Milestone for women motoring writers

Three women motoring journalists will make history in presenting a special trophy at the Busan International Motor Show in South Korea on June 7.

The trio – all members of the Women’s World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) judging panel – have been invited to South Korea to present Hyundai Motor with WWCOTY’S Supreme Award for its ground-breaking Hyundai Ioniq.

It’s the first car in the world to offer separate hybrid, full electric and plug in hybrid powertrains within one body type.

The car won the 2017 WWCOTY title against five other category winners.

The three motoring journalists are Sandy Myhre (WWCOTY founder) from New Zealand, Sara Soria from Spain and Rita Cook from the USA.

All three will be hosted by Hyundai to make the presentation – and history. They represent all 33 journalists on the awards jury, and it’s the first time women motoring journalists have been invited to Asia specifically as a group.

During their three-day visit to South Korea, the journalists will meet Peter Schreyer, one of three president-level executives at Kia Motors and head of global design strategy for both Hyundai and Kia brands.

They will also meet Hyundai’s vice-president and global PR head Zayong Koo.

The group will tour Hyundai’s research and development facility and design studios.

They will also get their first look at the Hyundai Nexo, the company’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered crossover SUV revealed globally in January.

Their final day includes a cultural tour of Seoul.

The WWCOTY Supreme Award trophy is made in New Zealand, from native wood inlaid with paua shell (mother-of-pearl) and depicts the koru, an unfolding silver fern leaf frond.