POPULAR MECHANICS Names Winners of 2008 Automotive Excellence Awards

Thirteen Vehicles and Technologies Recognized in Ten Categories


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 7, 2007) - POPULAR MECHANICS, the trusted men's magazine reaching 9 million readers each month, today announced the winners of the 2008 POPULAR MECHANICS Automotive Excellence Awards. Chosen by the magazine's expert editorial team, these awards recognize the best in automotive design, execution and technology for 2008 model year vehicles in ten specific categories: www.popularmechanics.com/cars2008.

"Our Automotive Excellence Awards are designed to honor the best new vehicles on the market in the categories that matter most to consumers when purchasing a new car," said James Meigs, editor-in-chief, POPULAR MECHANICS. "Our automotive team spends hundreds of hours driving, deliberating and debating before making their picks. We are proud to honor all of this year's winners and truly believe they are the most compelling cars and technologies available today."

The recipients of the third annual POPULAR MECHANICS Automotive Excellence Awards:

--  Design: Nissan GT-R
--  Value: Scion xB
--  Energy Efficiency: GMC Yukon Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
--  Performance: BMW M3
--  Versatility: Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan
--  Fun to Drive: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
--  Off-Road Ability: Toyota Land Cruiser
--  Technical Innovation: Ford Sync
--  Luxury: Cadillac CTS
--  Workhorse: GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD, Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD
    

Each year, to determine the winners of the POPULAR MECHANICS Automotive Excellence Awards, PM's editors drive more than 100 of the newest cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles, amassing well over 100,000 miles in the process. Through their experiences on extended test drives around the world, instrumented comparison tests and longer-term evaluations, the auto team nominates a list of vehicles in each category. Those selections are put to a vote and the top vote getters in each category win an Automotive Excellence Award. The auto team is led by automotive editor Ben Stewart, working with senior automotive editors Mike Allen and Chuck Tannert, the magazine's contributing editors and editor-in-chief James Meigs.

Full coverage of the 2008 POPULAR MECHANICS Automotive Excellence Awards winners can be found in the December issue of POPULAR MECHANICS, on newsstands November 13, 2007 and online at www.popularmechanics.com.

All winners will be honored at a small ceremony at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, November 14.

POPULAR MECHANICS

Popular Mechanics (www.popularmechanics.com) is a magazine that helps readers master the modern world. In addition to providing hands-on coverage of personal technology, cars and home improvement, PM reports in depth on the science and technology behind major issues -- including such stories as disaster planning, hydrogen fuel and other energy alternatives, military expenditures, and digital privacy. Each month, nearly 9 million readers turn for advice and news to the magazine's editors and contributors, including the likes of Jay Leno, astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Tom Jones, and roboticist Daniel H. Wilson. In addition to its U.S. flagship, Popular Mechanics publishes 12 editions around the world. Popular Mechanics is published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with nearly 200 editions around the world, including 19 U.S. titles and 20 magazines in the United Kingdom, published through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (74.1 million total adults, according to MRI, spring 07).

Contact Information: Contacts: Andrea Faville Popular Mechanics 212-649-2165 Kendra Newton Popular Mechanics 212-649-2570