2012 International Truck of the Year Award Revealed

2012 RANGER ROVER EVOQUE Takes Top Truck Title

Presented during private ceremonies around the United States, the International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) honor 10 vehicles each year for the most emotionally compelling vehicle in the new model year. Nominees include vehicles that are manufactured by American, British, German, Japanese, Italian, Korean and Swedish automakers, which are sold in the United States.

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 to consumer lifestyles eliciting an emotional connection to, and passion for, the cars they own 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.

The ICOTY Awards became the first automotive awards show to honor new vehicles based on the emotional connection between car and consumer rather than camshafts and chrome.

"The ICOTY Awards are not about power and performance, but rather about personality, passion and personal lifestyle," said Executive Producer Courtney Caldwell. 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.”

“The Evoque is one of the most emotionally charged vehicles we’ve seen pass through this category in many years. The vast majority of the jury agreed that this exciting and stunning new vehicle will bond effortlessly with consumer lifestyles in both mind and spirit,” said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY founder and executive producer.

"The Range Rover Evoque being named the International Truck of the Year is a great way for the Land Rover brand to start off the New Year, said Kim McCullough, Brand Vice President, Land Rover. The breakthrough design and confident handling are undeniable and have led to a new generation of modern-day Land Rover enthusiasts."

The Range Rover Evoque is the first winner to be announced for the 2012 ICOTY Awards. The rest of the 2012 International Car of the Year Award winners will be announced January 7, 2012, right here on Road & Travel Magazine. Stay tuned!

And the first winner is:

2012 International Truck of the Year
Range Rover Evoque - Read Review

Range Rover Press Release
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And the 2012 Car of the Year winners are:

International Car of the Year
- Audi A7 -

International Sports Car of the Year - Most Sex Appeal
- Porche 911 -

International Sporty Coupe of the Year - Most Personality
- Hyundai Veloster -

International Sedan of the Year - Most Dependable
- Toyota Camry -

International Compact Car of the Year - Most Spirited
- Ford Focus -

PLUS

Earth, Wind & Power Car of the Year
- Volkswagen Passat TDI
Most Earth Friendly Car on the Planet

Earth Angel Award - Most Earth Friendly Automaker
Ford Motor Company

The ICOTY Jury consists of reputable automotive writers and editors who represent respected publications such as Road & Travel Magazine, Consumer Guide Automotive, Auto Week, and MSN Autos, to name a few. Voting ballots are then sent to J.D. Power and Associates for final tabulation to ensure accuracy and credibility.

The Range Rover Evoque was also named Motor Trend's 2012 SUV of the Year... good company indeed. [Read how it beat out its competitors].

For its first 13 years, ICOTY was the largest auto awards show production the auto industry, an event which had been coined by industry leaders as the Academy Awards of Cars. Today, the ICOTY Awards are presented in private ceremonies after all new model introductions have been tested by jurors, which provides all new vehicles the opportunity to compete for the awards in the new model year.

The criteria on which votes are cast can be found in the ICOTY AWARDS archive section under 'Awards Criteria.' Each vehicle must be of in-production models of the new year.

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