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Motor Press Guild Panel To Explore State Of The Aftermarket Industry May 14, 2013


mpg (select to view enlarged photo)

LOS ANGELES--May 8, 2013: The Motor Press Guild (MPG), the largest automotive media association in North America, will host a panel on the future of the automotive aftermarket industry and car customization on May 14, moderated by USA TODAY auto writer, Chris Woodyard.

Will pricey chrome wheels and LED lights still turn heads? Can the aftermarket industry reignite the interest of teenagers in cars? To find out the answers to these questions and many others, the panel will hear from Pat Dougherty, Head of Parts Sales Operations for Chrysler Group's Mopar, Myles Kovacs, President and Co-Founder of DUB Magazine and Peter MacGillivray, Vice President of Communications and Events for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

Many forecasting sources say that the general economy will see slow but steady growth over the next few years and reports indicate that the automotive aftermarket is likely to follow this trend as well. In fact, the 2012 SEMA Market Report notes that the aftermarket industry has seen a resurgence, with overall sales growth of five percent outpacing the general U.S. economy in 2011.

The discussion will also address where customization trends are headed and how automakers around the world are able to reach new customers through sales of accessories and other products.

Details for the MPG Panel are as follows:

  • Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 11:30 a.m.
  • The Proud Bird Restaurant
    11022 Aviation Blvd.
    Los Angeles, CA 90045

This month's panel is sponsored by LINE-X Protective Coatings, the nation's leading developer and provider of high performance protective coatings. LINE-X executives will be on hand at the MPG luncheon to showcase the LINE-X Camaro, as well as debut its newest product offering – LINE-X Body Armour, a full body exterior automotive coating. Launched at SEMA 2012, the LINE-X Camaro, a specialty vehicle build with West Coast Customs, is coated in a special example of LINE-X Body Armour, complete with custom colored pin striping.


 The Los Angeles-based Motor Press Guild (MPG) is the largest automotive media association in North America, with more than 800 members. This non-profit trade guild is dedicated to promoting professionalism in automotive journalism through education and information exchange. Members include journalists and analysts from print, broadcast and online outlets as well as public relations representatives, consumer groups and governmental bodies tied to the automotive industry. The organization hosts regular meetings featuring key figureheads in the auto industry and is widely recognized for its annual Dean Batchelor Award program and annual industry MPG Track Day.