【转帖】 Experts Choose The Best

lemondy · Nov 22nd, 2006, 14:56

Tuesday November 21, 2006
It is to the car industry what the Oscars are to films.

But instead of best picture, the top awards are courtesy of the best pickers.

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has come out with its annual choices of the best cars in this country for the coming year.

How important are their decisions? Consider how much influence a good review has on the box office success of a movie and you'll get some idea the weight a thumbs up from these so-called ink (or in this case oil) stained wretches can carry.

So what do the people who cover the car industry pick as the best autos in 13 separate categories?

If you're looking to buy a new model, you might want to pay attention.
Because good words from these guys can lead to more interest from consumers and longer waits for delivery of that shiny new vehicle.

Here's the list:

*Best New Small Car Under $18,000:*
Honda Fit LX

*Best New Small Car Over $18,000:
*Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5

*Best New Family Car $22,000 - $30,000:
*Toyota Camry LE

*Best New Family Car over $30,000:
*Toyota Camry Hybrid

*Best New Luxury Car under $50,000:
*Lexus ES 350

*Best New Prestige Car:
*Audi S8

*Best New Sports/Performance Car Under $50,000:
*Mazdaspeed3

*Best New Sports/Performance Car Over $50,000:
*BMW 3-series Coupe

*Best New Convertible:
*Volkswagen EOS 2.0T

*Best New Pickup Truck:
*Chevrolet Avalanche

*Best New SUV/CUV Under $35,000:
*Toyota RAV4 - V6 Sport

*Best New SUV/CUV $35,000 - $60,000:
*Acura RDX Technology Package

*Best New SUV/CUV over $60,000:
*Mercedes-Benz GL Class

So what do the journalists look for that earns their vote?

"It's gotta handle, its gotta fit people comfortably, its gotta run properly and smoothly, and so we're looking at the full range of parameters," explains Paul Williams who chairs the Car Of The Year Committee.

After a day filled with insurance safety tests <http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_5453.aspx> from the U.S. that gave top marks only to imports, domestic car makers were looking for some good news from the group.

They didn't get any.

North American auto giants were completely shut out from this list, too, except in the area of light trucks.

"That American products are seen as lesser quality in today's world is completely false," asserts Ford's Christine Hollander. But she knows it's an uphill mountain her cars have to climb.

Still, the judges insist they were marking their ballots solely on the models themselves and not where they originated.

"We test them objectively, these are the results we've got," shrugs Williams. "We're not playing favourites here."

What tipped the balance of power in the auto war? New technologies, like Bluetooth voice activation and safety features, are both big pluses.

While many will one day become 'standard' features in your next car, the fact that they're here now and being made available tips the balance in their favour.

Car makers know you love the bells and whistles, and that's where they make a lot of their money. But they're also aware that unless the vehicles are close to your price range, you won't be looking.

Which leaves them with a strange challenge - provide the latest and the greatest without breaking your bank. And in the cut throat world of the auto sector, that can make for a very bumpy ride.

Nov 22nd, 2006, 14:56	#1
lemondy 北极企鹅注册日期: Jul 2004 帖子: 469	【转帖】 Experts Choose The Best Tuesday November 21, 2006 It is to the car industry what the Oscars are to films. But instead of best picture, the top awards are courtesy of the best pickers. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has come out with its annual choices of the best cars in this country for the coming year. How important are their decisions? Consider how much influence a good review has on the box office success of a movie and you'll get some idea the weight a thumbs up from these so-called ink (or in this case oil) stained wretches can carry. So what do the people who cover the car industry pick as the best autos in 13 separate categories? If you're looking to buy a new model, you might want to pay attention. Because good words from these guys can lead to more interest from consumers and longer waits for delivery of that shiny new vehicle. Here's the list: Best New Small Car Under $18,000: Honda Fit LX Best New Small Car Over $18,000: Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5 Best New Family Car $22,000 - $30,000: Toyota Camry LE Best New Family Car over $30,000: Toyota Camry Hybrid Best New Luxury Car under $50,000: Lexus ES 350 Best New Prestige Car: Audi S8 Best New Sports/Performance Car Under $50,000: Mazdaspeed3 Best New Sports/Performance Car Over $50,000: BMW 3-series Coupe Best New Convertible: Volkswagen EOS 2.0T Best New Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Avalanche Best New SUV/CUV Under $35,000: Toyota RAV4 - V6 Sport Best New SUV/CUV $35,000 - $60,000: Acura RDX Technology Package Best New SUV/CUV over $60,000: Mercedes-Benz GL Class So what do the journalists look for that earns their vote? "It's gotta handle, its gotta fit people comfortably, its gotta run properly and smoothly, and so we're looking at the full range of parameters," explains Paul Williams who chairs the Car Of The Year Committee. After a day filled with insurance safety tests <http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_5453.aspx> from the U.S. that gave top marks only to imports, domestic car makers were looking for some good news from the group. They didn't get any. North American auto giants were completely shut out from this list, too, except in the area of light trucks. "That American products are seen as lesser quality in today's world is completely false," asserts Ford's Christine Hollander. But she knows it's an uphill mountain her cars have to climb. Still, the judges insist they were marking their ballots solely on the models themselves and not where they originated. "We test them objectively, these are the results we've got," shrugs Williams. "We're not playing favourites here." What tipped the balance of power in the auto war? New technologies, like Bluetooth voice activation and safety features, are both big pluses. While many will one day become 'standard' features in your next car, the fact that they're here now and being made available tips the balance in their favour. Car makers know you love the bells and whistles, and that's where they make a lot of their money. But they're also aware that unless the vehicles are close to your price range, you won't be looking. Which leaves them with a strange challenge - provide the latest and the greatest without breaking your bank. And in the cut throat world of the auto sector, that can make for a very bumpy ride.
lemondy 北极企鹅注册日期: Jul 2004 帖子: 469