DRIVEN TO DRIVE

Posts Tagged ‘AJAC’

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – Over seventy of Canada’s top automotive journalists spent this week in the picturesque tourist town of Niagara-on-the-Lake; but not for the scenery or the wine tasting. Journalist members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) were here for the express purpose of determining the ‘Best New’ cars and SUV/CUVs in 11 different vehicle categories, as part of AJAC’s annual Canadian Car of the Year Awards program.

The four days of intensive, back-to-back testing and evaluation are known in the automotive industry as “TestFest”. The results of the journalists’ test-drive evaluations were made known today during a press conference wherein the category winners were announced. The press conference was held at the Niagara Drive Centre, located at the Niagara District Airport where “TestFest” is staged each year.

The winners are:

1. BEST NEW SMALL CAR (under $21k) Hyundai Accent
2. BEST NEW SMALL CAR (over $21k) Hyundai Elantra
3. BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (under $30k) Kia Optima
4. BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (over $30k) Kia Optima Hybrid
5. BEST NEW LUXURY CAR Mercedes-Benz C-Class C350 4MATIC Sedan
6. BEST NEW PRESTIGE CAR (over $75k) Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
7. BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (under $50k): Hyundai Veloster
8. BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (over $50k): BMW 1 Series M Coupé
9. BEST NEW SUV/CUV (under $35k) Dodge Journey
10. BEST NEW SUV/CUV ($35k-$60k) Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel
11. BEST NEW SUV/CUV (over $60k) BMW X3

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Media day starts early which means an early rise to ride the wave of commuted traffic headed along the QEW to Toronto. As it turned out, the traffic wasn’t too bad and the weather cooperated. With registration out of the way, it was time to tune the sniff receptacles to the coffee setting and follow the aroma. Breakfast, courtesy of Castrol, was a substantial improvement over recent years – perhaps a reflection of the improved state of the auto industry.

Let’s face it, the auto industry has gone through some rough times as of late but has somehow managed to weather the storm. But one has to reflect that it also saw some tremendous growth in the decade prior to the economic “adjustment” of 2009 and yet, 2010 saw some companies having to deal with their shortsightedness, arrogance and complacency.  Hopefully, lessons were learned.

Let the Awards begin -

First up was the ecoEnergy Awards for the most fuel efficient vehicles. Of the twelve most fuel efficient models, only two were diesel.  Sadly, I feel we are only paying lip service to the importance of finding more economical means to propel vehicles. When hybrid vehicles come with a premium price, not many people are going to be lining up to buy them. When the public doesn’t appear to be interested in hybrid vehicles regardless of price, we are going to be forever in the gasoline rut. Having just returned from a trip to the UK and seeing the number of diesel powered vehicles, I can’t help but wonder what message we in North America are missing. Let me explain something, I rode in many a diesel powered vehicle while in the UK. They were fast, powerful, didn’t smell, and didn’t sound different and the resale value was as good as any other vehicle. The British pay over 2 dollar a litre for petrol and diesel, so they don’t give much thought to the economy of Diesel – it’s a given.  Perhaps, when the price of fuel exceeds $2 per litre here, people may wake up. To find out more and see the award-winning vehicles  visit – ecoENERGY.

Next up – the Automobile Journalists’ Association of Canada’s Technology, Best new Design, Truck and Car awards. The Technology Award went to Ford for its inflatable rear seat belts. The Best New Design went to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The Truck of the Year award when to Ford for the Ford Edge and the coveted Car of the Year awards when to General Motors for the Chevrolet Cruz. For the full list of winners – AJAC awards

CLICK HERE for pictures from the awards and media presentations

After breakfast – sticky food and coffee (juice for the health nuts) – it was time for those  at AJAC  (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada)  to announce the much anticipated Winners of the 4 awards.  And the winners were -

Canadian Car of the Year – Volkswagen Golf GTI

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – In an early morning press conference at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was declared the 2010 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

The Volkswagen Golf GTI beat nine other “best new” category winners, announced October 30, 2009 to win top honours.

John White, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. commented,”We are very proud to win this very prestigious award and wish to thank the AJAC members for bestowing this recognition upon our car. The Golf GTI is the heart and soul of Volkswagen. To have the Golf GTI named Canadian Car of the Year today by Canada’s automotive media is a very proud moment for us, indeed, and represents the culmination of the hard work on the part of everyone in the Volkswagen Brand around the world.”

Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year – Subaru Outback

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – In an early morning press conference at the opening of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the Subaru Outback was declared the 2010 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

The Subaru Outback was chosen over three other “best new” category winners from the Sport Utility / Crossover categories announced October 30, 2009 to garner the top honours as the overall best “Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year”.

Mr. Katsuhiro Yokoyama, President and CEO, commented: “It is a great honour to accept this award. To receive this tribute from the members of AJAC tells us very clearly that thoughtful design, first-class engineering, exceptional safety, and outstanding value are qualities that keep the Subaru brand strong.”

Best New Technology – Audi Drive Select

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – The Audi Drive Select technology was declared the 2010 Best New Technology by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The award was announced today during a press conference that opened the Canadian International AutoShow media day in Toronto.

“Vorsprung durch Technik” – Advancement through technology, design and teamwork. At Audi, we never stop thinking about technology. It is part of our DNA and incorporated into all parts of our business”, said Martin Sander, President and CEO. “The Audi Drive Select system is just one of the latest examples of this. The ability to offer the driver at a touch of a button the option of making personal settings for throttle response, steering feel and suspension settings is pure Audi.”

Best New Design – BMW 335d Sedan

TORONTO, Feb. 11 /CNW/ – The BMW 335d Sedan won the “Best New Design” award for 2010 as presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The award was handed out as part of the 2010 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) awards that opened the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

“We are delighted that the members of AJAC have bestowed the 2010 Best New Design award on the BMW 335d Sedan” stated Franz Jung, President and CEO of BMW Group Canada. Mr. Jung continued: “The fifth generation 3 Series Sedan has been recognized for its groundbraking design language in both exterior and interior execution. The most current version only reinforces the perfect balance of dynamism and elegance in this design and we are proud to receive this recognition in the face of such worthy competition.”