A motor vehicle secondary hood latch release mechanism for a hood comprises a striker disposed on the hood, a secondary hood latch having an externally actuated release pawl, the secondary hood latch urged to a first position in engagement with the striker and a second position disengaged from the striker, and a longitudinally actuated release push button assembly, the push button assembly comprising a push button having a forward position and a rearward position, a guide along which the push button moves between the forward position and the rearward position, and a longitudinally extending actuator operatively coupled with the push button, wherein the longitudinally extending actuator comprises an inclined cam surface that engages and displaces the externally actuated release pawl of the secondary hood latch from the first position to the second position as the push button is moved from the forward position to the rearward position.