Motor Trend picks Toyota Camry
Magazine names it car of the year
DETROIT -- The redesigned
The award went to all Camry variations, including the hybrid, because the car is innovative yet has a broad appeal, magazine editor-in-chief Angus MacKenzie said.
"The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone -- performance, efficiency, and roominess -- at a price point most Americans can afford," MacKenzie said.
The Camry beat 26 other models that were new or redesigned in 2006, the magazine said.
Japanese automakers had 10 cars in the field, with six US models, five from Korea, four from Germany, and one each from the United Kingdom and Sweden.
MacKenzie said the Camry won in a very strong field.
"There have never been more choices available to American car buyers.
"That is a fact of life in the 21st century," he said.
Through October, Toyota had sold 350,481 Camrys this year to lead all cars in US sales. The number two car in sales is Toyota's Corolla at 330,995, according to Autodata Corp.
Employees the magazine evaluated the vehicles on their innovation in engineering, design, safety, and technology; their performance and quality; and whether the vehicle delivers value to the consumer.
This is the first year the Camry has won the award.
Among competitors for Car of the Year were the Chrysler Sebring, Saturn Aura,
Last year's winner was the Honda Civic.
Last month, the magazine named the Mercedes-Benz GL450 its sport utility vehicle of the year.
