Kevin Smith and Dan Wiese Join Jury for International Car of the Year Awards

DETROIT, Oct. 25, 2005 -- The International Car of the Year Awards board (ICOTY) today announced the addition of two new judges to its jury; a group of 12 respected automotive journalists from a variety of publications and broadcast.

Kevin Smith, Editorial Director of Edmunds.com has joined the ICOTY awards board, and will also co-host the 10th anniversary show in January 2006 with producer and host, Courtney Caldwell.

Smith is a 28-year veteran of motoring publications with former stints at Car and Driver, Road & Track, and as Editor-in-Chief for Motor Trend. "We consider it quite an honor to have Kevin on the ICOTY Award's board. He brings experience, respected credibility and a knowledge base about cars that compares to few," says Caldwell.

Also joining the board is Dan Wiese, 15-year automotive writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Wiese's other passion is pounding a piano in "more than one saloon over the years." His philosophy: "If you don't leave blood on the keys, you're not really playing." Dan will also be providing "Live Ivory" entertainment following the ICOTY awards. "We are very excited to have Dan [and his talent] on board. He brings a unique combination of talents to ICOTY," adds Caldwell.

A jury of 12 nationally-renowned automotive journalists will select ten vehicles for the new model year in ten separate categories, with ballots tabulated by J.D. Power and Associates. Among them are Car of the Year and Truck of the Year. CBS Detroit will televise ICOTY's 10th anniversary show and air a one-hour special on the opening weekend of the NAIAS in Detroit.

"The ICOTY awards focus on the emotional connection car and consumer; how they reflect our lifestyles and the ownership experience, an attitude everyday consumers identify with," says RTM Editor-In-Chief Courtney Caldwell.

ICOTY sponsors include DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Detroit Marriott Renaissance Hotel, Dolby Laboratories, General Motors Corporation, GM's OnStar, Hyundai Motors America, American Suzuki, American Honda, Nissan NA, and Subaru North America.

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