WELCOME TO ATLANTA WHERE FAMILY CARS ARE STILL KING.

NOW BY FAMILY CARS THAT CAN MEAN ANYTHING FROM BIG SUV’S, COMPACTS, CROSSOVERS OR EVEN TRUCKS.

THEY CAN BE TRADITIONAL INTERNAL COMBUSTION POWERED, HYBRIDS OR POSSIBLY ELECTRIC.

JUDGING WHICH OF THESE OFFERINGS MAKES THE MOST SENSE IS ONE OF THE ANNUAL JOBS OF THE GREATER ATLANTA AUTOMOTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION OR AS IT IS AFFECTIONATELY CALLED GAAMA.

SINCE THE AUTO INDUSTRY LIKES TROPHIES THE FAMILY CAR CHALLENGE ATTRACTS REPRESENTATIVES OF MOST MAJOR CAR MAKERS TO SHOW UP AND TOUT THEIR WARES.

FOR SOME IT IS A CHANCE TO TEST REACTION TO NEW PRODUCT LIKE VOLKSWAGEN DID THIS YEAR WITH THE ARTEON – A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF THE LUXURY CC SEDAN AND SOMETHING TO KEEP BUYERS INTERESTED.And we have been trying to expand the lineup.

You’ve seen we have done that with our Atlas and our Tiguan.

But we wanted to give them a sedan option too.

Sedans are still 25% of sales in the U.S. and we felt this was the platform to really give them something not only functional but stylish as well.

SO, WITH SOME TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL OF VARIOUS MODELS AND FEATURE UPDATES FROM COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES- AUTO WRITERS SPENT A DAY SCORING THE LOW AND HIGH POINTS OF VEHICLES IN NEARLY EVERY CLASS BUT SPORTS CARS.

IN EVERY CATEGORY SCORES WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE.

THE WINNERS INCLUDED A FEW SURPRISES.

The best green vehicle for 2019 for the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association is the Toyota Corolla hybrid.LE.

Best third row vehicle for the 2019 Family Car Challenge goes to the KIA Telluride.

Best Luxury vehicle for the 2019 family car challenge Mercedes GLE.

Best Value GAAMA Family Car Challenge 2019 Subaru Forester 2019 Family Car Challenge Best pickup truck Jeep Gladiator.

Who’d have ever thunk it!!

Best family car Tech is the Toyota RAV4 GAAMA 2019.

Don’t look so surprised.

2019 Family Car Challenge Best Overall Winner Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

MAYBE 2020 WILL BRING SOME LUCK TO OTHER ENTRANTS.

THIS IS GREG MORRISON