Audi A6 Crowned World Car of the Year: A Testament to Excellence

Summary

The Audi A6 has been named the World Car of the Year for 2005, a testament to its superior design, performance, and innovation. This prestigious award was announced at the Canadian International Auto Show, with the decision made by 48 international automotive journalists from 16 countries. The A6 surpassed competitors like the Volvo S40-V50 and Porsche 911, highlighting its universal appeal and excellence in various key areas. Discover more about the Audi A6 and its world-class parts at Partstrain.

The Selection Process

The selection process for the World Car of the Year award is rigorous and comprehensive. The 48 journalists used 20 separate parameters to evaluate the vehicles, including:

• Acceleration
• Braking
• Vehicle Dynamics
• Safety Features
• Cargo Capacity
• Off-Road Capabilities

From this extensive evaluation, the top 10 vehicles were chosen for the final round of voting. The final selection was based on five key areas of importance to consumers:

1. Merit
2. Value
3. Safety and Environmental Responsibility
4. Significance
5. Wow Factor (the car's emotional appeal)

The secret ballots were collected and tabulated by KPMG, an international accounting firm, ensuring the integrity of the voting process. The World Car of the Year program is administered as a non-profit corporation with a Steering Committee of six journalists overseeing the process.

The Finalists and the Winner

In a close race, the Audi A6 surpassed the Volvo S40-V50 and Porsche 911 to be declared the World Car of the Year. British automotive journalist Graham Johnson, co-chair of the award program, emphasized the significance of this award in the context of the global automotive industry. "The concept of national borders is now almost non-existent in terms of where vehicles and their components are designed, engineered, developed, and built ... or where they are sold," Johnson stated. "Considering the ever-increasing globalization of the automotive industry, the concept of a World Car of the Year award program was inevitable ... it is truly an idea whose time has come."

Audi's Reaction

Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice-President of Audi of America Inc., expressed his delight at receiving the award. "An award of this magnitude rests like a crown jewel among a host of accolades for our new A6. To be selected as the ultimate winner from a list of so many deserving vehicles, by automotive experts from around the world is truly gratifying. It signals the universal appeal of Audi's approach to designing and building the most progressive, sporty cars in the premium class," de Nysschen said.

Interesting Stats

• Global Sales: In 2005, Audi sold over 830,000 vehicles worldwide, marking a significant increase from previous years (Source: Audi Annual Report 2005).
• Market Share: Audi's market share in the premium car segment increased to 4.1% in 2005, up from 3.8% in 2004 (Source: Statista).
• Innovation: The Audi A6 was one of the first vehicles to feature the Multi Media Interface (MMI) system, which has since become a standard in luxury vehicles (Source: Car and Driver).

Learn More

To explore more about the Audi A6 or to purchase parts for this award-winning vehicle, visit Partstrain. You can also shop for other Audi models and parts for any year at Partstrain.

The Audi A6's recognition as the World Car of the Year is a testament to its exceptional design, performance, and innovation, setting a high standard in the automotive industry.