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Auto writers around the country tend to specialize in different vehicles based on the trends of our respective home markets. The New England Motor Press Association, for example, presents an award every year for the best winter vehicle. With that in mind, it is fitting that the Texas Auto Writers Association doles out an annual truck award. This year, the TAWA "Truck of Texas" is the 2013 Ram 1500.

In a announcement from TAWA, the new Ram took top honors based in no small part on, "a new 3.6-liter V6 that boasts 42 percent more power, improved fuel economy, infotainment upgrades and available eight-speed automatic transmission and air suspension." And according to Ram CEO Fred Diaz, "Automotive reporters have reacted extremely favorably to the new 2013 Ram 1500, and our research tells us that resonates with truck buyers." The Ram 1500 unseated the previous Truck of Texas, the 2012 Ford F-150.

The Texas Auto Writers Association Truck Rodeo was also an occasion for journalists to award an SUV of Texas, and thankfully, the distinction is made between SUV and CUV. The Jeep Grand Cherokee took top honors in the SUV department, with TAWA pointing to models like the off-road-ready Trailhawk and feature-laden Overland Summit. It is the third consecutive year that the Grand Cherokee has achieved this accolade. The award for top crossover went to the 2013 Buick Enclave, which is in its first year of a new design. To read more on the Truck of Texas award and all the finalists, check out the press release below.

Continue reading 2013 Ram 1500 earns Truck of Texas honors

2013 Ram 1500 earns Truck of Texas honors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>15002013 ram 1500pickup truckramtawatexastexas auto writers associationtruck of texasTue, 23 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20356798/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/23/2013-ram-1500-earns-truck-of-texas-honors/20356798/article-detail.xml 20356798 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/2013-ram-1500-crew-cab-slt-4x4-first-drive_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/2013-ram-1500-crew-cab-slt-4x4-first-drive.jpeg <![CDATA[Ford sweeps Texas Truck Rodeo awards, Chrysler defends SUV crown]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/ford-sweeps-texas-truck-rodeo-awards-chrysler-defends-suv-crown/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/ford-sweeps-texas-truck-rodeo-awards-chrysler-defends-suv-crown/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/ford-sweeps-texas-truck-rodeo-awards-chrysler-defends-suv-crown/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

2011 Ford F-150

The Texas Auto Writers Association has awarded the 2012 Ford F-150 a slew of honors. The pickup took home the Truck of Texas title by beating out its competitors at the annual Truck Rodeo. The award is the association's most prestigious honor, but Ford also picked up a few other nods. TAWA named the company's EcoBoost engine technology its best vehicle feature, and the 2012 Ford Edge took home the CUV of Texas badge. Finally, the entire Ford pickup line was named the Truck Line of Texas by the association, making for a pretty clean sweep of the truck competition.

This year, manufacturers entered 48 vehicles into the TAWA Truck Rodeo, and 57 automotive writers turned out to evaluate the trucks and SUVs. When the dust settled, Ford had earned seven awards total, including the best heavy-duty, luxury and full-size pickup trucks.

For its part, Chrysler saw its products fare well in the competition, too. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee went home carrying SUV of Texas trophy, while TAWA awarded its sister, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the mid-sized SUV of Texas title. Finally, the writers in attendance named the 2012 Dodge Durango the full-size SUV of Texas.

Hit the jump for a volley of press releases.

Continue reading Ford sweeps Texas Truck Rodeo awards, Chrysler defends SUV crown

Ford sweeps Texas Truck Rodeo awards, Chrysler defends SUV crown originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dodgedodge durangodurangoecoboostf-150f-seriesf150fordford f-150grand cherokeejeepjeep grand cherokeejeep wranglertawatexas auto writers associationwranglerMon, 24 Oct 2011 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20088726/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/24/ford-sweeps-texas-truck-rodeo-awards-chrysler-defends-suv-crown/20088726/article-detail.xml 20088726 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/ford-f-150-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/ford-f-150-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford F-150 <strike>SVT Raptor</strike> named 2010 Truck of Texas]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-named-2010-texas-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-named-2010-texas-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-named-2010-texas-truck-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor -- Click above for high-res image gallery

It's no secret that the Texas Auto Writer's Association loves Ford trucks: The Blue Oval's F-Series pickups have won the Truck of Texas award six straight times. Actually, you can make that seven straight times now, with the F-150 SVT Raptor taking the top honor this year in the Lone Star State.

We didn't go through the precise reasoning of the F-150's dominance in previous years, but the arrival of the Raptor probably made the choice just too easy this time around. After having driven the Raptor ourselves we knew that there is simply nothing like it, and nothing anywhere near as good as it is, to be found in the OEM pickup truck world. When you throw in the purchase price of $39K for the 5.4-liter, you're going to look hard to find a similarly priced competitor in the OEM or aftermarket. The press is after the jump, and to Ford, congratulations are well deserved.

UPDATE: Turns out that the F-150 was actually named this year's Truck of Texas, not the SVT Raptor model specifically. The Raptor was, however, named best "Full-size Pickup Truck". You can check out the corrected press release that Ford just sent out after the jump.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

2010raptor_firstdrive0022010raptor_firstdrive0012010raptor_firstdrive0002010raptor_firstdrive0032010raptor_firstdrive004

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named 2010 Truck of Texas

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named 2010 Truck of Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford f-1502010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor2010 Ford Raptor2010FordF-1502010FordF-150SvtRaptor2010FordRaptorawardsfordFord F-150ford f-150 raptorford f-150 svt raptorFordF-150FordF-150RaptorFordF-150SvtRaptoroff-roadperformancepickupraptorsvttawatexastexas auto writers associationTexasAutoWritersAssociationtruckMon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19200015/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/19/ford-f-150-svt-raptor-named-2010-texas-truck-of-the-year/19200015/article-detail.xml 19200015 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/raptor_tawa_win_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/raptor_tawa_win.jpg <![CDATA[Dueling press releases: Which is the Truck of Texas? F-150 or Ram]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/dueling-press-releases-which-is-the-truck-of-texas-f-150-or-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/dueling-press-releases-which-is-the-truck-of-texas-f-150-or-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/dueling-press-releases-which-is-the-truck-of-texas-f-150-or-ra/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Yesterday we told you that the new Ford F-150 was selected by the Texas Auto Writers Association as the Truck of Texas. However, it turned out there were two seemingly contradictory press releases on the Ford and Chrysler web sites both laying claim to the title. As always, the devil is in the details. Apparently, they do things different in Texas. At the annual TAWA Truck Rodeo they pick winners in a dozen different categories for pickups, SUVs and CUVs. They do something similar in dog shows where they select the best of each breed. However, in dog shows they bring out the best of each breed and select a best in show.

You might think that TAWA would look at their category winners and select a best of overall vehicle to be deemed the "Truck of Texas." Not quite. We consulted universally acknowledged pickup truck expert Mike Levine for a little information about what goes on in Texas. Apparently, being selected the best in category is not a prerequisite for being the best overall truck in Texas. Mike likened it to being selected as best album at the Grammy's versus the best rock album. It seems like if the F-150 is the best overall truck, but in fact, the Ram was selected as the best pickup. So there. The dueling press releases are after the jump.

[Sources: Ford, Chrysler, PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Dueling press releases: Which is the Truck of Texas? F-150 or Ram

Dueling press releases: Which is the Truck of Texas? F-150 or Ram originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dodge ramDodgeRamford f-150FordF-150tawatexas auto writers associationTexasAutoWritersAssociationtruck of texasTruckOfTexasTue, 21 Oct 2008 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1347951/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/10/21/dueling-press-releases-which-is-the-truck-of-texas-f-150-or-ra/1347951/article-detail.xml 1347951 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/f150-ram_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/f150-ram.jpg -1 2