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Ford
Hits a Grand Slam at Texas Auto Writers Association’s 2011 Texas Truck Rodeo
by Jo
Ann Holt
Ford
engineers said the EcoBoost™ V6 can tow more, haul more, and get better fuel
economy than a big-block V8. With
its new standard 36-gallon fuel tank, the 2012 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost 4x4 can get
up to 1,496 miles without refueling.
“These
honors show Ford trucks still reign supreme in Texas, and it is rewarding to see
that the truck-savvy Texas auto writers appreciate just how innovative our
F-Series pickups are,” said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas.
“These awards validate what our customers have been telling us about our ‘Built
Ford Tough’ F-150, and we are honored by their recognition of the strength of
our truck lineup as well as our crossovers and EcoBoost engines.”
Some 57
automotive journalists, from Texas and other states, worked almost as hard as
cowboys on a cattle drive as they tested 48 vehicles, mostly off-road, at the
Knibbe Ranch outside San Antonio October 20-21.
While most were slightly sore from all the rough riding, no people or
animals were injured, although there was an incident where a vehicle had to be
towed back to the launching spot by the ranch owner’s tractor.
The 2012
Jeep Grand Cherokee showed its great versatility by placing first in the only
major category not won by Ford, the SUV of Texas.
Following is a comprehensive list of the winners in the Texas Auto
Writers Association (TAWA) competition.
Full-Sized
Pickup Truck-First Place, 2012 Ford F-150; Second Place, 2012 Ram 1500; Third
Place, Chevrolet 1500 & Toyota Tundra (tie)
Mid-Sized
Pickup Truck-First Place, 2012 Nissan Frontier; Second Place, 2012 Toyota
Tacoma.
Luxury
Pickup Truck-First Place, 2012 Ford F-150 Platinum EcoBoost; Second Place, 2012
Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie Longhorn; Third Place, 2012 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD
Crew Cab.
Heavy Duty
Pickup Truck-First Place, 2012 Ford F-250 King Ranch; Second Place, 2012 Ram
2500 Power Wagon; Third Place, 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD.
Full-Sized
Pickup Truck-First Place, 2012 Ford F-150; Second Place, 2012 Ram 1500; Third
Place, Chevrolet 1500 & Toyota Tundra (tie)
Full-Sized
SUV-First Place, 2012 Dodge Durango; Second Place, 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee;
Third Place, 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe.
Full-Sized
Luxury SUV-First Place, Jeep Grand Cherokee; Second Place, Range Rover Evoque;
Third place, Mercedes Benz ML350
Mid-Sized
SUV-First Place, 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; Second Place, 2012 Toyota
4Runner; Third Place, 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Mid-Sized
Luxury SUV – First Place, Toyota 4Runner
Compact
SUV-First Place, 2012 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X; Second Place, 2012 Jeep Compass;
Third Place, 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan.
Full-Sized
CUV-First Place, 2012 Buick Enclave;
Mid-Sized
CUV-First Place, 2012 Ford Edge Limited with EcoBoost engine; Second Place 2012
Dodge Journey; Third Place, 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
Compact
CUV-First Place, 2012 Toyota Rav4; Second Place, Kia Soul!
Full-Sized
Luxury CUV-First Place, 2012 GMC Acadia Denali; Second Place, 2012 Mercedes-Benz
R350 Blue TEC.
Mid-Sized
Luxury CUV-2012 Cadillac SRX Premium.
Jo Ann Holt
is a Dallas-based automotive journalist and a member of Texas Auto Writers
Association (TAWA). |
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When all the
dust had cleared from the constant, frenetic driving over hill, dale, and
nearly-dry creek beds at the 2011 Texas Truck Rodeo last weekend, the 2012 Ford
F-150 had won the prestigious Truck of Texas Award.
“Texan consumers
put their trust in TAWA’s automotive journalists. After lining up vehicles from
major auto manufacturers, our members determined Ford simply had the best trucks
and crossover,” said Mike Herzing, president of TAWA. “But the real winners here
are Texas’ truck buyers. Ford delivers the trucks that fit their lifestyles.”