Road & Travel Magazine Names

2014 International
Car and Truck Award Winners


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Road & Travel Magazine announced the winners of its 18th annual International Car Award winners during private ceremonies held on January 13, 2014.

International Car Award for 2014

2014 KIA Cadenza - Read Review | Press Release

See Kia Commercial - Impossible to Ignore

Presenting the trophy to Michael Sprague are Mike Martini, President Bridgestone America OE & ICOTY sponsor; and Courtney Caldwell, editor in chief, Road & Travel Magazine (RTM).

The winning trophy for the Kia Optima was presented to Michael Sprague, Kia’s Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications. Presenters included Mike Martini, OE president, Bridgestone and ICOTY sponsor; Shannon Roche, Social Media Manager, RTM, and Martha Hindes, auto journalist.

“This year marks Kia’s 20th anniversary in the U.S. market and since our humble beginnings we have been known for taking bold steps. The 2014 Cadenza is another leap forward for the brand and has brought new and affluent customers into our retailers,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. “To win the prestigious ICOTY award two years running is a clear indication that our products continue to offer the perfect balance of design, amenities and value for today’s discerning car buyers.”

"ICOTY celebrates its 18th year in 2014, with Road & Travel Magazine hitting its 25th Anniversary as well. 1989-2014.

"The ICOTY Awards are not about power and performance, but rather about personality, passion and personal lifestyle."

In 1996, the ICOTY Awards pioneered the 'emotional connection' (theme) as it related to cars and consumers to help raise awareness that people have strong feelings about their vehicles throughout the purchasing process and ownership. It's not, nor has ever been, just about camshafts and chrome. It's about how cars reflect our personalities and status in life. Therefore, how a vehicle is marketed to consumer lifestyles that connects across gender and ethnic lines is one of top three factors for consideration.

“The Kia Cadenza rose to the top of the list as the most emotionally compelling vehicle above all others. Its functional yet sleek design as well as advanced features intertwine effortlessly with consumer lifestyles on many levels, qualities we look for when considering contenders for the ICOTY awards. In the final analysis, the ICOTY Awards are about what ignites consumer passion," said Caldwell

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The Chevy Silverado Named
International Truck Award - 2014

RTM editor Courtney Caldwell noted that Chevy's win comes on the 18th Anniversary of the ICOTY awards. She cited overall styling, new and more comfortable interior and improved miles per gallon among high points. Its appeal for women as well as men was highlighted in Chevy's groundbreaking commercial as seen here on You Tube, "Her Horse - A Woman and Her Truck," said Caldwell. "Chevy has achieved a remarkable milestone... marketing the Silverado with both genders in mind, those who are active, athletic, rugged, independent and confident. And, as in the case of the 'Her Horse' commercial, a woman of many faces and many hats, and accomplishing this without a hint of 'pink lipstick' in one frame."

The 18th annual International Truck of the Year trophy was presented to Maria Roher, marketing director for Chevrolet trucks and SUVs. Presenters included Bridgestone OE president and sponsor, Mike Martini; Shannon Roche, social media manager, RTM, and Martha Hindes, auto journalist.

Presenting the 2014 International Truck of the Year for the Chevrolet Silverado are Courtney Caldwell, editor, Road & Travel Magazine; and Mike Martini, president Bridgestone OE Americas, and ICOTY's 18th annual award sponsor. Accepting is Lloyd Biermann, Silverado Marketing Manager.

In acknowledging the award, Maria Rohrer, marketing director for Chevrolet trucks and SUVs, said Chevy was honored to be recognized for the 2014 Silverado. She cited the fine-tuning that went into this updated version of the most important truck staple in GM's vehicle lineup. “We are honored that Road & Travel magazine has recognized the new Silverado as its 2014 International Truck of the Year. We worked hard to make the Silverado the best engineered, most refined pickup on the road, and we are pleased to see those efforts recognized by Road & Travel,” Rohrer added.

How vehicles relate to both men and women is one of the key factors Road & Travel Magazine (RTM) looks at when choosing the best truck of the year. We consider the Silverado a thinking person's pickup, anticipating what's needed and providing just the right solution. That makes driving a pleasure instead of a chore. And it's one of the reasons we choose the Silverado as Road & Travel's "International Truck of the Year" winner for 2014.

2014 International Truck Award

2014 Chevrolet Silverado - Read Review | Press Release

See Chevy Commercial - A Woman & Her Truck

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Bridgestone, longtime lead sponsor and supporter of the ICOTY Awards, recognizes the consumer-product relationship as critical to vehicle success.

“Bridgestone is proud to support the ICOTY awards, and applauds the efforts of these automakers that like our company demonstrate a strong commitment to innovative technology,” said Michael Martini, president, Consumer OE, Bridgestone Americas. “Through the combined efforts of everyone in the auto industry, and led by automakers like those being recognized today, we will continue to meet and exceed the demands of the motoring public.”

"We would like to thank Bridgestone Tire for sponsoring the 2014 International Car of the Year Awards," said founder Courtney Caldwell. Their continued annual support has allowed us to honor automakers for vehicles that not only relate to consumer lifestyles and connect on an emotional level through their national advertising campaigns, it has provided RTM with the opportunity to elevate awareness on how people feel about their cars, and thus help revolutionize, the way agencies now market and advertise cars to consumers on an international level. 

About the ICOTY Awards: The ICOTY Awards were founded in 1996 by Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief of Road & Travel Magazine. Its unique and pioneering theme was created to recognize automakers that successfully designed their vehicles, and marketed to consumer lifestyles that reach across gender lines as well as cultural diversity, eliciting an emotional connection to, and passion for, the cars they purchase and drive, which translates into consumer loyalty. Today, many automakers use the ‘emotional connection’ theme in their national marketing and advertising campaigns to connect with consumers.

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2014 Earth, Wind & Power Award Winners
~Most Earth Aware~

Most Earth Aware Car of the Year

2014 Toyota Corolla - Read Review | Press Release

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Most Earth Aware SUV of the Year

2014 AUDI Q5 - Read Review | Press Release

for more information...

VISIT EARTH, WIND & POWER AWARDS INDEX

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