01-APR-2006: AND NOW THERE ARE THREE….

Top Three Finalists Announced In Four Categories - 2006 World Car of the Year Awards

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April 3, 2006 - For Immediate Release

The countdown continues !

From an initial entry list of twenty-seven (27) new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten finalists, the top three contenders for the second annual World Car of the Year awards were announced today by the international accounting firm KPMG. 

The 2006 World Car of the Year top three finalists are, in alphabetical order:

·           BMW 3 Series

·           Mazda MX-5

·           Porsche Cayman S

A jury of 46 international automotive journalists considered a variety of parameters; then individually reviewed, evaluated, and voted on the World Car of the Year entrants by secret ballot.   The international accounting firm KPMG tabulated the ballots to first determine the finalists, and finally the winner.

The 2006 World Car of the Year will be declared on Thursday, April 13, 2006 during a press conference presented by The Midway Group and hosted by the New York International Auto Show.

Announcing the annual World Car of the Year awards at the New York show is a fitting finale to the auto show season that begins each fall with either the Paris or Frankfurt motor shows.   Next, it’s on to Tokyo in alternating years.  The Detroit show takes centre stage in January while Geneva claims the spotlight in March.  Finally, in April, the season reaches its exciting climax at the New York International Auto Show.

Three additional groups of finalists, for World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year, will be announced during the same press conference on April 13, 2006.

Graham Johnson, co-chair of the World Car of the Year steering committee, announced the addition of the new awards in October.  “Performance, design, and environmental responsibility are all key elements in the success of a vehicle on a global scale,” he said, “so we believe it is appropriate that we recognize exceptional achievement in those specific areas with their own awards.”

A panel of international experts in each of the environmental and design fields was chosen to assist the jurors by developing the short lists of finalists from the array of eligible candidates in each of those categories.

The three finalists for the 2006 World Green Car are: Citroen C1 1.4 Hdi (Diesel), Honda Civic Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h/Toyota Harrier Hybrid

For the 2006 World Car Design of the Year, the three finalists are: BMW 3-Series, Citroen C4, and the Honda Civic / Civic Hybrid (European version).

The 46 member jury themselves determined the top three finalists in the World Performance Car category.  They are:  the Audi RS4, the BMW M5 and the Porsche Cayman S.

Today’s world is truly a global village – especially within the automotive industry.  National borders are effectively non-existent in terms of where vehicles and their components are designed, engineered, developed, built, and sold. The World Car of the Year Awards, of which the Audi A6 was the inaugural winner in 2005, reflect the truly global nature of the 21^st-century automotive business and, at the same time, recognizes and rewards automotive excellence on a global scale.

The World Car of the Year Awards program is initiated by, organized by, and conducted by, automotive journalists from around the globe.  A non-profit association guided by a steering committee of journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America administers the awards program.  WCOTY is intended to complement, not compete with, existing COTY awards by raising consumer awareness of regional Car of the Year award programs as well as the World Car of the Year.

For more information about the WCOTY, please visit our web site at www.wcoty.com or e-mail or call Beth Xenarios, Executive Manager, at beth@wcoty.com, 1-905-342-2220.

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About The Midway Group

MIDWAY-GROUP is a member of the Hankey Group of Companies, a global automotive solutions firm specializing in vehicle acquisition and supply, comprehensive transportation, insurance underwriting and market data services utilized by automobile manufacturers, marketing, training, advertising, engineering, media services and certified testing agencies.

 www.midway-group.com

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About the New York International Auto Show

"Proudly serving the needs of our clients since 1953".   Kicking off the springtime selling season, the 2006 New York International Auto Show will feature an impressive collection of cutting-edge design and remarkable innovation.  More than four floors of displays from the world’s automakers will feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars.  More than 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display at the Javits Center, filling 846,000 square feet of exhibit space.  In addition, dozens of World and North American vehicle debuts are expected at the Show.  NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

Important Show Dates

Press Preview                                April 12 & 13

Public Sneak Preview                      April 14

Public Show Dates                          April 14 – April 23