March 11, 2016 | by Bonnie Moret | filed under: 2016 Global MX-5 Cup car, 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, 2017 Hyundai Elantra, 2017 Infiniti QX30, 2017 Lexus LC 500, 2017 Ram Power Wagon, DriveATL, GAAMA, Greater Atlanta, Mazda, Mazda Motorsports racer Andrew Carbonell, Mercedes-Benz E 220 d, Mercedes-Benz USA, Michael Sprague, Nissan, Toyota Prius
The 2016 Atlanta International Auto Show features more than 400 import and domestic cars, light trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles. Members of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) were on hand for a sneak peek of the show floor prior to opening on March 9th. In addition, GAAMA awarded the best of show.
“It was a very exciting, diverse and eclectic selection of vehicles,” said incoming GAAMA President Christopher Lawrence, CEO of AutoAcademics, an automotive consultancy that aims to educate and assist consumers in making intelligent, unbiased, and logical automotive choices. “Every year we are excited and impressed by the new technology, sleek designs and powertrain efficiencies. The judges had a tough job and after much discussion, we selected the best in each category.”
The 2016 winners:
Green: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Luxury: 2017 Lexus LC 500
Performance: 2017 Acura NSX
Biggest Bang for the Buck: 2017 Hyundai Elantra
Truck: 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty
SUV/Crossover: 2017 Infiniti QX30
Judges Choice: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Highlights below:
The grand entrance to the 2016 Atlanta International Auto Show.
The 2017 Ram Power Wagon sports a front end winch.
The 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider.
This Toyota Prius is a beauty.
The Lexus LC 500 Luxury Coupe “wows” the media.
Tamara Mlynarczyk, Manager, Public Affairs, Mazda North American Operations with Mazda Motorsports racer Andrew Carbonell, who helped develop Mazda’s 2016 Global MX-5 Cup car!
The Mercedes-Benz E 220 d is coming soon to a dealer near you.
Christian Bokich,Dept. Manager, Product & Technology Communications,
Mercedes-Benz USA and Barbara Pomerance, CEO, Pomerance & Associates.
Michael Sprague, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors North America.
Yes, that’s a KIA! What a beauty!
Steve Parrett, Manager, Southeast and South Central Region Communications, Nissan.
The Nissan 370Z has very lovely lines.
The Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Awards and the Annual Meeting and Luncheon Sponsors.
Steve Parrett accepts the GAAMA award for Best SUV/Crossover: 2017 Infiniti QX30.
Joe Van Hoose of Jackson Spalding presented Corey Proffitt, East Coast Communications Manager of Toyota with the GAAMA Award for Best Luxury: 2017 Lexus LC 500.
Kimberly Shults of FCA was graced with two GAAMA Awards – Best Green: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Judges Choice: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Ariel Garcia-Linares of Ketchum accepted the GAAMA Award for Biggest Bang for the Buck: 2017 Hyundai Elantra.
The show runs through Sunday, March 13. For details, visit http://goautoshow.com/site/.