Road and Travel Magazine crowned the winners of its 2008 International Car Of The Year at 12th annual NAIAS-eve ceremony last night. Honda's newly-ginormous Accord took the coronation on the car side, while Chrysler's revamped Town and Country used its slick new features to win the truck category. RTM's judges are a veritable who's who of heavy-hitting auto journos, including Ann Job, David E. Davis, Jr., Denise McCluggage and Autoblog's own John McElroy. The pundit firepower lends real credence to the selections, even if you don't agree 100%. Results were sorted by JD Power and Associates, and General Motors had the most vehicles named to the overall list. GM was also presented with the first Earth Angel award, honoring the environmentally-friendly efforts of the automaker. The full list of winners is included in RTM's press release, posted after the jump.
[Source: Road and Travel]
PRESS RELEASE:
ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine Announces 2008 International Car of the Year Awards Winners
DETROIT, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine (RTM) announced
its 12th Annual International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) winners at a
black tie ceremony today. Held at the MGM Grand Detroit, 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 nationally-renowned automotive journalists selected the
award- winning vehicles with ballots tabulated by J.D. Power and
Associates. And the winners are:
* International Car of the Year: Honda Accord Sedan
* International Truck of the Year: Chrysler Town & Country
* Pick Up Truck of the Year: "Most Athletic" GMC Sierra Denali
* Sports Car of the Year: "Most Sex Appeal" Audi R8
* Sedan of the Year: "Most Dependable" Honda Accord Sedan
* Luxury Car of the Year: "Most Respected" Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
* Minivan of the Year: "Most Compatible" Chrysler Town & Country
* Entry Level Car of the Year: "Most Spirited" Volvo C30
* Crossover of the Year: "Most Versatile" Buick Enclave
* SUV of the Year: "Most Resourceful" Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
"The ICOTY Award's unique theme focuses on the emotional connection
between car and consumer; how vehicles reflect our lifestyles and self
image, an attitude the average consumer can identify with," said RTM
Editor-in-Chief Courtney Caldwell. "It's about how we feel about our cars
and how our cars make us feel." To drive this point home, RTM readers were
polled on how they felt about their cars, the results of which were very
revealing.
Opening remarks at the ICOTY event were made by Congressman John D.
Dingell, the "Dean of the House of Representatives," and Chairman of the
Committee on Energy and Commerce. In addition, U.S. Senator Carl Levin, RTM
Editor-in-Chief Courtney Caldwell and Edmunds.com Editorial Director Kevin
Smith co-presented the inaugural EARTH ANGEL Award, to General Motors
Corporation as the most environmentally-friendly automaker. The award,
sponsored by Bridgestone, was created to shine a spotlight on the positive
strides automakers are making with global warming issues on a worldwide
level.
RTM recognized veteran automotive journalist Thos L. Bryant, editor-in-
chief of Road & Track, with its 5th annual Lifetime Achievement Award. RTM
also presented its annual HEART STRING Award for best car commercial in
2007 for Dodge Caravan's "Rooms."
Early Look: £1million Aston Martin One-77
Andrea Pininfarina killed in motorcycle accident
BMW owner tapes black car to white
Nissan confirms G37 Sedan, G37 Convertible and G37x Coupe
2009 Honda Ridgeline introduced early to internet
First Drive: HUMMER H3T
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy![In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG [w/VIDEO]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/amg-s63-1280-11_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG [w/VIDEO]
Project Track Slut Update: Prepping for the big 
Second Drive: Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MemphisNET @ Jan 13th 2008 5:59PM
These winners make sense simply because these are the type of vehicles that are being bought and used the most in this country. I've said it several times over the day, but these are real every-man cars. They may not be what we want, but they definately fullfill the need of every day life.
MemphisNET @ Jan 13th 2008 6:00PM
Missed the R8 - but in itself represents an amazing technology package and something that is very fresh.
xabra @ Jan 15th 2008 4:19AM
R8 is in there ...
MemphisNET @ Jan 15th 2008 8:32AM
I missed it, not them.
yaroukh @ Jan 13th 2008 6:32PM
LOL, International Car Of The Year? Who are they kidding?
Isn't international supposed to mean "world" or "worldwide"? The chart listed above just screams "North America !!!". Or is it something like "The World Series" which people living outside of NA (yet still on the planet Earth) mostly never heard of?
_Jon @ Jan 13th 2008 8:34PM
Since when is a 'mini-van' a 'truck'???
Bob-omb @ Jan 13th 2008 8:55PM
The scoring on the "North American Car/Truck of the Year" was suspect enough. (The CX-9 is terrific, but twice as many points as an Enclave? Twice??) But giving an award to the Town & Country is just laughable. Unless the award was Falling Behind the Competition (special runner up: Ford Focus!), that thing deserves no award.
DetroitWhat @ Jan 13th 2008 9:01PM
I can't believe GM got shut out for the COTY and TOTY awards. The new Malibu and CTS are far better than their predecessors and much better than the redesigned Accord. But I guess everyone loves Honda!
DetroitWhat @ Jan 13th 2008 9:09PM
Wait a minute, the Malibu and the CX-9 won.
Rick @ Jan 15th 2008 3:49PM
I don't see how Honda won car of the year. That's a tought one. I also can't understand how Honda Odessey didn't clean up the minivan category. Chrysler? Most compatible? Seriously?
Rick @ Jan 15th 2008 4:32PM
I don't see how Honda won car of the year. That's a tought one. I also can't understand how Honda Odessey didn't clean up the minivan category. Chrysler? Most compatible? Seriously?
Rick @ Jan 15th 2008 4:33PM
I don't see how Honda won car of the year. That's a tought one. I also can't understand how Honda Odessey didn't clean up the minivan category. Chrysler? Most compatible? Seriously?
Rick @ Jan 15th 2008 4:33PM
I don't see how Honda won car of the year. That's a tought one. I also can't understand how Honda Odessey didn't clean up the minivan category. Chrysler? Most compatible? Seriously?
Rick @ Jan 15th 2008 10:39PM
I don't see how Honda won car of the year. That's a tought one. I also can't understand how Honda Odessey didn't clean up the minivan category. Chrysler? Most compatible? Seriously?