2010 European Car of the Year Nominees Announced: Astra Makes The Cut

[TuffG929]

Originally Posted by Autoblog

You'd expect the European Car of the Year contest to be stacked mainly with European cars, of course, if not cars from around the world that are sold in Europe. But this year, the fight is being waged almost exclusively between European cars that we don't even get on this side of the Atlantic.

The candidates for the 2010 awards were announced back in June, but that's basically just a list of eligible vehicles. Now the panel of automotive journalists from across the old continent have picked their seven nominees among from which the final winner will be selected. Those up for the prize are the Citroen C3 Picasso, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, Toyota iQ and Volkswagen Polo. The iQ is the only non-European product on stage, and the Mercedes the only car among the finalists even currently available in the North American market. That's definitely a bummer, but even without us, we expect the winner to be announced by the end of the month.

Autoblog

CaroftheYear.org

[Bravada]

It's going to be Astra vs Polo. Given that Volkswagen doesn't seem to curry much favour with the jurors (they've only won once, in 1992) and Opel has just won in 2009, I would say Opel is the frontrunner here. The only thing that could hurt it is the unwillingness of the judges to allow a hattrick victory, but then Fiat took the title in 1995 and 1996 setting a precedent.

[TuffG929]

Originally Posted by Bravada

It's going to be Astra vs Polo. Given that Volkswagen doesn't seem to curry much favour with the jurors (they've only won once, in 1992) and Opel has just won in 2009, I would say Opel is the frontrunner here. The only thing that could hurt it is the unwillingness of the judges to allow a hattrick victory, but then Fiat took the title in 1995 and 1996 setting a precedent.

It sounds so political.

[JBsZ06]

Hope its the Astra..

GM could use the positive press.

Thanks for the heads up.

[calgaryhhr]

I like the design of the Peugeot.

[Bravada]

It sounds so political.

It's not that "political", more about the personal preferences of the jury. They seem to prefer particular things (e.g. mass market cars over more exotic models), just like the Academy when they give way Oscars.

I like the design of the Peugeot.

It SO looks like the Vibe I am tempted to believe PSA will return to the US soon...

[neshapop]

Originally Posted by TuffG929

It sounds so political.

That's Europe, get use to it.