2014 Chevrolet Corvette and 2014 Mazda 3 Win Awards from Motor Press Guild

The Motor Press Guild, which calls itself the largest automotive media association in North America, announced the winners of its first annual Innovation Vehicle of the Year (IVY) award at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. In the Under $29,000 category, the 2014 Mazda 3 earned the IVY award, while the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Corvette earned the win among vehicles priced higher than $29,000.

Motor Press Guild (MPG) members* and auto manufacturers were invited to nominate up to three vehicles in each of the price classes, based on overall innovation in the following areas: engineering, technology, safety, and environmental impact. Additional consideration is given to overall value in terms of price and affordability. A panel of seasoned judges then evaluated the nominees, creating a final ballot of 12 vehicles. To determine winners, MPG journalist and analyst members participated in a final vote.

In selecting the Mazda 3 as an IVY winner, John Dinkel, committee chairman for the award, cited the compact car’s SkyActiv engineering approach as the deciding factor for MPG members. “SkyActiv takes us down a path to a future of highly efficient yet fun-to-drive affordable cars,” Dinkel said, “making the Mazda 3 a worthy recipient of the IVY award.”

A combination of excellent fuel economy, excellent performance, and design that employs lightweight, high-tech materials sealed the win for the new 2014 Corvette. “The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette is an innovation and technology tour de force,” Dinkel explained. “Finding this much technology and refinement in a sports car costing just over $50,000 is mind-boggling.”

* In the interests of full disclosure, the author is a voting MPG journalist member.