World Car of the Year Finalists Announced. Whose World?
The 1st of April, as you are no doubt aware, is April Fools Day. Which is certainly appropriate for the World Car of the Year announcement, to be made on that day at the New York Auto Show, because I've just looked at the list of finalists and have to ask myself "what were they thinking?" "They," in this case, consists of a group of well-known automobile journalists from around the world. I'd be willing to bet that none of those 59 esteemed gentlemen and ladies have spent much drive time in all the eligible vehicles; they're simply making a judgment based on what they perceive, based on photos, press releases, auto show unveilings, and tests of cars available in their home country.
I know a little about automobile journalists; after all, I am one, and have been involved with dozens over the years, including American, Canadian, and English journalists. For the most part they're nice people but they have an exaggerated idea of their own importance and tend to forget the needs of the average car buyer, who has little interest in 0-60 acceleration figures and the latest 200 mph supercar. With that in mind, let's look at the potential WCOY winners: The Mercedes-Benz E Class, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Polo were announced as the three finalists. The jury picked the Audi R8 V10, Ferrari California and Porsche 911 GT3 as performance car finalists; the Honda Insight, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen BlueMotion cars (Golf, Passat and Polo) as green car finalists; and Chevrolet Camaro, Citroen C3 Picasso and Kia Soul as design award finalists.
I'll grant you that the three finalists are cars the "average driver" might purchase although he or she needs to be well-heeled to drive a Mercedes E-Class, while all the vehicles in each award class are unquestionably good automobiles. But the bulky Camaro and quirky Soul as symbols of great design? And the Prius while it is still under suspicion for unintended acceleration (though to be fair, I think it's the drivers who are mostly to blame)? Well, maybe I'm out of line here because I haven't driven, or even seen some of the eligible cars. But my pick for World Car of the Year is – are you ready for this? – a Ford. The new Ford Fiesta. It's a great car and unlike the other competitors you can buy one almost anywhere in the developed world. Isn't that what this competition is all about?
[Photo: VW Polo GT, Not Available at a Dealer Near You if You Live in North America]
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