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'Automotive Interior of the Year Award' Finalists Announced

21 October 1998

Prestigious 'Automotive Interior of the Year Award' Finalists Announced by Inside Automotives International

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 20 -- Inside Automotives
International (IAI) magazine has announced the finalists in its prestigious
Automotive Interior of the Year Awards.
    The awards program, now in its fifth year, recognizes one best-in-class
interior among North American-sold vehicles for the upcoming model year in
each of four categories: Car, Truck, Luxury and Best Redesign.  The automakers
nominated their best vehicle interiors among eligible 1999 models, and IAI
editors selected the finalists:

    Car:
    VW Beetle
    Toyota Camry Solara
    Mercury Cougar
    Nissan Quest
    Pontiac Grand Am

    Truck:
    Cadillac Escalade
    GMC Sierra
    Jeep Grand Cherokee

    Luxury:
    Saab 9/5
    Volvo S80
    Chrysler 300M

    Redesign:
    Ford Mustang
    Chrysler LHS
    Saturn 3-Door Coupe
    Ford F150

    The final phase of judging will be completed by an expanded panel
comprised of IAI editors and distinguished industry experts.  The judges will
cast their votes in secret to the awards' official accounting firm, KPMG, who
will independently tabulate the results.
    Judging criteria include Design, Styling, Value, Innovative Use of
Materials, Safety, and Consumer Appeal.
    The one winner in each category will be announced at a black tie affair on
November 19, 1998, beginning with cocktails at 6 p.m. at the Westin
Renaissance Hotel in Detroit.  The event will draw significant attendance from
not only the OEM finalists' interior designers, engineers and brand managers,
but also, from the leading automotive interior suppliers.
    "I'm particularly excited about our keynote speaker on awards night, Jerry
Hirshberg, president of Nissan Design International," said Carla Kalogeridis,
IAI's publisher.  "Nissan is one of the hottest news stories in the industry,
and as one of the industry's top designers, Jerry Hirshberg, embodies and is
influencing the creative thinking of the Nissan of the future."
    "Inside Automotives is thrilled to host an event that not only brings OEMs
and suppliers together, but also, gives the automotive industry a chance to
grab the consumer's attention when their vehicle is named a 'Best-in-Class'
interior."
    To make reservations to attend the Automotive Interior of the Year Awards
on November 19, contact IAI's Jill Sosin, 248-557-2430, or fax 248-557-2431.