WWCOTY voting starts

EVs are among 59 candidate vehicles for the Women’s World Car of the Year, with six category winners announced February 15.

About 60 women motoring journalists from 44 countries will choose each winner, the supreme winner revealed on March 8 which coincides with International Women’s Day.

EVs include the Aiways U6, Audi Q5 e-tron, BMW iX1, BYD Atto 3, Genesis GV60 electric, Leapmotor C11, Mercedes-Benz EQE, MG 4 and 5, Nio ET7, Nissan Ariya, Renault Megan E-Tech, Smart #1, Subaru Solterra, and Vinfast VF8 and 9.

Some, like the Kia Niro and Lexus RX, offer multiple power train options.

The categories are; Urban Car, Family Car, Large Sedan, Large SUV, Sports Car and 4×4/Pick-Up. Those with the highest score in each of these categories go through to the next phase, leading to the final unveiling of the WWCOTY World’s Best Car 2023.

The voting criteria is based on the same principles that guide any driver when buying a vehicle, WWCOTY says, adding it’s not “the woman’s car” but a car for everyone.

Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving and environmental footprint are among factors jurors consider.

This year, the WWCOTY awards are more important than ever because the industry is facing major challenges such as climate change and supply hampered by the semiconductor crisis, says WWCOTY which has a more than 500 million audience.

WWCOTY was created by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre in 2009. She is its honorary president while Marta García is executive president.