Joint winners for women’s award

THE BMW 5 Series and Citroen DS3 were declared the joint winners of the inaugural Women’s World Car of the Year award, which was announced at the recent Frankfurt motor show.

The awards were initiated by New Zealand journalist Sandy Myhre, who is also the first president of the NZ Motorsport Media Association, after she and several colleagues noticed that there were no women among the 45 judges on the panel for the 2007 World Car of the Year.

She contacted eight suitable judges from New Zealand, South Africa, The Netherlands, USA and UK who chose their first winner, Jaguar’s XJ, in 2008.

The panel now contains 18 judges, including race driver Henny Hemmes from The Netherlands, ‘Fifth Gear’ TV presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson, Indian TV presenter Renuka Kirpalani and, from next year, yours truly.

Ms Myhre said that Volvo in South Africa used its category award in all its billboard and print media advertising this year, while Jaguar did the same in the UK after its overall win.

Canadian judge Jil McIntosh said: “For a long time, ‘women’s awards’ seemed primarily about how many bags of groceries you could fit in, or where the child seats would go. Those things are important, and they are a consideration here, but many women enjoy driving just as much as men do. I believe the award balances practicality with an interest in the car itself.”

Women’s World Car of the Year 2011

Supreme winner:
BMW 5 Series and Citroen DS3 (on equal points) Women’s World Family Car of the Year:
Winner: Volvo S60
Runner up: Kia Sportage Women’s World Sports Car of the Year:
Winner: Aston Martin Rapide
Runner up: Audi TT Women’s World Economy Car of the Year:
Winner: Citroen DS3
Runner up: Mini One diesel Women’s World Luxury Car of the Year:
Winner: BMW 5 Series Runner up: Jaguar XJ