2011 Top Ten World Car and World Performance Car Finalists Announced

Press Release: A jury of sixty-six (66) distinguished international automotive journalists selected the following top ten finalists in both categories by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work. The jury members constitute a balance of representation from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, as well as other parts of the world. All hold significant stature within their own regions and countries. For more details about our jurors, and their outlets, please visit our web site: www.wcoty.comand choose 2011 Awards > Juror List.

The international accounting firm KPMG then tabulated the jurors’ ballots and announced the top ten finalists in both categories today.

The 2011 World Car of the Year will be selected from the following top ten cars listed in alphabetical order:

* Audi A1
* Audi A8
* BMW 5 Series
* BMW X3
* Jaguar XJ
* Jeep Grand Cherokee
* Mercedes-Benz SLS
* Nissan LEAF
* Porsche Cayenne
* Volvo S60 / V60

The 2011 World Performance Car will be chosen from one of these top tenfinalists:

* Aston Martin Rapide
* Audi RS 5 Coupe
* Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
* Ferrari 458 Italia
* Lamborghini Gallardo SUPERLEGGERA
* Mercedes-Benz S63 / CL 63 AMG
* Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
* Porsche 911 GT2RS
* Porsche 911 Turbo
* Renault Megane III / Renault Sport

The jurors’ next step is to re-evaluate the “top ten” cars in both classes, in preparation for a final round of voting in February. They will specifically rate each vehicle in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance. KPMG will again tabulate the vote results. The top three finalists in both categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 1st during a press conference co-hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show.

Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Volkswagen Polo in 2010, the Volkswagen Golf in 2009, the Mazda2 / Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006, and the Audi A6 in 2005.

Previous World Performance Car winners were the Audi R8 V10 in 2010, the Nissan GT-R in 2009, the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

Prime Research International, a global leader in strategic communication research and consultancy is one a again the World Car Awards’ research partner. The company will provide strategic reports in 2011 that analyze our awards global automotive media coverage.

Now in their eighth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the world’s most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its kind.

The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale. The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. Peter Lyon (Japan) and Matt Davis (Italy) are the co-chairs; John McCormick (USA), Jens Meiners (Germany) and Gerry Malloy (Canada) are the directors. There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

The countdown has begun in preparation for the 2011 World Car Awards winners’ press conference co-hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, April 21, 2011. The 2011 World Green Car* title holder will be declared at this time.