Two Cadillac CTS models -- the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and the CTS Concept Coupe -- swept the production and concept car categories at the 2008 EyesOn Design Awards at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), as the new BMW X6 and the Chrysler ecoVoyager took respective production and concept truck honors.

The only automotive design awards selected and judged by top automotive design experts from around the world, the EyesOn Design Awards for Design Excellence was the final event of the Press Preview Days portion of the 2008 NAIAS. This year's panel of 20 automotive design experts that selected the winners was led by a trio of Chief Judges that included Chris Bangle, BMW Group Design Chief, Jack Telnack, Vice President of Global Design, Ford Motor Co. (retired) and Nate Young, of the Art Center College of Design.

The judges spent the morning hours of the NAIAS show floor, carefully reviewing the complete list of nearly 50 production and concept vehicles that were unveiled in the last three days at the Detroit Show. The winners were announced in the final press conference of the 2008 Detroit Show at Noon, which featured Master of Ceremonies John McElroy, the host of the nationally televised show Autoline Detroit. Event sponsor guests Annie Assensio of Dassault Systemes and David Amati of the 2008 SAE World Congress presented each of the four winners with unique crystal awards that have been a trademark of EyesOn Design events for nearly 20 years.

"The only thing better than winning one of these awards is winning two," said Eric Clough, Director of Design of Cadillac Interiors, who joined his colleague, John Manoogian II, Cadillac Studio Director of Exterior Design, in accepting both Cadillac CTS awards. In addition to sweeping the car category this year, the Cadillac CTS also was awarded the 2007 EyesOn Design Best Concept Implementation Award.

The EyesOn Design Award for the BMW X6, which the manufacturer refers to as a Sports Activity Coupe, accepted by Anders Warming, Exterior Design Director of BMW Cars, on behalf of the entire BMW Design Team.

"I would call it automotive royalty right here in front of us," Warming said of the illustrious panel of automotive design professionals that made up the 2008 EyesOn Design panel of judges. "This is truly a significant honor."

His respect for the EyesOn Design panel was shared by the designers that accepted the award for the unique Chrysler ecoVoyager.

"Last year I had the opportunity to walk the floor with the judges last year for EyesOn Design, so I know what it takes to win one of these awards," said Greg Howell who jointly accepted the concept truck award with his DaimlerChrysler design colleague Tyonek Stump.