---

Motorweek's 1999 Drivers' Choice Awards

22 January 1999

Motorweek's 1999 Drivers' Choice Awards Showcase Industry's Leading Cars and Trucks

    BALTIMORE--(AutomotiveWire)--Jan. 22, 1999--

    Volkswagen New Beetle Earns "Best of the Year"

    PBS' premier automotive magazine, MOTORWEEK, announces the winners of its 1999 Drivers' Choice Awards.
    Volkswagen rises to the top this year, winning in three categories, including Best of the Year for the Volkswagen New Beetle. The award winners will be featured on MOTORWEEK on PBS stations nationwide, beginning February 27, and on sports cable channel SpeedVision (check local listings).
    Selected for their superior performance, technology, practicality and value for the dollar, the winners of the 17th Annual Drivers' Choice Awards are:

1. Best Small Car................................Volkswagen New Beetle

2. Best Family Sedan.............................Volkswagen Passat V-6

3. Best Minivan..........................................Honda Odyssey

4. Best Convertible...................................Mazda MX-5 Miata

5. Best Luxury Car...........................................Volvo S80

6. Best Performance Car................................Ford Mustang GT

7. Best Sports Car.........................................BMW M-Coupe

8. Best Family Sport-Utility Vehicle...............Jeep Grand Cherokee

9. Best Small Sport-Utility Vehicle................Suzuki Grand Vitara

10. Best Pickup Truck...............Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra

11. Best Dream Machine...............................Mercedes-Benz E55

Best of the Year.................................Volkswagen New Beetle

    "We're pleased to honor the best car and truck designs of 1999," said MOTORWEEK host John Davis. "The sophistication, variety and pure driving excitement can mean only great things for consumers this year."
    The 1999 Drivers' Choice winners were chosen by Davis and the entire MOTORWEEK staff. The Best of the Year award, recognizing overall achievement, was selected from the 11 individual category winners.
    Television's original weekly automotive magazine, MOTORWEEK has been providing consumers with timely, practical news on the automotive industry since 1980. Led by nationally acclaimed host John Davis, MOTORWEEK's experienced crew travels the United States and the world to bring consumers cutting-edge automotive information, unbiased car reviews and innovative feature stories.
    MOTORWEEK is a national production of Maryland Public Television, and is nationally underwritten by Michelin and Pep Boys.

EMBARGO DATE: February 9, 1999