BOSTON, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As the first snow storm of the season bore down on New England, leading automotive writers and video producers from the New England Motor Press Association and WheelsTV gathered via Zoom to select the recipient of the eleventh annual WheelsTV POV of the Year Award.
The WheelsTV POV of the Year, or POVY, is an international auto industry award presented annually to a pre-owned motor vehicle that has proven itself in day-to-day use for at least two years by providing dependable, trouble-free service and achieving exceptional consumer satisfaction.
The award, now in its eleventh year, is presented by WheelsTV, a leading producer of video test drive reports for new and pre-owned vehicles, in cooperation with the New England Motor Press Association. Nine diverse classes of vehicles are judged: Electrics, Hybrids, SUVs, Crossovers, Sporty Cars, Light Trucks, Small Cars, Family Cars and Luxury Cars. The POVY is selected by majority vote from the winners of each class.
After much spirited discussion, and with a nod towards the current snowy conditions in New England, the nine judges selected a vehicle that has proven itself in numerous northeast winters.
The 2015-2018 Subaru Outback was named the 2020 WheelsTV POV of the Year.
The Subaru Outback was a standout in the Crossovers class and went on to easily take the crown in overall judging. The fifth-generation Subaru Outback is now classified as a 'crossover', with the body and wheelbase set larger than previous models, a ground clearance of 8.7 inches that helps boost its utility in snow or mud and an optional 256 horsepower, 3.6 liter engine. In addition to being a great go-anywhere vehicle ideal for snowy New England winters or summer camping, the Outback is a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and received five stars from National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
Members of the distinguished judging panel included these NEMPA members:
- Lisa Brock, Executive Director at New England Motor Press Association
- Peter Ciani, WheelsTV's lead video test drive writer for Amazon Vehicles and auto dealerships across North America
- Rick DeMeis, Host of "Rick's Tech Talk" and "The Ride of the Week" on KOWS radio, Santa Rosa, CA.
- Craig Fitzgerald, Writer of consumer news features for the Boston Globe, Forbes, Esquire, the Washington Post, Concord Journal and AAA Southern New England.
- Bill Griffith, Freelance auto writer and photographer for the Boston Globe.
- John Paul, President of New England Motor Press Association, AAA Northeast Consumer Advocate, weekly contributor to Boston.com, Providence Journal, New York Newsday, Car Doctor Radio Host.
- Rich Taber, Co-founder of RPM News Weekly online automotive news and information.
- John Zangari, Co-host of Drive-Thru Radio heard on WPRV 790-AM and 99.7 FM and WPRO 630 AM.
- Jim Barisano, WheelsTV Producer and CEO.
When announcing the recipient of the POV of the Year, WheelsTV CEO Jim Barisano stated, "It's no secret that you have to be tough to endure New England winters. I think that's why the folks at NEMPA and WheelsTV chose the Subaru Outback. Like anyone who won't back down from the toughest challenges, the Subaru Outback has proven itself to be reliable, hard working and ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us. Congratulations to everyone at Subaru of America and to every New Englander who drives an Outback!"
About The New England Motor Press Association: NEMPA (http://www.NEMPA.org) coordinates professional coverage of the auto industry in six New England states. NEMPA's 55 working media members appear on network and cable TV, on the Internet and radio, and in regional and national newspapers and magazines. NEMPA members reach virtually all of New England's 14.5 million citizens—in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont—and they understand their audience's demographics, buying habits and automotive preferences.
About WheelsTV: WheelsTV (http://www.WheelsTV.net) is the auto industry standard in video test drive reports with the world's largest library of over 6,000 independently produced video research tools covering 95% of the North American new and pre-owned light vehicle market. WheelsTV's video reports provide deeper engagement, greater excitement and quicker answers to millions of car shoppers across North America. By helping car shoppers speed their vehicle research with video, host dealerships grow sales and build long-term consumer trust.
The WheelsTV production team's lineage extends to popular prime time automotive television series seen on the Discovery Network, PBS, Speedvision, the Family Channel and in 104 countries worldwide. Programming includes prime-time series Wild About Wheels, Motor Trend Television, WHEELS and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 50th Anniversary Special.
Media Contact
Jim Barisano, WheelsTV, +1 (978) 264-4333, [email protected]
Jim Barisano, Automotive Networks Corp, 978 264 4333, [email protected]
SOURCE WheelsTV
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