The Hyundai Kona was named the 2019 Crossover of the Year by the Texas Motor Press Association (TxMPA), which includes automotive journalists as diverse in coverage and membership as the state itself. A selected group of jurors from TxMPA chose the Hyundai Kona after being charged with finding, not just the best new or significantly refreshed vehicles on the market by Nov. 1, 2018, but the ones that are also best for Texans. The TxMPA Vehicle of the Year Awards were presented today during the Houston Auto Show at the NRG Center.
“We are highly honored to receive this distinguished recognition awarded to the Hyundai Kona as the 2019 Crossover of the Year in the great state of Texas,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Kona is a stylish and functional compact CUV, tailored to the needs of customers who pursue active lifestyles in a variety of terrains. It’s setting new standards for its segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading available safety features at an affordable price. Receiving this award from the Texas Motor Press Association validates that we are meeting both the practical and lifestyle needs of Texans.”
Adds Michael Herzing, President, TxMPA, “The Texas Motor Press Association is proud to recognize the top contenders in the automotive industry in terms of new vehicle innovation, drivability, and design with the Texas Vehicle of the Year Awards. Jurors spent thousands of hours in 2018 test driving the newest vehicles on the market to help them cast informed votes. The Hyundai Kona was selected Texas Crossover of the Year for its enhanced driving dynamics and responsive performance for a variety of urban and multi-surface driving conditions.”
This year’s TxMPA jury consisted of members of the automotive press who have a significant audience in Texas: Michael Herzing (SB Nation Radio), David Stall (KCBQ), Nicole Wakelin (freelance including Autobytel and BestRide), Chad Kirchner (freelance including AutoGuide.com, The Drive, The Truth About Cars), Alexander Dykes (Alex on Autos), Michael Garfield (High Tech Texan/KPRC/iHeartRadio), Alan Gell (KBFC-FM, Focus Daily News), William Owney (motorcarsnow.com), Gregory Riley (Let’s Talk Wheels, Old Cars Weekly), Steve Smirnis (Estate Life Magazines), Adam Moore (TXGarage.com), Matt Perrault (SB Nation Radio), Jerry Perez (The Drive), Manuel Carrillo (Roadshow by CNET) and Eileen Falkenberg-Hull (Trucks.com, American City Business Journals, U.S. News & World Report).
The Hyundai Kona is built on an all-new CUV platform, offering versatility to consumers with active lifestyles of all kinds. For the 2019 model year, Kona’s safety equation is enhanced by standardizing key Hyundai SmartSense™ safety technologies for a more sophisticated driving experience.
TEXAS MOTOR PRESS ASSOCIATION
Texas Motor Press Association (TxMPA) is a registered 501(c)3 organization that is focused on bringing together automotive industry professionals to create informed content highlighting various facets of the industry in ways that register with a Texas-based audience and beyond. The membership is made up of automotive industry journalists that cover cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, and UTVs in a variety of media as well as professionals that represent corporate interests in the automotive community. TxMPA members represent the best of the Texas automotive industry. Media members have engaged, interested, enthusiastic, and influential audiences that span the media landscape. The membership is as diverse in coverage and membership as the state itself.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America is focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience grounded in design leadership, engineering excellence and exceptional value in every vehicle we sell. Hyundai’s technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to deliver peace of mind to our customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide, with the majority sold in the U.S. built at U.S. manufacturing facilities, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
Please visit our media website at www.HyundaiNews.com
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