Pontiac, Toyota Bags Award at the Chicago Auto Show

In connection with the ongoing 2007 Chicago Auto Show, Consumer Guide Automotive honored the Pontiac G8 and the Toyota Highlander as the winners of their Most Significant New Introduction Awards. This is only the second year for the award and yet it is valued highly around the automotive circle.

The reverence given to the award is due to the fact that Consumer Guide Automotive has been a part of the automotive industry for more than 35 years. Throughout its lengthy history, the leading source of new and used car reviews has proven time and time again that they are the best at what they do. And this year’s awards will no doubt be a big boost to the popularity of the two vehicles recognized.

The aim of the awarding body in giving out such award was outlined by Kirk Bell, the associate publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive. “With so many factors to consider, car shopping can be n overwhelmingly confusing experience. By naming the most significant new car and truck introductions, we’re helping car buyers everywhere identify vehicles worth consideration. Visitors attending the nation’s premier consumer show here in Chicago can see the standout vehicles firsthand.”

Indeed, these vehicles standout among the lot of other automobiles being shown off at the Chicago Auto Show - just like the rear-wheel drive Pontiac G8. The full sized sedan shown at this year’s Chicago Auto Show is just a prototype, however, most of the features and specifications that it has at present will also be present on the mass produced version of the car. The car is configured as a rear-wheel drive one but its performance is of high caliber, thanks to the efforts by GM’s Holden division which is based in Australia in developing the design of the Pontiac G8. The performance car exhibits some of the exterior designing of the Pontiac GTO and not the classic design. In fact, it holds that of the latest GTO which was discontinued again this year.

The Toyota Highlander, a mid-size SUV, is also making waves in the said segment. The sport utility vehicle was eligible for the award since it is a completely redesigned vehicle. Its only resemblance to present models available in the market is the vehicle’s one-piece folding rear seat. The latest model is loosely based on another award winning car from Toyota, the Camry, and it is longer and wider than its predecessor. The latest Highlander model is four inches longer and three inches wider than the current model. The Highlander also comes in a hybrid version which shows that even SUV’s can be environment-friendly and also very fuel efficient.

In choosing the awardees, Consumer Guide only took into consideration new cars or completely redesigned cars introduced at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. A point system is devised by Consumer Guide to determine the winner in the car and truck categories. Each editor allocates 25 points for all the entries but can only give out as much as ten points for a single vehicle. The vehicle with the most number of votes on both the car and truck segment is judged as the winner.

Toyota is the back-to-back winner in the truck segment since the Toyota Tundra has won the same award last year. The Tundra along with the Lexus 350 ES were the first winners of the awards.

The premier provider of new and used car reviews test drives more than 200 cars each year to provide its readers the most useful information concerning new or used cars. Throughout their existence, the institution has serve as a stockpile of knowledge about cars. In a way, they are like a Volvo master cylinder that stores brake or clutch fluid for immediate use when needed.