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Road & Travel Magazine Names 2013 International Car of the Year Award Winners


kia optima

DETROIT--Jan. 14, 2013: Road & Travel Magazine (RTM) announced today the winners of its 17th Annual International Car and Truck of the Year Awards (ICOTY).

The 2013 International Car of the Year was awarded to the 2013 Kia Optima. "Receiving this prestigious award will help carry the Optima's momentum forward into 2013 and further cementĀ its position at the top of its class," said Michael Sprague, VP of marketing & communications, Kia Motors America.

The International Truck of the Year went to the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. Our customers are excited to have a fresh hybrid option that gives them the fuel efficiency they want, without sacrificing the fun-to-drive capability that they desire," said C.J. O'Donnell, Group Marketing Manager, Electrification, Ford Motor Company.

Additionally, the 2013 Dodge Dart earned the 5th annual Earth, Wind & Power Car of the Year Award. "We are honored to accept this award that recognizes the Dodge Dart's environmental friendliness and fuel economy of up to 41 miles per gallon," said Reid Bigland, President CEO -- Dodge Brand.

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 was named Earth, Wind & Power Truck of the Year. "Mazda's unconventional approach to building cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles by way of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY continues to change previously set-in-stone opinions about the internal combustion engine (ICE)," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO.

Presenting trophies to the award winners were Courtney Caldwell, RTM editor-in-chief, and Mike Martini, president, Consumer OE, Bridgestone Americas. "Bridgestone is proud to support the ICOTY and EWP awards, and applauds the efforts of winning automakers that like our company demonstrates a strong commitment to innovative technology," said Martini. "Through the combined efforts of everyone in the auto industry, we will continue to meet and exceed the demands of the motoring public."

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to U-Haul International for their continued support of both RTM and the ICOTY Awards.