ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine Announces 2007 International Car of the Year Awards Winners

DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2007 -- ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine (RTM) announced its 11th Annual International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) winners at a black tie ceremony today. Held at the Detroit Marriott Hotel, 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 12 nationally-renowned automotive journalists selected the Top 10 automobiles with ballots tabulated by J.D. Power and Associates.

  And the winners are:
  --International Car of the Year:                   Lexus LS 460
  --International Truck of the Year:                 Chevrolet Silverado
                                                      Crew Cab
  --Pick Up Truck of the Year:   "Most Athletic"     Chevrolet Silverado
  --Sports Car of the Year:      "Most Sex Appeal"   Jaguar XK
  --Sedan of the Year:           "Most Dependable"   Toyota Camry
  --Luxury Car of the Year:      "Most Respected"    Lexus LS 460
  --Minivan of the Year:         "Most Compatible"   Hyundai Entourage
  --Entry Level Car of the Year: "Most Spirited"     Mazda Speed 3
  --Crossover of the Year:       "Most Versatile"    Mazda CX-7
  --SUV of the Year:             "Most Resourceful"  GMC Yukon

"The ICOTY awards focus on the emotional connection between car and consumer; how vehicles reflect our lifestyles and self image, an attitude the average consumer can identify with," says RTM Editor-in-Chief Courtney Caldwell.

RTM recognized veteran automotive journalist and photographer Jim Dunne with its 4th annual Lifetime Achievement Award. RTM also presented its 3rd annual HEART STRING Award for best car commercial in 2006 for Ford Mustang's "Father & Son" by JWT.

Sponsors for the 2007 ICOTY Awards include DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Bridgestone Firestone Tires, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, OnStar, American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Intrapromote, Bose Corporation, Subaru of America, American Honda, Automotive Women's Alliance, BMW North America, Hyundai Motor America, Mazda North American Operations, Mercedes-Benz USA, Nissan NA, AutoTrader.com, Car Crazy Central, JWT, NAWBO Detroit Chapter, The Women's Automotive Association International and U-Haul International. Media partners for the event include AutoTrader.com, Car Crazy Central, Edmunds.com, MSN Autos and Popular Mechanics. CBS Detroit will be televising ICOTY 2007 as a TV special to air on opening weekend of the North American International Auto Show: Sunday, January 14th at 12:00 p.m.