Volkswagen Golf VI – World Car of the Year 2009

The Volkswagen Golf VI has been named World Car of the Year for 2009. The announcement was made overnight at the New York International Auto Show.

After making the final cut, the Golf had to beat the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota iQ to claim the 2009 World Car of the Year title.

“We are honored that our new sixth generation Golf was named World Car of the Year. The Golf is Volkswagen’s best selling nameplate with more than 26 million units sold in over 120 countries,” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.

Full details available below in press releases from Volkswagen and WCOTY.

Stefan Jacoby (left), President/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc., and Klaus Bischoff, head of Volkswagen Design Center

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VI DECLARED
2009 WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR

April 9, 2009 – New York, NY – For Immediate Release

At a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show and Mobil 1 at the Jacob Javits Centre in Manhattan, New York, the Volkswagen Golf VI was declared the 2009 World Car of the Year.

The Volkswagen Golf VI was chosen from an initial entry list of fifty-one (51) entries nominated by fifty-nine (59) World Car jurors from twenty-five (25) countries throughout the world. Each juror was 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 on-going full-time professional work. Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions world-wide.

The jurors voted in January 2009 to establish a top ten shortlist. A second round of voting occurred in February when jurors were asked to score the top ten candidates based on merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal. The World Car of the Year was chosen from those top ten finalists as tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.

WCOTY jurors observed that, “The new Golf VI employs Scirocco styled grille and headlights and larger tail lights. However, it also feels more expensive than other family hatches, thanks to its solid build and high quality cabin. Customers get a choice of nothing less than six engines including the punchy and efficient 158hp 1.4-litre TSI unit that features both a turbo and supercharger. The Golf is also available with the firm’s new 2.0-litre common-rail diesel motor with either 108 or 138hp. It goes without saying that choosing between the slick 6-speed manual and superb DSG twin-clutch gearbox can be difficult. Sitting on an outstanding chassis, the VW is more refined than its rivals, especially when highway cruising. Wind, road and engine noise are kept to a minimum, making the Golf a relaxing long distance companion.”

The top three contenders for 2009 World Car of the Year title were the Ford Fiesta, the Toyota iQ and the Volkswagen VI.

“We are honored that our new sixth generation Golf was named World Car of the Year.” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “The Golf is an iconic nameplate for the Volkswagen Brand and is known throughout the world. The Golf is Volkswagen’s best selling nameplate with more than 26 million units sold in over 120 countries.” added Jacoby.

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

Now in their sixth 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. There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF NAMED WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR

NEW YORK, April 9, 2009 — The Volkswagen Golf was honoured as the 2009 World Car of the Year. A jury comprised of fifty-nine international automotive journalists from twenty-five countries around the world chose this year’s World Car of the Year, which was announced this morning at a news conference during the New York International Auto Show.

“It is a tremendous honour for Volkswagen to have its global best selling model, the Golf, named the 2009 World Car of the Year,” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “This is a great way to kick-off the new Golf here in America. We’re excited for the arrival of the sixth generation Golf, which will be in Volkswagen showrooms later this year. Simply put, we believe this is the best Golf ever.”

The Golf, a perennial favourite in the Volkswagen line-up, has sold more than 26 million units in 120 countries, making it one of the top selling vehicles of all-time. The new sixth generation Golf first debuted at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, and made its U.S. debut at this year’s New York International Auto Show. The Golf has been designed to be quieter, sportier, fuel efficient and present a clean, distinctive appearance that – staying true to Volkswagen – is fun-to-drive.

The new Golf embodies Volkswagen’s product strategy aimed to sharpen the brand design in all classes and apply greater global consistency among model names. These steps are intended to leverage the offerings of the world’s third largest automaker as it looks to increase sales and market share. The 2010 Golf will be available in dealer showrooms across the U.S. this fall in gasoline and TDI versions.