PHOENIX
- MOTOR
TREND magazine announced the selection of the Chevrolet Avalanche
as Motor Trend's 2002 Truck of the Year (issue dated February
2002).
The
award-winning Chevrolet Avalanche was unveiled at the 2002 Arizona
International Auto Show.
Motor Trend's editorial staff selected this year's winner after
conducting ten rigorous tests on six trucks. In identifying the
winner, factors including engineering, powertrain, payload, performance,
interior, safety, quality, special features, livability, and overall
value were evaluated. Including both domestic and import manufacturers,
the six contenders included the Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet
Avalanche, Dodge Ram pickup, GMC Sierra 1500HD Crew Cab, Sierra
Denali Quadrasteer and Lincoln Blackwood. To compete for Truck
of the Year, models must be on sale in North America by January
1, 2002.
"From
the onset, we knew the Avalanche was a solid contender,"
said Motor Trend's Editor-In-Chief Kevin Smith. "After two
weeks and aspect, nuance, feature and crevice, the Avalanche stands
out as this contest's most significant truck. With its outstanding
powertrains, off-road and towing prowess, smooth on-road driveability
and passenger/cargo-space flexibility, the Chevrolet Avalanche
has proven itself a solid choice."
"The
Motor Trend Truck of the Year is one of the most coveted and most
recognized awards in the automotive industry. We're especially
honored that the Avalanche has been named 2002 Truck of the Year
because the testing is so demanding," said Ed Schoener, Chevrolet
Avalanche Brand Manager. "The 2002 honor marks the seventh
time in eight years that Chevrolet has won annual vehicle awards
from Motor Trend."
The
complete report on the 2002 Truck of the Year is in the February
issue (on sale January 9) and at www.motortrend.com. Television
coverage of the testing will be on Speedvision in January, and
on Motor Trend's two 2-hour syndicated weekend radio shows hosted
by Alan Taylor in over 150 markets (consult your local listings).
Motor Trend,
a PRIMEDIA publication, was founded in 1949 and has a circulation
of 1.26 million with a readership of 6.8 million. Internationally
recognized as the world's No. 1 automotive authority, Motor Trend
is one of the leading brands in automotive publishing. The brand
is comprised of Motor Trend en Espanol, Motor Trend Television
(a monthly nationwide program on Speedvision) Motor Trend Radio
and Motor Trend Weekend (two 2-hour syndicated weekend programs)
motortrend.com, over 18 world-renowned Motor Trend international
auto shows and the highly coveted Motor Trend (Car, Sport/Utility
and Truck) of the Year awards program.