And Now There Are Ten .....

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The countdown has begun in preparation for the 2012 World Car Awards winners' press conference co-hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, April 5, 2012.   The 2012 World Car of the Year and the 2012 World Performance Car will be declared at this time.

The top three finalists in all award categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012.

A jury of sixty-six (66) distinguished international automotive journalists selected the following top ten finalists in both categories by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work.  The jury members constitute a balance of representation from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, as well as other parts of the world.  All hold significant stature within their own regions and countries.  For more details about our jurors, and their outlets, please visit our web site:  www.wcoty.com and choose  2012 Awards > Juror List.

The international accounting firm KPMG tabulated the jurors' ballots and announced the top ten finalists in both categories today.    

The 2012 World Car of the Year will be selected from the following top ten cars listed in alphabetical order:

Audi A6 Sedan / Avant
Audi Q3
BMW 1 Series
BMW 3 Series
Chevrolet Volt / Opel/Vauxhall Ampera
Citroen DS5
Ford Focus
Land Rover Evoque
Porsche 911
Volkswagen Up!

The 2012 World Performance Car will be chosen from one of these top ten finalists:

Audi RS 3 Sportback
BMW 1 Series M Coupe
BMW M5
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Ferrari FF
Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
McLaren MP4-12C
Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz C-63 Coupe AMG Black Series
Porsche 911

The jurors' next step is to re-evaluate the top ten cars in both classes, in preparation for a final round of voting in February.  They will specifically rate each vehicle in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance.   KPMG will again tabulate the vote results.  The top three finalists in both categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 6th during a press conference co-hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show.

Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Nissan LEAF in 2011, the Volkswagen Polo in 2010, the Volkswagen Golf in 2009, the Mazda2 / Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006, and the Audi A6 in 2005.

Previous World Performance Car winners were the Ferrari 458 Italia in 2011, the Audi R8 V10 in 2010, the Nissan GT-R in 2009, the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

Prime Research International, a global leader in strategic communication research and consultancy is the World Car Awards' research partner.  The company will provide strategic reports in 2012 that analyze our awards global automotive media coverage.  

Now in their eighth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the world's most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its kind.

The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale.   The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. Peter Lyon (Japan) and Matt Davis (Italy) are the co-chairs; John McCormick (USA), Jens Meiners (Germany) and Gerry Malloy (Canada) are the directors.  There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

For additional information either visit our web site (www.wcoty.com) or please contact Beth Rhind, Executive Manager, E: [email protected], T: 1.705.924.3444. 

About BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION

Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.

About PRIME RESEARCH

PRIME Research International, a global leader in strategic communication research and consultancy, has joined forces with the World Car Awards to provide strategic studies in the fields of automotive assessment criteria and automotive awards. PRIME Research is a well-trusted research partner for the automotive industry with a broad range of automotive clients. Its full picture approach, which provides strategic benchmark information and SWOT analyses on over 100 brands and over 10,000 different automobile models, sets the standard in automotive media research.    

About the 2012 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS)

Showcasing the latest automotive trends, the 2012 New York International Auto Show will unveil an extensive collection of the most technologically advanced vehicles on display anywhere in the world. More than four floors of displays, including the new Javits Center North exhibition hall, will house nearly 1,000 stunning new 2012/2013 vehicles as well as sensational futuristic concept cars.  NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

Important Show Information:   Press Days: April 4 & 5,  Public Show Dates:  April 6 – April 15
Show Hours:  Monday – Saturday:  10 a.m. - 10 p.m.    Sundays:  10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

www.autoshowNY.com; Twitter: #NYIAS @NYautoshow; Facebook: Like us, we like you!
Mobile: Download our iPhone app; on iTunes for Show info on the go

For a list of past World Car Awards winners, please visit our web site:  www.wcoty.com

SOURCE New York International Auto Show