Nissan Leaf is the 2011 World Car of the Year
April 22, 2011
The Nissan Leaf was named 2011 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show, taking the top spot ahead of the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8. It is the second important award for the Japanese automaker’s all-electric car after being voted 2011 European Car of the Year. Read more »
Nissan Picks Up 2011 COTY Trophy for Leaf
January 27, 2011
Now, before someone adds a comment of the sort "in other related news, Audi unveiled the new A6", let us make it clear that we're not reporting on the actual Car of the Year (COTY) 2011 results, which were announced in late November 2010, but on the special ceremony that took place at the Pavillion Gabriel in Paris earlier this week to hand over the trophy to this year's winner, the new Nissan Leaf. Read more »
Nissan Leaf Wins the 2011 European Car of the Year Award
November 30, 2010
While our readers favored the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in our poll, the jury of the 2011 European Car of the Year Award (COTY) announced that the Nissan Leaf is the winner, earning a total of 257 points. This is the first time in the 47-year history of the competition that the award goes to an electric vehicle.
“The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects”, said Håkan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year.
The Giulietta came in second with 248 points, while the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva took the bronze, with 244 points.
Read more »2011 Car of the Year: 7 Finalists Announced
November 3, 2010
There were 41 candidates eligible for the European 2011 Car of the Year (COTY) award, with quite a few big names being mentioned, such as the Audi A7 Sportback and A8, BMW 5-Series and X3, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes Benz CLS. This week, the list was narrowed down to just seven finalists and, as in previous years, some of them weren't really expected to make it this far.
Our summary presents the remaining candidates in alphabetical order, with the winner set to be announced on November 29. We'd really like to know which of the seven cars would get your vote, though, so comment away below.
New VW Polo is 'Car of the Year 2010'
November 30, 2009
Volkswagen's "mini-me Golf", the fifth-generation Polo, has won the coveted 'Car of the Year' award for 2010 with 347 points against 337 for the Toyota iQ mini which came in second. The new Opel / Vauxhall Astra, which was considered by many a favorite to snatch the award and continue General Motors' success with the Insignia that won the 2009 title, finished in third place receiving 221 points.The other finalists for this year's competition, which brings together a total of 59 motoring journalists from 23 European countries, were the Skoda Yeti with 158 points, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 155 points, the Peugeot 3008 with 144 points and the Citroen Picasso with 113 points.
Car of the Year 2010
1. Volkswagen Polo - 347 points
2. Toyota iQ - 337 points
3. Vauxhall Astra - 221 points
4. Skoda Yeti - 158 points
5. Mercedes-Benz E-class - 155 points
6. Peugeot 3008 - 144 points
7. Citroen C3 Picasso - 113 points
'Car of the Year 2010' Candidates Announced - Toyota has Five Entries
June 24, 2009
The list with the initial nominees for the 2009 European Car of the Year has been released. Currently there are thirty candidates but the organizing committee noted that more cars could be added by September. The contenders must be new models available in at least five European countries at the time of voting, with projected sales of at least 5,000 units per year. Toyota has five entries this year including the Avensis, the iQ, the Prius, the Urban Cruiser and the Verso people carrier. Other notable candidates include the Chevy Cruze, Honda Insight, Porshe Panamera and the new generation Opel - Vauxhall Astra which has yet to go on sale. Check out the complete shortlist below.
BMW Z4
Chevrolet Cruze
Citroen C3 Picasso
Ford Ka
Honda Insight
Hyundai i20
Hyundai ix55
Kia Sorento
Kia Soul
Land Rover Discovery4
Lexus RX450h
Mazda 3
Mercedes-Benz E-class
Mitsubishi Colt
Nissan 370Z
Nissan Cube
Opel / Vauxhall Astra
Peugeot 3008
Porsche Panamera
Renault Scenic / Grand Scenic
Seat Exeo
Skoda Yeti
Subaru Legacy
Suzuki Alto / Nissan Pixo
Toyota Avenis
Toyota iQ
Toyota Prius
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Toyota Verso
Volkswagen Polo
Opel Officially Receives 'European Car of Year' Award for the Insignia
January 27, 2009
It may look like a ceremony for the UEFA cup winner, but in fact, what you're seeing here in this picture is the presentation of the European "Car of the Year 2009" award for the Opel Insignia to GM Europe's President, Carl-Peter Forster. The ceremony took place on Monday 26th, January, at Opel's plant in Russelsheim, Germany, that produces the Insignia. The final results for the 2009 COTY were announced last November. Opel's Insignia claimed victory with a total of 321 points followed by the new Ford Fiesta and the VW Golf VI that gathered 320 and 223 points respectively.2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced
December 19, 2008
The finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards were announced today. All in all, 14 passenger cars and 11 trucks and SUVs have been nominated for the respective awards. Among the finalists for the Car of the Year award is the Hyundai Genesis -the first ever Korean model to make it to the finals, the Nissan GT-R, the Audi A4, the Dodge Challenger, the Jaguar XF and the Pontiac G8. Finalists for the 2009 North American Truck of the Year award include the Dodge Ram, the BMW X6 and the Subaru Forester.In order to be eligible for the awards, the vehicles must be "all-new" or "substantially changed" from the previous year model. From now and the opening of Detroit Show, 50 journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites, will vote ranking the finalists with the winners set to be announced at the show's first press conference on Sunday, Jan. 11.
2009 North American Car of the Year nominees
- Audi A4
- BMW 1 Series
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Dodge Challenger
- Ford Flex
- Honda Fit
- Hyundai Genesis
- Jaguar XF
- Lincoln MKS
- Mazda 6
- Nissan GT-R
- Pontiac G8
- Toyota Venza
- Volkswagen Jetta TDI
2009 North American Truck of the Year nominees
- BMW X6
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Dodge Ram
- Ford F-150
- Honda Pilot
- Infiniti FX35/50
- Kia Borrego
- Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC
- Nissan Murano
- Subaru Forester
- Volkswagen Tiguan
GM's Opel Insignia 'Car of the Year 2009' - Ford Fiesta Comes in Second, VW Golf Third
November 17, 2008
For the first time in 22 years, a General Motors vehicle has been voted 'Car of the Year' (COTY) in Europe. The brand-new Opel insignia gathered a total of 321 points beating the second Ford Fiesta by the narrowest possible margin - a solitary point. The Insignia is the third Opel / Vauxhall model to be awarded with the COTY after the Kadett (Vauxhall Astra in the UK) scooped the award in 1985 with the Omega (Vauxhall Carlton) following in 1987. The COTY jury, which is made up of 59 senior motoring journalists from 23 European countries gave the VW Golf VI a total of 223 points placing it third of the contest's seven finalists.
"This is the closest COTY competition for years," comments Ray Hutton, president of the 59-strong jury of senior motoring journalists. "Car of the Year has often been decided narrowly, but it is eight years since another Ford, the Mondeo, was beaten by a single point by Alfa Romeo's 147." To underscore the closeness of the 46-year-old competition, the Vauxhall/Opel Insignia received most votes from 20 of the international jurors, while the Fiesta was placed first by 19 of them.
Points allotted by journalists to the other COTY finalists were Citroen C5 198, Alfa Romeo MiTo 148, Skoda Superb 144 and Renault Megane 121 points.
For the record, the competition's first stage was in October, when jurors chose seven finalists from a total of 37 contenders. In order to be eligible for COTY, a car must be launched within the past 12 months and has to be available in at least five European countries - which is why the Toyota iQ didn't take part in this year's competition as European sales start in January 2009.
COTY 2009
Opel/Vauxhall Insignia - 321 Points
Ford Fiesta - 320 Points
Volkswagen Golf VI - 223 Points
Citroen C5 - 198 Points
Alfa Romeo MiTo - 148 Points
Skoda Superb - 144 Points
Renault Megane - 121 Points
Toyota iQ Wins Japan's Car of the Year Award, Citroen C5 Gets 2nd Place
November 14, 2008
The world's smallest four-seater passenger car -or so Toyota claims, the iQ, has won the 2008 Japan Car of the Year award. Toyota's new proposal in the minicar segment that will most likely come to the States as a Scion (click here for details) triumphed over its antagonists scoring more than double the points of the second placed Citroen C5, receiving top marks from 39 of the 65 jurors who voted.
Surprisingly, Japan's own Nissan GT-R finished in third place followed by the new Audi A4 and Jaguar XF. Even more surprising is the fact that Fiat's highly acclaimed 500 minicar that was included in this year's ballot finished 7th. We remind you that the 500 won the European Car of the Year award in 2007.
Unfortunately we won't have the chance to see if the iQ manages to have the same effect on European journalists as the Toyota mini is not eligible to take part in the competition as sales in Europe do not start until January 2009, past the cut-off for the European COTY for this year (see the seven finalists here).
Results of Japan Car of the Year 2008
1.
Toyota iQ
526 points
2.
Citroën C5
223 points
3.
Nissan GT-R
201 points
4.
Audi A4/A4 Avant
180 points
5.
Jaguar XF
115 points
6.
Daihatsu Tanto
100 points
7.
Fiat 500
90 points
8.
Honda Freed
62 points
9.
Mazda Atenza
60 points
10.
Suzuki Wagon R
37 points
11
Subaru Exiga
31 points
European "Car of the Year 2009" - Seven Finalists Announced
November 7, 2008
The countdown has began for the announcement of the European 'Car of the Year 2009' winner as the organizers released the shortlist with the seven finalists. The cars that made it to the final round of the 2009 COTY are: Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroen C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Megane, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf VI. The COTY jury, which is made up of 59 senior motoring journalists from 23 countries around Europe will reveal the winner on November 19.The COTY's organizing committee also released a statement in concern of recent news stories that gave the result of a 'European Car of the Year'. According to the committee, this contest was a national one staged by the Italian Motor Journalists Association and had no connection whatsoever with the 'Car of the Year'.
COTY PREVIOUS WINNERS
- 2008 -- FIAT 500
- 2007-- FORD S-MAX
- 2006 -- RENAULT CLIO
- 2005 -- TOYOTA PRIUS
- 2004 -- FIAT PANDA
- 2003 -- RENAULT MÉGANE
- 2002 -- PEUGEOT 307
- 2001 -- ALFA ROMEO 147
- 2000 -- TOYOTA YARIS
- 1999 -- FORD FOCUS
- 1998 -- ALFA ROMEO 156
- 1997 -- RENAULT MÉGANE SCENIC
- 1996 -- FIAT BRAVO / BRAVA
- 1995 -- FIAT PUNTO
“Car Of The Year 2009” Initial Candidates Announced
June 24, 2008
The organizing committee of the European “Car of Year 2009” has announced the initial candidates for the prestigious award that was won last year by the highly-successful Fiat 500. Although you might see a larger list on other websites, the official listing from the folks at COTY consists of 25 models. However, the contenders could be more than 35 by the end of September, which is the final date for this year’s competition. Cars that might be added in this year’s COTY could include the Ford Fiesta, BMW 7-Series, Renault Megane, Alfa Romeo Mito and Opel Insignia. Our guess (from the current nominees)? We’d bet on the Mazda6 and the Seat Ibiza.
Audi A4 - Audi Q5 - BMW X6 - Chevrolet HHR - Chrysler Grand Voyager - Citroën Berlingo / Peugeot Partner - Citroën C5 - Dacia Sandero - Dodge Journey - Ford Kuga - Honda Accord - Hyundai H1/i800 - Hyundai i10 - Jaguar XF - Jeep Cherokee - Lancia Delta - Mazda6 - Mercedes-Benz GLK - Mitsubishi Lancer - Opel – Vauxhall Agila / Suzuki Splash - Renault Kangoo - Renault Koleos - Seat
Fiat 500 Receives “Car Of The Year 2008” Award in Berlin
January 28, 2008
The European “Car of the Year 2008” award, which was given to the Fiat 500 by a jury of 58 automotive journalists from 22 European countries, was presented this evening (28 January) at a ceremony in Berlin.Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group Automobiles (he’s the poor-looking guy on the left), who received the award, said: “We have gone a long way in a short space of time, and I am proud to be able to underline that Fiat was the fastest growing car brand in Europe last year. The 500 is not a final target for the brand, but just the first stage in the ongoing development of the ‘new Fiat’. Which is why we see the 500 as not just a car, but as a ‘travelling agenda’ of what we want to achieve.”
North American Car & Truck Of The Year Finalists Announced
December 12, 2007
The three finalists for the North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year were announced today at a news conference during a luncheon held by the Detroit Economic Club and the North American International Auto Show organizers. While more than 50 new vehicles were eligible, jurors finally voted on 15 cars and 13 trucks.The group of 46 automotive journalists from the
Now the jurors will begin a second round of voting to elect the winner in both categories which will be announced on January 13, 2008 at the Detroit Show. Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Saturn Aura and the North American Truck of the Year was the Chevrolet Silverado.
The jurors represent outlets such as the MSN Autos, the Toronto Star, Car and Driver magazine, AutoWeek, The Chicago Tribune,
Here are the vehicles on which the jurors voted:
2008 North American Car of the Year nominees
Audi TT
Audi A5/S5
Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet
Dodge Grand Caravan
Honda Accord
Infiniti G37
Infiniti EX35
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Nissan Altima Coupe
Scion xB
Smart ForTwo
Subaru Impreza/WRX
Volvo C30
2008 North American Truck of the Year nominees
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Hyundai
Jeep
Jeep Patriot
Kia Rondo
Land Rover LR2
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Rogue
Saturn Vue
Volvo XC70
Officially-Official: Fiat 500 “Car Of The Year 2008”
November 19, 2007
As our regular readers already know from Friday’s leak (see here), Fiat’s retro-look 500 has been elected Car of the Year 2008 with 385 votes, ahead of the Mazda 2 (325 votes) and the Ford Mondeo (202). According to the official announcement that was released this morning, Fiat distinguished itself by obtaining votes from most members of the jury: 57 out of 58 included it in their short-list, and 33 made it top in their personal rankings. The award ceremony for Car of the Year 2008, organised by the German magazine Stern, will take place in This is the second time – the first was the Fiat Panda in 2004 – that an A-segment model has won the prestigious award. Interestingly, the Fiat Group has increased its wins to twelve: the Fiat 124 (1967), Fiat 128 (1970), Fiat 127 (1972), Lancia Delta (1980), Fiat Uno (1984), Fiat Tipo (1989), Fiat Punto (1995), Fiat Bravo/Brava (1996), Alfa 156 (1998), Alfa 147 (2001), Fiat Panda (2004) and the Fiat 500 (2008).
Model – Points
Fiat 500 - 385
Mazda2 - 325
Ford Mondeo - 202
Kia Cee’d - 166
Nissan Qashqai - 147
Mercedes C-Klasse - 128
Peugeot 308 - 97
Fiat 500 Is The “2008 Car Of The Year”
November 15, 2007
The all-new Fiat 500 (click here) has been unofficially-officially named “2008 Car Of The Year” by European auto journalists. But wait; what do we mean by “unofficially-officially”? Well, although the results were initially planned to be announced on Monday, November 19, 2007, Dutch car magazine Autovisie, which is one of the founding publications of the “Car of the year” organization, decided to spill the beans earlier by posting the story on there website. The 500 was awarded with 385 points by the 58 European journalists that participated while in second place we find the Mazda2 with 325 points followed by the new Ford Mondeo with 202 points. -Results after the jump
Model – Points
Fiat 500 - 385
Mazda2 - 325
Ford Mondeo - 202
Kia Cee’d - 166
Nissan Qashqai - 147
Mercedes C-Klasse - 128
Peugeot 308 - 97
