ROAD
& TRAVEL Magazine Announces 2006
International Car of the Year Awards Winners
DETROIT,
January 7, 2006 - ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine (RTM) announced its 10th
Annual International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) winners at a black
tie ceremony today. Held at the Detroit Marriott Hotel, RTM hosted
more than 600 industry leaders and media on the eve of press week
of the North American International Auto Show.
A
jury of 12 nationally-renowned automotive journalists selected the
Top 10 automobiles with ballots tabulated by J.D. Power and Associates.
And
the winners are:
Car of the Year: Dodge Charger
Truck of the Year: Hummer H3
Pick Up Truck of the Year: "Most Athletic" Honda
Ridgeline
Sports Car of the Year: "Most Sex Appeal" Pontiac
Solstice
Sedan of the Year: "Most Dependable" Hyundai Sonata
Luxury Car of the Year: "Most Respected" Mercedes-Benz
CLS500
Minivan of the Year: "Most Compatible" Honda Odyssey
Entry Level Car of the Year: "Most Spirited" Audi
A3
Crossover of the Year: "Most Versatile" Dodge Magnum
SRT8
SUV of the Year: (Tie) "Most Resourceful" Ford Explorer
and
Range Rover Sport
"The ICOTY awards focus on the emotional connection between car
and consumer; how vehicles reflect our lifestyles and self image,
an attitude the average consumer can identify with," says RTM
Editor-In-Chief Courtney Caldwell.
RTM also recognized veteran automotive journalist David E. Davis,
Jr. with its third annual Lifetime Achievement Award. Described as
"the dean of America's automotive critics" by Time Magazine,
Davis is widely recognized as the guru of the automobile industry.
RTM also presented its second annual HEART STRING Award for best car
commercial in 2005 for the Nissan 350Z.
ICOTY
sponsors included DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Detroit Marriott Hotel,
Shell Oil, Dolby Laboratories, Ford Motor Company, General Motors
Corporation, OnStar, Hyundai Motor America, Subaru of America, American
Suzuki, BMW NA, American Honda, Nissan NA, and U-Haul International.
Media sponsors included MSN Autos, Edmunds.com and Vehix.com.
About ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine
ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine, established in 1989, is a comprehensive
online magazine specializing in automotive, travel and personal safety
topics. RTM provides content and resources from which consumers can
make informed and intelligent decisions regarding their automotive,
travel and personal safety needs. For more information, visit www.roadandtravel.com.
Media Contact:
Jessica Howell
ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine
248-614-0017
Jessica.Howell@roadandtravel.com