Motor Trend Car of the Year
The Motor Trend Car of the Year is an annual award given by Motor Trend magazine to recognize the best new or significantly refreshed car in a given model year.
Background
The Motor Trend Car of the Year is an annual award given by Motor Trend magazine to recognize the best new or significantly refreshed car in a given model year.[1]
Motor Trend, which debuted in 1949, was the first publication to name a Car of the Year. Over time, other organizations have selected a "Car of the Year", but those organizations' awards are not associated with Motor Trend despite the identical award name.[2] The European Car of the Year award began in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines.
Motor Trend's first Car of the Year award went to Cadillac's V8 engine models in 1949, powered by a novel and effective overhead valve design.[3]
Changes: Split and Recombine
The earliest awards were given to the manufacturer, not to a specific vehicle.
For several decades only American-made cars won this award. In pre-1970's United States, American automobiles had an overwhelming market share - 86% in 1970 for example.[4] American cars were so suited to the unusual conditions[5] found in the United Sates, that they were barely relevant in contests like European Car of the Year, except for the third place finish of the Oldsmobile Toronado in 1966.
In 1970, there were two awards - one for the US-built, mechanically unremarkable[6][7] Ford Torino and one for the novel German built Porsche 914 mid-engine design.
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Then in 1972, the radical, high technology, low volume Citroën SM won the COTY award.
At this time, American cars were for cost reasons all one one simple proven engineering concept with mild styling variations (front engine, rear wheel drive, large, low compression engine, automatic transmission, live rear axle, high fuel consumption).[8] If COTY meant 'novel and effective design' then US-built cars would not be able to win going forward - the next new technology, US designed Toronado/Corvair-type car was not on the horizon.[9]
Between 1976 and 1999, the COTY award was split in two - Domestic COTY and Import COTY.
The 1999 re-combination of Domestic COTY and Import COTY was explained by editor Angus Mackenzie as "Because it's so hard to say that, for example, a Toyota Camry, built in Kentucky and designed in California, is less American than a Ford that may have been built in Canada or Mexico and designed in Europe." Since the combination of the awards, American cars have won the award seven times, and imports have won six times.
The award has since expanded to include the pickup truck and sport utility vehicle (SUV) of the year, which are awarded separately from the Car of the Year.
Impact
Motor Trend's Car of the Year is "one of the most prestigious honors bestowed in the auto industry."[10]
The trophy for the winner, a depiction of calipers, is often used in the winning automaker's marketing and advertising.[11][12] Most cars that win the award report a spike in sales.[13][14]
However, receiving Motor Trend's recognition is no guarantee of success. This was the case of the nostalgic 2002 Ford Thunderbird, which did not meet expectations and was pulled from the market three years later.[15]
Criteria
To be eligible for the award, a car must be an "all-new" or "substantially upgraded" vehicle that has been on sale within 12 months from the previous November, vehicles that have been on sale for over five years are ineligible for the award.
Between the contenders, it is not a comparison test. In 2014 as an example, the Motor Trend judges debated and evaluate each vehicle against six key criteria:[16]
| Criteria | Note |
|---|---|
| Design Advancement | well-executed exterior and interior styling; innovative vehicle packaging; selection of materials |
| Engineering Excellence | vehicle concept and execution; clever solutions to packaging, manufacturing and dynamics issues; cost-effective technology that benefits the consumer |
| Efficiency | low fuel consumption and carbon footprint, relative to the vehicle's competitive set |
| Safety | active: help the driver avoid a crash; secondary: protect occupants from harm during a crash |
| Value | competitive price and equipment levels, measured against vehicles in the same market segment |
| Performance of Intended Function | how well the vehicle does the job its planners, designers, and engineers intended |
Motor Trend also only considers cars with base MSRPs less than $100,000 in order to avoid expensive luxury and super cars dominating the competition.[17]
Vehicles are subjected a battery of tests: standard car tests such as skid-pad ratings, acceleration and quarter-mile times, and evaluations of the interiors are combined with a track run conducted by SCCA-licensed testers and taking the cars out on normal roads to test their drivability under normal conditions, and fuel economy. Trucks and SUVs add towing capacity and speed, plus an off-road course, to the normal regimen.
Car of the Year listing
- 2015 Volkswagen Golf line-up[18]
- 2014 Cadillac CTS
- 2013 Tesla Model S
- 2012 Volkswagen Passat
- 2011 Chevrolet Volt[19]
- 2010 Ford Fusion[20]
- 2009 Nissan GT-R
- 2008 Cadillac CTS
- 2007 Toyota Camry
- 2006 Honda Civic
- 2005 Chrysler 300
- 2004 Toyota Prius
- 2003 Infiniti G35
- 2002 Ford Thunderbird
- 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
- 2000 Lincoln LS
- 1999 Chrysler 300M
- 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
- 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
- 1996 Dodge Caravan
- 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
- 1994 Ford Mustang
- 1993 Ford Probe GT
- 1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan
- 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ
- 1990 Lincoln Town Car
- 1989 Ford Thunderbird SC
- 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
- 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
- 1986 Ford Taurus LX
- 1985 Volkswagen GTI (eligible due to it being built in VW's now-defunct Pennsylvania plant)
- 1984 Chevrolet Corvette
- 1983 AMC / Renault Alliance
- 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
- 1981 Chrysler K Cars, Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant
- 1980 Chevrolet Citation
- 1979 Buick Riviera S
- 1978 Chrysler, Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon
- 1977 Chevrolet Caprice
- 1976 Chrysler, Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare
- 1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2
- 1974 Ford Mustang II
- 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- 1972 Citroën SM (an imported vehicle that was selected overall "Car of the Year")
- 1971 Chevrolet Vega
- 1970 Ford Torino
- 1969 Plymouth Road Runner
- 1968 Pontiac GTO
- 1967 Mercury Cougar
- 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
- 1965 Pontiac Motor Division
- 1964 Ford Motor Company (not for the Mustang)
- 1963 American Motors (AMC) Rambler (all models: American, Classic, and Ambassador)
- 1962 Buick Special
- 1961 Pontiac Tempest
- 1960 Chevrolet Corvair
- 1959 Pontiac Motor Division
- 1958 Ford Thunderbird
- 1957 Chrysler Corporation (all makes: Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial)
- 1956 Ford Motor Company
- 1955 Chevrolet Motor Division
- 1954 No award
- 1953 No award
- 1952 Cadillac Motor Division
- 1951 Chrysler Corporation
- 1950 No award
- 1949 Cadillac Motor Division
Import Car of the Year listing
Introduced in 1970 for one year and then brought back in 1976 due to distinguishing differences between imports and American cars, was discontinued after the 1999 model year when the line between what is truly American and what isn't became very blurry.
- 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle
- 1998 Lexus GS
- 1997 BMW 5-Series
- 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 1995 Nissan Maxima
- 1994 Honda Accord
- 1993 Mazda RX-7
- 1992 Lexus SC 400
- 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
- 1990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo
- 1989 Mitsubishi Galant GS
- 1988 Honda CR-X Si
- 1987 Acura Legend Coupe
- 1986 Mazda RX-7
- 1985 Toyota MR2
- 1984 Honda Civic CR-X
- 1983 Mazda 626
- 1982 Toyota Celica Supra
- 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD
- 1980 Honda Civic
- 1979 Datsun 280ZX
- 1978 Toyota Celica
- 1977 Mercedes-Benz 280E
- 1976 Toyota Celica Liftback
- 1971-1975 no award
- 1970 Porsche 914
Truck of the Year listing
- 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2014 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel
- 2013 Ram 1500[21]
- 2012 Ford F-150
- 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD[22]
- 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty[23]
- 2009 Ford F-150
- 2008 Toyota Tundra
- 2007 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2006 Honda Ridgeline
- 2005 Toyota Tacoma
- 2004 Ford F-150
- 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
- 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
- 2001 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty
- 2000 Toyota Tundra
- 1999 Chevrolet Silverado
- 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
- 1997 Ford F-150
- 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
- 1994 Dodge Ram
- 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee[24]
- 1992 Ford Van Chateau Club Wagon
- 1991 Mazda Navajo
- 1990 Ford Aerostar
- 1989 Toyota Truck Xtracab SR5
- 1980-1988 No award
- 1979 Chevrolet LUV
Sport/Utility of the Year listing
- 2015 Honda CR-V
- 2014 Subaru Forester
- 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
- 2012 Range Rover Evoque
- 2011 Porsche Cayenne
- 2010 Subaru Outback
- 2009 Subaru Forester
- 2008 Mazda CX-9
- 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
- 2006 Nissan Xterra
- 2005 Land Rover LR3
- 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
- 2003 Volvo XC90
- 2002 GMC Envoy
- 2001 Acura MDX
- 2000 Nissan Xterra
- 1999 Lexus RX300
Car of the Year in China
Motor Trend magazine's China-market cousin, Auto Club-Motor Trend, also issues a "Car of the Year" award for that market.
Car of the Year
- 2011:Bmw-Brilliance 5 Series(Long wheel base)
- 2010:Shanghai-GM Buick Regal
- 2009:GAC-Honda Accord
- 2008:FAW-Volkswagen Magotan(Passat B6)
- 2007:GAC-Toyota Camry
- 2006:FAW-Toyota Crown
- 2005:Changan-Ford Mondeo
- 2004:FAW-Mazda 6
- 2003:Shanghai Volkswagen Polo
SUV of the Year listing
- 2011:FAW-Volkswagen Audi Q5
- 2010:GAC-Toyota Highlander
- 2009:Dongfeng-Nissan X-Trail
- 2008:[GAC-Honda] CRV
- 2007:countermand
- 2006:Shanghai GM SRX
- 2005:[GAC-Honda] CRV
- 2004:Changfeng Automobile Liebao Feiteng
References
- ↑ Lieberman, Jonny (January 2014). "Motor Trend Car of the Year 2014: The Strong Thrive: The 65th Anniversary of our Signature Award Finds the Automotive Industry Stronger Than Ever". Motor Trend (Source Interlink Media) 66 (1): 42–45. ISSN 0027-2094. OCLC 423854316. Archived from the original on 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
Our mission was to determine exactly which of this year's 22 new or significantly refreshed contenders is in fact the best.
- ↑ "You Auto Know: Silver Arrows and Backwards Riding". National Post. Postmedia Network. 2010-02-05. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ Mueller, Mike (2006). American Horsepower: 100 Years of Great Car Engines. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-7603-2327-4. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ http://eml.berkeley.edu/~train/trainwinston.pdf
- ↑ http://www.eia.gov/countries/prices/gasolinewithtax.cfm
- ↑ "Despite the incessant crowing that issues from the automobile industry about 'all-new' or 'original' cars, most such claims are egregious bragging. Automobiles are seldom created from blank sheets of paper. They are the result of steady, incremental development, metamorphosed from existing designs employing mechanical components already in the corporate inventory. Of course, carmakers do sometimes begin from the ground up - as in the recent cases of Chrysler's LH sedans, Ford's sales-leading Taurus and Sables, and the minivans - but such a process involves wagering billions in attempting to divine the future tastes of the public.Evolution is still safer than revolution, especially in Detroit. European and Japanese manufacturers have traditionally been more inclined to sell the same models for cycles of four to six years before introducing totally new versions, while the domestics played the 'all-new' game with basic vehicles that were sometimes as much as twenty years old. American manufacturers began to follow suit in the 1980s, having discovered that consumers were increasingly skeptical about their sheet-metal masquerades."- Brock Yates author and Editor-at-Large of Car and Driver The Critical Path: Inventing an Automobile and Reinventing a Corporation (Little, Brown & Company, 1996)
- ↑ http://www.automobear.com/quotes.html
- ↑ http://citroensanfrancisco.com/Vintage_Citroen_files/motortrend1969Cumberford_screen.pdf
- ↑ http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/cadillac-seville/
- ↑ Fifty Years of Motor Trend. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing. 1999. ISBN 978-0-7603-0781-6.
- ↑ Fombrun, Charles J. (1996). Reputation: Realizing Value from the Corporate Image. Harvard Business Press. p. 172. ISBN 978-0-87584-633-0. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ "Rambler Wins 1963 Motor Trend "Car of the Year" Award". Life 54 (10): 105. March 8, 1963. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ Dudley, Kathryn Marie (1997). The End of the Line: Lost Jobs, New Lives in Postindustrial America. University of Chicago Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-226-16910-1. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ Hyde, Charles K. (2003). Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation. Wayne State University Press. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-8143-3091-3. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ↑ Tast, Alan; Newhardt, David (2004). Thunderbird Fifty Years. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-7603-1976-5. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ http://media.cadillac.com/media/us/en/cadillac/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2013/Nov/1107-cts-coty.html
- ↑ Michael, Floyd (2008-09-25). "2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year: The Contenders Are Revealed, What's Your Pick?". Motor Trend. Source Interlink Media. Blogs. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ Mike Millikin (2014-11-13). "Volkswagen Golf family named “2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year”". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
- ↑ Angus MacKenzie. "2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Chevrolet Volt". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ↑ "Motor Trend Names Ford Fusion 2010 Car of the Year(R)". Marketwire.com. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- ↑ Zak, Michael (2012-12-06). "Motor Trend Names 2013 Ram 1500 Truck Of The Year". AOL Autos. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ "2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD named Motor Trend Truck of the Year". CheersandGears.com. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ↑ "2010 Ram Heavy Duty - 2010 Motor Trend Truck of the Year". Motor Trend. 2007-02-26. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- ↑ "Jeep Grand Cherokee: Motor Trend's 1993 Truck Of The Year". Motor Trend. December 1993. Retrieved 2012-12-06.