2011 International Car of the Year Awards
Honor Top Sedan, SUV and Luxury Car
Sponsored by
Volvo S60, Ford Explorer and Jaguar XJ recognized
for emotional and lifestyle compatibility
April 21, 2011 — In private ceremonies held in New York City today, the 2011 International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) honored three vehicles deemed best in class for their most superlative connection with consumer lifestyles. And the winners are:
2011 International Sedan of the Year:
2011 Volvo S60 – Most Dependable
2011 International Luxury Car of the Year:
2011 Jaguar XJ – Most Respected
2011 International SUV of the Year:
2011 Ford Explorer – Most Resourceful
See Special ICOTY Issue
Selected by a jury of 12 nationally recognized automotive journalists, this year’s honorees offer drivers ultimate lifestyle compatibility at a time when it’s needed most.
“To receive the 2011 International Sedan of the Year award and named "Most Dependable" demonstrate first-hand the Volvo S60 connects with consumers' lifestyles on both an emotional and rational level,” said Doug Speck, president and CEO of VCNA, who accepted the International Sedan of the Year Award. “From our advanced technology safety features and Scandinavian styling inside and out, to its best-in-class fuel economy and award-winning engine, the S60 delivers something for everyone—it is without a doubt a game changer for us.”
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Courtney Caldwell, Editor-in-Chief, Road & Travel Magazine,
presents Ian Callum, Design Director for Jaguar, with the International
Luxury Car of the Year Award for the 2011 Jaguar XJ. Also on hand from left to
right: Denise McCluggage, DeniseMcCluggage.com; Adrian Hallmark,
Global Brand Director for Jaguar; Michael Martini, President of
Bridgestone OE Americas; Joe Wiesenfelder, Senior Editor, Cars.com; and Global
Head of Communications for Jaguar Land Rover, Frank Klaas. |
Said Adrian Hallmark, global brand director for Jaguar, who accepted the International Luxury Car of the Year Award, "We're delighted that the 2011 Jaguar XJ has received this honor. The all-new XJ is a benchmark in both design and technology, and we're thrilled to receive the “Most Respected” accolade from one of the highest international panel of judges in our industry." Hallmark adds, "This success, along with the redesigned XK and XF, speak volumes about the future of the Jaguar brand as a leading edge premium car maker."
Ford’s Explorer Marketing Manager, Craig Patterson was also on hand to accept the International SUV of the Year Award, deemed 'Most Resourceful' by the ICOTY jury.
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Accepting the ICOTY Award was Ford’s Explorer Marketing Manager, Craig Patterson, center.
(l-r) Presenting the award were ICOTY jurors, Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor, Cars.com; Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY founder and editor-in-chief,
Road & Travel Magazine; Denise McCluggage, editor of denisemccllugage.com; and Mike Martini, president, Bridgestone Tire OE Americas
and 2011 ICOTY Awards sponsor.
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"With it's modern design, class-leading fuel economy and technologies, the new Explorer has been reinvented and delivers all the features SUV buyers expect in an SUV and many that they don't expect," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President of Global Product Development. "From its seven passenger capability to its four wheel drive Terrain Management System and industry-first rear inflatable seat belts, consumers can experience the Explorer in a fresh and new way and we are pleased to have been selected the International SUV of the Year."
In its 15th year, the ICOTY Awards remain a respected industry honor, measuring what no other automotive award does, the emotional connection between car and consumer. Bridgestone, longtime lead sponsor of ICOTY, 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.”
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Accepting the award for the 2011 International Sedan of the Year - Volvo S60, is Doug Speck (center) CEO, Volvo. Presenting the award are ICOTY jurors (l-r) James Bell, market analyst and president Motor Press Guild; Courtney Caldwell, editor, Road & Travel Magazine and ICOTY founder; and BJ Killeen, editor, Driver's Talk Radio. (r) Mike Martini, president of Bridgestone Tire OE Americas and 2011 ICOTY Awards sponsor. |
In addition to ICOTY Executive Producer, Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief, Road & Travel Magazine; and Mike Martini, president, Consumer OE, Bridgestone Americas, trophies were presented by James Bell, president, Motor Press Guild; Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor, Cars.com; Denise McCluggage, contributor, Auto Week; Steve Siler, west coast online editor, Car and Driver Magazine; and BJ Killeen, road test editor, Drivers Talk Radio.
See more 2011 International Car of the Year Winners!
About ICOTY
The ICOTY Awards were founded in 1996 by Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief, Road & Travel Magazine. Its unique theme was created to recognize automakers that successfully design and market their vehicles to consumer lifestyles. Today, many automakers use the ‘emotional connection’ theme in their national marketing and advertising campaigns.
Media Contact:
Courtney Caldwell, Executive Producer
P: 248.561.5660 EST
E: icotyawards@gmail.com
W: www.icotyawards.com
