2009 Green Car of the Year(R) Will be Announced at Los Angeles Auto Show

Green Car Journal's Award for Automotive Environmental Achievement to be
Announced Nov. 20

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The winner of the 2009 Green Car of
the Year(R) (GCOY) award will be announced Nov. 20, 2008 during the Los
Angeles Auto Show's Press Days. Green Car Journal, the leading automotive
environmental magazine, initiated this annual award in 2005 and it has
continued to grow in significance as consumer demand for more fuel efficient
and environmentally positive vehicles has increased exponentially.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060612/LAM005LOGO)
"Each year we choose the LA Auto Show to make this important announcement
because California -- and especially the greater Los Angeles region -- has
historically been the epicenter for both automotive and environmental
innovation, and that's what this award is all about," said Ron Cogan, editor
and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com.
The Green Car of the Year(R) award is designed to recognize environmental
achievement in the automotive industry. After considering scores of new
vehicle models that raise the bar in environmental performance, five
automobile nominees will be identified in advance of the press conference.
Last year, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid was named Green Car Journal's 2008
Green Car of the Year(R), with jurors noting that a Hybrid SUV achieving a
city mpg rating on par with today's mid-size cars ends the argument that
efficiency and vehicle choice are incompatible. The previous year's winner was
the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the inaugural 2006 Green Car of the Year
distinction was awarded to the Mercury Mariner Hybrid.
GCOY Selection Process
Green Car Journal staff narrow down all of the eligible vehicles to the
five finalists based upon research and the driving experience. The winning
vehicle must be in production by Jan. 1, 2009.
"In judging the Green Car of the Year(R), emphasis is placed on vehicles
that advance overall efficiency and functionality while decreasing its
environmental footprint," said Cogan. "All current models are eligible for
consideration and although 'newness' is a factor, it's the impact that a
vehicle and its environmentally positive technologies are likely to have in
the marketplace that win the award."
The winning vehicle is then chosen by a select jury of highly
knowledgeable experts drawn from relevant fields such as transportation
technology, automotive design, environmental protection and others. Notable
past jurors have included leaders of the nation's most recognized
environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, Ocean Futures Society, and
World Resources Institute as well as automotive icons such as Carroll Shelby
and "Tonight Show" host, Jay Leno.
About Green Car of the Year(R)
The GCOY award is an important part of Green Car Journal's mission to
showcase environmental progress in the auto industry. Since 1992, Green Car
Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and
environment, first with an industry newsletter and then with an award-winning
auto enthusiast magazine. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source
of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology, and
alternative fuel vehicles. Green Car of the Year(R) is a registered trademark
of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.
About the Los Angeles Auto Show
For the third year in a row, the Los Angeles Auto Show will be held in the
fall. The show opens for media only Nov. 19 and 20. Media registration opens
September 8. Public days run from Nov. 21-30. For general information visit
http://www.LAautoshow.com.
SOURCE Los Angeles Auto Show

Jessica Schmidt of The Rogers Group, +1-310-552-4177, LAautoshow@rogerspr.com,
for Los Angeles Auto Show