Holden's VE Commodore Nominated For The World Car Of The Year Award

[from oz]

Well I think we can all say this is pretty awesome news for Holden, and GM too.

VE Commodore Nominated For World Car Of The Year Awards

GM Media
26 November 2006
www.media.gm.com

GM Holden’s VE Commodore has been nominated for the prestigious World Car of the Year (WCOTY) Awards 2007 - the only Australian-made vehicle among the award's 28 nominees.

Launched in January 2004 under the guidance of a Steering Committee of motoring journalists from around the world, the WCOTY winner is judged on criteria such as styling, performance, handling, comfort and utility. In addition, cars will be assessed with respect to value, safety and environmental responsibility, significance and their emotional appeal.

The VE Commodore was nominated by the Australian WCOTY jury member and respected motoring journalist, Bill McKinnon.

A new car must be available in a minimum of five countries spread over at least two continents to be eligible for World Car of the Year consideration. VE Commodore is available in Australia and has been exported to countries including New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, Jordon, Lebanon, Oman, Fiji and South Africa.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, said the nomination reinforced VE Commodore’s status as a truly global car.

“It’s an honour to have VE Commodore nominated the World Car of the Year. It is especially significant given our aim was to compete against some of the most expensive and most carefully crafted cars around the world," Mr Mooney said.

"Careful consideration of global expectations and potential markets was always at the forefront of the design and engineering of VE Commodore.”

The Award winner will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2007. For more information on the WCOTY Awards is www.wcoty.com



Holden's VE Commodore up for global gong

Holden's new VE Commodore, developed at a cost of more than $1 billion, has been nominated for the World Car Of The Year Award.

It is the only Australian-made vehicle among the 28 finalists.

The award, presented by a worldwide jury of motoring journalists, is judged according to styling, performance, handling, comfort, value, safety and environmental responsibility.

Read the rest here at The Age website...
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Busine...871383805.html

2007 World Car of the Year Awards Website

2007 List of Eligible Cars

Audi A6 Allroad
Audi Q7
Audi TT
BMW Z4 Coupe / Roadster
Cadillac STS
Citroen C4 Picasso
Citroen C6
Dodge Caliber
Fiat Grande Punto
Holden VE Commodore
Honda CR-V
Honda FIT
Jaguar XK
Jeep Commander
Jeep Compass
Lexus LS460
Mercedes CL
Mercedes GL
Mercedes R Class
MINI
Nissan Note
Opel Corsa
Renault Clio
Suzuki SX4 / Fiat Sedici
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen EOS
Volvo C70
Volvo S80

[FISH]

This is great news.

Now I hope it will win.

[powervette]

let the best car win,especially if there are no U.S cars as usual.

[redimpss5]

Now if we could only get a cool rear drive four door like that here!

[hq308]

That's great news for Holden and for GM.
I'd like to think that this might help change the opinions of those that doubt the quality of VE but it'll probably give them something else to whine about.

[JoeT]

The only other GM product to be nominated was the premium Cadillac STS.

Well done everyone at GM Holden. You make Australia proud.

[S/C Squirrel]

Originally Posted by powervette

let the best car win,especially if there are no U.S cars as usual.

Isn't the STS a U.S. car?

[ykickamoocow]

Realistically speaking does anyone know what chance the VE Commodore has of winning. Does it have a really good chance or is it just a long shot.

[powervette]

Originally Posted by S/C Squirrel

Isn't the STS a U.S. car?

when I wrote it I didn't know STS was nominated,the SRX should be nominated as well.

[macphisto]

Great job Aussies!!!! Holden is one of GM's greatest assets. They've really become the masters of RWD. I'm glad you guys Down Under never gave up on RWD. We've had to put up with all this FWD garbage for too long while you guys got all the great driving cars.

Now it's time to share!!!

Congrats to Holden. Very deserving. Hopefully they win.

[dbirdy]

Does anyone know the list of other cars?

Its a longshot, but we might have a chance!

[Fnomna]

Originally Posted by dbirdy

Does anyone know the list of other cars?

Its a longshot, but we might have a chance!

http://www.wcoty.com/vehicles/?year=2007&cat=1

Audi A6 Allroad

Audi Q7

Audi TT

BMW Z4 Coupe / Roadster

Cadillac STS

Citroen C4 Picasso

Citroen C6

Dodge Caliber

Fiat Grande Punto

Holden VE Commodore

Honda CR-V

Honda FIT

Jaguar XK

Jeep Commander

Jeep Compass

Lexus LS460

Mercedes CL

Mercedes GL

Mercedes R Class

MINI

Nissan Note

Opel Corsa

Renault Clio

Suzuki SX4 / Fiat Sedici

Toyota RAV4

Volkswagen EOS

Volvo C70

Volvo S80

[mikmak]

4 US Vehicles. Not bad.

[benroethig]

3 for GM

[Monaro]

errrr...

Cars eligible for the World Car Design of the Year award are taken from the list of World Car candidates.

Panel of Design Experts
A panel of design experts is chosen by the World Car Steering Committee to first review each candidate, and then establish a short-list of six recommendations for the jury.

Jurors then vote on those recommendations.

The international accounting firm KPMG tabulates all ballots to first determine the finalists, and finally the winner(s).

The design experts for the 2006 design award were:

Silvia Baruffaldi, Managing Editor, Auto & Design magazine.

Peter Brock: best known as the designer of the classically beautiful, World Championship-winning Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe.

Robert Cumberford, Automobile and Auto & Design magazines.

Akira Fujimoto, Editor-in-Chief, Car Styling magazine.