Hyundai Kona Named Crossover of the Year for the InauguralTexas Motor Press Association Vehicle of the Year Awards

The Texas Motor Press Association (TxMPA) is the newly formed press association gathering informed journalists representing the Texas automotive industry

The inaugural awards recognized the Hyundai Kona as the top CUV in Texas

HOUSTON, TX., Jan. 23, 2019 – – 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.

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“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 ASSOCIATIONTexas 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,

Hyundai Motor America 10550 Talbert AvenueFountain Valley, CA 92708

www.HyundaiNews.comwww.HyundaiUSA.com

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 AMERICAHyundai 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

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram  

ContactDerek Joyce714 594 1728derek.joyce@hmausa.com

Hyundai Motor America 10550 Talbert AvenueFountain Valley, CA 92708

www.HyundaiNews.comwww.HyundaiUSA.com