BMW, Ford, Honda Are Among Automobile Magazine's Readers' Choice All-Stars

NEW YORK, March 29 -- The five million readers of PRIMEDIA's Automobile Magazine have spoken on the best cars and trucks sold in America, with the announcement of the 2002 Readers' Choice All-Stars. A gala awards ceremony was held Thursday evening, March 28, at New York City's Metropolitan Pavilion, an elegant space that featured a display of each of the honored vehicles.

Automobile Editor-in-Chief Jean Jennings and Executive Editor Mark Gillies presented the awards. Among the automotive industry executives accepting awards on behalf of their companies were Gerd Klauss, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen; Richard Ford, COO of Porsche; and James McDowell, Vice President of BMW.

``Our readers have great taste, and their selections prove it,'' said Jennings. ``They're clearly the most passionate and informed enthusiasts out there. That's exactly the type of reader we expect, and whom we write for.'' Automobile Publisher David Forgione added, ``The concept behind the Readers' Choice All-Stars makes perfect sense for Automobile, because we are a reader's magazine. We're very proud of our readers for being so knowledgeable, so involved, and so loyal to the magazine.''

In each January's issue, Automobile publishes a ballot form asking its readers to vote for the best vehicles in 14 categories. The results of this survey are published each May (2002 issue on-sale April 10) as the Readers' Choice All-Stars.

BMW led the award totals with four honors: Best Sport Sedan/Wagon (BMW M5), Best Luxury Car Under $40,000 (BMW 3-series), Best Coupe (BMW 3-series), and Best Mid-size Sport-utility Vehicle (BMW X5). In the May 2002 issue of Automobile, reader Andrew Troyer of Toledo, Ohio, notes, ``If the [BMW] 3-series is not the best car in its category, why do all these manufacturers try so hard to build one for themselves?''

The Mercedes-Benz S-class, voted the Best Luxury Car over $40,000, is ``a great symbol of our advanced civilization,'' says Automobile reader Joe Rodriguez of San Francisco.

Volkswagen dominated the more affordable vehicles selected by readers, winning Best Small Car (Golf/Jetta) and Best Family Car (Passat). ``Does everyone in the market for a family sedan need a Passat? No, only those wishing for one that drives like a luxury car,'' says reader Matthew Winans, of Catskill, New York.

The Best Pickup Truck award was given to the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra: ``No better means of getting the job done, whatever the job is,'' according to Paul W. Cockerham, of Copake Falls, NY.

The Best Sports Car Under $40,000, the Honda S2000, is ``for those of us who want a motorcycle, but are smart enough to want doors and air bags,'' says Nick Johnson of Evanston, Illinois. Honda also scored with the Odyssey, selected as Best Minivan.

In other categories, Porsche won Best GT (911 Carrera) and Best Sports Car Over $40,000 (911 Turbo); the Cadillac Escalade was selected as the Best Large SUV; and the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute won Best Small Sport-Utility Vehicle.

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