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Ram, Jeep and Dodge Brands Earn Top Honors From the Texas Auto Writers Association





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2018 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork

• FCA US LLC brands take home the most awards of any manufacturer at the annual competition

• Ram, Jeep and Dodge brands pull ahead of the competition in head-to-head matchups

• Ram brand wins two pickup truck categories and the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork tops the scoring charts with the highest overall interior score

• Jeep Grand Cherokee beats its competition for seventh consecutive year

• Jeep Wrangler wins its category for the eighth consecutive year

• Dodge Durango SRT wins Full-size SUV category and receives the highest overall performance score


AUBURN HILLS, MI - October 19, 2017: Ram, Jeep and Dodge vehicles earned top honors at the annual Texas Truck Rodeo, hosted by the Texas Automotive Writers Association (TAWA). Collectively, these brands secured the most awards of any manufacturer at the event.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee
"Once again the Ram, Jeep and Dodge brands from FCA US impressed our TAWA members with an exceptional product lineup at the Texas Truck Rodeo," said Nic Phillips, TAWA president. "The Jeep brand continues to outshine the competition with Grand Cherokee and Wrangler winning in their respective categories yet again. Receiving the highest overall interior score, our journalists appreciated the luxurious interior of the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork edition, naming it the 2018 Luxury Pickup Truck of Texas. It's no surprise members particularly enjoyed driving America's fastest, yet practical three-row SUV, the new Dodge Durango SRT, naming it the winner of the Full-size SUV category."

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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
A total of 64 pickups, SUVs, crossovers and commercial vehicles were entered in the competition and 75 TAWA members attended the event. Members cast their votes after two days of on- and off-road vehicle evaluations. Consideration is given to everything from exterior/interior styling and off-road capability to the entrant's overall utility, value and performance. Ram, Jeep and Dodge vehicles with top honors include:

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Dodge Durango SRT
Ram Brand
Heavy Duty Pickup Truck: 2018 Ram 2500 Limited Tungsten
Luxury Pickup Truck: 2018 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork
Highest Overall Interior Score: 2018 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Southfork

Jeep Brand
Subcompact SUV: 2017 Jeep Renegade
Mid-size SUV: 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
Off-road SUV: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon

Dodge Brand
Full-size SUV: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Highest Overall Performance Score: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT

About TAWA
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. 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