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.
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."