Log in

TAWA NEWS FEED

  • Wednesday, May 03, 2017 11:52 PM | Anonymous


    STEEL INDUSTRY CHAMPION IS TITLE SPONSOR OF TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS AUTO ROUNDUP AND TEXAS TRUCK RODEO

    AUSTIN, Texas, May 3, 2017 –The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, is now in the fourth year of support of Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) and will double its presence in Texas as the title sponsor of the 2017 TAWA Auto Roundup and the Texas Truck Rodeo.  

    "We are thankful for SMDI’s continued support and increased commitment to our organization and look forward to welcoming them at the Roundup. With strong partnerships with organizations like SMDI, we are better able to serve our members with enhanced programs and more educational sessions during our events."
    Nic Phillips, TAWA president

    “Texas is a huge market for trucks, SUVs and passenger vehicles and there’s no better venue than the TAWA events to demonstrate how advanced high-strength steels are accelerating innovation in the automotive industry by providing unmatched performance, value and sustainability for both OEMs and consumers,” said Jody Hall, vice president of the automotive market for SMDI. “The competition at both the Roundup and the Rodeo are some of the best opportunities in the country to showcase all steel has to offer.”

     

    The annual Texas Auto Roundup will be held May 6 – 8 in Austin at the Circuit of The Americas, the first purpose-built Formula 1™ racing facility in the United States. This is the first time the event will be held at this iconic racing venue. During the Roundup, journalists will be able to spend a full day on the track to evaluate the latest vehicles in categories ranging from luxury, performance, utility and green.

     

    For the fourth year in a row, SMDI will also return as title sponsor of the 2017 Texas Truck Rodeo, an annual event bringing journalists from throughout Texas and the U.S. to evaluate the nation’s top trucks and SUVs. Writers recognize excellence in several categories, including selecting the year’s coveted “Truck of Texas.” The Texas Truck Rodeo will be held Oct. 15 – 17 at the Longhorn River Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas.

    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.

     

    TAWA awards scholarships to Texas college and university students with a journalism major each year. The nonprofit’s annual Excellence in Craft Competition also recognizes exceptional coverage of the automotive industry by its members annually.

     

    AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 19 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and approximately 125 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.

     

    SMDI increases and defends the use of steel by developing innovative materials, applications and value-added solutions for customers in the automotive, construction and packaging markets. SMDI automotive investors include: AK Steel CorporationArcelorMittal and Nucor Corporation. For more information on SMDI, visit www.autosteel.org or follow @DriveUsingSteel on Twitter.

     

    Media contacts:

    Deanna Lorincz

    586.634.1766 / dlorincz@steel.org

     

    Ann Marie Fortunate

    586.214.1731 / fortunate@franco.com

     

    Fabian Campos

    214.674.8987 / fabian.campos@texasautowriters.org

  • Saturday, April 15, 2017 9:37 AM | Anonymous


    TAWA Director at Large, Derek Shiekhi presents two (2) Harold Gunn Scholarship for Journalism checks of $1,000 each to Megan Rodriguez from Texas A&M University and Marangeli Lopez-Santiago from University of Texas at Arlington.

    Texas Auto Writers Association Partners with the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association to Help College Students

    To help make a difference in the lives of tomorrow's journalists, the Texas Auto Writers Association recently awarded $2,000 in scholarships at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association's 2017 convention in Dallas.

    The Texas Auto Writers Association started in 1987 as an organization in which automotive journalists could network with each other and automobile manufacturers. Through those connections and various driving events, TAWA members have been able to share news about vehicles and developments within the automotive industry with their readers. Under the leadership of Texas Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster and prolific automotive journalist Harold Gunn, TAWA established a scholarship fund (now known as the Harold Gunn Scholarship for Journalism) that could benefit college journalists. Over the years, automobile manufacturers and TAWA members have contributed to the scholarship fund which has helped ease the financial burden of higher education for students in Texas.

    This year, to broaden its reach to students in all parts of the state, TAWA has partnered with the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, one of the largest collegiate groups in the country. According to Fred Stewart, executive director of TIPA and a professor of journalism at Texas A&M University - Commerce, TIPA has more than 70 member schools.

    TAWA board member Derek Shiekhi attended the 2017 TIPA awards breakfast and scholarship presentation at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown on Saturday, April 1 to award a $1,000 scholarship to a pair of journalism students. In front of more than 500 faculty members, advisors, and students from 45 Texas colleges, universities, and community colleges, Megan Rodriguez from Texas A&M University - College Station and Marangeli Lopez-Santiago from University of Texas at Arlington accepted their scholarships.

    To learn more about the Texas Auto Writers Association and find out how to join the organization, visit TexasAutoWriters.org.


    The 2017 TIPA awards breakfast and scholarship presentation at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown.

  • Saturday, December 31, 2016 8:00 AM | Anonymous

    Fred Diaz, Division Vice President and General Manager, North America Trucks and Light Commercial Vehicles, Nissan North America, explains Texas Titian features to The New York Times' reporter Manny Fernandez at the 2016 TAWA Texas Truck Rodeo

    Fred Diaz, Division Vice President and General Manager, North America Trucks and Light Commercial Vehicles, Nissan North America, explains Texas Titian features to The New York Times' reporter Manny Fernandez at the 2016 TAWA Texas Truck Rodeo, photo courtesy Nic Phillips

    The New York Times' Manny Fernandez joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) for the full two days of the 2016 Texas Truck Rodeo, ultimately gaining "a new appreciation for the word truck-a-thon" which he shared readers in national print and digital coverage running New Years Eve, December 31, 2016. 

    Fernandez, having never so much as driven a truck let alone a vast competitive field of them, featured his conversations with Fred Diaz, Division Vice President and General Manager, North America Trucks and Light Commercial Vehicles, Nissan North America, Inc., long-standing TAWA members Tim Spell, 2011 Dakar Rally winner Sue Mead and his high-speed troublemaking with Seth Goslawski, Performance Powertrain PMT in the Ford Motor Company 2017 F150 Raptor


    Read the Article: Rodeo Offers a 90-M.P.H. Glimpse of Texans’ Truck Mania

    "The Oscars for pickup trucks" version of this article appears in print on December 31, 2016, on Page A12 of the New York edition with the headline: A 90-M.P.H. Glimpse of Texan ‘Truck-Itis’.


    Images of The New York Times National Print Edition

    Houston, December 31, 2016

    The New York Times - Texas Truck Rodeo December 31 2016 Houston Edition


    San Francisco, December 31, 2016

    Texas Truck Rodeo 2016 New York Times Northern California Edition - Manny Fernandez

  • Tuesday, November 29, 2016 4:31 PM | Anonymous


    Each fall, the Texas Auto Writers Association’s (TAWA) annual Texas Truck Rodeo attracts more than 70 automotive journalists from across the United States for a two-day evaluation of the industry’s best trucks, SUVs and CUVs in 17 different categories.

    This year's Rodeo provided an opportunity for Toyota to showcase the all-new 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and allow journalists the first opportunity to drive it anywhere. After thousands of drives and what accumulated to more than 15 days behind the wheel, the truck was awarded the 2017 Mid-size Truck of Texas, for the second year in a row. 

    Toyota was thrilled to receive the award and wanted to celebrate with those who helped make it possible.

    TAWA President Nic Phillips shares remarks with the Toyota Texas Team as to the significance of a repeat win by the Toyota Tacoma at the plant in San Antonio, Texas

    TAWA President Nic Phillips shares remarks with the Toyota Texas Team as to the significance of a repeat win by the Toyota Tacoma at the plant in San Antonio, Texas. photo courtesy of TMMTX

    On November 29, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas in San Antonio hosted TAWA’s President Nic Phillips in a ceremony to present the award. Phillips, alongside Plant President Yoshi Nagatani and Plant Vice President Kirk Kohler, spoke to plant team members, on-site suppliers and community partners about their strong role in winning of the Mid-size Truck of Texas award for a second consecutive year.

  • Wednesday, October 12, 2016 9:30 AM | Anonymous

    Austin, TX - Oct. 11, 2016

    The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) gathered in Dripping Springs, Texas, for the 26th annual Texas Truck Rodeo where more than 70 journalists named the 2017 Ford Super Duty the 2017 “Truck of Texas.”

    More than 71 vehicles valued at nearly $4 million were evaluated in 17 categories over a two-day period at a new venue for this year’s truck rodeo, the Longhorn River Ranch.

    “We are honored to win the ‘Truck of Texas’ award as it underscores how the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty lineup are the toughest, smartest and most capable trucks we’ve ever built,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager. “This prestigious award from the Texas Auto Writer’s Association further solidifies Ford’s truck leadership in Texas, where F-series continues to be the best-selling truck and builds on our momentum as the top-selling truck in the United States for 39 consecutive years.”

    The 2017 Nissan Armada was named the SUV of Texas and the 2017 Volvo XC90 was named the CUV of Texas. TAWA journalists voted Ford Motor Co. as the 2017 Truck Line of Texas.

    The TAWA Truck Rodeo, sponsored by Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), was held in the scenic Texas Hill Country as vehicles were tested both on and off-road. TAWA members evaluated the off-road vehicles while climbing rocks, crossing creeks and dodging exotic wildlife.

    TAWA members evaluated pickups, SUVs and crossover utility vehicles whose combined sticker prices totaled more than $4 million. Engineers from the competing manufacturers were on hand to answer questions from journalists about the vehicles and to aid in the evaluation process. Journalists were also able to evaluate vehicles side by side.

    “This year’s Texas Truck Rodeo was by far the most competitive in the most categories,” TAWA President Nic Phillips said. “More than 70 member journalists put in more than the equivalent of 15 days of driving time in the competing vehicles. After careful evaluation, I believe the results of the competition show just how competitive truck and utility vehicles are today,” Phillips said. “Ford’s all-new 2017 Super Duty and its innovative use of advanced materials, as well as improvements in powertrain and features, thoroughly impressed our journalists,” he said. “Nissan was the most overall awarded brand with five category wins, including the 2017 Nissan Armada as the SUV of Texas. Volvo defended its title as CUV of Texas with the 2017 XC90.”

    The 2017 award categories and winning vehicles were:

    Truck of Texas: 2017 Ford Super Duty

    SUV of Texas: 2017 Nissan Armada

    CUV of Texas: 2017 Volvo XC90

    Truck line of Texas: Ford Motor Co.

    Heavy duty pickup truck: 2017 Ford Super Duty

    Best commercial vehicle: 2017 Nissan Titan XD Single Cab

    Luxury pickup truck: 2017 RAM 1500

    Off-road pickup: 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon

    Full-size pickup: 2017 Nissan Titan

    Midsize pickup: 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

    Best technology: Honda In-bed audio system

    Best connectivity: FCA Uconnect Access

    Best powertrain: 2017 Ford F-150 with 3.5 EcoBoost V-6 engine

    Off-road utility vehicle: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

    Full-size luxury SUV: 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS

    Mid-size luxury SUV: 2017 Jaguar F-Pace

    Full-size SUV: 2017 Nissan Armada

    Mid-size SUV: 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

    Compact SUV: 2017 Jeep Cherokee

    Full-size CUV: 2016 Mazda CX-9

    Mid-size CUV: 2016 Nissan Murano

    Compact CUV: 2016 Jeep Renegade

    Luxury CUV: 2017 Volvo XC90

    The Texas Auto Writers Association, Inc. was founded in 1985 by automotive journalists who wanted to provide an avenue of 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.

    At nearly 1,650 acres, with over a mile of frontage on FM 165, approximately 1.25 miles of both sides of Onion Creek, rich bottom land and high hilltops, ample native and exotic game, Longhorn River Ranch was an ideal location for evaluating the off-road capabilities of the latest and greatest from auto manufacturers.

    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.

    For multimedia content: http://texasautowriters.tritium.co/tawa-announces-2016-texas-truck-rodeo-winners

    CONTACT: Fabian Campos, fabian.campos@texasautowriters.org, 214.674.8987


  • Wednesday, May 04, 2016 2:26 PM | Marc Newman

    Texas Auto Writers Association Names the 2016 Car of Texas and Family Car of Texas

    FORT WORTH, TX -- May 03, 2016 - The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) gathered once again for the annual Texas Auto Roundup to drive and evaluate 53 vehicles, within 17 different categories, over a two-day period. Fifty-eight journalists descended on Texas Motor Speedway and have chosen the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R as Car of Texas, and the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica as the Family Car of Texas.

    Journalists came from 11 different states across the country, and from around the globe including the Netherlands. Despite early threats for a repeat of the deluge of 2015, the weather finally cleared up enough to allow journalists to take full advantage of the Texas Motor Speedway facilities including the infield racetrack.

    Winning the Compact Car category was the 2016 Honda Civic Touring, with the 2016 Mazda3 5-door Grand Touring runner-up.

    In the Mid-Size Car category, the 2016 Kia Optima SXL was named the winner with the 2016 Nissan Altima SL runner-up. In the Mid-Size Luxury Car category, the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 was the winner with the 2016 Lexus ES 350 runner-up.

    In the full-size category, the 2016 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack was the winner with the 2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum runner-up. For the full-size luxury car, the 2016 Cadillac CT6 was the winner, with the 2016 Chrysler 300 Platinum runner-up.

    Performance Compact winner was the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club, with the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R runner-up. Performance Coupe was the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350R with the 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat runner-up. Performance Sedan was the 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, with the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan runner-up.

    The Minivan category was won by the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, with the 2016 Toyota Sienna Limited runner-up. Activity Vehicle was the 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum, with the 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Drive-E runner-up.

    Performance Utility was won by the 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD R-Design with the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT runner-up. The Green Vehicle was the 2016 Lexus RX 450h, with the 2017 Chevrolet Volt Premier Hatchback runner-up.

    The Super Car of Texas was the 2016 Dodge Viper GTC.

    "This year's Texas Auto Roundup was our biggest yet with a record number of journalists and a highly competitive field of vehicles to evaluate."

    "All our manufacturers brought outstanding vehicles for us to assess, however, there were some standouts that caught the attention of our journalist members when considering their performance, value, and versatility." "This event represents a tremendous amount of work and consideration and I'd like to thank our diverse group of journalist members, the Board of Directors and especially our automotive manufacturers for their continued dedication to our recognition of their best of the best." --  Nic Phillips, President, TAWA 

    ---

    TAWA is one of the most reputable automotive press organizations in the industry, with a mission to promote quality and accuracy in automotive journalism and disseminate information about the industry through news related print, online and broadcast media. TAWA produces two driving events each year -- the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall. Media members enjoy driving and evaluating new vehicles competing for the coveted Car of Texas or Truck of Texas trophies. For more information, please visit www.texasautowriters.org.

     

    For Multimedia -- http://texasautowriters.tritium.co/texas-auto-writers-association-chooses-the-2016-car-of-texas-and-family-car-of-texas

     

    Media contact: 
    Fabian Campos
    214.674.8987
    fabian.campos@texasautowriters.org

     

  • Monday, April 04, 2016 12:26 PM | Anonymous

    TAWA Partners With Wieck For Digital Support

    AUSTIN, TX  -- April 4, 2016 – The Texas Auto Writers Association, Inc. (TAWA) has entered into an exclusive agreement with Wieck, a digital technology firm that provides services to numerous Fortune 500 companies and leading automotive brands, to become the official technology & communications partner of TAWA.

    The Dallas-area Wieck team will provide TAWA with its latest multimedia news distribution platform to broaden the Association’s communications reach, along with a new e-commerce platform and other digital development support.

     “Wieck has the industry understanding, the technological know-how and the comprehensive multimedia platforms to enhance our member experience and external news distribution capabilities,” said Nic Phillips, President of TAWA. “We are a lean organization and the efficiency of Wieck’s platform coupled with their benchmark customer service made this decision an easy one for us.”

    “Wieck has the industry understanding, the technological know-how and the comprehensive multimedia platforms to enhance our member experience and external news distribution capabilities. We are a lean organization and the efficiency of Wieck’s platform coupled with their benchmark customer service made this decision an easy one for us.”  Nic Phillips, President of TAWA 

    “We’ve been providing digital newsrooms and asset management systems for the world’s top automakers and other Fortune 500 companies for more than 25 years,” Wieck CEO Tim Roberts said. “We look forward to the partnership and collaborations with the TAWA team.”

    Marc Newman, Senior VP at Wieck, said, “We are thrilled that the TAWA team has chosen Wieck as a partner. Our long record of multimedia content management, web development, and digital distribution expertise will quickly broaden TAWA’s narrative.” 

    “We very much look forward to working with Roberts, Newman and the entire Wieck team as we expand the reach of the Texas Auto Writers brand and the impact of our signature Texas Truck Rodeo and Texas Auto Roundup competitive evaluation events in 2016. ” Phillips said.

     ---

    About TAWA –

    Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) is a nonprofit organization that has promoted professionalism and quality reporting in automotive journalism for more than two decades. TAWA produces two annual events that have gained international traction; the Texas Truck Rodeo at the Long Horn River Ranch in the Texas Hill Country and the Texas Auto Roundup at Texas Motor Speedway. Each year, TAWA awards scholarships to Texas College and university students majoring in journalism. The Association’s annual Excellence in Craft Competition recognizes its members’ exceptional coverage of the automotive industry.

    About Wieck –

    Pioneering today’s online newsroom, Wieck is a web development, content management and multimedia production company fueled by strategic techies and storytellers. Its clients include American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Baylor Scott & White Heath Care, Ford Motor Co., Hess Corporation, Mercedes-Benz USA, The New York Times Syndicate and News Services, Nissan Motor Company Ltd, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and Southwest Airlines. Combining veteran editors and website managers with the latest in digital technology, Wieck helps the world’s top news organizations and corporate communications teams distribute their stories and information around the world.


    For Multimedia - http://texasautowriters.tritium.co/tawa-partners-with-wieck-for-digital-support


    Media contacts:

    TAWA --

    Fabian Campos, 214-674-8987

    fabian.campos@texasautowriters.org

    www.texasautowriters.org


    Wieck --

    Marc Newman, 469-215-2557

    marc@wieck.com

    www.wieck.com


  • Monday, September 28, 2015 9:08 AM | Michael Marrs

    Texas Auto Writers Association Names Winners of Excellence in Craft Competition

    Dallas, TX, September 25, 2015…Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) announced the winners of their ninth annual Excellence in Craft Competition at a lunch event held at the Music Hall at Fair Park September 25.  The six categories and winning entries follow:

    English Language Newspaper, judged by esteemed newsman, author, and four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee Hugh Aynesworth.

    • 1.      Steve Wheeler, The Advocate, article about Dodge SRT Hellcat.
    • 2.      Derek Price, St. Louis Post Dispatch, column evaluating the Toyota Highlander.
    • 3.      Tabatha Chovanetz, Focus Daily News, article about the Ford Mustang.

    Spanish Language Newspaper, judged by bilingual Northwood University MBA and DSM Public Relations manager Francisco Chairez.

    • 1.       Ellie Byrd, El Heraldo News-Sabre Ruedas, article on the 2015 Scion tC..
    • 2.       Gretha Gudmundsson, El Lider USA, Motor Avenida, article on 2016 Ford Edge.
    • 3.       Krystle Smart, El Lider USA, article on 2015 Nissan Rogue.

    Magazine, judged by award-winning journalist and author Carlton Stowers. 

    • 1.      “Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat” by Linda Water Nelson for Gaff Magazine.
    • 2.      “Driving It Makes All the Difference” by Joe Sage for Arizona Driver Magazine.
    • 3.      “What Drives Us? By Beverly and Steve Smirnis for Estate Life.

    Radio, judged by longtime KSCI reporter Brother Van.

    • 1.      The Car Pro Show, listener call-in program.  Jerry Reynolds hosts syndicated program on numerous stations across the country with sidekick Kevin McCarthy.   
    • 2.      The Automotive Reporter, Houston area radio show featuring Harold Gunn and Brent Clanton,    Interview with Ford Historian Bob Kreipke.
    • 3.      The High Tech Texan Show with Michael Garfield, Interview with GM Communications Manager Stuart Fowle.

    Internet, judged by graphic artist, illustrator, journalist Stan Hulen.

    • 1.      Derek Shiekhi, Internet Brands Automotive Group, article: “Ford Wins Truck of Texas and More at TAWA’s 2014 Truck Rodeo”
    • 2.      Sherri Tilley, TheFlashList.com, article “Car Review: 2015 Chrysler 200 C AWD”
    • 3.      Greg Riley, Garage Deluxe.  Article:  “Greg Goes a Hellcattin’…”

    Photography, Entries Judged by Christian Waits, ProPhotography Studios.

         1.  Kevin McCauley, Ford GT40

         2.  Sherri Tilley, Mazda 3 Kodo Design.

     

    “The Excellence in Craft Competition is the opportunity to showcase the work of our members,” said Michael Marrs, President of the Texas Auto Writers Association.  “The 2015 competition was an outstanding success, with Chairman Durhl Caussey putting together an esteemed panel of judges who really had their work cut out for them with all the great entries.”

    Texas Auto Writers Association is a nonprofit organization promoting professionalism and quality in automotive journalism for more than two decades. TAWA produces two annual events that have gained national traction: the Texas Truck Rodeo and the Texas Auto Roundup at Texas Motor Speedway. Each year, TAWA awards scholarships to Texas college and university students with a journalism major.   The group’s annual Excellence in Craft Competition recognizes its members’ exceptional coverage of the automotive industry.

                                                                # # #

    For more information about TAWA, visit www.texasautowriters.org. 

    For media information, please contact Jo Ann Holt Caussey, VP Communications, at communications@texasautowriters.org.

     


  • Friday, March 20, 2015 4:41 PM | Michael Marrs

    ALV - active lifestyle vehicle of the year award

    A competition that brings athletes and journalists together


    The Active Lifestyle Vehicle Awards recently named two TAWA members to the panel of 17 nationally recognized automotive journalist that participate in the evaluation of vehicle entries for this prestigious award. 

    About the Active Lifestyle Vehicle Awards

    A Phoenix based event, the Active Lifestyle Vehicle Awards has consistently grown in size and prestige since its inception in 2004. The event brings the perspectives and opinions of over 100 consumers who live the active lifestyles automakers market their products to, culminating into top awards in multiple categories. 

    The group of athletes, celebrities and active lifestyle enthusiasts act as a valuable focus group for automakers and industry experts alike. With this year's event moving to a new data rich electronic scoring system, the outcome of consumer perspective metrics for manufacturers will be more comprehensive than ever.

    Linda Water Nelson

     Linda Water Nelson has been writing about a wide variety of vehicles for more than 25 years. As sport vehicle editor of Texas Fish & Game magazine and for its website at Fishgame.com, she drives the newest trucks and SUV regularly.

    A current member and former board member for the Texas Auto Writers Association, she is a judge for the Truck of Texas and SUV of Texas competitions. She is also an active member of the Texas Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers of America Association.

     Her work focuses on the relationships between trucks, SUV and other passenger vehicles  and the quality of life of their owners and users. She is working on the launch of a new website, Bucket-List-Guide.com this year with an emphasis on vehicles, adventures and ideas about the outdoor life.

    Nic Phillips

    Nic Phillips is a Houston, Texas based automotive correspondent and evangelist for CultureMap.com – an essential source for real-time, digital coverage of culturally relevant breaking news and information, analysis and opinion on the arts, fashion, dining, music, events, politics, sports and society in Texas. 

    A serial entrepreneur, Mr. Phillips co-founded the digital media venture with newsrooms in Dallas, Austin and Houston and has interests in creative entertainment, high performance lighting and control technologies and his latest venture, wattsON Power. 

    The latter focuses on the supply of specialty rotary electric machines and critical power systems for industrial, oil and gas, conventional and renewable power generation and electric vehicle traction applications. 

    Nic is a Vice President of the Texas Auto Writers Association, a Founding Director of the United Council of Automotive Media and he is a Director of the non-partisan public policy forum The Texas Lyceum.

    Media Contacts

    The ALV organization would like to thank OEMs for their continued support of this program. Please feel free to direct any questions to

    Nina Russin, ninarussin@yahoo.com

    Sam Haymart, sam.haymart@steedpublications.com .

     


  • Tuesday, March 10, 2015 4:39 PM | Michael Marrs

    Texas Auto Writers Choose 2015 Car of Texas and Family Car of Texas

    FORT WORTH, Texas, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Texas Auto Writers (TAWA) refused to let a day-long deluge of rain keep them from diligently test driving and evaluating 54 vehicles Monday, both on and off the Texas Motor Speedway Racetrack.  The 52 journalists attending the annual Auto Roundup chose the 2015 Chrysler 300 as Car of Texas, and the 2015 Toyota Sienna as the Family Car of Texas.

    Other Auto Roundup winners included: Best Value, 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe; Best New Feature, 2015 Dodge SRT Hellcat 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V8 Engine; and Best New Interior, the 2015 Lincoln MKZ's Black Label Package.

    Winning the Sub-Compact Car Division was the 2015 Kia Forte5 SX, with the 2015 Chevrolet Trax LTZ runner up.  Compact Car of Texas was won by the 2015 Ford Focus SE, with the 2016 Acura ILX runner up.  Premium Compact was the 2015 Subaru WRX Ltd with the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 S 5-door Grand Touring runner up.

    In the Mid-Size Car category, the 2015 Chrysler 200 was named the winner with the 2015 Mazda6 I Grand Touring runner up.  In the Mid-Size Luxury Car category, the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe was the winner with the 2015 Lincoln MKZ Black Label runner up.

    In the full-size category, the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack was the winner with the 2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid runner up. For full-size luxury car, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 was the winner, with the 2015 Jaguar XJ (long wheelbase) runner up.

    Performance Compact was the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R, with the 2015 Ford Focus ST as runner up.  Performance Coupe was the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe runner up. Performance Sedan was the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, with the 2015 Cadillac CTS V Sport TT runner up.

    The Minivan category was won by the 2015 Toyota Sienna Ltd., with the 2015 Chrysler Town & Country runner up. Activity Vehicle was the 2015 Lexus NX 200t F-SPORT, with the 2015 Jeep Renegade Limited a close runner up. 

    Performance Utility was won by the 2015 SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT with the 2015 Land Rover Ranger Rover runner up.  The Green Vehicle was the 2015 Lexus NX 300h, with the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE runner up.

    The Super Car of Texas was the 2015 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible, with the 2015 Nissan GT-R Premium runner up.

    TAWA is one of the most reputable automotive press organizations in the industry, with a mission to promote quality and accuracy in automotive journalism and disseminate information about the industry through news related print, online and broadcast media.  TAWA produces two driving events each year—the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.  Media members enjoy driving and evaluating new vehicles competing for the coveted Car of Texas or Truck of Texas trophies.  For more information, please visit www.texasautowriters.org.

    Media contact: Jo Ann Causey, 469-363-7371, joannholt@gmail.com 

     

    SOURCE Texas Auto Writers Association


LATEST HEADLINES

SEARCH

Terms and Conditions             Privacy Policy             Site Map             Admin Apps Login

© 2020 TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION, INC