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TAWA ANNOUNCES 2017 TEXAS TRUCK RODEO WINNERS

Austin, TX – Oct. 17, 2017 –The 2018 Ford F150 was named the 2018 Truck of Texas by The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) following the Texas Truck Rodeo in Dripping Springs, Texas, where 75 journalists evaluated and voted on the best in class vehicles in 21 categories.

Sixty-four vehicles, with a combined value of nearly $4 million were test driven and compared over a two-day period at Longhorn River Ranch just outside of Austin.

"With the new 2018 F-150, we're honored to earn back-to-back Truck of Texas awards for F-Series, a recognition that speaks to the truck team's dedication to our hard-working customers," said Raj Nair, executive vice president and president of North America. "That's especially true here in Texas - truck capital of the world.”

Officers of the TAWA board and the Ford Truck Team celebrate the 2018 Ford F-150 Truck of Texas Award

Photo by Kevin McCauley / capturingthemachine.com

The 2018 Volvo XC60 was named the SUV of Texas and the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport was named the CUV of Texas.

The TAWA Truck Rodeo, presented by Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), was held in the scenic Texas Hill Country as vehicles were tested both on local streets and on off-road courses. TAWA members were able to get a full experience of the vehicles driving on rough terrain, climbing rocks, crossing creeks and dodging exotic wildlife. 

Engineers from the competing manufacturers were on hand to answer questions from journalists about the vehicles and to aid in the evaluation process. Vehicles are measured on their interior, exterior, value, performance and personal appeal.  

“The competition was incredibly fierce at this year’s Texas Truck Rodeo,”  TAWA President Nic Phillips said. “More than 70 member journalists put in more 300 hours of driving time evaluating the vehicles presented. The results in several categories are separated by the narrowest of margins, just tenths, and hundredths of a point, confirming just how competitive the trucks and utility vehicles are today,” Phillips said. “Ford’s 2018 F-150 Pickup, boosted by its extreme performance 2018 Raptor model along with updated EcoBoost engines and 10-speed transmissions, convinced our journalists to bestow the trophy,” he said. “Nissan was the most overall awarded brand with five category wins, Mazda swept non-luxury CUVs, and Alfa Romeo’s all-new Stelvio Ti Sport took CUV of Texas.”

The 24th TAWA Truck of Texas trophy is placed upon this year's winner, the new 2018 Ford F-150

Photo by Kevin McCauley / capturingthemachine.com

The 2018 award categories and winning vehicles were:

• Truck of Texas: 2018 Ford F150
• SUV of Texas: 2018 Volvo XC60
• CUV of Texas: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport

• Heavy duty pickup truck: 2018 Ram 2500 Limited Tungsten
• Best commercial vehicle: 2018 Nissan Titan King Cab SV
• Luxury pickup truck: 2018 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork
• Off-road pickup: 2017 Ford F150 Raptor
• Full-size pickup: 2018 Nissan Titan Midnight Edition
• Midsize pickup: 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
• Best technology: Nissan Pro Pilot
• Best connectivity: Volvo XC60
• Best powertrain: Volvo XC60
• Off-road utility vehicle: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Recon
• Sub-Compact SUV: 2017 Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk
• Compact SUV: 2018 Nissan Rogue Platinum
• Mid-size Luxury SUV: 2018 Volvo XC60
• Compact Luxury SUV: 2018 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD
• Full-size SUV: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
• Mid-size SUV: 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
• Compact SUV: 2018 Nissan Rogue Platinum
• Full-size CUV: 2018 Mazda CX9 Grand Touring AWD
• Mid-size CUV: 2017 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring GT
• Compact CUV: 2018 Mazda CX3 Grand Touring FWD
• Luxury CUV: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport

*Additional event images can be found here. All images are for editorial use only and should be credited to Kevin McCauley. For commercial use, please contact Kevin McCauley / capturingthemachine.com.

The Texas Auto Writers Association, Inc. was founded in 1985 by automotive journalists who wanted to provide an avenue for professional growth, development, and networking. These professionals sought to create an automotive event that was unique to Texas, and the result was the TAWA Truck Rodeo. Since 1992, Truck Rodeos have been held in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Granbury and Spring Branch, and now Dripping Springs.

In 2003, TAWA created an event for sedans, sports cars, and other vehicles not eligible for the Truck Rodeo. The Texas Auto Roundup, as the event is called today, has been held annually at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. For more information, visit www.texasautowriters.org.

CONTACT: Fabian Campos

fabian.campos@texasautowriters.org

214.674.8987