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State Fair Boasts Toys for Big Boys (& Girls!)

Originally Published at on Jan 08 2012 • view original

In its 125th year, the State Fair of Texas opened this past Friday. It will show this year’s visitors much more innovative offerings, especially when it comes to experiencing the annual car and truck displays. Major auto manufacturers will be showcasing their latest models fresh off 2012 assembly lines.

Since Texas means trucks, there are many new line-ups of redesigned and even brand new models joining the red-hot best-selling Rams that have lead the industry in sales throughout the past year (up 42% in September, 25% year-to-date). The Dodge RAM 1500 Tradesman is brand new to the RAM family and is made to tow up to 11,500 lbs and haul up to 3,000 lbs. while featuring an extra-long bed for maximum cargo.

Also for 2012, another new model is the wallet-friendly RAM Express. It seats six and provides the opportunity for more consumers to experience a RAM and its infamous Hemi V8 engine. On display is the latest edition of the RAM Power Wagon which is back with a larger bed and RAM (storage) Box. In 2010, the Power Wagon was Four Wheeler magazine’s Pickup Truck of the Year and Heavy Duty Pickup Truck of Texas. The Power Wagon was also named Heavy Duty Truck of Texas at the Texas Truck Rodeo by Texas Auto Writers Association.

Another brand new aspect for 2012 is the RAM brand’s new multilingual advertising campaign, “And will be our most comprehensive campaign,” RAM President and CEO Fred Diaz said as he officially opened press day at the fair. “Our RAM ads will be featured in both English and Spanish and will be advertised on television, radio, print and on our bilingual websites.”

After visiting, RAM enthusiasts are sure to venture over to peruse the latest models Toyota has to offer from their San Antonio manufacturing plant. The 2012 Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series, which will reach dealers next spring, is on-hand. This newest generation of America’s top-selling compact pickup is sure to attract enthusiasts and collectors alike. Toyota has also brought their limited edition (only 500 to be sold in this region) Toyota Tundra T-Force to the fair. These rad rides will also offer Texas Edition TRD off-road packaging for those who want to do some serious off-roading as well as show their Texas Pride with special trim and badging.

With United States Toyota plants now back to full production capacity, the newest 4Runner and RAV4 updated models will be available later this fall. Then, in the spring of 2012 the Tacoma 4×4 and Pre-Runner will feature “Race components, enhanced off-road capabilities and will be competition worthy,” Group Vice President and General Manager of the Toyota Division Bob Carter related to journalists attending Media Day at the Fair.

Next up, fair-goers will find the Nissan display and should be pleased to see the 2012 Frontier’s which are now offered in bolder colors with more (bling) accents. Nissan Titans are on-hand and now feature sportier interiors along with more storage space. For their 2012 models, Nissan will be offering many sport upgrade packages to many of their truck models at very reasonable prices.

When walking through the truck area at the State Fair one only has to look up when trying to find the FORD display. Revolving (at what seems to be over 100 feet high in the sky) is a brand new Ford F-150 which marks the spot to the manufacturer’s latest line-ups of Texas-sized vehicles.

First up is the newly designed Harley Davidson F-150 with true black finishing from the inside out. The rims of this mean machine are painted completely in flat black adding to the badness of this highly chrome-accented ride. The inside of the Harley is just as serious with black leather seats marked with red piping trim and Harley logos accenting each seat back.

Another sweet addition to this bad-do-the-bone ride are the wide zippered storage pockets located behind the front seats. When exiting the Harley Davidson F-150 be sure to take a long look at one of the widest side steps on the market today. Yet another reflection of how Harley Davidson is still one of the biggest and baddest names in the industry.

From bad and rad to good and gas-conscious Ford has also brought their latest 4×4 F-150 which features Eco-Boost technology. Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager Doug Scott points out that this new truck provides an estimated 21 miles per gallon and can travel an astounding 751 miles between fill-ups.

Ford has wrapped up its latest offerings by bringing their newly overhauled off-road monster, the Raptor. Already a proven winner on tough terrain, as evidenced by TAWA member Sue Mead’s extraordinary feat at the 6,000 mile South American Dakar Rally, this new model now boasts 411 hp. Once again blazing a trail of innovation, the newest Raptor is equipped with an off-road front camera to enable the driver to see what is directly in front of the vehicle without a spotter when negotiating treacherous terrain.

Another powerful ride to be seen at this year’s Texas State Fair is the 2012 Chevy Silverado HD (Heavy Duty). The 2011Silverado HD won Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award and this year’s version is sure to be a heavy hitting contender. While providing maximum towing of 10,600 pounds, the HDs power (from its highly acclaimed Vortec V8 engine) ensures Silverado will deliver both the power and the payload which Texans have come to expect from true Texas trucks.

Texans going to the fair will likely have an appetite for more than corny dogs, fried butter and cotton candy once they venture into the automotive pavilions.
The candy for grown ups is truly fantastic. If sales figures for September are any indication, consumers realize the value in putting a new vehicle in their driveway regardless of the economy.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 8th, 2012 at 11:52 am and is filed under Event Coverage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.