World Car of the Year Announces Top 10 Finalists

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2008 -- The countdown has begun in preparation for the 2008 World Car awards winners' press conference at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 20, 2008.

A jury of 47 distinguished international automotive journalists selected the finalists 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.

World Car - Top Ten Finalists:

The following Top Ten World Car finalists are listed below in alphabetical order:

    Audi A5 Coupe / Audi S5 Coupe
    Audi R8
    Cadillac CTS
    Ford Mondeo
    Ford S-Max
    Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class
    Nissan Qashqai/Dualis
    Nissan Skyline Coupe/Infiniti G37 Coupe
    Volvo C30

The 2008 World Performance Car, to be chosen from one of these top ten finalists:

    AMG Mercedes-Benz S 63
    Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
    Audi R8
    Audi S5 Coupe
    BMW M3
    Honda Civic R (Japanese & European spec)
    Maserati GranTurismo
    Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series
    Renault Clio F1 Team R27
    Mercedes-Benz CL 63

As there are ten candidates for the 2008 World Green Car title, they become by default the top ten finalists in this class. They are:

    BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics
    Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Electric
    Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Hybrids
    Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
    Lexus LS 600h L
    Nissan Altima Hybrid
    Saturn Aura Green Line
    Saturn Vue Green Line
    SmartForTwo cdi
    Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI BlueMotion

The jurors' next steps are to re-evaluate the "Top Ten" cars in the above categories in preparation for a final round of voting. Jury members will specifically rate each vehicle in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance. KPMG will tabulate the vote results and the top three finalists will be announced.

The selection of finalists in the World Car Design of the Year category are handled quite differently. A panel of international design experts assists the jurors by developing for them a short list of finalists from the array of eligible candidates in the 2008 World Car of the Year category. The jurors will choose the 2008 World Car Design of the Year winner from this short list when they vote in February. The top three contenders will also be announced by KPMG on February 20, 2008.

"Announcing the annual World Car of the Year awards at the New York show is a fitting finale to the auto show season that begins each fall with either the Paris or Frankfurt motor shows," said Gerry Malloy, co-chair, WCOTY. "Next, it's on to Tokyo in alternating years. The Detroit and Geneva shows take center stage early in the year. Finally, in March, the season reaches its exciting climax at the New York International Auto Show."

About World Car of the Year

The World Car of the Year Awards program is initiated by, organized by, and conducted by, automotive journalists from around the globe. A non-profit association guided by a steering committee of journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America administers the awards program. WCOTY is intended to complement, not compete with, existing COTY awards by raising consumer awareness of regional Car of the Year award programs as well as the World Car of the Year.

About New York International Automobile Show

Kicking off the springtime selling season, the 2008 New York International Automobile Show will feature an impressive collection of cutting-edge design and remarkable innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world's automakers will feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars. More than 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display at the Javits Center, filling 846,000 square feet of exhibit space. In addition, dozens of World and North American vehicle debuts are expected at the Show. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

                        Important Auto Show Dates
                    Press Preview           March 19 & 20
                    Public Sneak Preview    March 21
                    Public Show Dates       March 21 - 30