Toronto Motor Show: World Car of the Year Awards
A Concept Whose Time Has Come
TORONTO, Feb. 11 -- With the globalization of the automotive industry, the concept of a World Car of the Year Awards program is inevitable.
That concept is now a reality.
The World Car of the Year Awards (WCOTY) program was officially launched today at the opening of the 2004 Canadian International Auto Show. The awards program, which will recognize and reward automotive achievements and excellence on a global scale, will be administered by a non-profit corporation with a Steering Committee of international automotive journalists.
Steering Committee members Akira Fujimoto (Editor-in-Chief, Car Styling magazine, Japan), Graham Johnson, (Editor-in-Chief, UK & International Press Automotive Magazines Division, England), and Gerry Malloy (contributor, Toronto Star newspaper and MSN Autos Canada) together launched the awards at a press conference held at 8:00 am, Wednesday, February 11, 2004.
They will be joined by fellow Steering Committee members: Dan Carney (contributor, Motor Trend, European Car, Sports Car International - USA); Matt Davis (Europe based correspondent for AutoWeek in the US, Auto Express and Octane in the UK, Gente Motori in Italy and Genroq in Japan); Peter Robinson (European correspondent, Autocar (UK)/Wheels/Car & Driver - Italy), and TV producer and host C. Van Tune, (NBC, ESPN, MSNBC, - USA).
Together the Steering Committee's mandate is to ensure that the WCOTY process is conducted with the utmost credibility and integrity. The first task will be to establish the processes and procedures for defining and voting on the candidates for the awards. This will take place during March and April 2004.
The inaugural "World Car of the Year" will be announced in February 2005. The Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS), in Toronto has been chosen as the host site of the first awards ceremony. That venue was selected for several reasons, including the neutrality of Canada as a car-producing nation. There is, however, no direct involvement by the CIAS in the program itself. Graham Johnson stated, "We do not intend for WCOTY to be, nor do we perceive the awards as being, in competition with ANY existing national, regional, or magazine-sponsored awards." Malloy added, "We hope that WCOTY will complement existing award programs in two ways: by broadening the scope beyond their respective continental or national boundaries; and by heightening consumer awareness of COTY awards in general."
The awards program will be adjudicated by an international panel comprising approximately 55 jurors; all automotive journalists of significant stature within their own regions, from all of the world's major automotive markets. They represent Japan, England, Italy, China, Thailand, France, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Norway, India, Australia, New Zealand, as well as the USA and Canada.
Each jury member's role will be to select the finalists for, and the overall winner of, the World Car of the Year award. A complete list of the jury members follows.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS DAN CARNEY ----------
Contributor, Motor Trend, Truck Trend, Automotive Engineering International, European Car, Sports Car International, Men's Health, Racecar Engineering and Racer magazines (USA).
Dan Carney is a career freelancer who started writing about motorcycles and motorsports 15 years ago. He continues to ride motorcycles, especially for trips into the city. He has just finished his two-year term as president of the Washington Automotive Press Association, and has begun service as president emeritus. Carney specializes in writing about new technology, using his location in the Washington, D.C. area to focus especially on safety and environment-related developments. He races a Swift DB-1 Formula Ford in Sports Car Club of America National races, and especially enjoys the opportunity to track test new racecars. He has authored two books, "Honda S2000," and "Dodge Viper," published by Motorbooks International.
MATT DAVIS ----------
Europe based correspondent for AutoWeek in the US, Auto Express and Octane in the UK, Gente Motori in Italy and Genroq in Japan.
So far as auto enthusiast publications go, Matt Davis is the only American correspondent living and working in Europe. He contributes regularly to AutoWeek in the United States as chief European correspondent and can count some twenty additional publications around the world as frequent clients. He has also written books on various car subjects, particularly in the areas of design and designers. He currently calls northern Italy home.
AKIRA FUJIMOTO -------------- Editor-in-Chief, Car Styling magazine (Japan).
Akira Fujimoto is a member of the Japanese Automotive Magazine Chief Editor Association. He is also on the Japanese Automotive Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
Fujimoto has been the President and Chief editor of Car Styling since 1979. He began the Japanese Car Design Awards in 1983 and continues his participation to this day. He sits on the jury of a number of international competitions; notably, the International Car Design Competition, the RJC Car of the Year, Automotive News' Concept Car of the Year, the Louis Vuitton Classics Concours and the World Automotive Design Competition.
GRAHAM JOHNSON --------------
Editor-in-Chief, UK & International Press Automotive Magazines Division (England).
Graham Johnson started in motoring journalism 10 years ago when he joined the editorial staff of industry titles Automotive Management and Automotive International. Then, following a brief freelance career contributing news to CarWeek and a buyers' guide column to regional newspapers and Auto Ireland, Graham moved to UK & International Press to edit the launch issue of Engine Technology International. Remaining at the company, he is Editor-in-Chief of what has become UK & International Press Automotive Magazines Division, Britain's largest group of technical car magazines, encompassing Engine Technology International, Testing Technology International, Tire Technology International, Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International and the latest title, Vehicle Dynamics International. As well as finding time to have had a regular, weekend motoring programme on London's Capital Radio, Graham is also Chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards.
GERRY MALLOY ------------
Contributor, Toronto Star, World of Wheels, Canadian Auto World, MSN Autos (Canada).
After more than 20 years as an automotive test and development engineer, Gerry turned his hand to automotive journalism. In his 14 years as such, he has become Canada's only three-time Automotive Journalist of the Year, and has won several other awards for his writing. While his passions are automotive history and technology, his work covers the full range of the automotive spectrum, including new car and truck previews and reviews, racing, and safety and environmental issues. He also played a major role in the continued development of the Canadian Car of the Year awards program over a ten-year period.
PETER ROBINSON -------------- European correspondent, Autocar (UK), Wheels, Car & Driver UK (Australia)
Australian, Peter Robinson, was lucky enough to turn his passion for cars into full time employment. He's worked as a motoring journalist for over 40- years, since joining Motor Manual in Melbourne in 1962. Became editor of Wheels magazine in 1972, a position he held for almost 17 years, before moving to Italy in 1988 to work as European editor for Autocar and Wheels and as a correspondent for Car & Driver.
C. VAN TUNE ----------- Host/anchor, NBC, ESPN, MSNBC, CNBC (USA)
20-year-veteran magazine editor is also America's premier TV reporter on anything and everything automotive. His cumulative TV audience of over 120,000,000 makes him by far "America's Most-Watched Automotive Analyst."
As an automotive journalist, road test expert, race driver and former editor-in-chief of several international automotive titles, Van has tested over 2,000 vehicles worldwide. His ability to clearly relate his automotive experiences to a diverse audience has made him a popular and sought-after expert.
Editor-in-Chief, Motor Trend Magazine, 1994-2001; Executive producer/host: Motor Trend Television (Fox's Speed Network); Co-Host, Motor Trend Radio (Talk America Network)
Over 10 years experience as national TV commentator/guest expert: - Today Show - Live with Regis & Kelly - Good Morning America - 20/20 - CNBC Power Lunch/Closing Bell - MSNBC News with Brian Williams - CNN - Fox News Channel - ABC Special Report with Sam Donaldson - ABC World News with Peter Jennings - The View - Iyanla - Extra - Hosts series of 1-hour specials on ESPN: "Road Trip" - Hosts weekly automotive segment on ESPN's "Cold Pizza".
JURY MEMBERS - WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
AUSTRALIA
1. Peter Robinson, European correspondent, Autocar (UK), Wheels,
Car & Driver UK
CANADA
2. Gerry Malloy, Toronto Star, World of Wheels, Canadian Auto World,
MSN Autos
3. Jeremy Cato, Southam Newspapers, ROB TV
4. Nadine Filion, La Presse, Automag, Auto Journal, CAA
CHINA
5. Yan, Guang Ming, Shanghai Motor Magazine
FRANCE
6. Christophe Congrega, L'Automobile
GERMANY
7. Greg Kable, Autocar (UK)/Autoweek (US)/Motor (Australia)/Sydney
Morning Herald/Melbourne Age/Car Top (Japan)/Motoring (Singapore)/
Car (Taiwan)
ITALY
8. Matt Davis, Europe based correspondent for AutoWeek in the US,
Auto Express and Octane in the UK, Gente Motori in Italy and Genroq
in Japan.
9. Marco Marelli, Gento Motori Italy
JAPAN
10. Akira Fujimoto, Editor in Chief, Car Styling magazine
11. Masatsugu Arimoto, contributor, Car Styling, Axis, Ross, J's Tipo,
Car & Driver Japan
12. Yu Ohkawa, Executive Chief Editor, Nigensha Publishing Company
13. Kenichi Sakurai, Editor in Chief, Rosso magazine
14. Yoshihiko Matsuo, contributor, Car Styling magazine
15. Hiroshi Fukunaga (pen name: Gono Suzuki), Car Top magazine, Nikkan
Jidousha-Shinbun newspaper
KOREA
16. Mr. CHOI, JooSik, Editor in Chief, Carlife
NEW ZEALAND
17. Brian Cowan, Editor-at-large, Autocar
NORWAY
18. Jon-Winding Sorensen, Bilforlaget
POLAND
19. Robert Przybylski, Rzeczpospolita
20. Maciej Pertynski, Auto Swiat/Auto Sukces
RUSSIA
21. Max Kadakov, AvtoReview
SWEDEN
22. Robert Collin, Aftonbladet bil
THAILAND
23. Anothai Eamlumnow, Grand Prix
UNITED KINGDOM
24. Graham Johnson, Editor-in-chief, UK & International Press
Automotive Magazines Division
25. Peter Burgess, Editor-in-chief, World Car Guide, editor Auto Express
Car Catalogue, contributor to MSN, What MPV?, chairman of the Guild
of Motoring Writers World Car Guide
26. Ken Gibson, Motoring Editor, The Sun
USA
27. Dan Carney, Contributor, Motor Trend, Truck Trend, Automotive
Engineering International, European Car, Sports Car International,
Men's Health, Racecar Engineering and Racer magazines (USA)
28. C. Van Tune, host/anchor, NBC, ESPN, MSNBC, CNBC (USA), NBC/MSNBC/
CNBC/ESPN
29. Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics
30. Jorge Joechlin, AutoMundo
31. Dan Neil, Los Angeles Times
32. Scott Oldham, Sport Compact Car
33. Jim Scoutten, Car and Driver Radio