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Here's why automakers roll out those Texas-themed pickup trucks

Every year, automakers with a full-size truck link make a big show of the Texas State Fair, usually involving a reveal of a new model. Sometimes they show a whole new truck, and other times a special edition centered on the Lone Star state. While some people might write this off as a quirk of the industry, others might be wondering, "What's the big deal with Texas?" As it turns out, part of the big deal with Texas is big truck sales. According to Dave Sullivan, product analysis manager at AutoPacific, Texas buys more trucks than any other state in the country. It's not a small margin either. Edmunds.com, one in five trucks sold in the US are sold in Texas. The state also accounts for 15 percent of the country's large truck sales, which is more than twice that of California, the second largest truck market in America. Even when you break down sales only in Texas, trucks are a huge piece of the pie - Sullivan says that a quarter of new vehicle sales in Texas are trucks. One in five trucks sold in the US are sold in Texas. But it's not just sales that make truck builders give attention to Texas. As Sullivan explained, "Pickups are life in Texas." Both he and Hugh Milne, marketing and advertising manager for the Chevy Silverado line, said that trucks are key fixtures in Texas society, as both work trucks and luxury vehicles (or Texas Cadillacs as Milne called them). Milne said Texas is so important in the truck market that if you want to be successful in the rest of the country, "you've got to be successful in Texas." As for the State Fair, it has become a prime location for reveals in part because of the importance of the Texas market and because of how big the fair is. Milne also revealed that the State Fair also hosts its own auto show, so it's an ideal venue for a vehicle introduction. So there you have it. Why do truck builders obsess over Texas? It's because Texas obsesses over trucks. When you have one market that loves your product that much, you give it the attention it deserves. Related Video: Image Credit: Donovan Reese via Getty Images Auto News Marketing/Advertising Chevrolet Ford RAM Truck f-150 texas state fair

Chevy Silverado Special Ops will go into limited production

Remember the Special Ops edition Silverado? Chevy showcased it as a show truck at SEMA last month. And now it's going into limited production, and proceeds will support the National Navy SEAL Museum. The special pickup was based on a Silverado 1500 in Z71 spec and done up with a special three-tone paint job inspired by the camouflage used on 20th-century warships. Known as Razzle Dazzle, the camo was designed to disguise a ship's form and movements from enemy vessels. Chevy also fitted the show truck with a sport bar, off-road LEDs, lower- and under-body reinforcement, and flared wheel arches packing special 20-inch wheels. Following its debut at SEMA, former GM chairman Dan Akerson (a US Naval Academy alum) and retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Rick Kaiser presented the concept truck at the 116th Army-Navy football game this past weekend. Chevy hasn't said just how many it will build and at what price, but production is slated to be "limited," going on sale in the spring. Related Video: Chevrolet Salutes Special Forces During Army-Navy Game 2015-12-10 - Special Operations Silverado will support National Navy SEAL Museum - Partners with the USX Mt. Everest Team to raise Post Traumatic Stress Disorder awareness - GM Military Discount expands to include all veterans PHILADELPHIA – For the sixth consecutive year, Chevrolet is the official vehicle sponsor of Saturday's Army-Navy Game. During the game, Chevrolet will honor military service men and women, particularly its special forces. Former General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, will join retired U.S. Navy SEAL Master Chief Rick Kaiser, executive director of the National Navy SEAL Museum, to salute the special forces during the presentation of a Chevy Silverado Special Ops Concept vehicle at the game. The limited production version is expected to go on sale next spring. Chevrolet will donate a portion of the proceeds from each Special Operations Silverado sold to benefit the Navy SEAL Museum. "The partnership will also help us aid the families of fallen, injured and active duty Navy SEALs through the efforts of our Trident House and scholarship programs," said Kaiser. Founded in 1985, the museum honors the service and legacy of the U.S. Navy SEALs. Located in Ft. Pierce, Fla., the museum and memorial are recognized as the birthplace of the Navy SEALs.

10 of 18 midsize SUVs earn 'good' IIHS side impact safety rating

It's not terribly surprising that midsize SUVs earned better safety ratings than small SUVs in the latest side-impact tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Just how much better they scored, on the other hand, certainly raises an eyebrow. Ten out of 18 midsize SUVs earned the highest rating of 'good' in the stringent new test, altered for vehicles starting with the 2020 model year with a heavier barrier (4,200 pounds) that moves at a higher speed (37 miles per hour) and is fitted with a hard honeycomb frontal structure. By way of contrast, just one out of of 20 small SUVs earned a 'good' score.  SUVs that receiving 'good' scores were the Ford Explorer, Infiniti QX60, Lincoln Aviator, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Volkswagen ID.4. For EV fans, it's worth noting the ID.4 was the only electric vehicle included in the test. The Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse scraped away with 'acceptable' ratings while the Honda Passport, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Wrangler 4-door, Kia Telluride and Nissan Murano were deemed merely 'marginal' in the tough new test. Only two models — the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen ID.4 — earned a "Good" rating in every test category.  Interestingly, the Jeep Wrangler would have scored a 'good' rating if it were equipped with side airbags for the rear seating positions. It would likely be an engineering challenge to equip its removable top and/or doors with airbags, but the lack of that safety feature allowed the head of the rear passenger dummy to hit the vertical support of the top. Otherwise, the Wrangler scored good ratings across the board. The new Ford Bronco, which makes more allowances for side-impact safety, has not yet been tested.  The popular Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride SUVs stand out in the test with 'poor' ratings for driver pelvis injuries. The Nissan Murano, a vehicle last redesigned for the 2015 model year, was the only vehicle tested that received a 'poor' rating for its structure and safety cage. Videos of the tests of 12 of these 18 SUVs can be found on the IIHS' YouTube page. Related video: Green Buick Chevrolet Ford Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jeep Kia Mazda Nissan Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Safety Crossover SUV IIHS Insurance Institute for Highway Safety