It’s fall, and the leaves on the trees are turning from green to an assortment of colors. It’s also time for Motor Trend Magazine to decide on the 2008 Car of the Year.
The icon magazine for car enthusiasts has been naming the Car of the Year since 1949. Eighteen vehicles are competing for the prize. They are:
- Audi A5/S5
- Audi TT
- Cadillac CTS (pictured)
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Chrysler Town & Country
- Dodge Avenger
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Ford Focus
- Ford Taurus
- Honda Accord
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- MINI Cooper
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Scion xB
- Scion xD
- Subaru Impreza
- Volvo C30
- Volvo XC70
Choosing the winner is not just a popularity contest. Far from it. Instead, cars that are being considered must satisfy a host of criteria including Superiority, Significance, and Value.
Superiority calls for the editors to evaluate a car’s engineering excellence, advancement in design, utilization of resources and safety, vehicle concept and execution, use of materials, packaging, dynamics, styling and fuel consumption.
Significance calls for the editors to consider how well the vehicle does the job its creators meant for it to do. Also considered is how it impacts or changes its particular market segment, influence consumer perceptions, and transforms product development trends.
Value calls for the evaluation of how the vehicle compares with its direct rivals.
Our take? We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for the winner.
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