MCLEAN, VA - USA TODAY and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) have named 40 regional winners in its first Dealership Innovation Award contest. The award recognizes franchised new vehicle dealers who have positively impacted their dealerships through the use of technology.

Ten regional winners were selected from each of the NADA's four regions across the United States. NADA's Region III covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. A national winner was then chosen from the regional winners. Fitzgerald Auto Malls of Gaithersburg, Md. was the national winner. The following criteria were used in the judging process: creative use of technology, business impact, customer impact, and leadership.

"We're pleased to partner with the NADA in presenting these Dealer Innovation Awards," said Tom Curley, president and publisher of USA TODAY. "This award is a perfect fit for us. The automotive industry is an important one to USA TODAY and we like to take the opportunity to recognize excellence in the industry."

Dealers are embracing new technologies to enhance their businesses, and we are pleased to join USA TODAY in paying tribute to those efforts," said H. Carter Myers, III, NADA chairman.

Following are the 10 regional winners in NADA region three:

• Hawkinson Ford, Oak Lawn, Ill.
• Pocahontas Ford Lincoln Mercury, Pocahontas, Iowa
• Brent Magouirk Chevrolet, Dodge City, Kan.
• Gorges & Company, Wichita, Kansas
• McDonald Ford Daewoo, Inc., Freeland, Mich.
• Jay Chevrolet, Inc., Highland, Mich.
• Matick Chevrolet, Redford, Mich.
• Al Long Ford, Inc., Warren, Mich.
• Ron Rush Lincoln Mercury, Columbus, Ohio
• Nelson Auto Group, Marysville, Ohio

The 2001 USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Awards are awarded as a joint effort by the marketing division of USA TODAY and the Public Affairs Group of NADA.

The National Automobile Dealers Association represents more than 19,400 franchised new car and truck dealers holding nearly 40,000 separate franchises, domestic and import.