USA - FCA take home a handful of prizes at the Ruedas ESPN Awards ceremony.

• FCA US LLC is named “Manufacturer of the Year” at the 2016 Ruedas ESPN Awards as part of the 46th Miami International Auto Show
• Chrysler Pacifica earns top honor, winning “Vehicle of the Year” Award
• Fiat 124 Spider, Ram 1500 Rebel and Chrysler Pacifica win “Best Vehicles” in their respective segments

"Ruedas ESPN" has named FCA US LLC the “Manufacturer of the Year” and selected the Chrysler Pacifica as the “Vehicle of the Year” at the 2016 Ruedas ESPN Awards as part of the 46^th Miami International Auto Show.

The Chrysler Pacifica, Fiat 124 Spider and Ram 1500 Rebel were also honored, winning “Best Minivan,” “Best Convertible” and “Best Pickup Truck,” respectively.

"Winning the prestigious ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award shows that FCA US is listening to consumers by building vehicles that fit a wide variety of needs in today’s competitive market," said Jaime Florez, "Ruedas ESPN" director and host. "In addition to the three FCA US vehicles winning in each of their segments, the Chrysler Pacifica takes home ‘Vehicle of the Year,’ impressing the judges with its innovative technology, versatility and bold styling.”

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Pacifica delivers class-leading gasoline and hybrid powertrains to the minivan segment. With more than 100 standard and available safety and security features, the all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica is a no-compromises minivan ideally suited for today's families.

Awarded “Best Convertible,” the all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider revives the storied nameplate, bringing its classic Italian styling and performance to a new generation. Paying homage to the original 124 Spider nearly 50 years after its introduction, the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider delivers the ultimate fun-to-drive Italian roadster experience with technology, safety and iconic Italian design.

The Ram 1500 Rebel, winning “Best Pickup Truck,” brings one-of-a-kind, off-road design to the full-size truck segment with unique design cues and can-do attitude backed by Ram Truck engineering. Equipped with a factory lift, 33-inch tires, standard air suspension, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, tow hooks and other off-road-ready features, the Ram 1500 Rebel appeals to the truck owner looking for a less beaten path.

For almost a decade and a half, "Ruedas ESPN" has carefully established the criteria to choose the nominees in every category. The vehicles must have been – or are scheduled to be in the market – before the last day of the current year, must have proven standards of quality, high levels of popularity among Hispanics, all while providing value.

The "Ruedas ESPN" executive committee was responsible for generating the nominations. Industry experts group of jurors selected the winners of the 12 basic categories in addition to the top prize, Ruedas ESPN Vehicle of the Year.

USA - JEEP® & RAM Trucks brands dominate at 21st Northwest Automotive Press Association “Mudfest”

• All-new 2015 Jeep® Renegade named Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year and winner of Compact Utility category
• 2015 Jeep Cherokee voted winner of Family Utility class
• 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel named winner in the Pickups category
• 2015 Ram Power Wagon voted winner of Extreme Capability class

Jeep® and Ram Truck brand vehicles cleaned up at the 21st annual “Mudfest” competition hosted by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA), with each FCA US vehicle entered winning its respective category. In addition, the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade took home top honors, being voted “Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year” by automotive journalist members of NWAPA in attendance. 

“Following two days of extensive testing, I think it’s clear that Jeep has something special with the new Renegade Trailhawk,” said Ryan Douthit, co-chair of the event. “Don’t let its size fool you: this is one capable little machine. Even though it did extremely well in our sealed-surface slalom and braking tests, it was the smallest Jeep’s remarkable off-road abilities that really impressed our members.”

The 2015 Jeep Renegade was also named the winner of the Compact Utility class, and the 2015 Jeep Cherokee was the winner of the Family Utility class. The 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel won the Pickups category, while the 2015 Ram Power Wagon won in the Extreme Capability class.

“This annual competition sets the bar for outdoor activity vehicle buyers in not only the Northwest, but the entire country,” said Nik Miles, president of NWAPA. “The journalists push vehicles to their limits; this competition is not for the meek and faint of heart. FCA came to the table ready for a tough fight and they played rough and tough, driving away with a trunk full of trophies.”

More than 20 NWAPA automotive journalists spent two days testing vehicles on paved and off-road routes. Journalists tested 27 vehicles from 21 manufacturers to select winners in six categories: compact utility, family utility, premium compact utility, premium standard utility, pickups and extreme capability vehicles. The overall winner, the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade, was selected from the class winners to be named the Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.

2015 Jeep Renegade

The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade expands the brand’s global vehicle lineup, entering the growing small SUV segment, while staying true to the fun-and-freedom lifestyle for which the Jeep brand is known. Renegade delivers a unique combination of best-in-class off-road capability, open-air freedom and convenience, a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission that contributes to outstanding on-road and off-road driving dynamics, world-class refinement, two fuel-efficient MultiAir engines with more than 30 mpg, and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology offerings.

2015 Jeep Cherokee

There is a new king of the hill in the mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment: the 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The 2015 Jeep Cherokee delivers legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, premium on-road manners and superior ride and handling, a segment-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy ratings of up to 31 miles per gallon (mpg) highway, world-class craftsmanship, state-of-the-art useful technology, more than 70 advanced safety and security features and best-in-class V-6 towing capability of 4,500 pounds.

Powered by a choice of two engines, the 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 I-4 or the 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6, which includes Engine Stop-Start (ESS) technology and three innovative 4x4 systems that feature the first use of a fully automated disconnecting rear axle, the Jeep Cherokee revolutionizes the mid-size SUV segment. The Cherokee delivers state-of-the-art, easy-to-use technology that customers value, world-class craftsmanship and clever features like the available 8.4-inch touch screen media center, the seven-inch full-color instrument cluster display, inventive storage solutions and cargo flexibility not found elsewhere in the segment with the Jeep Cargo Management system.

2015 Ram 1500

The most recognizable pickup on the road delivers best-in-class fuel economy with a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems and first-in-segment technologies: TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension. The Ram 1500 delivers an outstanding combination of best-in-class fuel efficiency, unsurpassed torque and a surplus of towing capability. The EcoDiesel-powered Ram 1500 earned a 29 mpg rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the best highway-cycle test result ever achieved by a full-size, half-ton pickup. It also exceeds the EPA highway rating for the top-ranked small pickup.

2015 Ram Power Wagon

Ram Truck brand’s quest to build the best pickups continues. Ram’s Heavy Duty truck line owns best-in-class towing at 30,000 lbs. and best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) at 37,600 lbs., but there’s an additional title Ram Truck has always held: the most off-road-capable pickup. Built to master the most rigorous off-road trails, the Ram Power Wagon is based on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 4x4 Crew Cab, but features a number of off-road-specific engineering enhancements, including a unique suspension with more than two inches of lift, locking differentials and a 12,000-pound winch to give the truck a significant advantage over all production pickups.

NWAPA

NWAPA (www.nwapa.org) is a professional organization of automotive journalists and media members from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Founded in 1991, NWAPA includes 45 voting members representing more than 100 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, media groups and the Internet. Non-voting members include representatives from automotive manufacturers and related industry professionals.

USA - Iconic Soul Takes Top Honors in Urban Segment for Second Straight Year

• 2014 Soul praised for versatility, ride comfort and new technology
• Kia’s urban passenger vehicle is the right fit for those on the go

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) wildly popular urban passenger vehicle, the all-new 2014 Soul, was named a winner at the 10th annual Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year awards held in Chandler, Ariz. For the second consecutive year, the Soul received the highest score in the urban category after evaluations from local media and athletes.

“Having Soul named as a winner once again at the Active Lifestyle Vehicle awards is strong evidence that our complete redesign of this iconic vehicle was successful. While dramatically improving the Soul’s ride and handling qualities, as well as its interior appointments, it’s lost none of its fun, funky and young-at-heart personality,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “From the expansive cargo area to the roof rack mounts that come standard on every trim, the Soul speaks to those who want a vehicle that offers iconic design and all the things that support a youthful and active lifestyle.”

With a more premium look and feel, the 2014 Soul features a quiet cabin and more comfortable ride than its predecessor. The Soul offers an eight-inch navigation screen, Rear Camera Display1 and a host of other available amenities to make it an attractive offering.

“Kia has been a long-time supporter and participant in the ALV program, and their interest in our audience is obvious in the products,” said Nina Russin, founder Active Lifestyle Vehicle program. “The Soul has always been an awesome choice for urbanites that need a car with a small footprint but also a versatile interior. The 2014 car builds on the first generation with better ride and handling and enhanced technology.”

About the 2014 Soul
Instantly recognizable yet thoroughly fresh – with more than a passing nod to the hot Track’ster concept that was unveiled last year – the all-new 2014 Soul rides on a new chassis that is stiffer, longer and wider.  The Soul’s new dimensions allow for more passenger and cargo room while NVH levels have been reduced dramatically. Increased torque and significant suspension upgrades make the 2014 Soul a nimble and agile companion in congested urban environments, and inside there is a long list of standard comfort and convenience features, including Bluetooth®2 wireless technology and steering wheel-mounted controls.