Urban Car, Truck & Green Vehicle Finalists Announced

Independent Journalists Select Best 2010 Models for Urban Market

On Wheels Media and an independent panel of 15 automotive journalists, have announced the finalists for the 2010 Urban Car, Truck and Green Vehicle of the Year. For the 14th consecutive year, the winners will be announced at the Annual Urban Wheel Awards gala, held during Press Week of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 12, 2010.

The Urban Wheel Awards event happens in conjunction with NAIAS and is attended by more than 2,000 auto executives, media, suppliers, dealers, celebrities and community leaders. UWA honors the auto industry for its outstanding achievements in diversity minority business development. The Urban Vehicle Awards categories are based on the best automobiles for urban lifestyles. The Urban Green Vehicle of the Year category is new for 2010.

A panel of 15 automotive journalists from a broad array of newspapers, magazines, broadcast and Internet outlets are asked to nominate three vehicles in each category. Judges give a score of 20 to their top vehicle selection in each category, based on test drives during the year. The second choice receives a score of 15, and 10 points goes to their third selection.

Randi Payton, On Wheels Media's president and publisher said, "The Urban Vehicle of the Year resonates with the majority of new car buyers who live in urban and suburban areas, who drive on crowded road conditions. The vehicles chosen are cost and fuel efficient, and have the performance and safety characteristics that are relevant to the consumers in Metropolitan areas."

Once all of the nominations were tabulated, nine vehicles stood out above all the rest.

Finalists for the 2010 Urban Car of the Year: Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus SHO, and Suzuki Kizashi. 2010 Urban Truck of the Year: Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Ram HD, and GMC Terrain. 2010 Urban Green Vehicle: Ford Fusion Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and Volkswagen Golf TDI.

The winners in each category will be announced at the Urban Wheel Awards event to be held at the all-new Sound Board Theater, located in the Motor City Hotel and Casino in Detroit on January 12, 2010, during press week of the Detroit Auto Show.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Edward Davis Education Foundation (EDEF), a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization established by On Wheels Media, Inc. The mission of EDEF is to provide scholarships, internships and mentoring to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry and communications.

For more information about the event, visit the Urban Wheel Awards web site at www.OnWheelsInc.com