WORLD CAR AWARDS THE ROAD AHEAD

JANUARY 2018

INTRODUCTION Peter Lyon - Chairman, World Car Awards

Happy New Year. And welcome to World Car’s 14th year Jurors may have already voted in five categories – WCOTY, and fifth as the planet’s No 1 car awards program in terms Performance, Luxury, Green and Urban – to whittle down of media reach. Speaking of media exposure, many drive the contenders for this year, but as far as our sixth award, stories from our Los Angeles Test Drives last November the World Car Design of the Year, is concerned, we look have, or are in the process of, appearing in global forward to some extra styling expertise. Legendary publications and websites. So keep an eye out for those. designers Gordon Murray and Shiro Nakamura will join World Car’s four other design experts to narrow down the By the time this newsletter reaches you, our 82 jurors field of over 30 contenders this year. would have just completed their first round of online voting and KPMG would have tabulated those secret results and And just as the first voting round got underway, the motor prepared them for our second round in February, a time show season started in earnest with the CES and Detroit when we select this year’s winners in six categories. Auto Shows happening back to back. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

Many of our jurors attended both events to check out For the third year in a row, World Car will display at least upcoming models and focus on the latest developments in two category-winning vehicles at a special stand inside the self-driving, electrification, facial recognition technology, London Motor Show site from May 17-20. A.I. and connectivity. The World Car steering committee would like to take this opportunity to welcome Japanese luxury leather goods manufacturer, Neu Interesse as World Car’s most recent official supporter who teamed up with us in early 2018.

We look forward to seeing you at the Bridgestone stand in Geneva for our inaugural World Car Person of the Year trophy presentation and at the Javits Center for our prize- giving ceremony in New York City.

Until then, safe travels.

The motor show season has started in earnest with typically spectacular NAIAS and CES events

World Car is always looking to develop as well. In addition to announcing the finalists in six categories inside the Bridgestone stand at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6, we will for the first time introduce the World Car Person of the Year award to a distinguished member of the automotive community.

Following on from 2017, we will once again open the New York International Auto Show on March 28 with our media breakfast and high profile awards ceremony in front of World Car will display at least two category-winning vehicles at a over 600 media and OEM representatives. special stand inside the London Motor Show THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS WORLD CHAMPIONS IN THE MAKING

BY MIKE RUTHERFORD, DIRECTOR AND VICE-CHAIRMAN, WORLD CAR AWARDS

Twenty vehicle manufacturers from across Asia, Europe and North America are through to the final stages of the 2018 World Car Awards.

Nine of those finalists are in the running for the most talked about, sought after and important automotive award on the planet - the 2018 World title.

It’s no great shock that familiar stalwarts and past WCOTY winners such as BMW, , and VW have been voted into the prestigious Top Ten this time around. But fast-improving and born again Alfa Romeo are welcome additions to that ten-strong list, too - as is a buoyant Volvo 's new Polo: Out of the running for WCOTY, but in with which can do little wrong at present. a chance for World Urban Car glory

The same goes for Land Rover which has just achieved the That elimination was unexpected but is possibly a sign unthinkable by winning enough votes to ensure that two of of the times. After all, Volkswagen has been producing its all-new models are in a position to compete for WCOTY Polo superminis for the last 43 years. And its latest (sixth glory. generation) version that will see it through to Polo’s 50th birthday is not as cute, distinctive and VW-like as its Nissan, with its new LEAF, will be defending the title it predecessors. won with the original version back in 2011. And although Volkswagen should be relieved that its T-Roc has qualified, But at least the all-new Polo stands a one in five chance there must be disappointment at the company’s HQ in of claiming the World Urban Car crown at our prize-giving Wolfsburg that its latest version of the Polo did not. ceremony in New York on the morning of March 28.

This year VW was hoping to repeat what it achieved in VW knows it’s up against stiff competition, though - from 2010 when it won the WCOTY trophy with its (previous conventional, up to 4.2m long superminis such as the Ford generation) Polo. But a follow up victory in 2018 is not to Fiesta, and Swift, plus the cleverly- be, following the revelation that the latest version of its designed SUV which looks large in the flesh, big-selling supermini has not earned Top 10 status and is but is in fact only 4.165m long and therefore just within the therefore out of the WCOTY running. new World Urban Car rules. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

It’s a hugely important category this, as small cars already sell in colossal numbers in Europe and Asia and will become increasingly popular as demand intensifies for precious road space and parking bays across the globe. All over the world the trend is that more people are moving from rural to urban areas in search of employment and improved social lives. This has to mean that small (but not necessarily tiny) cars are the future for the motoring masses.

Over the years has been awarded eight World Car trophies - that’s more than any other company has won Luxury crossovers and SUVs continue to perform well - the Range in the history of the competition. But its German and Rover Velar is a WCOTY and World Car Design finalist Japanese rivals in the World Luxury Car class are highly impressive this year, so the serial World Car winner from The finalists in the WCOTY division and the five supporting Ingolstadt may struggle to beat exciting offerings from categories are a deliciously diverse lot, though. In no BMW, and - the latter having a 40 per cent particular order of importance, there are - as expected - chance of winning the category thanks to the inclusion of conventional superminis, compact cars and mid-sized the Panamera and Cayenne. to large saloons/sedans (some sporty, some not), plus a traditional minivan/MPV in the mix. Hot hatches, But both Audi (with RS 3) and Lexus (LC 500) also have crossovers, sports cars, Grand Tourers, a luxury limo or a chance of victory in the World Performance Car sector two, plus a pure-electric are other contenders. where the comparatively modest Civic Type R has also qualified as a finalist, along with the But it’s the small/medium/large, modest/premium/ Quadrifoglio and BMW M5. luxury crossovers or SUVs that dominate - not least because they’re present in most of our 2018 World Car The group of 2018 Word Green Car contenders is dominated categories. On this evidence, the petrol/gasoline or diesel - surprisingly, perhaps - by American manufacturers. SUV remains in rude health and is still extremely popular Another surprise is that more pure-electrics have not made with World Car jurors based in cities, towns and rural areas it through to the Green finals this year, thereby suggesting across the globe. At the very least, it’s fair to conclude that that there’s some way to go before the world accepts them these SUVs are among the best, most fit for purpose and as genuine and affordable alternatives to petrol/gasoline, desirable cars in the world today. diesel, and LPG models. Equally true is that with just one pure-electric candidate (LEAF) in the World Car finals in 2018, the much talked about ‘electric car revolution’ is still limping along slowly instead of surging forward as it should be doing by now.

Despite the growing objections from politicians and environmentalists to diesel and gasoline cars, they continue to account for the overwhelming majority of sales on the world stage.

At the same time, pure-electrics still sell in minuscule volumes. And unless and until EVs cost less to buy new and travel further after each recharge, demand and sales will The is the only pure-electric candidate left in the World Car finals remain desperately low. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS 2018 WORLD CAR AWARDS FINALISTS

WORLD CAR WORLD LUXURY CAR WORLD CAR DESIGN OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR Alfa Romeo Giulia BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Citroen C3 Aircross BMW X3 Lexus LS Lexus LC 500 VELAR Renault Mazda CX-5 Volvo XC60 Nissan LEAF WORLD PERFORMANCE CAR NATIONS WITH THE MOST Camry Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio CONTENDERS IN THE Volkswagen T-Roc Audi RS 3 2018 WORLD CAR AWARDS Volvo XC60 BMW M5 FINALS Type R 2018 WORLD Lexus LC 500 Germany 11 URBAN CAR Japan 9 WORLD GREEN CAR USA 3 Ford Fiesta Britain 2 Hyundai KONA BMW 530e iPerformance Italy 2 Nissan Micra Cruze Diesel Korea 2 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid France 2 Nissan LEAF Sweden 1 THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS CES 2018: ANOTHER GAMBLE

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

"What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas," is a Asian manufacturers are leaving their mark with ambitious popular motto in the desert metropolis dedicated to new products as well. Toyota showed the autonomous gambling and excess. But the Consumer Electronics Show EV e-Palette Concept and extended the Concept-i series (CES) is an exception: "What happens in Las Vegas does launched last year with two additional models. not stay in Las Vegas," Mercedes-Benz chief Ola Källenius proclaimed in a press conference there. Kia showed the concept of a fully electric version of the compact Niro, while Hyundai launched the Nexo, a His company had a lot to show: A semi-autonomous standalone model with a hydrogen-powered fuel cell. S-Class concluding its world tour there, an autonomous Honda showcased robotics and an electric ATV, while Smart Vision EQ Fortwo concept, and a newly developed Nissan announced a technology that can detect and user interface for the upcoming front-wheel drive models. evaluate brain signals.

The Daimler presentation outlined the two most important trends at CES: electrification and autonomous driving. The show is predestined for these topics through its roots in consumer electronics and its proximity to metro Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. This is where engineers, programmers - and futurologists - come together to absorb trends and cultivate their contacts.

Kia news conference during Media Days at CES 2018

On the pre-night, Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Diess announced an offensive for "artificial intelligence" in the car, together with the head of Nvidia, Jensen Huang. Ford, on the other hand, surprised the public with critical reflections on the automobile, formulated in Europe in the 1970s: "Where people once gathered in the streets

The Daimler presentation outlined the two most important trends and town squares, there are now highways and multi-lane at CES: electrification and autonomous driving roads," CEO Jim Hackett lamented. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

These places will have to be returned "to the people" - apparently by driving these very people out of their own cars and delivering them to autonomous EVs as part of a "sharing economy we need."

An ambitious look into the future was provided by the new brands Faraday Future and BYTON, both launched with Chinese funds and equipped with German engineers and designers. Faraday Future has designed a veritable Tesla killer with the FF91: Faster, more powerful and with a more modern interior than a Model X. But the company is running out of money and currently undergoing an exodus of high profile executives. Ford's keynote at CES centred on mobility within 'Smart Cities'

Things look better for BYTON; the concept car with giant Many creative solutions to e-mobility have not been tried screen shown in Las Vegas is supposed to go into production yet. Boris von Bormann, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Energy soon. And the world champion of announcements, Henrik Americas, believes that the number of charging stations Fisker, showed the EMotion, which, unfortunately not before can be significantly reduced with predictive software. And 2023, will feature "revolutionary battery technology". there could be financial incentives for the use of electric cars as energy storage. Plug-in hybrids, according to Bormann, can be more than an interim solution for many users, regions and applications.

If extreme demands are covered with an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the charging infrastructure and the design of the battery modules can be more conservative and environmentally friendly,

One thing is certain: e-mobility will be costly, and autonomous vehicles are still far from ready for series production. And the political framework is shifting: The current US administration has strongly disempowered the The much anticipated BYTON Concept premiere once imperious EPA. As modern vehicles rely strongly on electronics, security issues such as the recently discovered All of these brands rely on the breakthrough of "Specter" and "Meltdown" malware were heavily discussed. e-mobility. They will face strong competition: Established Not only do they endanger data security, they also endanger manufacturers will soon play the electric niche with highly the performance of affected systems. competent products. Meanwhile, the CES was struggling with more profane A number of suppliers presented innovative ideas to meet problems: On Tuesday, Google's outdoor demonstration the daunting challenges; ZF, for example, showcased an area had to be closed because it rained. And on Wednesday, Opel Astra station wagon called "Dream Car", with a variety the electricity went out on parts of the floor. of sensors and cameras and equipped with a learning software. The future remains a gamble in Las Vegas. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS NAIAS 2018: TRUCK TRENDS

BY TIM STEVENS, DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD CAR AWARDS

Auto shows tend to ebb and flow, one year wowing us But, crucially, Chevrolet will still use steel in the bed, with more debuts than we can process and the next ensuring that the acerbic marketing campaign the company falling curiously silent. After a quiet 2017, we weren’t sure has lobbed against the all-aluminum Ford F-150 will live on. just what to expect from the 2018 iteration of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but we were surely unprepared for the volume of global debuts.

And I mean volume quite literally. The biggest debuts of the show were physically very large, perhaps the most notable being the new Chevrolet Silverado – though technically it didn’t debut at NAIAS itself, rather at a pre-show event the Saturday before.

That minor distinction aside, this is a major update to a truck that Chevy sells over a half-million of annually. The The 2019 RAM 1500's most notable changes are on the inside most startling change isn’t an addition but rather a deletion: 450 pounds worth of weight savings thanks largely to the That weight saving means more towing and hauling use of aluminum on many panels. capacity, though formal figures were not delivered to back that up. Fuel economy should improve, and the Silverado will also offer a new cylinder deactivation technology that can shut down the ignition in individual cylinders, turning the big V-8 into an effective one-cylinder! A 3.0-litre diesel is also planned.

Dodge rolled out a new RAM 1500 as well, and it’s also been on a diet: losing some 225 pounds. That’s rather less impressive, and indeed the new RAM didn’t get nearly the same coverage as the new Silverado, perhaps because the most notable changes are on the inside.

The new RAM 1500 has a massive, 12-inch display situated in the dashboard, vertically oriented à la Tesla Models S The Chevrolet Silverado sheds 450 pounds and X. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

If that weren’t enough, the RAM 1500 is also the first No word on capacities or capabilities of the Ranger yet, vehicle we’ve seen to offer USB Type-C connectors, the and its default power, at least to start, will be a 2.3-litre new standard used on most (non-Apple) smartphones. EcoBoost – though rumors were swirling of a -Raptor version to come. Having this in the car means no more flipping your USB cable around. Chevrolet confirmed the Silverado will also And the final big addition was the new Mercedes-Benz have Type-C connectors, and that’s a trend I’m looking G-Class, that company’s iconic 4x4. Its debut marked the forward to continuing. first time I’ve ever seen a manufacturer brag about being able to test the new car out in the open because nobody And, while Chevrolet is adding a diesel to the Silverado, could tell the difference between it and its predecessor. RAM is actually getting rid of its diesels for now, with a plan to return in a model year or two. That’ll surely be a disappointment to the number of oil-burning loyalists the brand has established.

Not to be outdone, Ford chose Detroit to roll out the new Ranger, its compact pick-up truck that hasn’t been available on the American market for five years. “New” here is a relative term, as this is largely the same truck that’s been available elsewhere for that duration, now with a refreshed nose and some other tweaks. Mercedes displayed a 1979 G-Class in a block of 'amber' resin

Indeed, the new G looks much like the old, but a wholly new interior is a massive step forward, finally adding the posh accommodations it’s deserved. Underneath, the solid front axle has been replaced by an independent setup for ride quality, but the G still looks poised to be a fearsome off- roader.

There were other, smaller unveilings too, like the Nissan Xmotion (“Crossmotion”) crossover SUV and the sultry Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept, but the trucks really Not to be outdone, Ford chose NAIAS to roll out the new Ranger delivered a healthy NAIAS and kicked 2018 off in a big way. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

AUTONEUM: INNOVATIONS FOR FUTURE MOBILITY

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

As the megatrends of electrification, autonomous driving The requirements for e-cars are different but no less and shared mobility are taking shape, automotive supplier challenging than those for conventionally powered cars. In Autoneum is sharpening its strategy and portfolio. The fact, the demands on NVH performance are even greater. Swiss-based, globally operating company specialises in In the absence of engine noise in EVs, more attention is acoustic and thermal management for vehicles. drawn to sound sources that are new or were previously drowned out such as high-frequency sounds or rolling and In order to understand the specific requirements of electric wind noise and therefore need a stronger treatment than in vehicles and to anticipate future trends even better, a conventionally powered car. Autoneum established a Competence Center for New Mobility in the heart of the Silicon Valley last year. There, There are thermal challenges as well with electric company experts are working alongside established and powertrains: Batteries typically use 20 percent of charge new automobile manufacturers on the optimal acoustic for vehicle temperature regulation. Therefore, thermal performance of electric vehicles. insulation products are needed to shield the passenger cabin from cooling and heating. Additionally, e-cars require The path to electrification requires innovative products a stronger weight reduction through the use of lightweight for heat and noise protection. Among others, Autoneum’s components in order to cut down battery weight. product portfolio for electric vehicles includes carpet systems, inner dashes and floor insulators, underbody There are also opportunities in industry trends like systems and wheelhouse outer liners. Autoneum is autonomous driving and car sharing because passengers currently supplying a number of electric vehicles, including will increasingly use their travel time for work and the BMW i3, , Nissan LEAF and . recreation thanks to fully automated driving systems. Already in 2018, more e-models will follow. This requires innovative technologies and products that enable undisturbed driving pleasure. For example, interior surfaces need to be optimised with sustainable, sound- absorbing and aesthetic materials.

In addition to anticipating new trends, Autoneum expects to profit from digital transformation in manufacturing; intelligent production systems will enable more efficient processes, improvements in working conditions, a more flexible and individual production as well as associated An Autoneum acoustic specialist measures interior noise cost savings. THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR TAKES MANY PATHS

CES vs. NAIAS: A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH

BY BERND HITZEMANN, DIRECTOR AT PRIME RESEARCH

Since 2015, NAIAS has lost more than half of its global support from Tencent and Foxconn, provided the startup impact in traditional media. The event is currently with a high degree of credibility. The impact figures for fighting a battle to retain its “A-Show” status, as media CES, although lower overall than those of Detroit, show a increasingly view it as a show for the domestic US market. healthy representation of traditional media, combined with With few concepts, little electrification and few new an increasing (now larger than NAIAS) social presence. players, US-centric serial models historically dominate the It too has international appeal, with more than half of show. Media now see NAIAS as a show for fossil-fuelled coverage generated by sources outside the US. SUVs and trucks, and have criticised the event as being “outdated”. In the current climate of plummeting US car How automakers, show coordinators and journalists sales, high market saturation and nagging questions about will respond to these trends remains to be seen, but as the automotive industry‘s future, many talked of a lack of consumer tastes rapidly change, the success of these pioneering spirit at the 2018 show. But don’t write NAIAS shows is illustrative of the entire industry’s need to adapt off just yet. Although the data shows an overall decline in to stay engaging. Will we start to see traditional auto coverage, the Detroit Auto Show remains important on an shows like NAIAS incorporate more of a future-focussed international level, with more than half of its traditional character, or will we see more of a divide, as automakers coverage originating from outside the USA. save their newest technology and concepts for standalone events and tech-shows. Whatever comes next, PRIME In contrast to the difficult times experienced by traditional Research will be keeping a close, analytical eye on the auto shows, as OEMs increasingly turn to standalone trends as they unfold. events, CES remains impressive with a modern mix of media coverage, stable representation from traditional CES vs. NAIAS Benchmark channels and a substantial social media resonance. And 1,800m with its future-oriented mix of topics, CES is making 1,500m traditional car shows like Frankfurt, Geneva and Detroit

look old-fashioned. 1,200m

European carmakers such as Audi and BMW were barely 900m SOCIAL present at CES, leaving the floor open to new players; Asian x 1.8 600m OEMs, automotive suppliers and tech companies. BYTON‘s SOCIAL futuristic vision of a “smart device” at the 2018 show fit 300m perfectly into CES’ tech-backdrop and became the show TRADITIONAL TRADITIONAL star from the off. Former BMW executives like Carsten 0m 2015 2016 2017 20182018 SHOW- 20152015 20162016 20172017 20182018 Breitfeld and Daniel Kirchert, as well as background [04. – 09.01] [04. – 09.01] [03. – 08.01] [07. – 12.01] WEEKS [11. – 16.01] [10. – 15.01] [08. – 13.01] [14. – 19.01] PARTNERS

PREMIER PARTNER

PRESENTING PARTNER PRESENTING PARTNER

HOST PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNER VOTE TABULATION

WITH THE SUPPORT OF Neu interesse

THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR: BEGAN IN FRANKFURT SEPT. 12, 2017. ENDS IN NEW YORK MARCH 28, 2018.

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