Brian Champagne
UPR Contributor, Automotive News/Cache Valley CoverageBrian Champagne grew up in the less-famous Central California but left after starting his television news career there. He worked 22 years in news for NBC, ABC, Fox, and CBS affiliates in four markets. He served as chief photographer for KTXL-TV in Sacramento, but worked in front of the camera, too.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Bakersfield, and his Master’s from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Look for UOP in the exterior shots from the movie “Flubber,” which was shot while he attended.
He now teaches Broadcast Journalism full-time at Utah State University but connects the professional and academic worlds by doing stringer, freelance, and contract work for all stations in the Salt Lake City market and beyond.
Brian’s favorite toys were always cars, he subscribed to Motor Trend magazine at age 12, and he started reporting on them in 1996. Watch for Brian’s automotive reporting on UPR, where he is a regular contributor.
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That’s the power liftgate on the Highlander Toyota loaned us. It was the 14th-best-selling vehicle in the states last year, because it has grown with…
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This is the Toyota 4Runner doing what it does best, climbing a boulder-studded hill better than your crossover can climb your paved driveway. We’ve driven…
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When Baby Boomers first started buying new cars, Detroit built them muscle cars. Millennials tended to go for better gas mileage. UPR Contributor Brian…
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Lexus loaned us an LC500 convertible for a week. It starts as a regular LC500, a low slung, luxury sports car that costs more than four base Toyota…
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If you’re in your car right now, look around the inside. You might see leather and plastic, but how about crystal? There’s a car out now with some nice…
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This is probably not the sound you think of when you hear the word “Camry.” Toyota loaned us one of their sedans that consistently makes top-ten lists for…
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You probably know that COVID-19 pushed new vehicle sales down 25% for most carmakers over the summer.Some of that was from worries about the buying…
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If you’re listening to this story while driving, there’s a 50% chance you’re in a crossover or S-U-V. They’re the most popular types of vehicle in America…
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The familiar Beatles song “Hey Jude” hit the U.S. market in 1968, the same year the Toyota Corolla did. It packed a few more basics than the Volkswagen…
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We’re going to start with a petrol-powered Q3 Audi loaned us. It’s their smallest SUV. Fun to whip through a canyon road like in Logan, lots of tech…