2024 Nissan Rogue tops three other competitors to win the “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” crown
Starting with more than 120 possibilities, voting in stages reduced the options to four finalists.
And the winner of the inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” is . . . . . . the 2024 Nissan Rogue, a mid-size crossover with a bold new look, great mileage, updated tech, plus loads of room for cargo and friends. It is made in Smyrna and bested three other competitors.
They were:
- DENSO’s Phone as a Key (PAAK) product. Like traditional keyless entry systems, it allows for locking/unlocking of doors, remote vehicle start/stop, lift gate control and vehicle location – all through a smartphone app and a control unit in the center of the vehicle. It is made in Maryville.
- Eastman’s TritanTM Renew, a co-polyester made by molecular recycling technology that transforms plastic waste into durable materials with up to 50 percent recycled content, offsetting use of fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. It is made at the Eastman facilities in Kingsport.
- Eclipse Glasses from American Paper Optics in Bartlett. In April, the company manufactured more than 75 million eclipse glasses for the April 8 total solar eclipse.
The winner was announced Thursday during a lunch in Cleveland, TN. Partners in the competition include the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association, Tennessee Manufacturers Association, and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services.
Starting with more than 120 possibilities, voting began in early June with the first cut coming for what might be characterized as quarterfinalists. Those 16 went through another round of voting to reduce it to eight semifinalists. The last cut, announced July 8, was to the four finalists.
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