Many COTY awards focus on regional markets, vehicle types, or market segments.[citation needed] An example is the "tow car of the year" in the UK (for pulling
travel trailers).[4] or the COTY AJAC award in
Canada.[citation needed]
eligible cars are all those that have been launched and gone on sale in the past year
must be available on at least two continents
juror can borrow the car in question from manufacturer fleet of test cars
fitness for purpose
real-world practicalities such as running costs, interior space and comfort, acceleration, handling, roadholding, ride comfort, noise levels, fit, finish, visual and tactile quality of the interior
Innovation - advance of car design and engineering
The originator of the COTY award,
Motor Trend, uses these criteria:[6]
Advancement in design
Engineering excellence - integrity of the total vehicle concept and execution and use of technologies that benefit the consumer
Efficiency - fuel economy and overall operating costs
Safety - protect occupants from harm in a crash and avoid a crash
Value - relative to competitors in the same market segment
Performance of intended function
Global
World Car of the Year selected by a jury of 102 international automotive journalists from 30 countries,[7] beginning in 2003
European Car of the Year selected by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto (Italy), Autocar (United Kingdom), Autopista (Spain), Autovisie (Netherlands), L'Automobile Magazine (France), Stern (Germany) and Vi Bilägare (Sweden). The voting jury consists of motoring journalists from publications throughout Europe.