The Texas Auto Writers Association is very proud to announce that the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) is the title sponsor for the 2014 Texas Truck Rodeo!
The steel industry is an integral part of automobile manufacturing, and in Texas that means trucks! The Texas Truck Rodeo is the premier event for journalist members to evaluate the leading trucks, SUVs, and CUVs on the market, and with SMDI, there will be even more opportunity!
We look forward to meeting with the SMDI leadership at the Texas State Fair Auto Show media event as well as having them attend the 2014 Texas Truck Rodeo!
Here's the crux of the press release:
SMDI is a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute that maintains and grows the use of steel in the automotive, construction, container and emerging markets.
“Texans know and love their trucks. When they need a vehicle to keep up with their workload and lifestyle, advanced high-strength steel offers the perfect balance between weight and performance,” said Ronald Krupitzer, vice president, automotive applications for SMDI. “With recent anticipation surrounding the use of alternative material designs in the automotive industry, SMDI and its member companies look forward to partnering with the Texas Auto Writers Association and sharing their insight on why time-tested materials, like advanced steel, will help to ensure the durability, strength and safety of future vehicles.”
Calling the partnership a "milestone," Michael Marrs, president of TAWA, said, “Steel is an integral part of the automotive industry; now that we are working with such a broad reaching group as SMDI that can provide timely information to our members on such an important aspect of the business, we have the opportunity to make our flagship event the best Truck Rodeo ever."
TAWA's rodeo brings journalists from throughout Texas and the U.S. to the Texas Hill Country to evaluate the nation’s top trucks and SUVs. The writers recognize excellence in several categories, including selecting the year’s coveted “Truck of Texas.” The TAWA Texas Truck Rodeo will be held Oct. 8-10 at the Knibbe Ranch outside San Antonio.
For more than two decades, TAWA has promoted professionalism and quality in automotive journalism. TAWA produces two annual events that have gained national traction: the Texas Truck Rodeo and the Texas Auto Roundup at Texas Motor Speedway. Both events give TAWA’s journalists the opportunity to evaluate vehicles back-to-back on the street, track or off-road. Manufacturers and dealerships promote the award winners and the “Truck of Texas” is touted in national television commercials, including appearing in previous Super Bowl commercials.
Each year, TAWA awards scholarships to Texas college and university students with a journalism major. The nonprofit group’s annual Excellence in Craft Competition recognizes its members’ exceptional coverage of the automotive industry.
SMDI partners with government entities, industry organizations, steel producers and processors, fabricators and customers to conduct research surrounding new steel technologies and market growth opportunities; provides technology transfer to bring the resulting innovations to the marketplace and promotes the benefits of steel solutions to customers.
In the automotive industry, SMDI works to advance the use of steel, especially advanced high-strength steel, in the highly competitive automotive market through research, advocacy, and industry and government collaboration. SMDI’s automotive member companies include AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal Dofasco, ArcelorMittal USA, Nucor Corporation, Severstal North America and United States Steel Corporation.