This is a Joke, right?

[qsanford]

Was the new Dart in the running?

[studerodder]

meaningless. the renault alliance also won this award, and it was a piece of crap.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I remember reading an article (or book?) that had that statement in it.
(IIRC, it was Lee Iacocca speaking about the Chrysler Kcar days after his move to Chrysler from Ford).
I might not have the numbers exactly right, but the comment has always stuck with me (about the magazine and the award).

True, Jeff? (I'm asking and don't propose to know the answer.) BP

Originally Posted by DEEPNHOCKUsed to be that the 'Car of the Year' got that way by buying 25,000 issues (for that month) and buying 14 pages of advertising.

[JimsLeadCommander]

Used to be thatthe 'Car of the Year' got that way by buying 25,000 issues (for that month) and buying 14 pages of advertising.

Since were theorizing here how 'bout this: Mr. Musk who builds the Tesla in Fremont, CA also is the same guy who sent up 'Dragon' to the Space Station recently and successfully brought it back to Earth. Space X is his game and TESLA is the name to be remembered for a long time. I hear they have an SUV in the works now too. I think that alone would impress Motor Trend -- subscription or not.

[JimsLeadCommander]

Yesterday (Sunday, Nov 11th) I got to ride in a friends new Tesla S. He says it's the "Best Car in America." I can attest that it is very fast from a stop and climbing hills is an amazing feeling....smooched back in the seat as if in a jet taking off! He ordered one with all the goodies, skyroof, handling package, 21" wheels with 'sport tires.' Also, the top of the line battery pack that a Motor Trend staffer said got 284 miles from one charge driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. (See the Video).
Because of all these 'extras' my friends Tesla cost very close to $100,000 but, he says it compares to cars costing $150K or more. Yes, this Tesla IS a "Luxury" car not a Chevy or Ford so, it does cost more than those. And the gas savings? Doesn't use ANY of the stuff! Oh yeah, it is completely MADE IN AMERICA!! (Fremont, CA)

[Andy R.]

If it is a joke, it's on the cynics.
Seems a remarkable car for the money, even before consideration of electric power and subsequent gas savings.
U-S-A! U-S-A!

[j.byrd]

There is a Tesla over here that is currently at a body shop. Our car group stopped at the shop for a very nice meal and "tire kicking" a while back, and we all of course were looking over the Tesla making various comments. The shop owner told us he had to sign papers from Tesla before being allowed to work on it that he would not open a box that apparently contained some of the drive or battery "secrets" . It is the smaller Tesla that looks a lot like a Lotus. As for Motor Trend, well, I think if folks look back thru' the 60's and 70's in particular, they can make a rather good judgement about the soundness of some of the "best of's". Perhaps there just wasn't much to choose from. Personally, I prefer to favor Jeff's theory, ha !

[JimsLeadCommander]

I'd like it a lot better if the grill opening was smaller. Other than that, I really like the looks.

Actually, the "Grill Opening" isn't. It's a solid, holes free area painted black to satisfy those in need of a 'grill look' on the front of a car .... from a distance no one can tell if it's real or 'memorex.'

[8E45E]

My questioning their award is the reality that it is not a car even remotely appropriate or able to be considered by and/or for the average new-car buyer.

Even after the $7,500 wealth-redistributing tax "credit," the car is still priced over $50,000! And it isn't available in very many markets.

I'm not questioning the technological wonder of it all, but if it doesn't make sense as a valid consideration for a majority of new-car buyers due to price and availability in small to medium markets, of what value is the award to the average Joe who might look to Motor Trend for a recommendation? BP

Sort of a repeat from 1972 where the Citroen SM was MT's Car of the Year. Not a car for everyone as it was expensive for the time, but worthy of the award.

Craig

[dnevin]

Interesting Tidbit:

(According to Wikipedia) Since the inception of the Car of the Year in 1949, Studebaker has not been awarded. However, in 1950 (Studebaker's best post-war sales year) and in 1953 and 1954, no Car of the Year was awarded by the magazine.

Personally, I like to think that Motor Trend had a personal grudge against Studebaker and, in those years when they strongly deserved to win the Car of the Year award, Motor Trend would simply rather not give out an award than to give it to their nemesis from South Bend.

Now this is the type of conspiracy theory that I can believe in!

Should we start a campaign to get a Studebaker named for those missing years? C'mon Motor Trend, have some journalistic credibility and set the record straight!

[BobPalma]

Used to be that the 'Car of the Year' got that way by buying 25,000 issues (for that month) and buying 14 pages of advertising.

True, Jeff? (I'm asking and don't propose to know the answer.) BP

[JDP]

Used to be thatthe 'Car of the Year' got that way by buying 25,000 issues (for that month) and buying 14 pages of advertising.

If that were true now, they should have picked the Ford since they spend way more than tiny Tesla.

[BobPalma]

Bob: Did you have a beef with Motor Trend in 2009 when they named the Nissan GT-R Car Of The Year. John S.

No, because I wasn't aware of it. BP

[Packard53]

My questioning their award is the reality that it is not a car even remotely appropriate or able to be considered by and/or for the average new-car buyer.

Even after the $7,500 wealth-redistributing tax "credit," the car is still priced over $50,000! And it isn't available in very many markets.

I'm not questioning the technological wonder of it all, but if it doesn't make sense as a valid consideration for a majority of new-car buyers due to price and availability in small to medium markets, of what value is the award to the average Joe who might look to Motor Trend for a recommendation? BP

Bob: Did you have a beef with Motor Trend in 2009 when they named the Nissan GT-R Car Of The Year.

John S.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Used to be thatthe 'Car of the Year' got that way by buying 25,000 issues (for that month) and buying 14 pages of advertising.