GAAMA - Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association
2013 Audi A8 L: Family Choice Challenge Winner
- Created on 13 May 2013
- Written by Nick Palermo
The Ride of the Week is a 2013 Audi A8L 3.0T Quattro Tiptronic, winner of the Luxury Choice award at the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association’s (GAAMA’s) recent Family Choice Challenge event.
Media members of our organization drove and rated 21 family-oriented vehicles at our first signature event, including four contenders in the Luxury Choice category. The Audi A8 L topped a luxurious SUV, crossover and minivan for the win. With a total price including options and destination charge of $85,045, the A8 L was the most expensive vehicle in the competition.
May Update: GAAMA News and Upcoming Events
- Created on 16 May 2013
- Written by Nick Palermo
We're all set for another big year at GAAMA, and I'm excited to serve as your President. Here's the latest on GAAMA news and upcoming events.
- Our May luncheon is the first GAAMA Social Media Workshop, to be held Thursday, May 23rd at MAADA. We'll help GAAMA members to connect with each other and discuss ways to leverage this technology to reach wider audiences. GAAMA member Dave Tribble has generously offered MAADA's training facility and will provide lunch. Please RSVP through Evite, or contact me if you'd like to come but did not receive an invitation.
- The resignation of Davis Adams as GAAMA's president has left a vacancy in the role of Senior Vice President, so we'll also elect a new board member at the May luncheon. The SVP is in charge of membership. Would you or a member you know make a great member of the GAAMA board? If so, send me your nominations.
- Have you renewed your membership for 2013? Did you know you could renew online? Remember, GAAMA memberships expire annually on the date of the Atlanta International Auto Show press preview. We do not prorate dues, so make the most of your membership dues and renew now if you haven't yet done so.
- Curious about future 2013 events? Here's what's scheduled so far. June Luncheon: Acura (tentative); July Luncheon: Nissan; August Luncheon: Buick; September luncheon: Hyundai (tentative); December: Holiday Party. If you're an OEM member and would like to host a luncheon in October or November, or if you'd like to be an alternate for another month in case of cancellation, please contact me.
- Know any good candidates for GAAMA membership? Refer them to gaama.org or bring them to a GAAMA event. We'd love to have qualified new members join our growing organization.
Thanks for participating in Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association. Let's keep working together to make it great!
Nick Palermo
President, GAAMA
GAAMA Hosts 2013 Family Choice Challenge
- Created on 26 April 2013
- Written by Nick Palermo
GAAMA hosted its first-ever signature event, the 2013 Family Choice Challenge, at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. With 21 family-oriented models from 15 brands on hand, media members attended the day-long ride-and-drive event and chose the best vehicles for families in five categories. GAAMA also named the 2014 Mazda CX-5 as the Top Family Choice.
Mazda Presents 2014 Mazda6 Skyactiv at March GAAMA Luncheon
- Created on 22 March 2013
- Written by Nick Palermo
Members and guests of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) learned more about the new 2014 Mazda6 and its Skyactiv suite of technologies at the March GAAMA luncheon. David Dildy, group manager for the Mazda3 and Mazda6, explained the components of Skyactiv, which include a new direct-injection engine, weight-saving, high-strength steel construction and a energy-recovery system Mazda calls i-Eloop. Dildy answered media questions about the upcoming diesel-powered Mazda6, and outlined Mazda's sales expectations for both diesel- and gas-powered versions.
The Skyactiv technology packed into the 2014 Mazda6 includes a wide range of improvements on the model's predecessor. In fact, Mazda refers to most major components of the vehicle - engine, chassis, body - all with a "Skyactiv" prefix. It's more of a philosophy of efficiency than a particular feature. While other automakers are leaning heavily on hybrids to achieve better fuel efficiency, the Mazda6 sedan instead benefits from the sum of each Skyactiv component's contribution. The result: best-in-class 38-mpg EPA-rated highway fuel economy.