Winner to be named at New York International Auto Show on April 5

The countdown continues! From an initial entry list of twenty-eight (28) new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten finalists, the top three contenders for the third annual World Car of the Year awards were announced today by the international accounting firm KPMG. The winners of the 2007 WCOTY will be unveiled during Press Preview at the upcoming New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) on Thursday, April 5.

The 2007 World Car of the Year top three finalists are, in alphabetical order:

-- Audi TT
-- Lexus LS460
-- MINI


To be eligible for a World Car award, the contender had to be in production, and sold, in at least five countries on two continents during 2006.

Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 44 top-level automotive journalists from 22 countries around the world. Collectively, their opinions reach many millions of potential vehicle purchasers. Each juror has been appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work.

The 2007 World Car of the Year will be declared on Thursday, April 5, 2007 during a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show.

"Announcing the annual World Car of the Year awards at the New York show in April is a fitting finale to the international auto show season that begins each fall with either the Paris or Frankfurt motor shows," said Gerry Malloy, co-chair, WCOTY.

Three additional winners for World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year will also be announced during the same press conference on April 5, 2007 in New York.

The Top Three finalists for the 2007 World Performance Car title are, in alphabetical order:

-- Audi RS4
-- BMW 335i
-- Porsche 911 Turbo


To be eligible for the 2007 World Green Car award, a vehicle had to be all-new or substantially revised, in production, and for sale, in at least one major market during 2006. Either the vehicle or the green technology could be experimental or a prototype with near-future application (i.e. will go on the market soon) provided that it was released for individual or press fleet evaluations in quantities of ten or more during 2006.

The 44 member jury chose the following top three finalists for the 2007 World Green Car award:

-- BMW Hydrogen 7
-- Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec
-- Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion


Cars eligible for the 2007 World Car Design of the Year award are taken from the list of World Car candidates. The top three design finalists are, in alphabetical order:

-- Audi TT
-- Citroen C4 Picasso
-- Fiat Grande Punto


The World Car of the Year Awards program is initiated by, organized by, and conducted by, automotive journalists from around the globe. A non-profit association guided by a steering committee of journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America administers the awards program.

Situated in the media, financial and advertising capital of the world, the New York International Auto Show hosts a wide range of important industry events as well as dozens of world and North American new vehicle introductions each year. The Show's annual Wall Street Awards Dinner recognizes leading automotive stock performers, while the Television Bureau of Advertising's Annual Spring Conference attracts more than 1,200 of the nation's leading broadcasting executives. Top international automotive journalists present the World Car of the Year Awards, and IAG Research hosts the IAG Automotive Advertising Awards. It all takes place in America's largest car market at America's largest-attended auto show.