Ford Fiesta 1.0 wins 2013 WWCOTY

The months of judging for the Women's World Car of the Year is finished, and the supreme winner for 2013 is the Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre EcoBoost. 

The Fiesta -- which will arrive in Australia later this year -- also won the economy car category in the finalist voting round and, in the second voting round consisting of finalists only, edged out the Mazda CX-5 and the Range Rover.

This year judges voted for SUVs in a separate category. The Mazda CX-5 was the narrow winner over the Hyundai Sante Fe.  And in a purely fun category judges were asked to nominate their Dream Car.  This was won by the Aston Martin Vanquish, just nudging out the Jaguar F-type. The awards are audited by international accountants, Grant Thornton.

Commenting on the win, Craig Von Essen, Product and Communications Manager for Ford Motor Company, Asia-Pacific and Africa, said the company was 'thrilled' to receive not only the economy car category award but the overall supreme award.

“Women pack powerful purchasing power, representing a huge market opportunity.  The fact that a respected panel of published and specialist women motoring writers selected the Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost is a significant accolade as we work to design, develop and market our vehicles, technologies and services in a way that captures the attention of this very influential buying group.”

Chief Judge, Sandy Myhre of New Zealand, said the judging categories changed for 2013 and the three-tier voting system makes it hard for any car to be selected as a category finalist, let alone winning.  Judges supply their own short list from 2013 model year cars they've tested.  From there a short list is formed to determine the finalists and from the finalist list judges choose their supreme winner and the podium finishers.

She said the Women's World Car of the Year awards are designed primarily to reflect the preferences of women buyers through the ballot box of women motoring writers from around the world and points out that while some of the judging criteria remains consistent throughout, there are variables.

“The Family Car category, for instance, includes child-friendliness, storage space and value-for-money and individually these aren't always appropriate on which to judge a sports car for example. 

“It's what makes these awards unique, quite apart from the fact there is no other international motoring award in the world which is voted for by women and with women in mind.”

Commenting on some of the reasons for their selection, UK judge Victoria MacMillan Bell says Ford's styling gets better and better.

“The Fiesta has such a high-end look and feel to it.  Pair this with the multi award-winning 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine achieving range figures and performance never before seen and this very stylish pocket rocket wins in every category, with bells on.”

Charlene Clarke from South Africa notes that her country is a price-sensitive market both in terms of purchase price and running costs.

"As such the Ford Fiesta, specifically with its EcoBoost engine, is already finding massive favour with motorists in this market.  Now, of course, it comes with Ford's sensational styling and SYNC technology.  The surprisingly good performance of the EcoBoost engine and superb economy means this is an unbeatable combination.”

The presentation of the trophies and certificates will this year take place in London at the beginning of October.

The official results in each category are:

Family Car: 1st -  Audi Allroad  
2nd -  Volkswagen Golf 
3rd -  BMW 3 Series

Luxury Car: 1st -  Range Rover
2nd -   Mercedes Benz SL550
3rd - BMW 6 Series

Sports Car: 1st - Porsche Boxster S
2nd -  Audi RS 5
3rd -  Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ

SUV: 1st - Mazda CX-5
2nd -  Hyundai Sante Fe
3rd -  Nissan Pathfinder

Economy Car: 1st -  Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost
2nd -  Kia Forte
3rd -  Toyota Prius