LOS ANGELES, CA – November 28, 2017 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – The 8th annual Hispanic Motor Press Awards recognizes the ten best new vehicles of 2018 for the Hispanic consumer. The awards are organized by the Hispanic Motor Press Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c)3 educational organization that helps educate Hispanics on cleaner mobility through grass roots efforts and events.
According to data from Polk, Hispanics are projected to spend $18 billion on new vehicles in 2018. Hispanic auto buyers will account for 25 percent of the growth in new-vehicle sales. The impact of Latinos continues to increase exponentially in the market, influencing auto companies to consider and incorporate the needs and wants of the largest minority group in the country.
“California is known for setting the trends in the automotive industry and with the largest Hispanic population in the U.S, it is the place to find out what we like,” said Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, President of the Hispanic Motor Press Foundation.
The jury panel for the 2018 awards is comprised of Hispanic automotive journalists, bloggers, and industry influencers selected by the organization’s advisory board. Twenty individuals and one jury director form the panel. They evaluate the vehicles from their perspective keeping the Hispanic audience’s preferences foremost in their minds. An educated consumer is a satisfied consumer and the awards provide the Hispanic consumers with outstanding choices based on the judging panels own experiences with the vehicles.
Every year there are over 250 new vehicle models to choose from. Selecting the ten best is big responsibility for the jurors and they volunteer their time to test and compare the final selections. Auto manufacturers voluntarily submit their entries and the panel evaluates the vehicles on their features including pricing, safety, styling, comfort, technology, environmental impact, and overall value. The final ten vehicles are the best in their class and provide proven options as the best overall selection for the needs and desires of Hispanic families.
“We are proud and honored that the Hispanic Motor Press Awards are widely recognized by the automobile industry with multiple brands using the awards on their advertising and marketing campaigns,” adds Rodriguez-Long. “Our independence from specific media outlets and voluntary submissions by car manufactures give our jury panel the ability to choose vehicles without any compromise or pressure thus leveling the field for all participants”.
The ten vehicle winners represent the most significant new cars in the market and the best value in their class as it relates to the Hispanic family. The 2018 winners are:
Sub-compact car: Kia Rio
Compact car: Mazda 3
Sedan car: Toyota Camry
Deluxe car: Lexus LS
Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Crossover: Nissan Rogue
SUV: Lincoln Navigator
Sports car: Ford Mustang
Adventure 4×4: Jeep Wrangler
Pick-up Truck: Ford F150
Each vehicle’s virtues were assessed as they related to the typical Hispanic family in the U.S. The awards’ vetting process includes test drives, mass market availability, and affordability data valuations. The committee took into account overall design, comfort, safety, performance, functionality, accessory content, driver satisfaction, consumer final cost, and overall value package to select the vehicles that offer the best value for the Hispanic consumer.
The Hispanic Motor Press Awards 2018 panelists are:
Camilo Alfaro – Mr. Alfaro is the CEO of AUTOPROYECTO. The company’s content is distributed across all platforms (social media, web, TV) and connects auto enthusiast with the latest automobiles entering the market.
German Angel – Mr. Angel has been a part of the Social Public TV for over a decade. The charismatic Mr. Angel produces the TV show ENFOQUE SOCIAL, a multi-cultural programming that reflects the needs and pulse of the city.
Karen Blanco – Ms. Blanco is the publisher and editor EJECUTIVA Magazine and NEGOCIOS Magazine, the number one source for Hispanic business makers in the country. The Miami based magazines features editorial about the successful Hispanic entrepreneurs and how to prepare and learn to do business in the US.
German Botero – Mr. Botero has been part of Automundo Magazine and TV for over a decade. An avid motorsport enthusiast and car guru that writes about his experiences and test drives for the U.S as well as for PERU.
Sergio Carlo – Mr. Carlo is a TV host and producer that generates content related to technology. He also produces de #Antinoticiero, TV news show for Latin America.
Manuel Carrillo III – A Porsche 911 S brought Mr. Carrillo III home from the hospital after he was born, so it’s no surprise his lifelong trajectory has centered on cars, leading him to where he is now, Automotive Content Editor at Internet Brands.
Miguel Cortina Tamayo – Chief editor for Motor Trend en Español, a website dedicated to the U.S. Hispanic car enthusiasts. Mr. Tamayo ‘s reviews are featured on both English and Spanish versions of the world popular car magazine 2015. He started his journalism career spending two years in Televisa before taking the role as project manager at Autos Terra Motor Trend. Shortly after that, Miguel moved to Los Angeles to take the lead of Motor Trend en Español.
Emilio Lezcano – Mr. Lezcano has been publishing automobile reviews since 1986 and has been awarded Journalist of the Year. A regular contributor to Miami Herald, La Prensa NY, El Nuevo Dia Puerto Rico, among others. He is also an accomplished race car driver, travel journalist.
Davina Ferreira – Ms. Ferreira is the publisher of ALEGRIA Magazine, covering the Latin American Arts, Fashion & Culture in California. Her mission is to give affluent Hispanics a way to discover the bicultural experience of the state.
Luis Fernandez – Well known TV documentary producer, Mr. Fernandez also started Voxel Group 12 years ago, a company that produces TV content for the USA Europe and Latin American markets.
Jose “Pepe” Forte – Mr. Forte is the anchor and producer of the radio shows El ATICO DE PEPE (WAQI 710) and AUTOMANIA (WQBA 1140). A multi-talented personality, Pepe brings his favorite themes (politics, music, design, cameras, and cars) to the Hispanic audience with humor and charm.
Jaime Florez – Mr. Florez is host and producer of the automotive radio show RUEDAS ESPN, broadcast through the ESPN DEPORTES radio network. He is also the director for PREMSA Inc., a leading marketing firm creating multicultural campaigns., and past president of Southern Automotive Media Assoc. (SAMA).
Juan Garcia – Editor in Chief of Digital Trends en Español, one of the leading consumer technology publishers in the United States. More than 25 million unique visitors each month and it reaches 90 million tech influencers through the Digital Trends Media Network. Mr. Garcia has over 20 years in the media industry and is also a contributor to The Dallas Morning News and was recognized by Associated Press for his work.
Jeffrey Gomez – Founder and visionary behind The Snob Magazine, Mr. Gomez is an expert on the exclusive nature of all things luxury. From LA to the world, his publication is a tribute to the luxury lifestyle.
Silvia Ichar – Para Todos magazine celebrates 20 years serving the Hispanic small business community in Southern California. Ms. Ichar is the publisher and has received several accolades from the US Small Business Administration, Hispanic PR Assoc., and Latina Business Women Assoc. She is content creator for Hispanic Motor Press.
Enrique Kogan – One of the pioneers of automotive journalism in Spanish in the US. Mr. Kogan’s knowledge of the auto industry is vast and his car review features are found within the pages of PUROS AUTOS, FORBES, HUFFINGTON POST, and several Spanish-language newspapers in the country.
Alejandro Maciel – Editorial director for HOY Los Angeles/L.A. Times, Mr. Maciel has achieved a broad- ranging career in Hispanic media. A graduate of UNAM (Mexico), he was previously the editor of PEOPLE en Español and La Prensa in New York.
Maria Ravani – President of Genius Communications Group and for the past 16 years, editor for Sobre Rodas Magazine, published in Portuguese. Sobre Rodas is a monthly publication dedicated to the auto industry, also covering tourism, motorcycles, and aviation, connecting a vast and growing Brazilian community in the US.
Roger Rivero – A car enthusiast since childhood, Mr. Rivero writes and produce’s editorial content featuring the automobile. He is member of the North West Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) and National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Ricardo Rodriguez-Long – Host of the radio show GARAGE LATINO, editor of GARAGE LA Magazine, and content producer for TV, Film, Radio, he has been awarded by the Motorcycle Industry Council and Truck Writers NA (TWNA) for his contributions to the Hispanic consumer. Mr. Rodriguez-Long is a member of Motor Press Guild (MPG) and National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ).
Aaron Sanchez – Mr. Sanchez talents can be heard on ABC-RadioNews KMET 1490. His shows feature social and community news for the predominantly Hispanic population of the Inland Empire in Southern California. He is also content creator for Hispanic Motor Press.
Gil Silva – Mr. Silva has been part of the Mitchell group for over a decade. He filters through sales, repairs, and maintenance data to create content for the famous Mitchell collision manuals. His direct OEM contact makes him understand the quality and methods of assembly and repair.
About Hispanic Motor Press Awards
The Hispanic Motor Press Awards is the only independent Hispanic awards presented in the country for the Hispanic community to enhance their vehicle experience by evaluating the various options available in the market. The jury panel is comprised of national Hispanic journalists, content creators, and influencers who assess the vehicles while considering key purchase drivers for Hispanic families in quality, reliability, style, safety, and value.
About Hispanic Motor Press Foundation
Hispanic Motor Press is a non-profit foundation 501(c)3. The objective of the organization is to educate and help the Hispanic Consumer to move towards mobility that is clean, affordable, and capable of reducing greenhouse emissions and improve our air quality. Our educational programs and content helps the Hispanic consumer understand the long-term benefits of clean transportation. We provide objective and practical information to the Hispanic community so that they can select which ‘clean’ vehicle would fit best for their needs. We include all sectors of transportation (commercial vehicles, cars, motorcycles). We work with industry leaders and regulators to share programs that improve motor vehicle technology and encourage technology innovation.
For information on previous Award Winners visit www.hispanicmotorpress.org.
For Images of winners contact info@hispanicmotorpress.org.
