DETROIT, Dec. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- An independent panel of automotive journalists have cast their votes for the finalists of the 2008 Urban Wheel Awards, which will be held on January 15, 2008 at the Fox Theater in Detroit, in conjunction with Press Preview Week of the North American International Auto Show.
Co-hosts Actress Rosie Perez, and Kevin Frazier, of Entertainment Tonight will lead a cast of celebrity presenters, who will present awards to the automotive manufacturers, executives, suppliers, dealers, advertising agencies and motorsports organizations who have contributed to diversity in the industry.
"The Urban Wheel Awards brings together top leaders in the auto industry with the multicultural community which represents their true customer base," said Randi Payton, President and CEO of On Wheels, Inc. and founder of the awards. "Inclusion of all its customers is critical to building bridges to the multicultural community and to recognizing the contributions of minorities in the industry."
Urban Wheel Awards are presented in categories including, Company of the Year, African-American, Asian and Latino automotive executives of the year, as well as minority Supplier of the Year. Commitment to diversity is also recognized in the racing arena, with the Diversity in Motorsports award. New to the program this year is the Urban Dealer of the Year award.
In addition to people and organizations, Urban Wheel Awards are also presented for the best new car and truck designed to suit the needs of urban drivers. Finalists are named based on the tally of votes by the panel of judges, once they've reviewed all of the nominations. The judges include more than 15 automotive journalists from multicultural, automotive trade, and general market media.
The winner of the Best Automotive Diversity advertisement for 2007 will also be announced. The Diversity Automotive Advertisement of the Year award is given to an advertising agency that produces the most popular print and television ads geared to African-American, Latino and Asian markets. The general public decides the winner. Consumers are encouraged to log on to the Urban Wheel Awards website at www.urbanwheelawards.com and fifteen other websites to select their favorite ads.
The 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards finalists are:
African American Executive of the Year
Bennie Fowler
VP, Quality
Ford Motor Company
Marshilia Snoddy
Zone Manager for Process Improvement, Southwest Zone
American Honda Motor Company
Ed Welburn
VP, Global Design
General Motors Corporation
Asian Executive of the Year
Takeshi Abe
Henry Ford Technical Fellow
Ford Motor Company
Ray G, Young
Group VP, GM Global Finance
General Motors Corporation
Latino Executive of the Year
Dave Mondragon
General Manager, Ford Motor Company Southwest Region
Ford Motor Company
Victor Nacif
VP Design, Business Aspects
Nissan Design America
Supplier of the Year
Detroit Chassis
Ewie Co. Inc.
Pinnacle
Company of the Year
Chrysler
Ford Motor Company
General Motors
Car of the Year
Chevrolet MalibuHonda AccordMercedes-Benz C Class
Truck of the Year
Buick Enclave
Chrysler Town & Country
Infiniti EX 35
Diversity in Motor Sports Finalists
National Hot Rod Association
STAR Motorsports
Urban Youth Racing School
Urban Dealer of the Year
Bill Perkins Automotive Group
Mike Pruitt Honda
Southaven Pontiac/Buick/GMC
For more information about the 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards, to obtain tickets, or to sponsor the event, visit www.urbanwheelawards.com or call (313) 963-2209.