With the New York Auto Show just around the corner in late March, the organization behind the "World Car of the Year" Awards has revealed its top three finalists. The top vehicles in each of four categories were chosen by an international panel of 47 automotive journalists reportedly committed to carrying out the process with the "...utmost objectivity, credibility, and integrity." Regardless of how spotless the chosen journalist's driving record is, it's still a subjective vote, so don't be dismayed if your favorite chunk of steel didn't make the list this year. Instead, be pleased that the majority of the vehicles are actually available in the States.
Last month, the list included ten vehicles in each category. This week, the distinguished panel whittled it down to three finalists in each category. Check out the finalists in Design, Performance Car and Green Car after the jump.
2008 World Car of the Year Finalists
Ford Mondeo
Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2008 World Design of the Year
Audi R8
Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
Volvo C30
2008 World Performance Car
Past winners include the 2005 Audi A6, the 2006 BMW 3 Series, and the 2007 Lexus LS460. We'll be on the floor at the New York Auto Show on March 20 to bring you the winner for 2008. Anybody care to place any bets?
[Source: World Car of the Year]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jgp @ Feb 26th 2008 5:38PM
The Mazda2 should get it.
Mondeo: The segment leader keeps up its lead.
C-Class: Competent compact-executive stays competent but gets uglier.
The Mazda2 is the only one that's undergone a radical transformation. Gone is the frumpy psuedo-MPV, in is one sexy hatch.
John @ Feb 26th 2008 5:44PM
Nice job Ford. Three cars in four categories.
geo.stewart @ Feb 26th 2008 6:36PM
3 cars representing four spots out of six in 2 categories.
but yeah, cant wait for the mazda2 to shake up the US market
and audi does an admirable job with 2 cars representing 3 spots in two categories.
Seoultrain @ Feb 26th 2008 5:47PM
The US needs the Mazda2 and Mondeo, as well as those diesels.
Here's to our market giving a big FU to awesome cars. ugh.
US @ Feb 26th 2008 5:56PM
Ironic....neither the FORD nor the Mazda 2 are available in north america, world's largest current automotive market.....so how the hell do two fine automobiles qualify as a ''world car''...
Though I'd like to see both of these in the US, which may not happen..
Yaroukh @ Feb 27th 2008 3:32AM
Say goodbye to #1: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/u-s-may-slip-to-second-in-global-car-sales-behind-europe/
DP @ Feb 27th 2008 10:14AM
I'm not sure if we'll get the Mazda2, but its platform-mate the Ford Verve/Fiesta is coming here.
cameron42985 @ Feb 26th 2008 6:15PM
I've always been a fan of Ford. Guess I'm not so crazy after all.
Kero @ Feb 26th 2008 6:16PM
No Nissan GTR no care
STJ @ Feb 26th 2008 6:28PM
Don't worry the GTR has only been out in Japan. Next jear it will compete for world car.
Seminole @ Feb 26th 2008 6:43PM
Man, I really wish they would bring the Mazda2 over here. I want a smallish fuel efficient hatch as my next car, and I'm pretty much narrowed it down to the Rabbit, but if they brought the 2 here I would buy it in a heartbeat.
mikomi @ Feb 27th 2008 8:08AM
I'd go Mazda2, I had the opportunity to drive it and it's a quick little car. Although if you want room, be prepared to compromise on either.
Andrew Beck @ Feb 27th 2008 6:35PM
I totally would have looked hard at a Mazda 2 if it had been available. Instead I drove everything in that class and it came down to a Versa or a Fit, and the Fit just seemed to be the better car.
Benfolio @ Feb 26th 2008 6:50PM
Just like the "World Series" seems to omit playing teams from other countries, "World Cars" should be sold... I dunno.... EVERYWHERE.
Can we just have the Mazda 2 now? PLEASE??
Keith Griffin @ Feb 26th 2008 9:26PM
From the World Car of the Year site: "To be eligible for a World Car award, the contender had to be in production, and sold, on at least two continents during 2008." So, these cars are on sale in Europe, Asia and/or Australia - maybe even South America and Africa.
scooter @ Feb 26th 2008 6:58PM
Can someone please explain to me how NOT selling cars like the Mazda2 here in the U.S is a good idea. Seriously. They'll say that it won't sell.
So, if the car was considered a mediocre seller and say, sold 25k copies here, that is considered better than none at all? I mean, a "flop" here might sell more volume than a success in Japan or Germany. I realize there are costs involved in testing, certification, and marketing.
There are hardly any mainstream autos in the U.S. that sell less than tens of thousands of units annually.
mikomi @ Feb 27th 2008 8:12AM
I'm sure Mazda will bring the Mazda2 to the US market to help with CAFE. Mazda's current US lineup is not exactly easy on the fuel consumption.
Daniel Dacey @ Feb 26th 2008 7:27PM
Because the world is a big place. It's not based on unit sales in the
US as any measure of qualiification into the awards as you are
presuming for some reason.
I'm sure many of these cars are not available in other parts of the
world, but that is not an excuse to exclude them.
Besides its a bit of a cheek to complain when the US can have "World
Series Baseball" where the world ie everywhere but the US, is actaully not allowed to play! What is so "World Series" about that! Heck it doesn't even qualify as a proper North American competition.
lol
Dan
oby @ Feb 26th 2008 7:34PM
The Mondeo really deserves to be there. Oh and not a GM crapmobile in sight!
Xcountryflyer @ Feb 27th 2008 1:01AM
World is everywhere but the ignored United States. Ford gets two nods out of three finalists and none of these are coming to the US in their nominated form. Another reason Ford US is going down the toilet without a life preserver.
I think the Mazda2 should win since it advances the affordable subcompact car with increased performance, handling dynamics and styling while not increasing weight.
Design should go to the Audi R8. A truly magnificent vehicle, but I also have fondess for the Mazda2.
The tepid MB C-Class should not win. How that thing got there is incredibly surprising.