Big win for automakers at the CarSifu Editors' Choice Awards 2019
The winners: (From left) Seng Fook Cheng, marketing director for Proton, senior director corporate strategy for Proton Yusri Yusuf, Vogiatzakis, Aishah, UMW Toyota general manager Richi Lim, Wang, and Volvo Car Malaysia managing director Nalin Jain.
The fourth edition of the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards saw national automaker Proton as well as Toyota and Volvo emerging as the big winners.
This year’s awards saw a major change with the replacement of a single “Car of the Year” winner to three “Car of the Year” winners, based on geographic origins (namely Local, Asian and Continental Car of the Year).
The Local Car of the Year went to the Proton X70 Premium, which also took the title of Best Large-size SUV/Crossover (2-Row seating).
Priced at RM123,800 without insurance, this top-grade Proton X70 impressed the judges with value, styling and convenience features, as well as high-tech safety features.
Proton also won three other awards with the Iriz Premium named as Best Compact Hatch (below RM70,000), the Saga Premium winning Best Compact Sedan (below RM70,000) and the Exora Premium winning the Best Family Ride (RM50,000 to RM100,000, 3-Row seating).
The Asian Car of the Year went to the Toyota Camry 2.5V, which also won Best Large-size Car.
The judges were impressed by the eighth-generation Camry 2.5V, which is priced not far from the RM200,000 mark and delivers outstandingly on the luxury quotient with an upmarket and roomy leather-clad interior, as well as tranquil and smooth drive quality.
Toyota also won another award with the Yaris hatchback taking Best Compact Car (above RM70,000).
The Continental Car of the Year went to the Volvo XC40 T5, which also won Best Compact Luxury SUV/Crossover. It is the Swedish brand’s smallest sports utility vehicle and crafted with an appealing design, competent performance and high utility.
Volvo also won another award with the S90 T5, winning Best Mid-size Luxury Executive Car.
Held at Hotel Istana yesterday, the awards, organised by Star Media Group and Star CarSifu, honour outstanding cars for advancements and innovations in areas such as design, features and green technology.
Included in the judging criteria are key areas such as safety, performance, comfort, fuel economy, handling, styling, as well as their individual “wow” factor.
Present were heads and representatives of car companies, Malaysian Automotive Association president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, Toyo Tyre Sales and Marketing Malaysia president and managing director Tan Song Chye, Star Media Group chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis, chief business officer Lydia Wang and executive content officer Brian Martin.
Vogiatzakis said while car buyers are mesmerised by looks and performance, factors such as efficiency, value and environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important.
“It is heartening to see automotive companies being able to anticipate and act on these changing consumer patterns,” he said.
For the awards, a total of 61 vehicles, representing 25 automotive brands, were nominated across 33 categories.
Nominated cars are those launched in Malaysia between Oct 1 last year and Aug 31.
The nominees are from diverse brands namely Aston Martin, BMW, Citroen, DS, Ferrari, Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Perodua, Peugeot, Porsche, Proton, Renault, Subaru, Toyota and Volvo.
For the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2019, Carlsberg is the official beer sponsor while the official tyre is Toyo Tires and Silverstone.
Go to carsifu.my for the full list of winners.
