Volkswagen Up! Wins 2012 World Car of the Year Award

The Volkswagen Up! small city car has just been crowned 2012 World Car of the Year, becoming the third Volkswagen vehicle in the annual competition to win the award.

The Volkswagen Up! was chosen from an initial entry list of 34 new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then three finalists: the Volkswage Up!, the BMW 3 Series and the Porsche 911.

To be eligible for the overall World Car award, the candidates must become available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2011 and ending May 30, 2012.

Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of sixty-four (64) top-level automotive journalists from twenty-five (25) countries around 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 professional work. Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions world-wide.

Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Nissan LEAF in 2011, the Volkswagen Polo in 2010, 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.

The Mercedes S 250 CDI BLUEEFFICIENCY won 2012 World Green Car at the New York Auto Show, besting Ford Focus EV and Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4.

The 2012 World Car Design award went to the Range Rover Evoque, while he redesigned Porsche 911 was named the winner of the 2012 World Performance Car category, defeating the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, and the McLaren MP4-12C.