Car Show: 6 cited at gala; compact Chevy voted best truck
For a third year in a row, a compact pickup – this time the Chevy Colorado – has beaten out the more popular full-sized models (F-150, Silverado, Ram, Tundra) for Truck of the Year in voting by the
Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. The announcement was made on Thursday at the 2024 Denver Auto Show at the Colorado Convention Center.
Taking top honors in the previous two years was the new Ford Maverick compact pickup. The last full - sizer to win the award was the Ram 1500 TRX Crew Cab in 2021.
The auto show has been well-attended for its first two days on Thursday and Friday, as was the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame induction dinner and gala on Thursday evening. Even larger crowds are expected Saturday, when open hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the final day of the show Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $16 for adults 13 and over, $8 for those ages 6 to 12, and free of charge for kids 5 and younger.
The Chevy Colorado, introduced in 2004 to replace the Chevrolet S-10, has gotten a bit larger and much stronger with each of its two previous generational upgrades. It is built at Wentzville, Mo.
Car of the Year honors went to the Acura Integra Type S, a sleek, four-door hatchback with coupe styling. It is one of the few models still offered with a manual transmission.
Toyota’s three-row Grand Highlander, 4 inches longer in wheelbase than the standard Highlander and 6 inches longer overall, received most votes for Crossover of the Year.
It is noted for its smoothness of acceleration, handling and braking.
The Genesis GV60, based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, was named Electric Vehicle of the
Year. It features all-wheel drive, electronically controlled suspension, a Boost button on the steering wheel for extra horsepower and Bang & Olufsen premium sound.
Turning out in warm, 70-degree temperatures, a large, opening afternoon Senior’s Day crowd on Thursday was wowed by the colorful displays inside the convention center. Ultramodern shapes are so sleek and shiny it is difficult to distinguish between four-door models and coupes; these are contrasts to the growing emphasis on “squared-off rear ends” for added cargo space in crossovers. The continued advancement in wheel designs will make your head spin.
CEO and president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association is Matthew Groves; Eric Beutz is auto show chair and Todd Maul is automotive hall of fame chair.
Inducted into the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame are six notables who have dedicated careers to the auto field.
They are Thomas Botterill (deceased), a Denver new-car dealer from 1901 to 1945 and the first president of the Denver Automobile Dealers Association; John Bowell, co-owner of Shortline Automotive Group; Ed Bozarth, longtime owner/operator
of Ed Bozarth Chevrolet in Aurora; Mike Feeley, attorney and former Colorado Automobile Dealers Association lobbyist; Art Stapp (deceased), who with father Robert founded Longmont Toyota; Steve Taylor, of Peak Automotive Group.
Especially enjoyable for me was a brief book-signing at the car show Thursday afternoon for
“2,600 Cars and a Dog Sled, Bud Wells’ 67 Years in Newspapering and Automobiles.” Joining me at the table, in addition to Jan, were Kristin Battenfield of Kbat Communications, my daughter Kathy Allen and my niece Jana Lock.