Semi-finalists for SA Car of the Year announced

The 26 vehicles bidding for a place in this year's competition were chosen by the members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) from the pool of vehicles launched in this country between 1 October 2010 and 31 August 2011.

"As always, only the best that South Africa has to offer in this prestigious competition has made it through, from entry level and budget friendly cars, right up to the best that money can buy in Sports Utility Vehicles," says Mark Jones, SAGMJ convenor of the competition.

According to George Nyabadza, general manager: marketing at WesBank, South Africa's leading asset-based finance and fleet management solutions provider, this is the first time that the semi-finalists have been announced publicly since the company initiated its sponsorship of the award over 27 years ago. "The announcement of the semi-finalists not only adds more transparency to the judging process, but also serves to add extra excitement among manufacturers and South African car enthusiasts alike".

"From an automotive performance perspective, we would like to congratulate all the manufacturers who have been acknowledged as best in their individual categories. We wish them all of the best as the judging continues and culminates in the announcement of the overall winner early next year," says Nyabadza.

Establishing a final list

The most challenging work for the jury starts now as the 26 vehicles get voted on by the who's who of the South African motoring journalism to establish a final list that will make it to the track judging days at Gerotek in February 2012.

The announcement of the winner will only come after this stringent voting process has been completed and the physical testing of the eligible cars is completed.

"Once again, and for the second year running, there is no undisclosed judging and scoring, in the same way similar competitions are run in Europe. The SAGMJ jury members will be given 25 points in total to allocate to no more than five of the finalists and no less than three. With all the scores and the judge's comments being open for scrutiny from the moment the winners are announced, it is going to be another close but open race to see who comes out tops this year," says Jones.

The finalists will be revealed at the Johannesburg International Motor Show on 6 October 2011 and the vehicles will remain on display for the duration of the show.

The SA Car of the Year competition is about automotive excellence and the winning vehicle must score highly in its own class, not against each other as is often thought, but across a variety of categories, including those which reflect value for money, safety, dynamics, technology and aesthetics.

The semi-finalists, per category, are:

• Entry Level - Kia Picanto 1.2 EX and Nissan Micra 1.2 Visia+
  
• Hatchback - Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 125 kW MultiAir Distinctive, Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Attraction S Tronic,
  Citroen DS4 THP 200 Sport, Ford Focus 2.0 GDI Sport Hatch, Kia Cerato Hatch 2.0 SX manual, Suzuki Swift 1.4i GLS Man
  
• Sedan - Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro S tronic, Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI Trend Sedan Powershift, Honda Ballade 1.5 Elegance, Honda Insight 1.3 Litre Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS, Renault Fluence 2.0 16v Privilege,
  Suzuki Kizashi 2.4 SDLX Man and VW Jetta 1.4 TSI 118 kW Highline
  
• Grand Tourer - Audi A7 3.0 T FSI Quattro S tronic
  
• Cabriolet / Convertible - Mercedes Benz SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY
  
• Sports Car / Coupe - Mercedes Benz C Class Coupe 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
  
• Station Wagon - Volvo V60 T5 Powershift
  
• Multi Purpose Vehicle ( MPV ) / Crossover - Chevrolet Orlando 1.8 LT and Peugeot 5008 2.0 HDi Active Man
  
• Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) - BMW X3 xDrive35i, Porsche Cayenne Diesel, Toyota FJ Cruiser 4.0 V6 4x4, VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion Technology

Footnote: Bizcommunity.com Motoring Editor Henrie Geyser is again one of the judges in the Car of the year competition.