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BEST OF SHOW RESULTS -- CONSUMERS PICK THEIR FAVORITE VEHICLES AND EXHIBIT AT THE 2016 CHICAGO AUTO

MEDIA INFORMATION

Contact: Mark Bilek
Senior Director of Communications and Technology
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6082
Cell: (847) 652-0632
Email: mbilek@drivechicago.com

Contact: Jennifer Morand
Director of Public Relations and Social Media
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6084
Cell: (630) 391-1986
Email: jmorand@drivechicago.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEST OF SHOW RESULTS -- CONSUMERS PICK THEIR FAVORITE VEHICLES AND EXHIBIT AT THE 2016 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

CHICAGO (Feb. 22, 2016) – For the eleventh consecutive year, consumer voters selected their favorites in five categories in the Chicago Auto Show's “Best of Show” balloting. The Chicago Auto Show is the only major auto show that polls its attendees’ favorite vehicles and exhibit.

In voting conducted over the 9-day public run of the nation’s biggest auto show, winners in the contest's five categories were:

  • Best All-New Production Lexus LC 500
  • Best Concept Vehicle: Buick Avista
  • Best Green Vehicle: Chevrolet Volt
  • Best Exhibit: Chevrolet
  • Vehicle I'd most like to have in my driveway: Ford GT

“Best of Show voting has become a benchmark measure for our exhibiting manufacturers, and winning in any category is quite significant,” said 2016 Chicago Auto Show Chairman Colin Wickstrom. “With more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space, it’s impressive when certain vehicles and displays rise above to capture the public’s attention.”

Each of the first four winners beat out seven other vehicles. The eight finalists in Best All-New Production Vehicle, Best Concept Vehicle, Best Green Vehicle and Best Exhibit were selected by a jury of automotive experts. In the fifth category, "Vehicle I'd most like to have in my driveway," voters could choose from any of the hundreds of vehicles on the show floor.

According to the results, voters considered the Lexus LC 500 the Best All-New Production Vehicle. Though the LC 500 was a run-away favorite, the Lincoln Continental and Chicago Auto Show world introduction Nissan Armada also garnered a considerable number of votes, finishing second and third, respectively.

The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt took the honors for Best Green Vehicle. The unique electric sedan has a battery range of up to 53 miles and a total cruising range of 420 miles. It topped runner-up Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid and third-place finisher Toyota Prius.

Best Concept honors went to the muscular Buick Avista. The striking coupe is a potential forbearer of a Buick sports car. A close runner-up for Best Concept was the striking Genesis Vision G.

Taking top honors as Best Exhibit was Chevrolet. The display featured four 20 ft.-tall, transparent screens with coordinated LED lighting and music surrounding a centerpiece screen that was 73-ft long.  Four turntables around the exhibit highlighted new vehicles like the Trax and Bolt EV. Posting a close second was the extremely popular Jeep display followed by the Ford exhibit.

Every year the tightest race of all is the pick for “Vehicle I’d most like to have in my driveway.” This year was no different as the Ford GT and Bugatti Veyron battled neck and neck to the last day. Blue Oval fans mashed the gas on the final day to put the GT on top.

In all, nearly 6,000 consumers voted for best of show. Each consumer who voted was entered for a chance to win a 2016 Buick Encore. The manufacturer awards for Best of Show will be presented to the winners at the annual Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, held annually at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

For more details on the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com/media.

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About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show on the continent, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept, and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North America vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2017 public show will be February 11-20. For more information, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com or Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

About The Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is the nation’s oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization. It is comprised of more than 400 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group’s dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit CATA.info.

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