Ford Fiesta reigns supreme in Women's Car contest
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The Ford Fiesta has emerged the supreme winner in the Women's World Car of the Year competition while other familiar models are also among the winners.
In the final voting round by women motoring writers, the Fiesta zoomed ahead in the economy car category. This popular car edged out the Mazda CX5 and the Range Rover in the second voting round consisting of the finalists.
The official results in each category are:
Family Car: 1st: Audi All-road; 2nd: Volkswagen Golf; 3rd: BMW 3 Series.
Luxury Car: 1st: Range Rover; 2nd: Mercedes Benz SL550; 3rd: BMW 6 Series.
Sports Car: 1st: Porsche Boxster S; 2nd: Audi RS5; 3rd: Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ.
SUV: 1st: Mazda CX5; 2nd: Hyundai Sante Fe; 3rd: Nissan Pathfinder.
Economy Car: 1st: Ford Fiesta 1.0l Eco-Boost; 2nd: Kia Forte; 3rd: Toyota Prius.
This year judges were asked to vote for SUVs in a separate category. The Mazda CX5 was the narrow winner over the Hyundai Sante Fe. And in a purely fun category, judges were asked to nominate their dream car. This was won by the Aston Martin Vanquish, barely nudging out the Jaguar F-Type. The awards were audited by the Auckland, New Zealand, office of international accountants, Grant Thornton.
Commenting on the win, Craig Von Essen, product and communications manager for Ford Motor Company, Asia-Pacific and Africa, said the company was “thrilled” to receive not only the economy car category award but the overall supreme award.
“Women pack powerful purchasing power, representing a huge market opportunity. The fact that a respected panel of published and specialist women motoring writers selected the Ford Fiesta 1.0l EcoBoost is a significant accolade as we work to design, develop and market our vehicles, technologies and services in a way that captures the attention of this very influential buying group.”
Chief judge Sandy Myhre from New Zealand said the categories changed for 2013 and the three-tier voting system made it hard for any car to be selected as a category finalist, let alone a winner. The judges supplied their own shortlist of 2013 model year cars they had tested. Subsequently, another shortlist was formed to determine the finalists and from these the judges had to choose the supreme winner and the podium finishers.
Myhre said the Women’s World Car of the Year awards are designed primarily to reflect the preferences of women buyers through the ballot box of women motoring writers from around the world and points out that while some of the judging criteria remain consistent throughout, there are variables.
“The Family Car category, for instance, includes child-friendliness, storage space and value for money; individually these aren’t always appropriate on which to judge a sports car for example.
“It’s what makes these awards unique, quite apart from the fact there is no other international motoring award in the world which is voted for by women and with women in mind,” she said.
Commenting on some of the reasons for their selection UK judge Victoria MacMillan Bell said Ford’s styling gets better and better.
“The Fiesta has such a high-end look and feel to it. Pair this with the multi award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine achieving range figures and performance never before seen and this very stylish pocket rocket wins in every category, with bells on.”
Charlene Clarke from South Africa noted that her country was a price-sensitive market both in terms of purchase price and running costs.
“But South Africans adore brands they know and trust. As such the Ford Fiesta, specifically with its EcoBoost engine, is already finding massive favour with motorists in this market. Now, of course, it also comes with Ford’s sensational styling and Sync technology.” The presentation of the trophies and certificates will take place in London in October.
