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Automotive Enthusiast/Consumer News Show
with Steve Ford



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This Week's Show:
Auto PC: The Ultimate "Rolling Computer"
Date: 10/13/98
Time: 08:00pm est


Show Topic: "AutoPC(tm)"

Ever since the transistor was invented in the Bell labs back in 1948, the breakthroughs that the transistor has enabled continue to unfold. In the electronics industry one of the favorite comparisons among engineers is that if you tried to make a cellular phone out of all "vacuum tube" technology, your cell phone would be the size of the Washington Monument. Yikes! That wouldn't be to portable, would it?

Well, what this has to do with this week's segment is how the advancements of microcircuitry have allowed a landmark technology to enter the automobile: the in-dash computer. It's called the AutoPC(tm), and the first unit to hit the market is coming from Clarion -- the folks that have been making car audio systems for decades. As we get ready to enter the 21st century, not a moment too soon, the sci-fi vision of an in-dash computer will unfold initially with access to e-mail messaging, real-time stock quotes and traffic reports, route guidance, cell phone integration along with new voice-propted operations of your car's new "thinking" companion. According to the interview guest for this segment of The Car Guy Show, Dean Kanemitsu, director of the Advanced Technology Division for Clarion, the AutoPC promises to revolutionize the way the automobile serves the commuter -- merging wheels with, what else, the personal computer.

This show provides and overview of the new technology and insights about what this system points to into the 21st century motoring experience.


Join us each week for an informative program that features:

  • Consumer topics:
    • Automotive Service and Maintenance
    • New Automotive Events and Destinations
    • Questions from listeners
  • Guests:
    • Automotive Celebrities and Auto Industry Personalities
    • High-Performance and Repair Experts
    • Public Institutions such as Highway Patrol and AAA
  • Trivia Contests:
    • E-Mail Participation in Automotive Trivia


CAREER BACKGROUND

Steve Ford, THE CAR GUY, holds one of the strongest combinations of in-depth national marketing knowledge, hands-on automotive service experience, and consumer reporting abilities in the mass media. His blend of being an accomplished automotive service technician and award-winning journalist gives him keen insights into the needs of contemporary motorists.

With a career commitment to utilizing his multi-media skills and automotive credentials to assist the public, Ford has achieved journalism successes across a broad spectrum of media. In addition to being a four-time winner of the prestigious International Automotive Media Conference (IAMC) "Moto" award for automotive reporting in radio, television, syndicated newspapers and trade/technical columns for the professional auto-service industry, he has also earned the IAMC "Silver Medallion" for Internet Digital Audio/Cybercast reporting on the World Wide Web and a Detroit Press Foundation "Wheels" Award for outstanding automotive journalism in broadcast news. In addition to IAMC journalism awards, Ford's automotive press materials and media campaigns have earned the International Association of Business Communicators 1st-place "Ace" award, Publicity Club of Los Angeles 1st-place "Pro" award, and Public Relations Society of America 1st-place "Protos" award.

Education & Experience

As an automotive industry professional, Ford has developed insights and depth from more than 20 years in the field. While a youngster, his zest for automobiles was so great that his high-school auto-shop teacher called him a "car-a-holic," and encouraged him to supplement his high-school shop training with night courses in advanced automotive service at an occupational center. Ford completed the occupational program, along with more than 10 semesters (550 hours) of high-school shop class, and earned his California Bureau of Automotive Repair Tune Up and Emission Control License prior to receiving his high-school diploma. Upon graduation from high school, Ford earned an award from the Pacific Automotive Show as one of the "Top Ten Automotive Technical Students in the Western United States."

Throughout his subsequent years as a dealership and independent repair shop auto technician, Ford attended college at night. His enjoyment of marketing studies and interest in sales promotion led him to work as automotive manufacturers' representative. This experience, combined later with college experience, enabled Ford to work as a key automotive account product specialist at the leading national advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi/DFS. After serving several years in a national advertising agency while continuing college at night, Ford left full-time work to dedicate his final year-and-a-half of college on a full-time basis.

After earning a bachelor's degree in marketing communications, Ford entered the broadcast media. At Los Angeles radio station 93 KHJ, he reported daily automotive consumer features as THE CAR GUY. Ford also continued automotive advertising and public relations agency work, which has provided him with national marketing experience helping achieve campaign and sales successes for auto manufacturers/ distributors, specialty tool, global auto supplier, industry association and service businesses.

Ford is a member of the International Motor Press Association, Motor Press Guild, Automotive Press Association, International Automotive Technicians' Network and Service Technicians Society, and holds advanced-level professional technician certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in Engine Performance (L1 - Engine Computer Controls & Emission Systems).

Awards Won By Steve Ford, THE CAR GUY

· International Wheel Awards - 1998:
	Detroit Press Foundation
	3rd Place:  All Broadcast Media - Best News Programming
		
· International Automotive Media Conference - 1997:
	"Moto" 1st Place   -  TV News - Topical Short Features
	"Moto" 1st Place   -  Newspaper: Regular Column/Syndicated
	"Moto" 1st Place   -  Newsletter: Technical/Trade Column
	Silver Medallion   -  Internet/World Wide Web: Digital Audio Program

· International Automotive Media Conference - 1996:
	"Moto" 1st Place   -  Radio/News Programming: Short Features
	Silver Medallion   -  Radio/Live Weekly Show: Feature Programming
	Silver Medallion   -  Newspaper: Regular Column/Syndicated
	Silver Medallion   -  TV News - Topical Short Features
	Bronze Medallion   -  Newspaper: Features/Syndicated

· Publicity Club of Los Angeles - 1994:
	Annual "Pro" Award - 1st Place/Overall, Media Campaign

· International Association of Business Communicators - 1993:
	Annual "Ace" Award - 1st Place/Overall, Press Materials 

· Public Relations Society of America - 1992:
	Annual "Protos" Award - 1st Place/Overall, Press Materials

For more information on The Car Guy® visit www.thecarguy.com

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