An independent panel of automotive journalists has cast its votes for the finalists of the 2008 Wheel Awards, which will be held January 15, 2008, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, in conjunction with Press Preview Week of the North American International Auto Show.
Celebrities Rosie Perez and Kevin Frazier will co-host, leading a star-studded cast of famous presenters to
honor automotive manufacturers, executives, suppliers, dealers,
advertising agencies, and motorsports organizations who have
contributed to diversity in the industry.
The Urban Wheel Awards brings together top leaders in the auto industry
with the multicultural community that represents their true customer
base," says Randi Payton, president and CEO of On Wheels Inc. and
founder of the awards. "Inclusion of all its customers is critical to
building bridges to the multicultural community and to recognizing the
contributions of minorities in the industry."
Award
categories include Company of the Year, African-American, Asian, and
Latino automotive executives of the year, as well as minority Supplier
of the Year. Commitment to diversity is also recognized in the racing
arena, with the Diversity in Motorsports award. New to the program this
year is the Urban Dealer of the Year award.
In
addition to honoring people and organizations, Urban Wheel Awards are
also presented for the best new car and truck designed to suit the
needs of urban drivers. Finalists are named based on the tally of votes
by the panel of judges, once they've reviewed all of the nominations.
The judges include more than 15 automotive journalists from
multicultural, automotive trade, and general market media.
The
most popular automotive advertisements geared toward African Americans,
Asian Americans and Latinos for 2007 will also be presented at the
ceremony. The award, based on online viewing and voting, will be given
to the advertising agency that produced the creative work. Consumers
are encouraged to vote at www.UrbanWheelAwards.com.
The 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards finalists are:
African-American Executive of the Year
Bennie Fowler -- VP, Quality of the Ford Motor Company
Marshilia Snoddy -- Zone Manager for Process Improvement, Southwest Zone of the American Honda Motor Company
Ed Welburn -- VP, Global Design of the General Motors Corporation
Asian Executive of the Year
Takeshi Abe -- Henry Ford Technical Fellow of the Ford Motor Company
Ray G. Young -- Group VP, GM Global Finance of the General Motors Corporation
Latino Executive of the Year
Dave Mondragon -- General Manager, Ford Motor Company Southwest Region of the Ford Motor Company
Victor Nacif -- VP Design, Business Aspects of the Nissan Design America
Supplier of the Year
Detroit Chassis
Ewie Co. Inc.
Pinnacle
Company of the Year
Chrysler
Ford Motor Company
General Motors
Car of the Year
Chevrolet Malibu
Honda Accord
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Truck of the Year
Buick Enclave
Chrysler Town & Country
Infiniti EX35
Diversity in Motorsports
National Hot Rod Association
STAR Motorsports
Urban Youth Racing School
Urban Dealer of the Year
Bill Perkins Automotive Group
Mike Pruitt Honda
Southaven Pontiac/Buick/GMC
For more information about the 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards, to obtain tickets, call (313) 963- 2209.
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