the last five years. Even during the recession, we went against the trend and our sales grew,” Infante added; “right now our biggest problem is plant capacity.”

Subaru dealers also are feeling a bit pinched because relatively few used Subarus turn over. The company’s research shows that 71 percent of its cars are handed down within the original owner’s family.

Almost two dozen NEMPA members attended the evening presentation. Todd Hill told the group that the new Forester “kept its core values in the redesign—styling presence, drivability, fuel economy, and a turbo performance option all were part of the process.”

Fuel economy and improved cabin space (especially in the rear seat) are also likely to be significant factors in the new Forester’s sales performance. The Forester is a 5-passenger vehicle, and all five spots got attention in the redesign.

The 2014 Subaru Forester is significantly roomier and more comfortable than previous models, and also offers improved fuel economy, greater range and a host of new options such as EyeSight.

Up front, Subaru moved the A-pillar forward eight inches and the instrument panel ahead by nearly five inches. In addition, the seat hip point is 1.2 inches higher than before and there’s another 1.2 inches of additional shoulder room.  “It adds up to a much roomier feel,” said Hill. “In addition, the door sill is 1.5 inches lower, making it easier to get in and out. The Forester’s ground clearance remains at 8.7 inches.”

Rear-seat passengers get an extra 3.7 inches of leg room as well as more foot room under the front seats. For the benefit of a middle passenger in the back, the console between the front seats was shortened by 3.9 inches and the driveshaft tunnel was dropped 2.6 inches. For extra knee room in the second row, the backs of the front seats were scalloped out.

In turbo form, the Forester offers 250 horsepower and a CVT that can operate as both a 6-speed or an 8-speed with paddle shifters, depending on Si-Drive settings. The standard 2.5-liter engine is available with a 6-speed manual transmission or the continuously variable transmission. The Forester is now EPA-rated at 27 miles per gallon combined and 32 on the highway, which compares with competitors’ front-wheel-drive models. The boost in fuel economy gives the new Forester a 500-mile cruising range.

Online registration for the NEMPA-MIT conference—Mass vs. Efficiency: Hitting the Automotive Sweet Spot—and the annual awards dinner, both on May 9, is now open at http://conference.nempa.org.

When you click on Buy Tickets on the conference page, you will be directed to Google’s version of PayPal. You may pay (safely) with any credit card, but please use your business email, as your confirmation and any follow-up mail will be sent to that address.

PLEASE NOTE:

• You may buy tickets for either the conference or the awards dinner or both.
• Accredited students and members of the media will be admitted to the conference at no charge, but they must register.
• You will receive an electronic confirmation of your purchase, but not an actual ticket. Instead, you will be checked against the paid list upon your arrival at MIT on May 9.
• Payment will be accepted at the door on May 9—if space is available. We strongly recommend advance registration.
• If your company has bought a table at the dinner, please make sure we have your guest list.

Reminder: The most convenient hotel is the Marriott Cambridge. If you indicate that you are in town for an event at MIT, the rate will be $269/night.

There’s a lot going on at NEMPA this spring, so this letter is longer than usual. Please bear with us and read all the way through. Then none of us can plead ignorance . . . .

Winter Vehicle of New England

The voting is complete and the overall and class winners will be announced shortly. The awards themselves will be presented at our annual banquet on May 9 at MIT (after the tech conference), so winners have time to designate an executive and plan their trips to Boston. (Hint: It reflects badly on everyone when a company doesn’t show up to accept its award.)

Call for Conference Panelists

This year’s NEMPA-MIT tech conference is about how to meet new CAFE standards and safety regulations while still making cars that people both want and can afford. If your company would like to be heard on this topic, please get back to me with a name. (A more detailed topic description will be on our Web site shortly.)

The deadline to nominate panelists is this Friday, April 5. We will notify you by Monday if your representative has been selected for the panel.

We would like all panelists to be in Boston on May 8 for a get-acquainted dinner. The conference the next day will end by 4:00PM. If someone absolutely cannot stay for the awards banquet, there’s a 6:20 non-stop back to Detroit that evening.

Call for Conference & Banquet Sponsors

Sponsorships and tables are available at both the conference and the awards banquet that evening. We need your support to produce these great events at a great new venue on the MIT campus. If your budget allows, please get in touch with Lisa Brock, our executive director, to make the arrangements.

We thank you in advance for your participation and sponsorship, and we look forward to seeing you on May 9. We’ve let one OEM off the hook for a wedding, but that’s it—the rest of you are expected!

Next week

Instead of a regular monthly meeting, NEMPA media members will gather next Thursday evening, April 11, at the Automotion garage for a presentation by Subaru. Come join Dominick Infante and Jessica Tullman for an informative program about the new Forester.

The Ragtop Ramble & Crustacean Crawl

Wednesday and Thursday, July 17-18, may seem far off, but they’re really not. Last year’s record attendance has us working on this already, and you should be too. It’s our summer party, but it’s also a judged event. The earlier we have your cars in the fleet and the longer they stay, the better your shot at a trophy.

And in closing . . . .

NEMPA had a strong turnout of journalists at the New York International Auto Show last week, including myself, John Paul, Craig Fitzgerald, Cliff Atiyeh, Ezra Dyer, George Kennedy, Jim MacPherson, Kamil Kaluski and Dan Roth. It was great visiting with everybody—and after seeing James Bond at Land Rover, we’re thinking Ree Hartwell should be the next M.

Keith Griffin

“Hiring Lisa is what NEMPA needed to take the next step as an organization. We’re fortunate to have someone with her skills, education and ideas working on our behalf,” said NEMPA president Keith Griffin.

“I am extremely pleased to work with such a well-established and respected organization,” said Brock. “Its members are opinion leaders who daily honor a rich legacy of automotive journalism with unrivaled industry enthusiasm.”

Brock previously was based in New York City, where she was the product news manager for the Ford Motor Company’s Northeast Region. In this role, she served as corporate spokesperson in New York, northern New Jersey and all of New England. She also managed events, drive programs, and other Ford PR initiatives in the region. While in New York, Brock was elected to the board of directors of IMPA, the International Motor Press Association, and Northwestern University’s Medill Club of New York.

Prior to joining Ford, Brock was the communications manager for Subaru North America, responsible for the quality and accuracy of media coverage among automotive, business and vertical trade press. Brock wrote corporate press releases and managed Subaru’s media Web site. She also developed and executed a media training program for the company and served as an executive speech writer.

Rounding out her OEM experience, Brock was a public-relations specialist for Mazda North America, in Flat Rock, Michigan, where she managed PR programs, newsletters and internal communications for the company. Brock also has PR agency experience with automotive boutique firm Hedge & Company, in Southfield, Michigan, and the Detroit office of Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

Brock holds a Master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and a Bachelor of Science in public relations from Eastern Michigan University. She lives in Manchester, New Hampshire, with her husband and two boys. Her contact information is listed in the member directory at nempa.org.

The new Pathfinder neatly fit the garage’s unique ‘clubhouse’ atmosphere.

Like the second generation (1996-2004) of Nissan’s midsize sport-ute, this gen-4 version is a crossover type built on a unitized structure—shared, in this case, with the Altima, Maxima, Murano and Quest as well as the Infiniti JX. This trims some 500 pounds off the previous (2005-12) truck-based Pathfinder and also swaps rear-wheel/AWD for front-wheel/AWD. The new Pathfinder is more spacious as well, with room for seven passengers in three rows of seats, and has been given an upgraded interior and a sleek new look.

The featured vehicle was powered by Nissan’s 260-horsepower 3.5-liter VQ V-6 and outfitted with a second-generation CVT, a combo that lets the Pathfinder cruise at 65 MPH and 26 MPG at less than 2,000 RPM. It seems that other engine options, including a hybrid, will be announced soon—perhaps at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

NEMPA member Cliff Atiyeh (Car and Driver, Boston Globe) and Nissan’s Steve Oldham (right) eye the shiny Pathfinder.

The new “premium” Pathfinder has been on sale since November and consumers have responded well. Oldham said that Pathfinder volume is at the highest level ever: January 2013 sales were 202 percent ahead of January 2012. Prices begin at about $29,000.

Dan Passe admitted that owners of previous Pathfinders might lament the move away from body-on-frame construction, but pointed out that the company still offers four such 4X4s—the XTerra, Frontier, Titan and Armada. Today’s family buyer, Passe noted, is shopping for a three-row vehicle that gives up nothing to a sedan in daily on-road use, with a comfortable ride and refined interior spaces. The new Pathfinder clearly ticks all those boxes.

Thanks to Steve Oldham and Nissan for taking the time to visit, and for many years of working closely with NEMPA.

Nissan Product Planner Adam O’Shaughnessy delves under the hood of the Pathfinder

The most important announcement I have is that our NEMPA-MIT symposium and annual meeting and awards dinner will be held on Thursday, May 9, at the impressive MIT Media Lab. The lab is just down the street from the faculty club, where we met previously, and closer to the Marriott Hotel. (The earlier date is to accommodate MIT students, who will still be on campus then.)

Our symposium topic will focus on striking a balance among fuel efficiency, increasing safety regulations, and cars consumers both desire and can afford. We’re beginning to select panelists now, so look for a more formal call shortly.

This time we will ask panelists to arrive in Boston the day before in order to attend a dinner on the evening of May 8. This should make for a stronger program as everyone will have the chance to get to know each other in an informal setting.

As before, the symposium will segue into NEMPA’s annual awards dinner, which will also be in the Media Lab. More information about this will follow as well.

This year, instead of a single presenting sponsor, we’re offering a number of supporting sponsorships for both the symposium and the awards dinner. If you’d like to become a backer of this increasingly important event in the annual auto-industry calendar, please get in touch with me. We will recognize and appreciate your contribution.

As a reminder, we’re also looking for submissions for the Gene Ritvo Design & Elegance Award (presented in conjunction with Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Larz Anderson Museum of Transportation) and for the Yankee Cup Technology award, which we present with MIT. Deadline for entries is April 4. We will have an email on this shortly.

A sizable contingent from NEMPA will be in New York for the auto show. We look forward to seeing you there, and we’d be pleased to meet with you or any of your executives to discuss the MIT partnership and the other great programs that NEMPA puts on.

Think spring. It’s not that far away.

Keith

Each year we put our collective heads together and pool a couple centuries worth of snow-driving experience to come up with the official Winter Vehicle of New England. There are also a dozen or so class winners, divided up by price and type—SUV, sedan, luxury car, sports car, pickup truck and so on. (The Jeep Grand Cherokee has won the overall title for the past two years.)

Around the holidays every year car manufacturers begin to send NEMPA everything they’ve got with all-wheel drive and heated steering wheels. Those vehicles get put through their paces a week at a time by media members; then on a Saturday in February we gather at the Automotion garage for a day of eating, talking, dashing out in twos and threes to drive one car or another, eating, arguing and eating. And finally casting preliminary ballots.

In 2011 we had to postpone this because too much winter fell from the sky the night before. Automotive News, AutoWeek and other publications showed us no mercy. The word “wuss” was never used, but there was a clear undertone of Hey-we-thought-you-Yankees-could-drive-in-the-snow.

And now it’s happened again. What’s worse, two days before Winter Storm Nemo blew in (when did snowstorms get names?), a stern memo was sent to the membership: Postponement would not happen again.

“Road crews will be out all Friday night,” the memo concluded, “and Saturday-morning traffic is likely to be light. Press on! What better test of a ‘winter vehicle’ is there, after all?”

Press on, indeed. Twenty-four hours later another directive had to go out: “OK, the weather forecast has worsened, the testosterone has subsided and reason has prevailed. Despite yesterday’s huffing & puffing, Winter Vehicle Test Day has indeed been postponed until next Saturday, February 16.”

It was suggested the big trophy simply go to whomever made it to the garage on the 9th, but since members live all over New England the handicapping isn’t quite equal. And then our spoilsport governors declared the roads closed anyway.

For close to 48 hours most NEMPA members couldn’t get out of their driveways, much less to the garage in Middleborough.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for next Saturday.

Thanks to all who attended and supported our Holiday Party on Dec. 11. Where else are you going to get a gospel group and Greg Jarem in the same room? Santa Bugsy once again outdid himself. (There are photos on our Web site, at nempa.org.)

The PR crew from Volkswagen came to visit the week before, and it was a successful evening at Automotion HQ. Scott Vazin, VP Brand Communications for VW America, said, “The evening was an opportunity for the Volkswagen team to reacquaint themselves with the NEMPA members. We walked away impressed by their professionalism, high caliber of media and camaraderie. It’s clear we underestimated the importance of this group and plan more engagement in the future.”

As we’re fond of saying here at NEMPA, the only friends we don’t have are the folks we haven’t met yet—and we feel there are a few OEMs that we don’t know all that well. Are you a PR person wondering, “What’s NEMPA all about?” We invite you to come and meet us. Do as VW did. They now know how active we are.

Even if you feel as if you already know us, we’d still like to meet your extended media team. Come and break bread with us. You won’t be disappointed. It doesn’t have to be a product presentation, just some quality time getting to know one another. Contact John Lawlor or me to get the ball rolling.

Our Winter Vehicle judging will take place on Feb. 9 at John Lawlor’s Automotion facility. Do you have vehicles in our fleet yet for evaluation? Remember: It doesn’t have to be brand-new product. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has won two years in a row and Lisa Barrow is working hard on a “three-peat.” As the lottery says, “You can’t win if you don’t play.”

Also, you can’t win if your vehicles show up only on Feb. 7 and depart Feb. 12. Your best bet is to get sufficient vehicles into our fleet for an extended period. Nor does the judging end on Feb. 9; we usually have to go past that date to make sure every media member has been behind the wheel for more than a few minutes.

The winners will be announced as soon as possible and then the awards will be presented at MIT in May, as now usual. Speaking of MIT, we have an interesting new topic for our annual technology conference too, which you and your corporate execs will want to take part in. (Much more on this to come.)

The Winter Judging on Feb. 9 will be our monthly meeting. All media members are expected to attend; OEM members will be recovering from the Chicago Auto Show and are excused from another trip to a wintry climate in the same week.

Keith

Happy Holidays from everyone at the New England Motor Press Association

Photos: Bill Griffith
Captions: Silvio Calabi

Scott Vazin, VW Vice-President, Brand Communications, and leader of the team that called on NEMPA

More than two dozen NEMPA members, representing print, radio and TV media across New England and the nation, were able to talk, one on one, with Scott Vazin, VW’s VP of Brand Communications, Leigh Anne Sessions and Corey Proffitt, both Product Communications Specialists, West Coast Communications Manager Darryll Harrison and Product & Technology Manager Mark Gillies.

Afterward Vazin said, “The evening was an opportunity for the Volkswagen team to reacquaint themselves with the NEMPA members. We walked away impressed by their professionalism, high caliber of media and camaraderie. It’s clear we underestimated the importance of this group and plan more engagement in the future.”

NEMPA and VW both thank Automotion for hosting the evening. The company not only threw open its headquarters as a unique meeting place, but also laid out a fine spread of pizza, antipasti, drinks and deserts.

From left: Mark Gillies, Darryll Harrison, Leigh Anne Sessions and Corey Proffitt with a vintage VW item.