Consumers Pick Their Favorite Vehicles and Exhibit at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show
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
CONSUMERS PICK THEIR FAVORITE VEHICLES AND EXHIBIT AT THE
2015 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
CHICAGO (Feb. 24, 2015) – For the tenth consecutive year, consumer voters proclaimed 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:
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Best All-New Production Vehicle: Ford GT (38 percent of vote)
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Best Concept Vehicle: Toyota FT-1 (30 percent of vote)
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Best Green Vehicle: BMW i8 (38 percent of vote)
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Best Exhibit: Ford (25 percent of vote)
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Vehicle I'd most like to have in my driveway: Ford Mustang GT350
“Best of Show voting has become a benchmark measure for our exhibiting manufacturers, and winning in any category is quite significant,” said 2015 Chicago Auto Show Chairman John Webb. “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 Ford GT the Best All-New Production Vehicle. Though the GT was a run-away favorite, the Acura NSX and Mercedes-Benz AMG GT also garnered a considerable number of votes, finishing second and third, respectively.
The BMW i8 took the honors for Best Green Vehicle. The unique hybrid-electric sports car can reach 60 mph in less than four seconds, has a top speed of 155 mph and a cruising range of 300-plus miles. It topped runner-up Chevrolet Volt and third-place finisher Ford Focus Electric.
Best Concept honors went to the racy Toyota FT-1. The striking coupe is a considered to be a forbearer of a soon-to-be announced Toyota sports car. A close runner-up for Best Concept was the ready-for-production, four-door Buick Avenir.
Taking top honors as Best Exhibit was Ford. With its new GT as a centerpiece, the Ford display was consistently one of the most popular at the show. Additional display properties in the Ford exhibit included Hank the Robot, the Mustang Dynamometer, an extensive commercial display and the mini-F150 track for kids. Posting a close second was the Chevrolet display followed by the extremely popular Jeep 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 Mustang GT350 and Bugatti Veyron battled neck and neck to the last day. Blue Oval fans mashed the gas on the final day to put the Mustang GT350 on top.
In all, nearly 8,000 consumers voted for best of show. Each consumer who voted was entered for a chance to win one of 10 $50 Shell Gas cards. The awards for Best of Show will be presented to the winning manufacturers at the annual Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, held annually at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
For more details on the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.
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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 2015 public show will be February 14-22. 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.
The 2015 Chicago Auto Show is officially sanctioned by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. Founded in Paris in 1919, it is known as the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs
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