Because America is more diverse than ever, a competitive edge for the automotive industry may be its diversity.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Eleventh Annual Urban Wheel Awards, the only event that honors diversity held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show. Produced by OnWheels, Inc., producers of African Americans OnWheels, Latinos On Wheels and Asians On Wheels, the event will take place during the auto show's press week, Tuesday, January 9, 2006, 5 pm to 11 pm at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

In 1996, OnWheels, publisher of African Americans On Wheels, Latinos On Wheels and the soon-to-be-launched Asians On Wheels magazines, pioneered the concept of honoring diversity and excellence in the automotive industry by hosing the first-ever Urban Wheel Awards. Today, the world's most prominent African American, Latino and Asian auto executives, suppliers and dealers vie for these awards, which recognize their commitment to diversity. The automotive companies that produced the year's most outstanding new car and truck/SUV for urban drivers, as well as the advertising agencies that created the best diversity print ads (as voted on by the public), also are honored at the awards ceremony.

An independent panel of judges consisting of nationally recognized diversity leaders and journalists from publications such as the Motor Matters Syndicate, KPIX-TV San Francisco, Car & Driver magazine, Automotive News, Automotive Rhythms, Asian Fortune, Washington Post and USA Today will review the nominations and select the winners of the following awards: Patterson-Greenfield Company of the Year, African-American Executive of the Year, Latino Executive of the year, Asian Executive of the Year, Minority Supplier of the Year, Urban Truck of the Year; and Urban Car of the Year. The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 20, 2006.

The general public will vote on the winners of the Diversity Automotive Advertisement of the Year Award, a "people's choice" award given to the advertising agencies that produce the most popular print ads geared to African-American, Latino and Asian markets. To select their favorite ad, individuals are encouraged to log on to the OnWheels' website at www.onwheelsinc.com.

"Urban Wheel Awards honors the pioneering automotive industry leaders who transcend the mainstream and embrace diversity to create products and services that appeal to a larger customer base," said Randi Payton, president & CEO of OnWheels, Inc. "Like the products that they purvey, Urban Wheel Award winners are vehicles for diversifying the automobile industry."