(October 31, 2011) MIAMI — The Aston Martin One-77 and Ford Focus Plug-In Electric were named the top vehicles at the 41st annual South Florida International Auto Show (SFIAS) by the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA), while Cadillac’s  stunningly beautiful Cadillac Ciel was tapped as the Best Concept Vehicle in the Show.

The nine-member SAMA judging panel awarded the One-77 the fifth annual “Star of the Show” trophy after deciding that it was the single vehicle on display at the show that South Floridians will most want to see. 

At the same time, the judges picked Ford’s new Focus plug-in electric car as the “Best Green Technology Vehicle” because it is Ford’s first non-emissions, plug-in electric car to be mass produced and marketed in the United States and should make the technology more accessible to more Americans. 

Aston Martin One-77

Cadillac’s Ciel, which has been praised as the forerunner of future Cadillac styling, captured the “Best Concept Vehicle” trophy.  

“We considered about 20 vehicles for the Star of the Show award,” said SAMA judging committee chairman Ron Beasley. “That list included the Audi A7 and Lexus GS sedan, the Mercedes-Benz C Class, the Toyota Camry, Range Rover Evoque and Hyundai Veloster. But, in the end, the judges felt that the new Aston Martin One-77, which made its North American auto show debut in Miami, was just the most exciting vehicle on the floor and it’s the one car that people will come to the show to see.”

Beasley said that the judges considered half-dozen vehicles in the Green Technology category before deciding to award the trophy to the new Ford Focus electric car. 

Ford Focus Plug-in Electric

“We considered the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Toyota Prius V and various manufacturers’ hybrid and clean diesel technology,” said Beasley. “But, the new Ford Focus PEV with its fast-charging capability is clearly a giant step forward in this technology.”
 
This is the fifth consecutive year that SAMA has given the awards at the SFIAS, which marks its 41st anniversary this year. A prestigious panel of nine SAMA members walked the floor of the show and reviewed the vehicles prior to the opening and determined which vehicles would receive the coveted SAMA 
awards.

The 2011 panel of judges included SAMA founding president and automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers Ron Beasley, former Automundo Magazine publisher and SAMA founding member Jorge Koechlin, FAMA Magazine editor/publisher Al Vazquez; prominent international auto journalist Howard Walker, auto writer/photographer and SAMA founding member Angelica Willard, nationally known automotive radio personality Joe Castello, veteran automotive writer and track announcer Ric Green, bilingual automotive journalist Juan Robbin, and auto writer and sports car racer Dr. Ray Mummery.

The awards were announced and presented at the annual auto show luncheon hosted by SAMA for members of the auto industry on the opening day of the Miami auto show. The SFIAS opened in the Miami Beach Convention Center on Oct. 28 and continues through Nov. 6.