Consumers vote for the first time in South African Car of the Year competition
In a historic first, consumers will have their say in selecting the semi-finalists for the AutoTrader South African Car of the Year competition 2019 when the voting opens on Friday October 26th.
Organised by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists, this is the first time in the competition’s 33-year history that consumers’ votes will be included in the process. Rubin van Niekerk, South African Guild of Motoring Journalists chairman, says the consumer ultimately vote with their wallets and their involvement and choice is thus an important addition to the competition.
Voting via www.autotradercoty.co.za opens on October 26 and ends with the close of business on Monday November 5. George Mienie, Auto Trader CEO, promises the competition, the first year in which the company has held the title sponsor, will receive a digital makeover by South Africa’s largest online motoring marketplace.
Released by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists, the qualifying vehicles include a 31-car line-up.
The Suzuki Jimny is a strong contender. It is one of those vehicles with a 'cuteness factor’ which should see the car garner broad appeal regardless of gender, cultural orientation or age-group. The latest version is bound to be an even bigger hit, thanks to a marvellous mix of retro and modern styling that pushes all those “break-free” buttons.
However it will be up against strong competition in the Mercedes-Benz’s A-Class hatchback which made its debut in South Africa in rather low-key fashion a few months ago. The new styling is evolutionary, but the improvements to ride-quality and steering feel are revolutionary for this important entry-model to the Mercedes range. The new Merc also enjoys some ultra-hi-tech features in terms of in-car connectivity.
Consumers will have a single vote per person with their marks counting towards the 20 semi-finalist vehicles. The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists members and the jury also vote towards the 20 semi finalist vehicles. Judges discuss the cars at length and consider the consumer opinion given (one vote maximum) before casting 10 votes each to determine the finalists. Van Niekerk says the vehicles with the highest number of votes will be deemed to be the finalists.
Consumers also stand the chance of being rewarded for their contribution, with every person casting a vote for their AutoTrader South African Car of the Year semi-finalists, standing the chance to win one of five R10 000 cash prizes. Winners will be selected via a random draw.
Semi-finalists and finalists will be announced in November with jurors conducting back-to-back testing of the vehicles in March 2019. The results are expected to be announced shortly thereafter.
Full list of qualifying vehicles:
|
Manufacturer |
Model |
|
Alfa Romeo |
Stelvio |
|
Aston Martin |
Vantage |
|
Haval |
H9 |
|
Honda |
Amaze |
|
Civic Type R |
|
|
Hyundai |
i20 |
|
Grand i10 |
|
|
Kona |
|
|
Jaguar |
E-Pace |
|
Land Rover |
Range Rover Velar |
|
Lexus |
LS |
|
RX-L |
|
|
ES |
|
|
Maserati |
Masarati Levante S |
|
Mercedes-Benz |
A-Class |
|
X-Class |
|
|
Mitsubishi |
Pajero Sport |
|
Nissan |
Micra |
|
Opel |
Crossland X |
|
Grandland X |
|
|
Porsche |
Cayenne |
|
Renault |
Duster |
|
Kwid |
|
|
Megane R.S. |
|
|
Suzuki |
Dzire |
|
Jimny |
|
|
Swift |
|
|
Toyota |
Aygo |
|
Yaris |
|
|
Volvo |
XC40 |
|
XC60 |
