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International Car of the Year Awards -
Categories & Criteria

Presented with an entirely different theme than traditional automotive awards, the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) Awards stand apart from the rest.

Vehicle eligibility includes those manufactured anywhere in the world but sold in America and are new year in-production models. If an existing model, the vehicle must have significant changes in design and/or technology.

Winners are selected by a jury of 12 respected automotive editors and journalists who represent a variety of renowned and respected automotive publications. The awards are judged based on lifestyle compatibility and how well automakers achieve that goal.

Lifestyle attributes considered by ICOTY Jury:


Appealing to Men and Women
Head Turning Ability
Environmentally Friendly
Style & Performance
Affordable & Practical
Grocery Getting Potential
Safe & Dependable
Fun Factor & Smile Meter
Very Cool & Status Symbol
Proud to Drive & Be Seen In


International Car of the Year Award Categories

The ICOTY Awards, launched in 1997, becoming the first awards to honor new vehicles from a theme that reflected lifestyle compatibility. The ICOTY categories surround a particular stage or mind set in one's life, representing how cars make us feel. "It's not about camshafts and chrome, or zero to sixty," says Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY's executive producer. "It's about the relationships people have with their cars. It's about lifestyle and life stages."

International Car of the Year    
International Truck of the Year



Earth, Wind & Power Awards

Earth, Wind & Power Awards

Most Earth-Friendly Car & Truck of the Year


In 2009, ICOTY debuted the EARTH, WIND & POWER Awards to honor vehicles that are driven by a power source that helps reduce global warming, promotes a cleaner environment and supports the mission to achieve energy independence through alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.

In addition to the International Car of the Year Awards, a special tribute is awarded to a veteran automotive journalist for outstanding contributions in the auto industry throughout his or her career with the Lifetime Legend Award.

In 2008, the ICOTY panel introduced the inaugural EARTH ANGEL AWARD, the first-of-its-kind award to honor the most environ-mentally-friendly automaker showing the most progress with environmental initiatives, services and programs in the fight against global warming on a worldwide basis.

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