WORLD CAR AWARDS THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR

BEGAN IN PARIS, SEPT. 29, 2016. ENDS IN NEW YORK, APRIL 12, 2017

INTRODUCTION

Peter Lyon - Chairman, World Car Awards

As the annual World Car Awards’ prize-giving ceremony Another significant addition to the ever-growing World Car rapidly approaches on April 12 at the New York International family was the announcement last year of Brembo SpA, Auto Show, it is time to reflect on some major developments maker of high performance brake parts, as presenting in the world’s No 1 car awards program in terms of media partner. Brembo joins Bridgestone, Autoneum and PRIME reach. Research as partners.

From this year, WCA will be presenting trophies in six After the 75 jurors from 23 countries voted in two secret categories, as we add the inaugural World Urban Car to our internet ballots in January and February, and using results list of awards that includes the World Luxury Car, World tabulated by KPMG, the Top 3 finalists in all categories were Performance Car, World Green Car, World Car Design and revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 7. And for World . the first time, jurors and industry folk alike were surprised THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

to see three crossovers monopolise all Top 3 spots for the where WCA will display several category winners inside a main World Car of the Year award, a result that reflects the dedicated stand on the show floor. changing nature of the marketplace. World Car is more than an awards program World Car started its 2017 awards program at the Paris Auto Show in September 2016, followed by a short stop World Car is more than just an awards program. It is a in Los Angeles in mid-November for a joint manufacturer resource for the industry with a focus on excellence and test drive that allowed jury members the opportunity to innovation on a global scale. evaluate two dozen eligible vehicles. Our role is not just to reward current achievement but to But without doubt the most critical development for World provide an insight into the future, via trend studies and Car over the past decade is our new ceremony time slot related initiatives and to foster innovation for that future. - we will now be opening the New York International Auto Show on the morning of April 12, moved one day forward See you at the New York International Auto Show on April from April 13. 12 for a prize-giving ceremony not to be missed.

In front of an expected crowd of well over 500 media and OEM representatives, World Car Awards will stage a high profile prize-giving ceremony where we will announce the winners in six categories after presenting our annual Global Trends Report.

WCA is also proud to announce that the organisation has just signed another 5-year contract with NYIAS to stage our awards ceremony and media breakfast at the Javits Center through 2021.

The world’s No 1 awards program is also honoured to be World Car Awards jurors at the Geneva Motor Show in March, where invited back to the reborn London Motor Show in early May the Top 3 finalists in all categories were revealed THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION: THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW!

BY GERRY MALLOY, WORLD CAR AWARDS DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT

It’s the end of the road: New York, New York! It’s also among the largest, with 950’000 square-feet of “showroom space,” displaying almost 1000 cars, and more The Road to World Car for 2017 culminates with the than one-million visitors attending each year for the past presentation of the World Car Awards at the New York 22 years. International Auto Show on April 12. That attendance figure is hugely important, for it is the It’s the 11th consecutive year that the awards will be raison d’etre of auto shows everywhere. “Auto shows presented at the New York show and the beginning of a have always been about bringing in the public,” says Mark new era in two key respects: Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, who is responsible for the NYIAS. First, the WCA and NYIAS have agreed to continue that successful partnership for another five years; “They are marketing events… like trade shows, but for customers… they’re a place for manufacturers to show And second, the awards presentation ceremony has been moved from its traditional morning time slot on the second Media Day, to the show’s opening ceremonies on the first Media Day. A win-win situation for all involved.

It’s a natural combination, for New York’s international stature – it has sometimes been called the unofficial capital of the world – is directly in sync with the global scope of the World Car Awards.

Beyond the city itself, the New York International Auto Show holds a storied place in automotive history. Dating back to 1900, it was not only the first auto show in the

United States, but one of the oldest of such spectacles in More than one-million visitors have attended each year for the the world. past 22 years THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

their wares to potential buyers in a no-pressure, fun and show. They’re story fodder for us in generating that public exciting environment… and to get them directly involved enthusiasm, as well as attracting the public themselves. with the product,” he explains. It’s why the New York show, for example, will feature Illustrating that point, Schienberg says that exit surveys around 40 vehicle premieres this year. from last year’s show revealed 68-percent of attendees were in the market for a new vehicle within the next 12 It’s also why manufacturers sometimes tend to choose months. certain shows for the introduction of specific types of vehicles, depending on their local or regional markets – That aspect of auto shows is something those of us in the why Chicago, for example, has become a favourite for new automotive media may sometimes overlook. They’re not truck debuts. just about us. We are not the ultimate customers. In fact, our role is as intermediaries, to help generate interest in the In that manner, the New York show has sometimes been shows and/or the products among the actual customers. associated with luxury and exotic vehicles, for it is the biggest single market in the U.S. for such models. That’s why manufacturers’ new product debuts and futuristic concept cars are important elements of an auto But the fact is, it’s the biggest regional market for vehicles of all types, except perhaps pickup trucks, which is why it has become the venue for a broad base of new vehicle introductions.

In the face of an industry that is rapidly changing in how it does business at every level, the auto show remains a core component of the communication link between manufacturers and customers – and the only one that physically immerses the customer with the product on a grand scale.

“It’s a process that still works,’ says Schienberg. And

Exit surveys from last year’s show reveal 68-percent of attendees the fact that attendance figures are not just stable but were in the market for a new vehicle within the next 12 months increasing at many shows reinforces the point. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS MORE THAN JUST AWARDS

WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR IS “BY FAR THE MOST IMPACTFUL AND SIGNIFICANT” AWARDS PROGRAMME ON THE PLANET, SAYS

BY MIKE RUTHERFORD, WORLD CAR AWARDS JUROR, DIRECTOR & VICE-CHAIR

America, England, France, Germany, Japan, and Sweden punches above its weight by ensuring two of its firms go for go head to head for World Car glory on Wednesday April 12. three class wins (Performance, Design, WCOTY), and the same is true of Japan (Green, Urban, Design). The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) will host the fierce but friendly - we hope - battle between these six But don’t write off France which aims to be crowned great vehicle-producing nations who, between them, have Urban Car king, or Sweden which fancies the Luxury gong. 13 elite manufacturers on their soil at this time. If current Intriguingly, the USA is strong in the Green Car sector it form is anything to by - and it is - there are no finer car- dominates this year - despite the perception that American building countries across the continents. firms only produce gas guzzlers.

As in previous years, the 2017 World Car Awards ceremony In the past, maybe. But not any more, it seems. Conversely, is being staged at the USA’s busiest convention centre - Germany which has a healthy obsession for ecomental cars the multi-billion dollar Jakob K Javits Centre which graces and is spending countless billions bringing them to market a glorious 1.8 million sq ft (170,000 sq m) Manhattan site has no Green Top 3 finalists this year. That’s puzzling. And nestling between the Hudson River and the iconic New for the giant German auto firms, it’s unacceptable. Yorker and Empire State buildings. The only brand that can prevent the colossal VW Group The hugely impressive setting is highly appropriate for from snatching yet another World Car of the Year title is our annual prizegiving event. After all, the world’s number the comparative minnow that’s Jaguar whose F-PACE one automotive awards programme (according to PRIME Research and Audi!) needs a world-class venue in the heart of the world’s most exiting city. WCA and NYC deserve each other. And NYIAS is the perfect match-maker.

Those 13 elite motor manufacturers are Asian, European or North American firms, big and small, who have - according to our 70-plus jurors - designed and built the very best all- new cars for the 2017-18 car buying season.

Germany has five manufacturers hoping to grab victory in five of the six World Car categories (Luxury, Performance, Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum, and WCA’s Mike Urban, Design plus the big one - WCOTY). Little England Rutherford at the Geneva Motor Show THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

THE TOP ALL-NEW CARS ON THE PLANET, 2017 is sandwiched between Audi’s Q5 and the Tiguan. Put another way, an SUV is guaranteed to be crowned overall WCOTY - for the first time in the history 2017 World Car of the Year of the competition. Five or ten years ago none of us could have predicted that a saloon or hatchback would be missing from the WCOTY Top 3 in 2017. Yet that SUV lock-out has JAGUAR F-PACE arrived. How’s that for a sign of the times?

Jaguar couldn’t be happier that it has already seen off 2017 World Luxury Car BMW, Mercedes, and other premium brands to BMW 5 SERIES secure its place as one of the best three cars in the world. MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS Ian Callum, its Director of Design, told me at last month’s / V90 Geneva Motor Show: “The F-PACE is our first ever SUV but it’s clearly recognisable as a Jaguar and should it win the 2017 World Performance Car 2017 World Car of the Year trophy our decision to bring our SPYDER unique design principles and dynamic qualities to a new McLAREN 570S sector of the market will be vindicated.” He’s not wrong. BOXSTER / CAYMAN Volkswagen seems pleasantly and genuinely surprised to be in the running after such a tumultuous 12 months 2017 World Green Car or more. “For us, this means a great deal. To have BOLT Tiguan’s excellence publicly recognised by a prestigious independent body such as the World Car of the Year is PRIUS PRIME fantastic news.”

2017 World Urban Car Audi has, over the years, snatched more of our trophies BMW i3 (94 Ah) than any other company. And clearly, it treasures them. CITROEN C3 IGNIS “There are many car awards each year, but the World Car of the Year competition is by far the most impactful 2017 World Car Design of the Year and significant because its result reflects the views of a JAGUAR F-PACE global panel of expert jurors. To win a WCOTY award is a MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS CABRIOLET highly coveted accolade that speaks for itself to a global TOYOTA C-HR audience.”

Arch rival BMW tells me: “We’re truly honoured to get two of our cars through to the Top 3 Finalists stage. It’s heartening that the latest incarnation of the 5 Series has been recognised in this way. And another World Car award would underscore the importance of the newest version of i3 on the future of motoring.”

Mercedes merely states that a Luxury win for the E-Class plus a Design triumph for S-Class “would be the recognition they deserve.” Fair enough. A recent Suzuki ad highlighting the Ignis as a WCA finalist THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

Now a member of the premium car club that the Germans The likes of the family, Hyundai-, (plus Japan’s traditionally dominate, Volvo reckons it “honoured” that and ) are conspicuous by their absence. S90/V90 is a Luxury Car contender this year. “This is genuine recognition of the ongoing transformation of the But their failure to reach the final stage of the 2017 Volvo brand,” it says. competition process can be explained. Quite simply, our 70-plus jurors judged that these countries and companies McLaren is “quietly excited” to be a World Performance are failing to design and build the best cars in the world at Car finalist while Porsche is “grateful” for the recognition. this time. If they seek WCA wins in 2018, they’ll really need “ are created by a small family of passionate to up their game. And I hope and suspect they’ll do exactly enthusiasts and are aimed at people just like us - motorists that. who get a thrill out of driving, who appreciate precision, balance and style. Praise from the World Car jurors means THE WORLD’S TOP NATIONS AND a great deal and reaffirms the time and care we put into MANUFACTURES IN 2017 creating every car.” (Plus the number of awards each company can win on April 12) Toyota is another that’s “greatly honoured” to be competing for two trophies in NYC on April 12. “For Germany global automakers like us, consideration for this awards AUDI (2) programme is a testament to our focus on developing BMW (2) products that both stir the emotions and meet the mobility MERCEDES (2) needs of our customers in all corners of the world.” PORSCHE (1) VOLKSWAGEN (1) Citroen insists that the launch of its all-new C3 represents the start of an international product offensive for the Paris-based firm. “It’s particularly gratifying then, to point England to C3’s Top 3 status in the World Urban Car category as JAGUAR (2) a powerful endorsement of the Citroën brand’s rapidly McLAREN (1) growing global appeal.”

And underdog Suzuki has made it into the World Car Japan grand finals for the first time, reflecting the fact that the SUZUKI (1) Japanese firm is much more of a respected global player TOYOTA (2) these days.“Our company and the World Car Awards have both ‘arrived’ on the world scene in recent years,” the firm told me days before the NYC prizegiving ceremony. USA CHEVROLET (1) “We’re chuffed that two of our all-new models - Baleno TESLA (1) and Ignis - made it through to the World Urban Car Top 5, and that Ignis has gone one important step further by becoming a Top 3 finalist. We’re absolutely delighted.” France And there’s something else that delights the likes of Suzuki CITROËN (1) and Citroen - their ability to see off allegedly ‘stronger’ rival firms from Europe and Asia. It’s not lost on them that respected car-producing nations such as Italy and South Sweden Korea have zero presence in the World Car Top 3s this year. VOLVO (1) THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

BY JENS MEINERS, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLD CAR AWARDS

The future of powertrain technology is more open than easier. They will be able cover distances of 250 miles and ever. The combustion engine is competing with battery more, and their performance will be on par with powerful electrics, hydrogen-powered cars and hybrid approaches conventional cars. that combine these concepts. And the performance will be consistent - unlike that of “I am glad you are still asking me,” the R&D chief of a large some currently offered vehicles, whose dragster-like automaker responded at one of the recent auto shows. performance fizzles out after the second or third launch.

I had inquired about the potential to make combustion There is just as much of a political tailwind for plug-in engines still cleaner and more economical. And he said hybrids; the official consumption figures are literally the that most scenarios indicate that even decades from now, stuff of fairy tales, and unlike on conventional engines, this at least three quarters of the global automotive fleet will be is not treated as a scandal. powered by gasoline and diesel. The consumption ratings prove that a high market This may come as something of a surprise, because public penetration of those complex vehicles is high on political - or rather published? - opinion seems to have swung wish lists, and on the wish lists of carmakers, who see little decisively towards electrics. And one of the biggest drivers is the diesel scandal, which has been played up beyond imagination by the Pre-Pruitt EPA, and now by politicians globally.

Public antagonism towards the combustion engine has reached a new high. Politicians are considering closing down citites, others want to sue carmakers.

Those who believed that electrics are a mere fad seem to have miscalculated. Politicians and carmakers have invested too much capital and reputation.

Now the customers need to follow suit. But the next World Green Car Awards finalist, the Prime, generation of premium electrics will make the switch exemplifies the advancement of ‘alternative’ powertrains THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS chance to meet ambitious future consumption targets by There is still a future in fuel cell technology as well. It just other means. won’t necessarily be powered by hydrogen. Building up the necessary fueling infrastructures will be regional projects, What makes electrics - and hybrids - ever more attractive like in California. is the falling price of batteries. One kWh used to cost 300 euros. Now, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche expects 100 And the combustion engine? Engineers haven’t stopped euros. There are ever more charging stations, increasingly refining it. standardised, and carmakers are pushing for inductive charging systems. The NOX and particulate discussion has led to cars that will perform not just in the cycle, but in real-life conditions The next generation of electrics is far more attractive than as well. The first diesels to conform to the second phase of today’s fleet. There is a futuristic aura to cars like the Euro 6 have reached the market already. Jaguar I-PACE, the Mercedes EQ 1, and the e-tron quattro. The industry is further removed than ever from a single global standard. In fact, there is ever more fragmentation even within the markets. This includes the EU, where electrics are heavily subsidised.

Norway, a non-EU country, goes even further, and then there are cities that attempt to lock out conventionally powered cars - cheered on by an industry, which has never been so eager to rely on regulation.

And then there is the rest of the world - large parts of Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, Africa, and the America between the coasts.

There is a futuristic aura to the next generation of electrics To quote the above mentioned board member, who spoke off the record, once more: “There are countries and regions By contrast, most electrics today are off-looking city cars, that won’t even be thinking about switching to electrics for with the exception of Tesla - a company that utilizes its another few decades.” customers for “beta testing.”

There are enormous strides in hybrid technology; the inexpensive 48-volt hybrids can boost, and they allow for driving short distances under electricity. Full hybrids like the Honda/Acura NSX bring about strong performance advantages, with instant throttle response and torque vectoring capability.

Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrids are an answer to a political puzzle - the increasingly absurd assumption that air quality will improve if BIN5/Euro 6 cars are replaced with electrics.

Models like the 680-horsepower Turbo Models like the 680-horsepower Porsche Panamera Turbo S S E-Hybrid serve as halo cars. E-Hybrid serve as halo cars THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS THE SPORTS UTE TAKES OVER

BY SIDDHARTH VINAYAK PATANKAR, DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD CAR AWARDS

The humble utility workhorse is now the cynosure of all The fascinating aspect of this phenomenon is that the eyes, immediately associated with glamour, status and traditional definition of SUV has changed dramatically in capability rolled into one. The Sports Utility Vehicle is recent years too. So everything from a subcompact vehicle now not just about brute strength or ample grunt – it is with a footprint under 4 metres in length (Ford EcoSport), also about sexy style, sporty performance and luxurious to a massive 5 plus metre 3-row mammoth (Toyota interiors. Sequoia) qualify!

According to Global Industry Analysts, the global market for SUVs is expected to go past 21 million units by 2020. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to contribute the most to this demand by nature of having the world’s largest middle class population – a driver of demand for SUVs. Technavio market research analysts forecast that SUVs will enjoy an 11% CAGR growth from now through to 2021.

Ford, Jeep and Jaguar Land Rover are seen as being most benefitted by this trend says Technavio.

WCA jurors were impressed by the multi-faceted strengths of the nominated SUVs during testing in LA

Okay so some of that has been true for a while now. But the shapes and sizes an SUV can now adopt – ah well now there is something that is altogether new, exciting and mould- breaking! And that is because the SUV has become the ‘it’ vehicle the world over. From its utilitarian off-road image, to its soccer-mom appeal – the SUV now also stands for convenience, expressing one’s style or individuality and presents its owners with massive snob value.

And this is true the world-over. The fastest growing Jaguar Land Rover is one of many brands cashing in on the segment in the world is the SUV or related crossover. market’s seemingly insatiable appetite for SUVs THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

It finds a growing demand for driver assistance technologies – a first for our prestigious global awards programme. And in off-road vehicles, strong projected growth in SUVs in so if it hasn’t been historic enough already, this year will the all-important Chinese market and a sales growth for be the first one (perhaps of many in the future!) where we premium/luxury SUVs and pickups as key contributors have an SUV winning World Car Of The Year! towards this trend. And why not, I ask. For some years now we have witnessed Given this scenario, it was no surprise to find that the the rise of the SUV. And are now firmly planted in this new annual World Car Awards saw 7 out 10 finalists for 2017 world order of cars – that well, ride taller! So more power turning out to be SUV/crossover models. The and to the SUV – subcompact, compact, midsize and fullsize! Q5, Jaguar F-Pace, CX-9, Škoda Kodiaq, Toyota Here’s hoping they get leaner, meaner, and even more C-HR and Volkswagen Tiguan are all prime examples of the flamboyant! aforementioned trend. Sure, we may still call them gas-guzzlers, beasts, monsters It was again no shock therefore, to find that our Top Three in and brutes – but in reality they will be anything but. After the world for the automobile industry’s biggest honour are all, a growing number of SUVs are now hybrid (Volvo XC90, in fact the Audi Q5, Jaguar F-Pace, and Volkswagen Tiguan Lexus RX 450h) and fully-electric (Tesla Model X) and even the ones with conventional ICE engines are now more frugal and lower on emissions than ever before.

And that is a very agreeable scenario isn’t it? And hey after encroaching on the luxury space (, , ) they’re all set to go even further on the performance front (Lamborghini Urus). So watch this class of vehicles closely – as they take over large sections of the market worldwide, and dare I say the hearts and minds of even more buyers too.

The SUV has indeed come a long way, and after being a secret desire or guilty pleasure for many years, it is now

We may still call them gas-guzzlers but a growing number of SUVs finally accepted as a credible choice for car buyers around are now hybrid and fully-electric the world. PARTNERS

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THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR: BEGAN IN PARIS SEPT. 29, 2016. ENDS IN NEW YORK APRIL 12, 2017.

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