ROAD
& TRAVEL Magazine Announces 2005
International Car of the Year Awards Winners
DETROIT,
January 8, 2005 - ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine (RTM), a rapidly growing
online publication specializing in automotive and travel topics, announced
its 9th Annual International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) winners
at a black tie awards ceremony today. The ceremony, held at the Detroit
Marriott Renaissance Center Hotel, hosted more than 700 auto industry
leaders and media on the eve of the official opening 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: Chrysler 300C
- Truck
of the Year: Hummer H2 SUT
- Pick
Up Truck of the Year: "Most Athletic" Ford F-250
Super Duty
- Sports
Car of the Year: "Most Sex Appeal" Chevrolet Corvette
- Sedan
of the Year: "Most Dependable" Subaru Legacy 2.5i
- Luxury
Car of the Year: "Most Respected" Jaguar XJ LWB
- Minivan
of the Year: "Most Compatible" Chrysler Town &
Country
- Entry
Level Car of the Year: "Most Spirited" MINI Cooper
Convertible
- Crossover/Sport
Wagon: "Most Versatile" Dodge Magnum
- SUV
of the Year: "Most Resourceful" Land Rover
|
"The
ICOTY awards focus on the emotional connection owners have with their
vehicles and how cars and trucks reflect our lifestyles and self-image,
an attitude the average consumer can identify with," says RTM
Editor-In-Chief Courtney Caldwell.
During the program, RTM recognized veteran automotive journalist Jerry
Flint with the second annual Lifetime Achievement Award. Flint has
spent over 30 years covering the auto industry, most recently as automotive
editor and columnist for Forbes magazine. RTM also presented the inaugural
HEART STRING Award for the most emotionally compelling car commercial
in 2004 to Ford Motor Company and J. Walter Thompson for the Ford
Mustang "Steve McQueen" spot.
Sponsors
included Shell Oil Products US, Bridgestone/Firestone Tires, Dolby
Laboratories, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Detroit
Marriott Renaissance Hotel, Hyundai Motor Company, GM's OnStar, American
Honda, Bose Corporation, BMW NA, DaimlerChrysler Corporation, GMAC
Financial Services, Nissan NA, Subaru of America, U-Haul Corporation,
Google, Tower Automotive and ArvinMeritor.
About ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine
ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine, established in 1989, is a comprehensive
online magazine specializing in travel, automotive 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, please visit
our Web site at www.roadandtravel.com.