IntelliChoice and AutoPacific Announce the 2011 Motorist Choice Awards

intellichoice (select to view enlarged photo)

ANAHEIM, CA--September 22, 2011: Notable automotive industry research companies, IntelliChoice and AutoPacific, today announced the 2011 Motorist Choice Awards. Now in its sixth year, this venerable award series is designed to recognize those vehicles that deliver the compelling combination of high consumer satisfaction and lower-than-expected ownership costs over time. These awards were announced today at the Orange County International Auto Show at the Anaheim Convention Center.

“Whether buyers are seeking a kid friendly, youthful, or fun to drive vehicle -- we have a suggestion that will fit their budget and needs.”

This year, IntelliChoice and AutoPacific continued categorizing the winners into a collection of 15 popular lifestyle segments that shoppers could easily identify with, including categories such as "Active Lifestyle", "Cosmopolitan", "Head Turner" and "People Mover." The category winners covered two market segments -- Popular and Premium. Both reflect the purpose and perception of the consumer and illustrate the results of practical analysis, like total cost of ownership, fuel economy and resale value.

Ford led the list of winning vehicles with four, including the Expedition, which won in three different Popular categories. Repeat winners included the Dodge Ram HD in the Popular Active Lifestyle category, Hyundai Genesis in the Popular Luxury Lifestyle category and the Lexus IS in the Premium Youthful category.


The 2011 Motorist Choice Award Winners are as follows:

	Category	Popular	Premium
	Active Lifestyle	Dodge Ram HD	Land Rover LR4
	Cargo Hauler	Ford Expedition EL	Volvo XC70
	Cosmopolitan	Scion xD	Audi A3
	Eco Friendly	Ford Fusion Hybrid	Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
	Fun to Drive	MINI Cooper	Volvo C30
	Head Turner	Chevrolet Camaro	Porsche Panamera
	High Tech	Volkswagen Touareg	Cadillac Escalade
	Image	MINI Cooper	Mercedes-Benz GLK
	Kid Friendly	Toyota Sienna	Volvo XC90
	Luxury Lifestyle	Hyundai Genesis	Jaguar XJ
	People Mover	Ford Expedition EL	Lincoln Navigator
	Performance	Chevrolet Corvette	Cadillac Escalade
	Road Trip	Ford Expedition	Mercedes-Benz GL
	Value	Hyundai Elantra	Lexus HS
	Youthful	Scion tC	Lexus IS

Each year, AutoPacific performs the broadest and most widely followed owner satisfaction survey in the U.S. with a record of over 72,000 responses in 2011. This study solicits consumer feedback on recently purchased 2011 vehicles using 48 key attributes covering the entire ownership experience. From this data, AutoPacific compares overall buyer satisfaction between individual models and vehicle classes and announces its annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSAs) based on the findings.

Meanwhile, IntelliChoice constantly monitors and adjusts cost of ownership metrics for over 1,800 model trim lines to provide consumers with valuable insight into the financial impact of ownership over a five-year time horizon. This analysis is the foundation of the IntelliChoice "Best Overall Value of the Year" (BOVY) awards announced each January, and its interim "Best Bets" awards which were recently announced for the upcoming 2012 model year.

The Motorist Choice Awards combine complementary analysis from both firms into one set of accolades representing vehicles that earn high marks on both sets of criteria. Fifteen unique vehicle categories are defined by the needs and usage sought by new vehicle buyers and named appropriately based on recommendations from a panel of consumers. The firms then determine winners in the Popular and Premium brand groupings. This methodology provides a superior means of evaluating "Best in Class" vehicles that align consumer shopping patterns with probability for both satisfaction and value.

"Each year, we appreciate the opportunity to partner with AutoPacific to perform this research and analysis," said Tyler Schulze, vice president and general manager of IntelliChoice. "The Motorist Choice Award methodology is designed to help consumers identify vehicles that speak to their hearts and their wallets. The 2011 award winners all share a connection with buyers from both a satisfaction standpoint and overall value as compared to their peers. Based on this compelling combination, we are pleased to recommend these vehicles to consumers as a guide for good purchase decisions."

"The Motorist Choice Awards are designed to assist consumers by using a categorization scheme other than traditional vehicle classes. Our research has shown that buyers often shop in more than one vehicle segment based on their needs and uses, rather than simply choosing a segment and then comparing models within it," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "Whether buyers are seeking a kid friendly, youthful, or fun to drive vehicle -- we have a suggestion that will fit their budget and needs."

For more details on these categories and the winning vehicles please visit IntelliChoice.

About AutoPacific

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters and its state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area. Since 1986, AutoPacific has provided innovative, methodologically sound, strongly implemented research in addition to expert automotive analysis. AutoPacific is nationally known for its annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards and Ideal Vehicle Awards.

About IntelliChoice

IntelliChoice, part of the Motor Trend Auto Group, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site consumers can research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to affiliated dealers nationwide through the IntelliChoice Auto Buying Program. Motor Trend Auto Group is an operating division of Source Interlink Media, a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and digital content for enthusiast audiences.

About Source Interlink Media

Source Interlink Media is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 websites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The division's strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.