AJAC dishes out the hardware: And the winner Is...
Posted Feb 17th 2011 1:50PM
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When the Canadian Car of the Year was announced at the Canadian International Auto Show on Thursday, there was little fanfare among the assembled journalists.Although, to be fair, the breakfast buffet had just ended. And the devilled egg platter was demolished by ravenous journalists from across the globe.
There was certainly something approaching a whoop from the General Motors executive contingent.
Oh, have we mentioned the winner?
Ladies and gentlemen, your Canadian Car of the Year, as voted by the country's top automotive journalists is... the Chevrolet Cruze.
If you're not hooting and hollering at home, you may be forgiven.
After all, the Cruze is a fairly unassuming little number. At least, on the surface.
It looks very much like your usual compact. A distinguished grille, smooth lines and plenty of shine. But what makes the Cruze a truly sexy beast is its extraordinary mind. This is a real smart car for 2011 – one that doesn't promise plug-in engines, x-ray headlights or eye-tracking steering.
It's simply efficient. Boasting best-in-class highway fuel economy, this compact covers a lot of road with its refined four-cylinder engine. Naturally, there's the requisite techno-trappings highlighted by a slick navigation system called My Link by OnStar.
Making the Cruze an even easier sell for Canadian families are its unprecedented safety features. It boasts 10 airbags – a feat for which GM should be applauded, devilled eggs or not.
In the compact car sector, that's leadership, and compacts represent the most important segment in the automotive market. Over and over again executives from various automakers preached from the same gospel – the market, like the economy – is downsizing.
Gone – and good riddance – to auto shows dominated by trucks and heavy utility vehicles. Consumers are flocking to cars.
It's a market that Chevrolet is now steering with its pint-sized powerhouse and the country's most important automotive award at its back. The Cruze has already sold some half a million units worldwide. In Canada, where it's only been available for the last three months, GM says the Cruze has singlehandedly increased the company's compact sales volume by more than a third, versus the same period last year.
The mission, says GM Canada president Kevin Williams, is to "redefine how people drive, and we've taken a leadership position."
A safe, practical and efficient position. Oh so Canadian. And so appropriately, the AJAC Canadian Car of the Year.
GM wasn't the only automaker to drive away from the show with a trunk-load of honours.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG tore off with Best New Design. Not that most of us will do more than gawk at a rare sighting of this slippery speedster, thanks a to a price tag north of $200,000.
The Ford Edge was named Compact Utility Vehicle of the Year.
"Is this a grab and go?" asked David Mondragon, Ford Canada's president and CEO. No, he was given his 30 seconds to extol the virtues of the rugged model – and it's certainly a long list. The SUV sports a rear view camera system, a surprisingly sober sense of fuel economy and a raft of technological innovations.
Credit should go to the ceremony organizers for keeping things brisk when it came to doling out the honours. After all, all the heavy lifting had already been done. In the days leading to the event, about 70 automotive journalists gathered at a Niagara-area racetrack. Over a four-day stretch at the so-called 'TestFest', the journo-judges put 144 new vehicles through their paces.
At the top of this year's heap, however, the almost overly civilized Cruze reigned supreme.
"We're humbled by this award," Williams told attendees, brandishing the prestigious prize.
Hopefully, automakers will stay that way. And keep it small.
Those seeking a little more bang can try the rocket fuel labelled 'cappucino' on the showroom floor. On tap all week at the big show.
It's simply efficient. Boasting best-in-class highway fuel economy, this compact covers a lot of road with its refined four-cylinder engine. Naturally, there's the requisite techno-trappings highlighted by a slick navigation system called My Link by OnStar.
Making the Cruze an even easier sell for Canadian families are its unprecedented safety features. It boasts 10 airbags – a feat for which GM should be applauded, devilled eggs or not.
In the compact car sector, that's leadership, and compacts represent the most important segment in the automotive market. Over and over again executives from various automakers preached from the same gospel – the market, like the economy – is downsizing.
Gone – and good riddance – to auto shows dominated by trucks and heavy utility vehicles. Consumers are flocking to cars.
It's a market that Chevrolet is now steering with its pint-sized powerhouse and the country's most important automotive award at its back. The Cruze has already sold some half a million units worldwide. In Canada, where it's only been available for the last three months, GM says the Cruze has singlehandedly increased the company's compact sales volume by more than a third, versus the same period last year.
The mission, says GM Canada president Kevin Williams, is to "redefine how people drive, and we've taken a leadership position."
A safe, practical and efficient position. Oh so Canadian. And so appropriately, the AJAC Canadian Car of the Year.
GM wasn't the only automaker to drive away from the show with a trunk-load of honours.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG tore off with Best New Design. Not that most of us will do more than gawk at a rare sighting of this slippery speedster, thanks a to a price tag north of $200,000.
The Ford Edge was named Compact Utility Vehicle of the Year.
"Is this a grab and go?" asked David Mondragon, Ford Canada's president and CEO. No, he was given his 30 seconds to extol the virtues of the rugged model – and it's certainly a long list. The SUV sports a rear view camera system, a surprisingly sober sense of fuel economy and a raft of technological innovations.
Credit should go to the ceremony organizers for keeping things brisk when it came to doling out the honours. After all, all the heavy lifting had already been done. In the days leading to the event, about 70 automotive journalists gathered at a Niagara-area racetrack. Over a four-day stretch at the so-called 'TestFest', the journo-judges put 144 new vehicles through their paces.
At the top of this year's heap, however, the almost overly civilized Cruze reigned supreme.
"We're humbled by this award," Williams told attendees, brandishing the prestigious prize.
Hopefully, automakers will stay that way. And keep it small.
Those seeking a little more bang can try the rocket fuel labelled 'cappucino' on the showroom floor. On tap all week at the big show.
