The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) has announced that the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) is returning as a title sponsor of its two marquee events for 2018.

This marks the fifth consecutive year that SMDI, a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute, has partnered with the Texas automotive journalism group. SMDI is sponsoring both of TAWA’s competitive events in 2018, the Texas Auto Roundup and the Texas Truck Rodeo.

“We’re thrilled to have SMDI’s support once again,” said Michael Marrs, TAWA’s president. “Their sponsorship helps us host world-class events where regional and national journalists can compare consumer vehicles head-to-head. With their help, we’ll continue setting a high standard for our competitions.”

“With the introduction of so many new trucks, SUVs and passenger vehicles, it’s clear Texas will remain a key market to showcase how materials are a key component to driving automotive innovation within the industry,” said Jody Hall, vice president of the automotive market for SMDI. “TAWA is a great location to showcase the unmatched performance, value and sustainability of advanced high-strength steels.”

This year’s Texas Auto Roundup will be held April 15-17 at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur. The Texas Truck Rodeo will be Oct. 14-16 at Longhorn River Ranch in Dripping Springs.

At both events, journalists evaluate brand-new vehicles by driving them one after another, whether it’s sports cars on a racetrack or off-road SUVs on the rugged trails of the Texas hill country. The top-rated vehicles are given awards, culminating with the Car of Texas in the spring and Truck of Texas in the fall.

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For more than three decades, TAWA has promoted professionalism and quality in automotive journalism. TAWA produces two annual events that have gained national traction: the Texas Truck Rodeo and the Texas Auto Roundup at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. Both events give TAWA’s journalists the opportunity to evaluate vehicles back-to-back on the street, track or off-road. Manufacturers and dealerships promote the award winners and the “Truck of Texas” is touted in national television commercials, including appearing in previous Super Bowl commercials.

TAWA awards scholarships to Texas college and university students with a journalism major each year. The nonprofit’s annual Excellence in Craft Competition also recognizes exceptional coverage of the automotive industry by its members annually.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 19-member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and approximately 120 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.

SMDI increases and defends the use of steel by developing innovative materials, applications and value-added solutions for customers in the automotive, construction and packaging markets. SMDI automotive investors include: AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal and Nucor Corporation. For more information on SMDI, visit www.autosteel.org or follow @SMDISteel on Twitter.