Motor Trend 2011 SUV of the Year to Be Announced on Facebook

In keeping up with the latest in technology, the winner of the Motor Trend 2011 SUV of the Year will be announced on Facebook this year. No one can say that Motor Trend is dull. Heck, the auto magazine has been keeping us informed on the latest in auto technology since it was founded in 1949. And it has its own website. It has announced previous winners of its awards on its own site. Still, there is something new and different about making the announcement on Facebook. 

And the award winner is not just going to be named in some two minute video segment. Starting on October 6, and for two weeks leading up to the announcement of the winner at 12:01 a.m. (EST) on October 19, the magazine will feature each of the 15 contenders for the honor during special segments on Facebook. Motor Trend readers and car enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the site and "like" the page to see exclusive content and regular updates concerning the award right on up to that magic hour of 12:01 a.m. October 19. 

If you think of this as a non-traditional way to announce a winner of a major car award, then you are not alone. Even Motor Trend editor in chief Angus MacKenzie thinks so too. But he says that he is doing it because Motor Trend is not just a magazine. It is also a web presence, radio show and live events media enterprise. "I run an automotive media brand that reaches a large and diverse audience," he said. And with the web being perhaps the largest source of news than any other media, where better then to make the announcement than on a social networking site like Facebook.

MacKenzie also said that using Facebook will allow a dialog with the audience interested in the award. It is the "...next logical step to engage our community even further," he said. 

The contenders for the award are:

• - Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Infiniti QX56
• Hyundai Tucson
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Ford Edge
• Honda Accord Crosstour
• BMW X5 xDrive 35i
• Accura MDX

Motor Trend says that it reaches an audience of 8 million readers. Its website attracts 4 million visitors a month. The Motor Trend YouTube channel has more than 40,000 subscribers and Motor Trend news can be accessed via iPhone and iPod Touch apps.