WESBANK RELEASE: COTY WINNER: Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline

 

MEDIA RELEASE: 18 March 2010

 

Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline

 

The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) announced the Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline as the SAGMJ / WesBank Car of the Year for 2010. The announcement was made during a gala banquet hosted by WesBank at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, on Thursday 18 March.

 

The SAGMJ / WesBank Car of the year competition, now in its 25^th year, seeks to reward automotive excellence. The announcement of this prestigious accolade comes after a stringent process whereby a jury of 25 highly experienced motoring journalists assessed all eight finalists both statically and dynamically. The vehicles were tested across a variety of categories including value for money, safety, dynamics, technology and aesthetics. The members of the jury scored each of the finalists accordingly, and in the end, it was the Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline that achieved the highest score across all the categories.

 

 

The Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline beat off strong competition from the other 7 very worthy finalists which included the, Audi Q5 2.0 TS tronic, Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.8 LS, Hyundai 120 1.6 GLS, Chevolet Cruze 1.8 LS, Suzuki Alto 1.0 Litre GLS, Toyota Prius 1.8 ECVT Advanced and Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic.

 

During his speech, Brian Riley, CEO of WesBank paid tribute to the members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalist for their unwavering support and for spending their valuable time participating in the COTY test days.

 

“We celebrate your passion for the industry and greatly appreciate your contribution to the SAGMJ / WesBank Car of the Year. It is the Guild’s steadfast dedication to duty and to upholding the integrity of the competition’s overall process that make us so proud to be the main sponsor”, said Riley.

 

Although 2009 was a very difficult year for the South African motor industry, Riley applauded the resilience of the industry as a whole and said that he anticipates 2010 to be a better year for the motor industry.

 

“It will not be a dramatic recovery, but I hope that growth in this sector will remain at a sustainable rate”, said Riley.

 

He concluded his speech by congratulating the Manufacturers of the eight finalists for the great line up.

 

 

 

For more information contact:

Loura Brown                                                               Genea Frade

Wes Bank                                                                   Fleishman Hillard

011 649 5298                                                             011 548 2002

Loura.brown@wesbank.co.za                                    Genea.Frade@fleishman.co.za

 

Notes to editors:

·         The SAGMJ has run the South African Car of the Year competition since 1986

·         WesBank has sponsored the competition since inception

·         Previous winners:

1986 Toyota Corolla Twin Cam
1987 Mercedes 260
1988 BMW 735i
1989 Toyota Corolla GLi Executive
1990 BMW 525i
1991 Opel Monza 160 GSi
1992 Nissan Maxima 300 SE
1993 BMW 316i
1994 Opel Kadett 140
1995 Opel Astra 160iS
1996 Audi A4 1,8
1997 BMW 528i
1998 Ford Fiesta Fun
1999 Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark
2000 Renault Clio 1.4 RT
2001 BMW 320d
2002 Audi A4 1.9 TDI
2003 Polo 1.4 TDi
2004 Renault Megane 1.9 dCi

2005 Volvo S40 2.4i                 

2006 Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T

2007 Honda Civic 1.8VXi Sedan

2008 Mazda2 1.5 Individual

2009 Honda Accord 2,4 Executive